The hockey team has asserted itself early this season, reaching a 3-0 league record with convincing wins.

After dominant wins, the team is confident in its ability to go deep in this season.

“Our team can definitely win states,” junior Connor Liu said. “We have the talent, the depth, and the drive to go all the way again, like in my freshman year.”

The team beat Wootton 12-1 in the third game of the season Dec. 4. Senior captains Zack Arden and Connor Martin each scored twice. Junior Noah Fleishman and freshman Ian Kwant added two goals each. Sophomore Ross Allen, freshmen Philip Satin, Chris Barber and Trevor Dixon each added one tally, while junior goalie Noah Kalicka allowed just one goal.

“The key plays of the game were a big save by Kalicka when it was 3-1 us, and our fourth goal that broke the scoring open,” senior captain Zach Satin said.

The Bulldogs beat Whitman 7-3 in their second game of the season Nov. 30 in front of a large crowd that included Capitals officials and cheerleaders. Zack had four goals, Zach Satin and Martin each had one goal, and sophomore Christopher Lai had a goal.

“Whitman is a good team, but we outworked them and flat out outplayed them for a solid win,” Zach Satin said.

The team has some strong up-and-coming players who already have and will continue making an impact this season.

“We have a ton of good players like Ian Kwant, Jacob Arden and my brother Philip who are young, but very capable of helping the team,” Zach Satin said. “Plus, we are so deep that we have other upperclassmen like Liu and Fleishman who can really help us out in the future, along with a very good freshman goalie, Alex Chen.”

The Bulldogs won their first game against Walter Johnson Nov. 16, 10-1. Allen had three goals, senior Satin and freshman Kwant each had two goals, and freshman Satin scored three goals.

“Philip Satin and Ross Allen both had hat tricks in the WJ game, so they were major players,” Liu said.

The Bulldogs will have some tough match-ups this season, but they believe their skill and ability can will them through.

“From Montgomery County, Whitman is the most challenging public school,” Zack said. “Also, defending state champions Atholton from Howard County will be tough competition.”

The team has made several improvements from last year to match these challenges.

“We are a much deeper team this year, and our defense is amazing,” Zack said. “Without a doubt we are the best team in the state.”

According to Liu, because of the balance of offense and defense working together on the rush and in the team’s defensive zone, the Bulldogs are very hard to beat.

The team played Sherwood Dec. 14 and will play B-CC Dec. 21.