Flathead Lady Fusion 19U repeat as state champs

The Flathead Lady Fusion 19U girls hockey team won back-to-back Montana Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) 19U Girls State Championships over March 2-5 in Butte.

The Lady Fusion defeated the Salmon Lady Rapids 19U 3-1 on Sunday, March 5. The Lady Fusion is made up of players from the Flathead and Mission Valleys and led by head coach Alexis Kinder and assistant coaches Brooke Bogart and Aly Wells.

The Lady Fusion earned the first seed in the 2022-2023 MAHA 19U Girls State Championship and dominated a young Great Falls Miss Americans team by winning 10-0 in the first round. Forward Alexis Kersten led the charge and earned a hat-trick and an assist for 4 points. The Havre Lady Ice Hawks found themselves on the losing end to the Fusion with a score of 5-1 in the second round. Forward Emma Cummings challenged the Lady Ice Hawks and earned a hat-trick and an assist for 4 points.

A solid defense led by seniors Maya Lacey and Kyleigh Willis shut out the Missoula Lady Bruins 19U and earned the spot in the championship game with a 7-0 win in the crossover match up. Cummings led the Lady Fusion with a goal and three assists for 4 points.

The Flathead Lady Fusion 19U finished the season with a record of 25-2-1. They also took first place at the Sun Valley 19U Tournament in Hailey, Idaho and third place at the Bozeman Cup 19U Tournament in Bozeman this season.

PLAYERS FROM the Flathead Lady Fusion 19U team earned scholarships and All-State awards during the MAHA 19U Girls State Tournament. Senior forward Alexis Kersten (Flathead High School) was awarded a $500 MAHA High School Graduate Scholarship. Kersten plans to study secondary education at Montana State University in Bozeman. Senior forward Emma Cummings (Flathead High School) led the Lady Fusion with 24 goals and 17 assists and earned a place on the MAHA All-State First Team. Senior forward Patricia Hinchey (Flathead High School) with 15 goals and 12 assists also earned a place on the MAHA All-State First Team. Sophomore forward Margo Cummings (Flathead High School) earned a place on MAHA All-State Second Team with 15 goals and 11 assists.