Yarmouth, Maine, March 13, 2025: The North Yarmouth Academy (NYA) Girls Hockey Team captured their second consecutive New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Vaillancourt Conference Championship and third consecutive Travis Roy Maine Prep Cup Championship this season. The Panthers went 21-4-2, winning 21 of their final 25 games. The team of Maine girls and a Canadian goalie ranked #16 in all of NEPSAC, the only Maine school in the top 45.

One of the benefits of NEPSAC Prep Hockey, unlike MPA hockey, is recruiting top players from around the world. However, most of Coach Matt Poulin’s players are from the area. “There is exceptional hockey talent right in our backyard, and it’s great to have players at NYA who grew up here, playing in the local rinks,” says Poulin. “Our team plays an incredibly challenging schedule, going up against schools like Deerfield, Groton, Phillips Exeter, Governor’s, and Worcester, to name a few. To have so many local kids as part of this program is something I’m really proud of,” he said. Of the 24 players on the NYA roster, 23 are from the area.

I am incredibly proud of every member of our program. We demand a lot from our players, and set high expectations and standards, and to get to watch them celebrate at the end of the year with their teammates and families is something I will always cherish. I am very lucky to be a part of what we do every day here.

- Poulin.

“Reflecting on my time at NYA, it’s truly incredible to see the program’s growth and the legacy we’ve built together. Winning two championships, three Prep Cups, along with countless unforgettable memories, has been a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved. It’s an honor to have been part of such a remarkable journey, and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved,” stated NYA senior Lyla Casey (Brunswick, ME).

Vaillancourt Conference Accolades:

• All Conference, First team, Forward –  Lyla Casey ’25  (Scarborough, ME)
• All Conference, Honorable Mention, Forward – Cami Casserly ’26 (Windham, ME)
• All Conference, Honorable Mention, Forward – Tasha Godfrey ’27 (Scarborough, ME)
• All Conference, Honorable Mention, Defense – Sadie Morgan ’26 (Lewiston, ME)
• Caroline Heatley Impact Player of the Year – Brooklyn Goodman ’25  (Saco, ME)

Game Details:

In their final games of the year, NYA defeated Pomfret School (CT) 2-0 in the semifinals of the Vaillancourt Conference playoffs on Friday, February 28 in a thriller at NYA’s Travis Roy Arena. On Saturday, March 1, the #1 Panthers hosted #3 Austin Prep School (MA) in a rematch of the 2024 Vaillancourt Conference Championship game. NYA defeated Austin Prep 3-0 to win the championship for the second year in a row.
Game Summary – Vaillancourt Conference Championship March 1, 2025

• NYA First Goal (4:59 – 1^st Period): #15 Caroline Matusovich (New Gloucester, ME); Assisted by #10 Tasha Godfrey (Scarborough, ME), #18 Lyla Casey (Brunswick, ME)
• NYA Second Goal (3:02 – 2^nd Period): #5 Toree St. Hilaire (Lewiston, ME); Assisted by #18 Lyla Casey, #37 Madison Moody (West Bath, ME)
• NYA Third Goal (16:48 – 3^rd Period): #18 Lyla Casey; Unassisted
• NYA Goaltending: #1 Eve-Marie Leclerc (Donnacona, QC) (27-save shutout)

 Game Highlights – Vaillancourt Championship– March 1, 2025

On Saturday afternoon at NYA’s Travis Roy Arena, the Panthers took the ice against a very good Austin Prep team with a chance to capture their second consecutive Vaillancourt Conference Championship. It was a packed house with a great game ahead. “We knew how good of an opponent we were up against, and the games with Austin Prep are always a great battle. I am proud of our preparation and execution in the biggest moments. It was a special atmosphere in the building, everything you can dream of for our kids to play in,” stated Coach Poulin.

As expected, the game was fast-paced and physical from the start. After a back-and-forth start to the game, the Panthers broke through after a terrific wall battle from Lyla Casey ’25 (Brunswick, ME) led to a pass to Tasha Godfrey ’27 (Scarborough, ME) who found Caroline Matusovich ’27 (New Gloucester, ME) who scored on a missile from just inside the blue line. After nearly twenty minutes of scoreless hockey, physical play, and huge saves by both goaltenders, NYA found the back of the net again with 3:02 remaining in the 2^nd period to go up 2-0. Madison Moody ’25 (West Bath, ME) sent a puck through the neutral zone and Toree St. Hilaire ’25 (Lewiston, ME) raced it down and forced a turnover that Lyla Casey picked up just inside the zone and fired on net. Toree St. Hilaire was planted in front and got a beautiful deflection on the puck to put the Panthers up two.

The third period started out right where the Panthers left off in the second. After killing off a penalty to start the third, Lyla Casey stormed down the wall on a loose puck, made a beautiful fake on two defenders, and buried a backhand to put the Panthers up 3-0 just over a minute into the third. Austin Prep did not quit, and the Panthers defense was tested until the final buzzer. Eve-Marie Leclerc ’26 (Donnacona, Quebec) was stellar in net for the Panthers all game long, posting a 27-save shutout, her fifth of the season. “I’m so proud of our team and how hard we worked, we really earned it. Austin Prep is definitely hard to compete against, but we didn’t give up, and we played until the end. We knew how hard we would have to play going into the game, and I think that’s what made us successful. It’s sad to see all the seniors go, and we will miss them so much,” said NYA sophomore, Tasha Godfrey (Scarborough, ME).

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North Yarmouth Academy is an independent, college preparatory, coeducational school for toddlers to postgraduate students with an enrollment of over 400. Since 1814, NYA has fostered integrity, character, and intellect in its students. For more information about NYA, please visit our website at NYA.org.