The upper-montgomery co-ed hockey team has students from Damascus, Clarksburg, Poolesville, and Seneca high schools on its roster. This team, coached by Scott Cameron, has just entered the playoff games for the 2024-2025 season. As the season comes to a close, recognizing their season highlights is crucial as many Damascus students aren’t aware of our hockey team. Despite their lack of popularity, their games can get very competitive and can be quite entertaining. Two of our own Damascus Seniors, Josh Nadler and Henry Honacki, have the privilege of being assistant captains for UML. After acquiring coaches’ votes throughout the season, Honacki wrapped up his senior season winning second team all conference.
Avery Evans (10) and Josh Nadler (12) both are in agreeance over one thing, the lack of attendance at the games. “One thing we are missing out on is representation,” Evans explains. “It would be cool to have students come out to games and get representation at pep rallies.” During our Hornet pep rallies, every sports’ team captain is given a chance to explain their upcoming season to the school. But since UML is multiple schools they don’t get a slot to talk in our pep rallies. Nadler, a forward for UML, explains he does appreciate the students who come out and support the team. “I love seeing my friend Jonas in the stands at games!”
Another large difference between UML and other school teams is the bond the players have. “It’s hard getting to know each other and talking to the others because we can’t do what the other school sports do. If you go to a single school practice you can talk about upcoming assignments and homework, but when you have to talk to people from three different schools you can’t bond over those common topics,” Nadler says. Evans agrees with this statement but also enjoys the multiple school representation. “UML is fun because I get to know people from other schools,” Evans happily says. “Like I have friends from Poolesville and Seneca that I wouldn’t know without hockey!” So while UML has its disadvantages, it also has some large advantages. Evans also talks about how she shares her love of hockey with her dad. “My dad has coached me since the start, I like sharing my favorite sport with him.”
Nadler enjoys hockey for one main reason, hits! He says that one thing hockey has taught him in his 6 years playing is how to be aggressive. Nadler does have a different takeaway from UML, “I’ve learned the importance of playing as a team.” He’s reminiscent of his freshman year when they won JV champs due to their outstanding teamwork on the ice. Nadler says one of his favorite things about playing for UML is also the fact that he can play with his best friends from school.
For Evans, hockey can be a little different for her than her male teammates. Throughout her life she’s played on mostly all girl teams and a few male teams, but playing for co-ed is a totally different experience for her. She says that overall it’s been a good experience playing co-ed for UML but with a few bad experiences. During her time on UML she has been one of two girls. “Sometimes the other guys on other teams that have no girls on it are just rude to me. Sometimes they’re just upset that I play at the same level as them.” Evans says she has had to deal with doubt her whole life. “This being a male dominated sport I’ve had coaches look down on me and think I’m not as tough as the guys. I honestly love UML because the guys look out for me and I don’t know what I would do without some of them,” Evans shares. Evans wants to thank all of her teammates for not doubting her or looking down on her just because of her gender.
