Morristown-Beard claims 1st NJ girls ice hockey title

In the first ever New Jersey girls ice hockey championship game, it was only fitting that Morristown-Beard finished on top.

After all, the Crimson have been the preeminent girls ice hockey program in the state, a program that has been built into a consistent power by head coach and former NHL star Bruce Driver over the last 20 years.

Now, it has a state title to show for it.

The top seeded Crimson, led by a two-goal performance from Leah Stecker and a shutout from goalie Sasha Berniker, claimed the inaugural State Invitational Tournament title with a 3-0 win over sixth seed Summit at the Prudential Center in Newark on Thursday night.

Stecker gave Morristown-Beard the lead in the first period with 8:36 to go, which was assisted by Anna Bajak. Logan Sutera doubled the lead in the second on assists from Bajak and Faith Facchini, before Stecker added her second later on to make it a three-goal advantage.

In total, Morristown-Beard out-shot Summit, 28-11 in the game. It finished the year with an 18-8-1 record.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period

MB — Leah Stecker (Anna Bajak) 8:36
Second period

MB — Logan Sutera (Anna Bajak, Faith Facchini) 10:09

MB — Leah Stecker (Lilli Warnock, Sam Grant) 3:41

Third period

No scoring.

Shots on goal: Morristown-Beard 28, Summit 11

Saves: Lily Spinner (Summit) 25, Sasha Berniker (MB) 11