IRVINE, CA. — Laila Edwards assisted on the game-tying goal and connected on the go-ahead tally as Selects Academy at BK 16U rallied to beat the East Coast Wizards, 3-1.
With the win, Selects Academy advances to Monday’s final of the 2019 Chipotle USA – Hockey National Championship.
Trailing 1-0 after two periods of play, Kirsten Simms took an Edwards feed and tied the game 6:03 into the final period. Edwards gave Selects its first lead less than five minutes later with assists from Nina Christof and Haley Winn. MaryKate O’Brien made it a 3-1 game with 3:18 remaining.
Selects will play Chicago Mission in Monday’s championship game. A 9:30 AM (PST) puck drop is scheduled at the Great Park Ice and Sports Complex.
The comeback in the semifinals was the squad’s second of the day.
Edwards and Simms connected on third-period goals as Selects downed Pittsburgh Pens Elite, 4-3 in the quarterfinals.
Trailing 3-2 early in the final period, Edwards set up Simms for the game-tying goal. Edwards delivered the game-winner to send Selects to the national semifinals.
Edwards also scored in the first period, and Christof added a tally in the second for a 2-1 Selects edge. Anna Staton and Gracee Donovan assisted on Christof’s goal.
Lauren Bernard gave Selects an early lead, and Marie Dedert made 22 saves but it was not enough as Selects Academy at BK 19U fell 2-1 to the Boston Jr. Eagles in the quarterfinals of the national championship. Bernard’s even-strength goal with an assist from Caroline Harvey gave Selects a 1-0 lead 9:43 into the second period.
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