Junior Premier Indoor League

Submitted by JPIL organizers, February 26, 2013: This past weekend we brought the curtains down on the 2nd Annual Junior Premier Indoor League and by all indications it appears to be a huge success to those who participated and those in attendance.

After six league dates of competitive Indoor Hockey on a consistence and regular basis, we can truly say that the benefits can been seen by all. The improvement of the games played by all Clubs from the fist League date on December 28th to this Championship weekend is very commendable and is attributed to the commitment of the players, parents and coaches alike.

Those in attendance witnessed some very exciting and trilling finish on Saturday. We saw seven games decided by the Golden Goal rule of Sudden Victory, including the U-16 Finals between East Coast FH and High Styx FH, and seventeen of the twenty four games played were won by a margin of less than three goals. That was how competitive the games were as we brought the 2013 JPIL to a conclusion.

Xcalibur FHC continued to dominate their opponents with speed of execution, good ball handling skill and great team work to capture the Princess Challenge Trophy in the U-19 Divisions. It was not as easy as it sounds because they were trailing Spirit Eagles FHC by three goals to none at the end of the first half in the Championship game but was able to right their ship in the second half and came away with a seven to four (7 – 4) victory.

Special Recognition was given to three individuals who were each presented with a Princess outdoor Stick.

Most Valuable Players: Christen Piersanti, Spirit Eagles FHC and Angela Virtu, Xcalibur FHC

Most League Goals: Marissa Balleza, SPark

In the U-16 Division, we saw High Styx upset the all out favorite Xcalibur FHC in the semi-finals in a trilling overtime victory after the score was all tied at five at the end of regulation. The excitement continued in the Championship game where we saw High Styx FH in yet another exciting finish. With the game safely in the hands of East Coast FH with only seconds remaining, Rebecca Hauser of High Styx FH tied the game at three a piece and sent it into overtime where she also scored the Golden Goal giving High Styx the Championship.

Special Recognition was given to three individuals who were each presented with a Princess outdoor Stick.

Most Valuable Players: Virginia Bramley, East Coast FH and Katie Hammaker, High Styx FH

Most League Goals: Jessica Valvano, SPark

The success and continued success of this League will not be possible without the support of others who we would like to recognize.

Special thanks to US Field Hockey for Sanctioning and supporting this event and to its staff for posting and updating the results on its web site.

Special mention to the USA National Junior Indoor Coach Rennie Milne and Manager Nicky Hitchens for attending and assisting with the Awards presentation.

To Steve Horgan the Director of Umpiring at USFHA for selecting and assigning the Umpires and Managers for this event, and to the Umpire Managers Susan McHenry and Dean Wenrich and all of the Officials and Technical Officers, we appreciate your commitment and support for this event and hope you will continue to make yourselves available when called upon in 2014.

We also want to give recognition to the College and University coaches who took the time to be present and hope that you all were pleased with the level of competition. Those in attendances represented the following establishments: Fairfield University, University of Delaware, University of Michigan, Michigan State, Princeton University, Ryder University, Temple University, Drexel University, University of Pennsylvania and Iowa University.

Last but not least, our Title Sponsor Princess Hockey USA, for seeing the need and value for such an event in the development of our kids, the sport and for agreeing to be the Title Sponsor. We ask that you show your appreciation by visiting their booth at NIT or go online and support their products.

On behalf of the League Organizers Rachael Milne and myself, Nigel Traverso, we would like to thank the Clubs, Players, Coaches, Umpires, 422 Sportsplex, Sportsplex at Feasterville and last but not least the Club volunteers who kept accurate scores and kept the games running on time each week. Thanks you for your hard work, commitment, support and cooperation in seeing this second year through and for its success.

Congratulations to Xcalibur FHC and High Styx FH the 2013 JPIL Champions and to all the Clubs for your participation!