USC hockey players headed to National Championships
March 24, 2023
Natalia plays for the 16U PPE Girls Elite team, which is ranked No. 8 in the country. Kayla competes with the 14U PPE Girls Elite team, currently ranked No. 3 in the country.
Natalia and Kayla, who both play the forward positions on their respective teams, have been playing hockey since they were Mites (ages 6-7) on local co-ed teams before transitioning to the Pens Elite organization.
Natalia also plays soccer for the USCHS varsity team and the Beadling Girls Academy team. She is also a member of the high school’s Student Council.
Kayla is currently focusing on hockey. She will represent Upper St. Clair when she plays in the PIHL girls hockey league this spring. That season gets underway in April.
The Pittsburgh Penguins Elite organization is the only Tier 1 AAA team in the area. Teams play an independent schedule against other Tier 1 teams from across the country from September through March.
Both teams are among the top 16 in their age division from throughout the country. The 16U National Champion schedule features teams from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and Texas. Teams from the 14U bracket represent the following states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Texas, as well as Washington, D.C. The only other Pennsylvania team for both brackets is from Philadelphia.
