The varsity hockey team started off it season on a good note, making a statement to the other teams in the league as they beat Richard Montgomery 10-0 in the season opener Nov. 11.

This win is a strong start for the team which became Maryland state champions for the 2012-2013 winter season after defeating Oakdale High School, 6-1, Feb. 22.

This triumph is one they hope to repeat as they have dedicated themselves to workouts and practices in the preseason.

“We trained for a good amount of time,” sophomore left wing Mark Weinstein said. “We started practices in order to work on our conditioning, chemistry and to get an idea of how to get back to the state championship.”

Although little improvement is needed on varsity hockey’s undefeated season last year, the team does need to fill spots on its roster.

“We don’t have [2013 alumnus] Zack Arden anymore, who was our star center, so an equal contribution from everyone will be important, and people will have to step up to the challenge,” senior center Connor Liu said.

A large part of the team’s success can be attributed to the team’s work ethic.

“We had a lot of good players who enjoyed playing together, playing hard for one another and who were smart, unselfish and dedicated to winning championships,” coach Ray McKenzie said.

The team must stay focused and prepare themselves for every game as their state title has made them the team to beat.

“No one is going to take it easy on us this year, so we have to keep working hard and improving every week,” McKenzie said. “We need guys to step up and become leaders and take on the responsibility of being great.”