Center Carter Harre suffered a broken collarbone in March, ending her season for the Chicago Mission and forcing her onto the bench for the Girls Tier I 14U National Championship on Sunday, April 7 at Advent Health Center Ice in Wesley Chapel, Florida.

She motivated the Mission.

“They really wanted to win it for her,” said Mission head coach Shannon Coleman.

And that they did. The Mission scored five unanswered goals, including four in the second period, to defeat Assabet Valley of Massachusetts for the national championship.

“We had six games over six days, one per day,” Coleman said. “These were the best six games that the girls played all season.

“It’s difficult to have your best hockey at the end of the season, when it matters most. But the girls all bought in. In practice, we talked about staying focused. These girls did it for each other.”

Helen Lane scored what proved to be the game-winner at 14:22, on the powerplay assisted by Sophia Monaco.

Monaco pushed it to 2-0 at 9:52 with a one-timer and Lane added her second at 6:58. Alexis Bornhoeft ended the second-period assault, scoring off an assist from Sarah Reeder.

“We just rolled,” in the second period, Coleman said. “After scoring four goals (in the period), I stressed to the team that they could, too. But we knew that no one was going to score four goals on (goalie) Caroline Hurst in one period. That proved to be true, thanks to solid defense; they really shut down in front of the net.”

Lane iced the win and secured her hat trick, scoring with 1:00 remaining to play.

“Helen had no goals leading up this game and she is one of the main goal-scorers on the team,” Coleman said. “When she got that first one, she was really pumped and got everyone else fired up. Everyone fed off her energy.”

Amanda Rosen had the chance to score the Mission’s fifth goal, but instead sent it to Lane to secure the hat trick. “That was another great team play,” Coleman said.

Evie Pasin switched from defense to center to replace Harre and Pasin “stepped up big … she was a big part of us being productive,” Coleman said.

The Mission finished 53-10-7.

“These girls love each other and played for each other,” Coleman said. “We came out really fast, really strong in the second period. Our five defensemen really stepped up.”

Forward Charlotte Prodoehl had 4 goals, 1 assist at nationals.