This past year has been a year like no other for sports across the world. COVID-19 has canceled games, practices, scrimmages, and more. Maine’s lockdown was very challenging for young athletes, as many had never experienced a break in their athletics for that long. Things are looking up, however, for hockey player Emerson Homa. The Gorham High School athlete just recently played at the National Hockey Tournament in Colorado.

It all started while Homa was skating here in Gorham at Narragansett School. She was six years old at the time, and a natural on the ice. Her parents encouraged her to start playing hockey the following winter, which is exactly what she did. Emerson has been playing for eight years now. She played for Southern Maine Youth Hockey Association (SMYHA) from mites to bantams. This included travel, house, co-ed, and all-girls teams. Homa has also played locally for Gorham Middle School, and now Gorham High School. The ninth grader currently plays for the Casco Bay Mariners Girls Tier II u16 team, where she plays both wing and center.

When asked about her favorite memories of the sport, Homa replied, “One of my favorite memories from hockey is from when I was really young. Our coaches would bring us Munchkins before practices and games that were really early in the morning.” She went on to say that winning her last high school game this season was great as well, as she and her teammates beat a team to which they had previously lost.

Nationals took place in Denver, Colorado this year, they were sponsored by USA Hockey; teams from all over the country competed. In order to participate, Homa and her Casco Bay teammates first had to advance through multiple rounds of regional competition. Her team won the Maine State Championship, which guaranteed the girls a spot in the New England Regional Tournament. There they played teams from Connecticut, Vermont, and New Hampshire, all of which they won. Her all-girls team made it to the semifinals in Colorado. They unfortunately lost in a sudden death overtime, with a score of 2-1. Homa and her team placed fifth in the tournament, however, displaying an exceptional amount of hard work and dedication.

“Playing at nationals was the most outstanding experience. It was incredible to compete against girls from all over the country. I felt like it was a great experience and I hope we get a chance to compete again next year,” said Homa.