Jonna Kennedy isn’t just another hockey goalie, she’s a 13-year-old playing against 18-year-olds. An eighth-grader playing for the high school team.

But, not just playing, she’s the starting goalie.

Jonna, who goes to Watertown Middle School, plays for the Watertown/Belmont girls’ team. The Maraiders went 16-2-2 this season and are the No. 4 seed in the Division 1 girls’ hockey state tournament.

They had a bye in the first round, and play their first game against 13th-seeded Andover (11-6-4) on Saturday, March 1. The game is at 12:30 at Ryan Arena in Watertown.

At the beginning of the school year, Jonna and the other eighth-graders were informed that they would have the chance to try out for the high school varsity team. After tryouts were over, only three eighth-graders made the team. Sydney Poulin from Watertown and Bridget Gardner from Belmont were on the team, along with Jonna.

According to MassHSHockey.com, Jonna has played all 20 games and has a 1.30 goals-against average and .931 save percentage. She has eight shutouts.

The team has had an amazing year and is in the state tournament.

“I’m nervous for the first states game because if you lose one game then you’re out of the tournament,” Jonna said.

–Feb. 27, 2014–