Mercy Varsity Hockey (MVH) held nothing back in the 2019 State Championship. With a final score of 4-2, the Marlins fought hard against the reigning champs, Grosse Pointe South, and won their fourth State Championship in the last five years.

Last year in the State Championship Semi-Finals, Mercy lost to Grosse Pointe South, so the team came prepared and ready to win this year.

“Before the game, Grosse Pointe South was pretty confident in beating us,” said junior Sydney Takla. “But we went out there wanting to win and prove them wrong.”

Grosse Pointe South scored the first goal of the game, and ended the first period with a lead of 2-1. The Marlins stepped it up and scored two goals in the second period to bring the score up to 3-2.

Takla anticipated the hard game, and came ready to play. She scored the goal that tied the game up and worked with her team to come out as champions.

“After I scored, I think it was reassuring to the whole team that there was still a chance to win, and that we shouldn’t give up,” said Takla.  

A final goal was scored by sophomore Grace Nieto at the end of third period to secure the lead.

In addition to the State Championship win, the team did very well all season with a record of 20-3-3. Takla believes that their team’s success is based on their effort.

“It truly depends on how much work we put into practices, because if you don’t practice the way you want to play in games, then you will never get better,” said Takla.

The team worked hard all season with lead from senior captain Libby Bartels, senior assistant captain Abbey Roegner, sophomore assistant captain Maggie Murphy, junior assistant captain Sydney Takla, and sophomore assistant captain Grace Nieto. The seniors especially helped lead the team in their final year.

“They were such good leaders who the team looked up to and put everything they had into making this a good season,” said Takla.