YU Roller Hockey Team Advances to National Championship

The YU Roller Hockey team has advanced to the national championships, the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association announced on Monday.

"From day one our goal was to make it to the national tournament,” said Yoseph Robin, who plays goalie for the team. “To get the recognition we know we deserve means so much and it's an unbelievable feeling to get to this point. It's been a long road to get here and our next step is to win the whole thing.”

The team finished the regular season with a 15-2 record, tying for second place in the Division 2 Eastern league with Northeastern University, which was not invited to the championships. The team will compete against nineteen other teams in Fort Myers, Florida from April 5 through 9.

"We know we didn’t exactly show up during the regionals championship weekend but we’re excited that the league is giving us another chance to prove to everyone why we were one of the best teams all season long," said team forward Etan Bardash.

The invitation to the championship is the latest episode in the team’s meteoric rise since its founding last season. After being placed in Division 4 and winning the division championship last season, the team rose this year to Division 2. The team’s unexpected success was featured last month in a New York Times article outlining the challenge and motivation that religious life offers the team.

“We are so excited to be able to continue making a kiddush Hashem as well as bring pride to the school and community,” team captain Amir Gavarin said.  “We have around a month to really bear down and work hard in preparation for the national tournament, where we will have to play elite teams from across the country. It won't be easy but we plan on making our mark.”

Photo credit: YU Roller Hockey’s Facebook Page