The Utica-Fraser high school team is off to a good start. Playing some great games and having a lot of fun. After Stevenson and Fraser schools joined Utica-Ford, the guys got along quickly. Jumping into this season with a lot of energy, this team continued to give that same energy.
To start the season off, they played Rochester united. Coming out with a strong start, Utica scored the first goal of the game and first of their season. As the game went on, Rochester bounced back, scoring three goals, and winning the game 3-1. Even though Utica lost, they still played a great game showing the potential they have. The second game of the season Utica played Bishop Foley High School. Before games, the team makes sure to be warmed up and ready to play at their best.
Senior Ryan Misuraca is skating down the ice looking for an opportunity to score. Picture by Tyler Trotto.
“I like to listen to music and stretch before games, it helps me focus and prepare before I head out on the ice and play,” senior Ryan Misuraca said. “I play forward and when the puck goes into the corner, I like to be hard on my stick and use my body to protect the puck.”
Utica came out strong right out of warmups and fans knew this would be a great game. The team fought hard and showed out on the ice with the final score being 7-3.
During practice, the team has an exceptionally good structure on what needs to get done. Monday, they work on a variety of drills, Tuesday is battling drills, and Wednesday is working on systems. This team puts a lot of effort on and off the ice, working out before practice on Mondays and Wednesday’s. On Mondays every week, the coaches put together a team dinner for the boys. This brings the team together just a little more each week. Getting together as a team is one of the main keys to success for a team.
November 23rd, Utica played Romeo on a Saturday night. The team came to the rink with lots of positiveness and was ready to play. The puck dropped at 8:30, and the game went on. Utica came up 1-0 after the first period, then as the game went on Romeo scored five goals to make the final 5-1. After a tough loss, three days later Utica played Port Huron at home. The team arrives at the rink an hour before the puck drops to stretch, get warmed up, and do small things like tape sticks or sharpen skates.
“I get a warmup stretch in, stickhandle, shoot some pucks, and don’t goof around to stay locked in for the game,” junior Alex Gorgievski said. “It’s started off a bit difficult so far because we’re the underdogs this season but I’m always going to believe in the team and I’m confident that we’ll win more this season.”
Utica was hoping to win this game, considering the last time they played Port Huron it was a loss. After the first period, Port Huron was up 1-0. During the second period, both teams were going back and forth scoring goals, making the end of the period 4-3 for Utica. The last period, Utica made no mistakes and won the game with the final score being 6-3.
“I played center and right wing this game, and I was winning faceoffs and skating hard,” junior Carlos Sotelo said. “The team skated hard, and we definitely deserved this win, I’m looking forward to more wins like this in the season, despite all the doubts on us I’m hoping that we can show out and compete for a good record.”
Utica is looking forward to a great season and hoping to accomplish the goals that were set at the beginning of the season. Staying consistent at practices and working hard, they will have a big chance at reaching their goals. Utica is a hard-working team, and they know what they must do to complete their goals. This season has been an exciting season for the team and coaches, they are off to a great start.
