If all goes well for the Edina Varsity Girls’ Hockey Team in the coming weeks, freshman Uma Corniea will be able to boast three state championship wins from two different schools. Corniea, who has started in goal every game this season, transferred to Edina High School this year after spending two years at Breck School. With a .970 save percentage so far this season, Corniea has quickly become a crucial part of the team.

Corniea attended Breck for seventh and eighth grade, winning the Class A State Championship both years. “I was honestly really fortunate just to be a part of a team that was able to accomplish that. My seventh grade year, my coach really believed in me and allowed me to actually play in the game, which was really generous. I’m really grateful for that opportunity,” Corniea said. Corniea decided to transfer back to Edina Public Schools this year, (she attended EPS before transferring to Breck) seeking a bigger high school atmosphere.

Although she left behind close teammates at Breck, Corniea had grown up playing with most of her current teammates. To make things sweeter, the team beat Breck in both of their meetings this season. “Beating my old team Breck, that was pretty fun. The first time we demolished them 6-1, and it felt really good. My best friend scored on me. I actually didn’t mind, I thought that was kind of fun,” Corniea said. Just a few weeks later, Corniea and the team shut-out Breck to win 1-0. 

With only one loss to their name, coming from #1 ranked Andover, the team has been kept safe in Corniea’s hands. “Having the best goalie in the state behind you provides confidence to everyone playing in front of her. She is a great insurance to have,” sophomore Vivian Jungels said.

Looking ahead, Corniea knows that she has a lot to be excited about. After graduation, Corniea has verbally committed to play for Princeton, where she will join her current teammate and sophomore Jane Kuehl. Playing for Princeton wasn’t her initial plan, however; Corniea had planned on attending the University of Minnesota. “My mom like forced me to go to [Princeton’s] summer camp. I didn’t think I wanted to go there, but I went there, and I just fell in love with it,” Corniea said.

As for the next three years, Corniea is optimistic about her team’s chances to expand upon their three consecutive Class AA State Championship wins. With a 24-1-0 record thus far this season and the state tournament in view, the Girls’ Varsity Hockey Team looks ready to clinch another title, this time with Corniea in goal.