MEQUON — Erin Connolly has quietly made herself one of the most feared goalies in the region in girls hockey, allowing her accolades from this season to speak for themselves.

The Homestead senior, who competed for the Lakeshore Lightning and plays for Team Wisconsin, claimed first-team all-state honors, the Jessie Vetter Award for top female goaltender and the Miss Hockey Wisconsin player of the year award by the Wisconsin Girls Hockey Coaches Association.

Not a bad way to cap a high school career.

Connolly finished with a .937 career save percentage, the highest in Wisconsin Prep Hockey history since it began keeping tabs of the category in 2010. She registered a .943 save percentage during the recently-completed season.

“It was a really proud moment for me to see all the hard work I put in finally pay off in this way,” Connolly said. “I’ve enjoyed all the years I’ve been playing, especially in high school with these girls. It’s one more way to look back on my season and find some really great memories.”

Lakeshore head coach Scott Matczak, who has seen Connolly’s development unfold since she joined the upstart program during her sophomore year, believes these accomplishments are the culmination of years of diligence and persistence.

“Erin winning these awards justifies her talents as an elite goalie in the state of Wisconsin,” Matczak said. “As a coach, I am beyond proud of her for dedication to bettering herself every moment she gets.”

Connolly has had the benefit of competing nearly year-round, guarding the net for Team Wisconsin, a Tier 1 program that faces teams from around the country, in addition to playing for the Lightning. Her effort since joining both squads never wavered, and her secret for staying effective over time is simple.

“Just staying calm is a really big part of my game,” she said. “I’ve built up confidence over the years in my training, and I’ve been working on the little things. Once you get going, your body knows what to do in certain situations so you don’t have to think that much.”

It’s difficult to find a goalie of Connolly’s caliber, and Matczak is grateful to have had such a talent on his side during the first three years of Lakeshore’s program.

“It is very rare anywhere,” he said. “The only way you get that good is to have a drive inside of you that not many people possess.”

Connolly was blocking shots in the driveway as young as 3-years-old and soon began to climb up the ranks of youth hockey – playing in boys leagues and practicing with older, more experienced players.

It wasn’t until about three years ago, when Connolly received a surprise invitation to join Team Wisconsin’s mini-camp, that she and her family realized that her hockey career was quickly becoming serious. She had not formally tried out due to a mission trip that conflicted with her schedule, but her efforts at previous camps had garnered Team Wisconsin coach Mike Sullivan's attention.

“It really kick-started all the success I've had,” Connolly explained. “It’s allowed me to compete at a higher level.”

Homestead senior Erin Connolly sets up to stop a shot by an opposing player during a game for the Lakeshore Lightning girls hockey co-op. Not many opponents found success when taking aim at the goaltender, who recently was named Miss Hockey Wisconsin, earned a spot on the all-state team and won the Jessie Vetter Award as the top goalie in the state.

File photo by Mark Justesen

Connolly will be playing at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire next season, a Div. 3 program with much promise under second-year coach Erik Strand. Beyond college, Connolly may explore coaching opportunities, but for now it’s about embracing the present.

“The girls who they’ve had in their program this past year, with a new coach and everything, it’s gotten me more excited to join the team,” Connolly said. “I’m going to be part of a team that probably has been a lot different than it has before. I’m excited to see where I can go with my game and see if I can be competitive with these college-level players.”

Knowing how much work Connolly has put in to this point, Matczak is confident she will adjust with ease to the college pace of play. He hopes Eau Claire understands what kind of player the team is getting for the next four years.

“I hope she enjoys every minute of her college career,” Matczak said. “From the ice to the amazing experiences in the classroom, she will make memories that will last a lifetime. Eau Claire is fortunate to have someone like her coming to play for them."

“This is not the last time you will see Erin Connolly in the press,” he added. “She will continue to make regular moments on the ice into special ones.”

Lakeshore’s Erin Connolly is about to stop another attempt by an opponent. For the season, the senior posted a .943 save percentage.

File photo by Mark Justesen