Aston, PA – The Philadelphia Little Flyers 10U team led by Head Coach Larry Besa, was looking to make history last weekend as the first team of all girls to win a Delaware Valley Hockey League Championship.  The DVHL was established in 1979 with the league's footprint covering Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey  fielding divisions of teams from 8U mites through 18AA.  In the 46-year history of the league, there has never been a Championship won by an all-girls team.......... until Sunday.          

The Playoff weekend started with the Little Flyers facing off against the Delaware Jr. Blue Hens with a trip to the DVHL 10U A American Championship game on the line.  Brooklyn Porter opened the scoring early in the first period for the Little Flyers with an unassisted goal.  Less than two minutes later, the Jr. Blue Hens tied the game at one a piece.  The Little Flyers offense heated up after that with Porter scoring her second goal of the game to regain the Philadelphia lead.  With a little over two minutes remaining in the first period, Kiersten Taylor notched her first goal of the game with an assist from Saheli Reddy.

With a 3-1 lead, Taylor took the game over, scoring two more goals in the second period for a hat trick.  Natalie Titchenell and Emerson Barry were credited with assists on Taylor’s second period tallies.  The Jr. Blue Hens fought back in the period, scoring two goals of their own but Philadelphia maintained a two-goal lead heading into the third. 

Brooklyn’s sister Scotlyn Porter got her name on the scoresheet as she opened the third period lighting the lamp and extending the Little Flyers lead to three with assists from Ava Duke and Emma Babb.  After the Jr. Blue Hens cut the lead to two once again, Brooklyn Porter set up Emerson Barry to put the game out of reach earning the Little Flyers a spot in the Championship game.  Riley Dolan and Gigi Casey combined for 16 saves in net for the Little Flyers.

Championship Sunday saw the Little Flyers take on Campus Wild for the DVHL 10U A American title.  The Little Flyers once again opened the scoring in the game with a goal from Natalie Titchenell assisted by Kiersten Taylor.  The Wild quickly answered with a power play goal to tie the game at 1-1.  Less than a minute later, Emma Babb found the back of the net with helpers from Scotlyn Porter and Ava Duke. 

Holding on to a one goal lead, Laynie Fiumara and Avery Edwards connected to put the Little Flyers up 3-1 on Fiumara’s goal.  Ava Duke added some breathing room for the Little Flyers when she scored her first goal of the playoffs in the second period.  The Wild wouldn’t go away as they managed to cut into the Little Flyers lead in the final minutes of the second period.  Emma Babb put the exclamation point on the game with an unassisted goal in the opening minutes of the third period.  Riley Dolan held off the Wild late in the third period, making 12 saves to clinch the victory and first DVHL Championship in Little Flyers Girls Hockey history. 

“We couldn’t be prouder of this group and what they have accomplished this season.  To be the first to do anything is a huge accomplishment and honor.” said Little Flyers Youth and Girls Hockey President Stephane Charbonneau.  “The growth in girls and women’s hockey over the past five or six years has been amazing to see.  These young girls are committed to the game on the ice, in off-ice training and compete at a very high level.  The opportunities and promotion of the women’s game with the PWHL, Olympics, participation in the NHL All-Star weekend and the work The Philadelphia Flyers have done with the learn to play rookie program have all be important to the growth of the game.” 

Congratulations to all of the players, coaches and families for making history as the DVHL’s first Championship team of all girl players.