Valley team skates home with U-19 championship

WASILLA — Maribeth Weeks had many reasons to be happy as she watched her girls U-19 hoist a state championship trophy.

It was the second time in four years the local girls hockey coach had the chance to see one of her Matanuska Amateur Hockey Association teams win a state title. Her squad won the second state championship in the six-year history of the MAHA girls program, showing the Valley’s ability to compete in the growing sport of girls hockey. On a more personal note, the bulk of her team has been with her since the program was founded.

“It’s very special,” Weeks said. “This is a special group, a really special group.”

The MAHA Mat-Su Eagles U-19 squad skated to a 3-1 win over the Lady Mustangs Hockey Association squad in the Tier III state championship game at the MacDonald Center in Eagle River earlier this month. Alexis Butcher, Kaitlyn Berberich and Danica Boggs scored in the game, and goalie Megan Lackey earned the win in net to help Eagles win the trophy and finish 4-0-1 during the tourney.

It was a satisfying win for Weeks and her team. The Eagles tied the Lady Mustangs 2-2 during the first day of the state tourney, and then won four straight to win the title. Weeks was also happy to see her players rewarded for their commitment.

“I have a lot of girls that have been with me since they were 8. Now they’re 14,” Weeks said. “It’s fantastic they’ve stuck with the program for that long.”

A handful of players on the state title-winning squad also play for the Mat-Su Ravens, the local all-girls high school hockey team. The MAHA program is also feeding the Ravens with more talent, which could mean good things for the Valley’s first girls prep team.

“It could be very exciting next year,” Weeks said.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.