Washtenaw United Cap the Week with a Win

In the heart of their season, the Washtenaw United High School girls’ hockey team took to the ice in three league games and one exhibition game last week.

On January 24, Washtenaw traveled to Cranbrook School to take on the Cranes. The Cranes scored first before Mikaylah Niethammer (Saline ’25) scored from the front of the net, assisted by Chloe Dillen (Saline ’24) and Sydney Clark (Saline ’25).

The Cranes took the lead with a power play goal before Clark leveled the game, helped by Katie Issel (Chelsea ’26) and Dillen.

Chloe Dillen (Saline ’24) had three assists and three goals in four games.

The Cranes then scored three unanswered goals to lead 5-2 by the end of the second game. In the third half, Issel scored United’s 3rd goal, assisted by Kat Winters (Saline ’23), but it wasn’t enough for a comeback and United lost 5-3 to the Cranes.

“I was really proud of their performance,” said assistant coach Chad Clark of the United defence. “They played their strongest game yet as a unit.”

On January 26, Washington welcomed Livingston United to the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. Livingston came on the board early and scored after 28 seconds into the game. Chloe Dillen equalized four minutes later by pinching the puck past the goaltender on the side of the net. Julia Berkholtz (Dexter ’24) assisted.

Two minutes later, Dillen continued her scoring streak, winning a faceoff in the offensive zone and burying the puck with an assist from Rylee Kennedy (Milan ’24).

Livingston leveled the game and took the lead after scoring two quick goals within 40 seconds. Washtenaw held Livingston to a goal in the second half.

The third period began with Washtenaw trailing 2-4. As the clock ticked down to 2:21, Kat Winters took advantage of a five-on-three and fired past the goalie’s shoulder, giving Washtnenaw Livingston the lead. Sydney Clark assisted. However, Livingston held on against offensive pressure from Washtenaw and the game ended in a loss for Washtenaw.

Saturday brought a strong team from Grosse Pointe South to the Cube, whose only loss this season was defending state league champions University Liggett. Washtenaw proved a formidable opponent, playing well as a team and peppering the Grosse Pointe South goalie with good chances. Grosse Pointe South scored a goal in each half and defeated United 3-0.

Goalkeeper Trista Tracy (Chelsea ’25) put in an outstanding performance, saving 31 shots.

“This is probably one of my better games,” Tracy said. “I was really proud of myself today and made some pretty good catch saves.”

On Sunday, Washtenaw faced Troy United in an exhibition game. Raegen Kopitsch (Dexter ’24) scored in the first minute after assisting Lilly Schlack (Saline ’26). Schlack again assisted in United’s second goal, which was netted by Sam Wawzysko (Saline ’24). Then Kopitsch got her second of the night, assisted by Sydney Clark.

Washtenaw also dominated the second half, scoring three more unanswered goals: Clark from Kopitsch and Dillen; Wawzysko from Issel and Winters; and dills on a runaway.

Mikaylah Niethammer scored United’s seventh and final goal in the third period. An unfortunate distraction with less than two minutes to go put Troy on the board but United prevailed 7-1 to end the week with a win.

Photos courtesy of Washtenaw United