Washington-Liberty High School’s hockey team has triumphed in the Capital Scholastic Hockey League (CSHL) Championship, marking a significant victory after suffering disappointment the previous year.
Coach Rob Stewart set the tone before the game, instructing his players on the importance of not letting the contest go to shootouts. Last season, the Generals narrowly lost to Alexandria City, 4-3, under such tense circumstances. "This may be the best team we’ve ever had, and I think we proved it in these playoffs by not giving up one goal," Stewart stated, reflecting on the team’s incredible defensive record.
Washington-Liberty (11-2-1) was the sole team in the CSHL playoffs to record shutouts, accomplishing the feat three times. Senior Carson Peddie served as the netminder during the quarterfinal against West Springfield, where the Generals dominated with an 8-0 victory. For the semifinal against Hayfield, fellow senior Dylan Klein took his turn between the pipes with another 5-0 win. Peddie resumed his position for the championship-facing Forest Park, armed with both confidence and determination.
Reflecting on Peddie’s performance, senior captain Joel Vizard remarked, "When you have Carson Peddie in net, you feel a lot about the world you live in. This is the best goalie in the DMV." The championship game began with both teams vying for control, but Forest Park nearly capitalized on early opportunities, including a power play. Peddie quickly asserted his presence, denying any early scoring chances and keeping the game scoreless.
Shortly after, Vizard’s shot was saved, but the rebound opened the door for teammate Lucas Everett, who scored with near certainty. Stewart praised Vizard’s leadership, commenting on his ability to energize the team with inspiring speeches and his consistent performance throughout the season. "Vizard played well tonight, and he sort of led the team. He gives some of the best locker room speeches I’ve ever heard. For somebody his age, he just does a great job. Gets the kids fired up and has led by example all season," Stewart added.
The Generals quickly took full control of the game, adding another goal just 26 seconds later from senior Kostya Cook, assisted by AJ VanHaaren. Stewart reflected on the seniors’ impact, saying, "We had a big senior class last year, so we were a little concerned we were going to have a drop-off this year. But these guys really stepped it up." The offensive fire continued with goals from Everett and VanHaaren during the second period, with additional goals following from Parker Everett, Jacob Sonenshine, and Paul Burmeister, sealing the victory for Washington-Liberty.
Vizard articulated the team’s shift from last year’s heartache, noting, "We got punched once before [in last year’s title game], so before this game, we knew we weren’t going to get punched. We knew we were going to do the punching." Their commanding performance sent clear signals of their readiness to face any challenges going forward.
With the championship now secured, the Generals look forward to their last game of the season against Yorktown, emphasizing the importance of ending the season on a high note. Peddie displayed his unwavering confidence, stating, "Not worried at all," signaling both his and the team’s readiness to face their upcoming rival.
Washington-Liberty’s championship victory adds to the legacy of the program, showcasing their growth and resilience as they strive for excellence both on and off the ice.