After a rough start to the season, no one would expect the Lane Tech Varsity Hockey team to defeat Highland Park 11-2 on Oct 1.

The team was 0-6 heading into the game. Goals by Frank Rodriguez, Jack White, Rex Lapka, and a hat trick by Noah Fletcher helped secure the win over Highland Park. Since then, the team has gone on to defeat LZMW on Oct. 3 and Kings Hockey on Oct. 8.

Lane Tech Hockey is made up of Lane, Taft and DePaul students. Lane Hockey is not a school team, rather a club.

While varsity is 2-6, the junior varsity team is 7-1. But only varsity statistics are used for points and overall standings.

The team hosted a three day tournament from September 16-18 at McFetridge and Heartland Ice Arena. The tournament featured the teams of DuPage, Notre Dame, Naperville North, Sandburg and Lane Tech. On the first day of the tournament, the teams paid tribute to David Dolitsky who was struck and killed by a car while doing lawn work.

Dolitsky was a hockey player for the Sandburg Eagles. He would have been a senior.

“I cried but it was a very emotional night and it was really nice for the family and the other team,” recalled goalie Emily Jorgensen.

Naperville North won the tournament, but Lane tried not to get discouraged.

“I think we got some really good power on offense, good defensive abilities too,” said Matt Conley, Division 878, who recently scored a hat trick in a 3-1 victory against Latin on Sept 21.

“We got some guys who really put in the work and we work really well together as a unit.” Frank Rodriguez agreed. “We like each other a lot and we’re all just really good friends,” said Rodriguez, Division 953, who scored the tenth goal of the game against Highland Park.

Goalie Emily Jorgensen, Div. 862, with 29 saves at their last game against Kings and 15 saves against LZMW, has been on varsity since freshman year and hopes to continue playing in college.

“It was not a rough start; we were playing teams that were much better than us,” Jorgensen said, “But compared to last season, we’re doing great. So I’m hopeful for this season.”

Despite facing struggles, the team remains hopes to continue to have consistent wins for the remainder of the season.

“As a team, I hope we can be state contenders,”Jorgensen said. “I think if we all have the heart and determination to do it, we could get far. We’ve been practicing a lot more consistently this year and we’re all putting in the work to become state contenders.”

With upcoming games, the team hopes to turn their losing streak around and advance into the season.