BURRILLVILLE – She helped to lead her program to its first state title last year, and was always there to step up when the team needed her most, according to head coach Cortney Lacey.
Allie Trimble received the Rhode Island High School Sports 2022 Girls Hockey Player of the Year award, an achievement recognized this week by her coach and members of the Burrillville School Committee.
“She is an unbelievable hockey player,” Lacey said. “Every coach in the state knows who she is.”
As a junior with the Burrillville/Ponaganset/Bay View co-op team, Trimble scored a hat trick in game three of the semi-finals, sending the team to the finals against unbeaten La Salle Academy. La Salle was considered the best in the state at the time, Lacey said.
Trimble scored five goals in the last three games of the season, and the co-op ended up winning the program’s first state championship in its 20-year history.
“Without Allie, that does not happen,” the coach said.
Lacey noted that the forward, who led her team in scoring last season and will serve as team captain in her upcoming senior year, brings more than just offense to the game.
“All season long, Allie, we could count on her for everything,” Lacey said. “We needed a goal – she was there. A big play – she was there. She’s not just an offensive hockey player. She plays the neutral zone, defensive zone.”
One of six nominees named to the Providence Journal All State first team, Trimble was named the top girls athlete in the sport at an awards ceremony in June.
“She was a dominant force in the state championship series, scoring two goals in game two, to clinch the upset over La Salle and give the Broncos their first state title,” said Providence Journal sports writer Eric Rueb, who served as emcee at the event.
She was recognized in her hometown on Tuesday, August 9, with a permanent banner to hang in the high school gym.
“I can’t wait to see that hanging from the ceiling the next season,” said School Committee Chairperson Alexandra LeClair.
“This is the first time in the program history that we had anybody win so it’s a huge accomplishment,” Lacey said.
The coach repeated her favorite quote from the player following a win in the finals.
“We knew that in this game we were going to outwork them with hustle and being stronger,” Trimble was quoted as saying. “We knew we weren’t going to win this game because of talent. It was going to be about what team worked harder.”
“That is the quote of a leader,” Lacey said. “I always say to players: hard work beats talent.”
“There is no one more deserving of this award. I believe one day BHS will recognize her as one of the best athletes to come out of Burrillville and she will be in the Burrillville High School Athletic Hall of Fame,” the coach added.
Supt. Michael Sollitto also presented Trimble with an official citation.
“The Burrillville School Department extends its congratulations,” it noted. “Thank you for representing Burrillville schools and the town of Burrillville.”
