RHS Ice Hockey
Garnets Fall in State Semifinals, but Leave a Lasting Legacy

By Jim Byrne

After senior Joe Uzcategui cut Monroe-Woodbury's lead to 5-2 with an unbelievable shot from beyond the blue line, the despair of a 5-0 hole in the first period gave way to a palpable feeling of hope for the Garnets. Could they do it again? Could Rye pull off the impossible? Were they destined for the State Final and the Championship?

But Uzcategui's slow-floating goal with 11:04 remaining in the second period would be the final goal in a game where seven were scored in the first 19 minutes. Rye's wild run for a Division 2 State Title came to an end in the State Semifinals, 5-2, at the hands of eventual champs Monroe-Woodbury Saturday, March 10, in Utica.

Despite the loss to the 21-1-1 State Champion juggernauts, the Garnets have a lot to be proud of in the strides made in the 2006-07 season. What began with the Board of Education taking a closer look at the necessity of the program ended with a 6-0-1 record in the final seven games en route to the State Semifinals. The Garnets finished the season 15-8-4, and took home their first Section Title since 1994.

“It was remarkable the way the guys came together down the stretch through the Sectionals and into State play,” said head coach Jason Friesen. “You could not have asked for more from them. It was just a really great ride.”

After Monroe-Woodbury sliced and diced Rye to the tune of a 5-0 in the first period of the State Semifinal game, Friesen had his work cut out for him. His job was to get the Garnets to forget what happened in the first, and to concentrate on shutting down the Crusaders' offense while chipping away a goal at a time. Monroe-Woodbury failed to score another goal, and Rye was able to score a couple of times, but came up short on other opportunities. Nevertheless, it was a respectable end to what could have gotten ugly.

“We just tried to approach the second and third periods like it was a new game at 0-0,” said Friesen. “I told them, 'Let's not let any more goals in, and let's see if we can chip away. Just be patient and we can try and get back in this.'”

Once the game had concluded, Rye exuded the pride and class they had displayed all season long. To a man, each Garnet hugged senior goaltender Matt Donahue, letting him know how much he has meant to the team and that the game's result was not his fault.

“That moment was for all the great memories that we made while we were on this team,” said senior captain TJ Smith. “I've never played on such a great team. We were so close and it was so much fun to play. When you think of a team, that's what we were.”

Reflecting further on what this Rye team meant to him, Smith felt he had left everything he had to give out on the ice.

“I've played hockey my entire life and I've been on varsity hockey for all four years, so this was very meaningful for me in my last season playing high school hockey,” he said. “It was amazing to be on a championship team that made a run like we did, especially when you rise above everyone's expectations besides your own, because you knew all along that you had the ability to do it. It's just a really great feeling.”

Last week, Donahue was awarded with the League's Player of the Year honor, and Friesen was given the Coach of the Year nod. Furthermore, Donahue, Jordan Eck, Marshall Rogers and Smith were selected as All League players for their standout play this year.

Friesen was humble about the award he received, saying, “I liked seeing what we did this year and I hope we can be in the same position season after season, fighting for the Sectional Title and a spot in the State Tournament.”

Along with Donahue and Smith, the State Semifinal was the final game in a Rye uniform for Uzcategui, Kyle Iobbi, James Geoghegan, Jacques Pierot and Rob Gillick. Coach Friesen's toughest assignment for next year will be replacing Donahue in net.

“Things look very bright,” said Friesen. “Obviously we have to find a replacement for Matty in goal, but we've got some good players coming up.”

Smith believes current sophomore Matt Benincasa will step up in 2007-08 to fill the void left by Donahue. With players like the dynamic Jordan Eck, Donald Keough, Marshall Rogers and Smith's sleeper pick, sophomore Chris Fullenwider, the Garnets might not miss a beat.