Loomis Chaffee beat Phillips Academy Andover three times this season, the final victory on March 9 giving the Pelicans the NEPSAC Elite Eight championship in girls hockey for the first time since 1989 and the first for head coach Liz Leyden in her 16 years leading the program. 

The first victory over Andover was in the PKO Holiday Tournament, where Loomis clinched the title with a shootout win. A game-winning goal with just 0.6 seconds left on the clock provided the second win. Loomis led 3-0 in the Elite Eight title game, but Andover got within 4-3 in the third period before Loomis won 5-3.  

"The championship game was one of the wildest hockey games I have been a part of," said Liz. "The girls were relentless in their effort throughout, and when we faced adversity through penalties in the third period, the team showed tremendous resilience to hold on and win the game. Their commitment to the team and each other is what allowed us to take home the championship trophy." 

From the opening faceoff, Loomis was dominant — fast in transition and relentless in puck battles. The Pelicans struck first just 3 ½ minutes into the game with a power play goal. Junior Megan Hosman fired a shot from the blue line, which senior Chloe Obser redirected past the Andover goalie. Three minutes later, junior Lindsay Stepnowski capitalized on another power play, picking the top right corner after receiving a pass from Hosman. With 6:47 left in the first, junior Bella Zolezzi forced a turnover in the neutral zone, skated in alone, and sniped a shot into the top left corner to extend the lead to 3-0. Andover responded with a power play goal in the final minute of the period, cutting the deficit to 3-1. 

Heading into the second period, Loomis focused on quick transitions and taking shots from high-percentage areas. Six minutes in, the Pelicans struck again — another power play goal to make it 4-1. Junior Catie Collins did a spin move before dishing a behind-the-back pass to senior Ellie Lachance, who found Zolezzi open in the slot. Zolezzi ripped a shot past the Andover goalie for her second of the game. 

The third period tested Loomis' resilience. Just two minutes in, Andover took advantage of another power play to cut the lead to 4-2. Shortly after, a pair of controversial penalties gave Andover a 5-on-3 advantage, and they capitalized again, making it a one-goal game at 4-3. Loomis spent nearly 70 percent of the period on the penalty kill, logging 10 minutes in the penalty box. But in a rare stretch of even strength play, senior Megan Duplantie took advantage of a turnover forced by junior Annie Schwarz. With sophomore Easton Pramuka screening the Andover goalie, Duplantie fired a shot from the high slot, restoring a two-goal lead. 

With 10 minutes remaining, the Pelicans killed off penalties with relentless effort. In total, they played shorthanded for 24 of the game's 54 minutes.  

"I am tremendously proud of this team," Liz said. "We have been in the top tier of the league for many years but hadn’t been able to get to the top until now. This year, the girls were on a mission and collectively committed to the team’s success from day one. We have a group of players who rise to challenges, and they did that consistently this winter. I feel so lucky to work with such incredible student-athletes and two amazing assistant coaches. Because of the group, this season was so much fun." 

Loomis beat Cushing 7-2 in the quarterfinals and Buckingham Browne & Nichols 4-0 in the semifinals to reach the championship game. The Pelicans finished 26-2-1, winning 20 of their final 21 games.