After having a two-week break from competition, the Gilmour Academy girls prep hockey team will contest postseason play this weekend.

The Lancers will compete in the Mid-American District Tournament, which is taking place at OBM Arena in Strongsville, Ohio. The three-team tournament will feature round-robin play with the winner earning an automatic bid into the USA Hockey National Tournament at the end of April.

Gilmour will face Culver Academy 19U this Friday, March 12, at 7:20 p.m. The Lancers will then face Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 19U Sunday, March 14, at 2:20 p.m.

The Lancers split a pair of games with Culver in mid-December, claiming a 2-0 win before suffering a 3-2 setback the following day. Gilmour has not faced the Penguins Elite squad this season.

Gilmour has relied heavily on a strong and fast defensive unit this year. This group, led by the likes of Quinn Hartmetz '21, Bridgit Terry '21, Isabella Sprang '21 and Kaitlyn Schooley '22, are both strong in front of their own net while also being offensive minded and a threat at the other end of the ice.

Maggie Dean '22, who has an extremely high hockey IQ and creativity on the ice, centers the Lancers' top offensive line. She is flanked by Julija Blazinsek '21 and Alayna Toole '22 on the right and left, respectively. Blazinsek is a natural goal-scorer while Toole is a jack-of-all-trades, with an ability to move the puck, score and play a role in the defensive zone by blocking shots.

Alayna Breivogel '21, an athletic and explosive netminder, anchors the Lancers between the pipes.

"This district tournament is up for grabs," head coach Seanna Conway said. "All three teams at the 19U level are similarly ranked and very even, and no one team is particularly favored. Our team needs to play every minute like it's the last 30 seconds, with intensity and grit, and we can beat anyone. We are truly looking forward to the opportunity to compete close to home."

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