Photo courtesy TeMo Photography

Benilde-St. Margaret's senior forward Mary Zavoral.

Zavoral has it all

Benilde-St. Margaret’s senior Mary Zavoral preps for her last season as a Red Knight

Senior forward Mary Zavoral of Benilde-St. Margret’s has caught the eye of many with her speed and scoring ability, which landed her a Division I spot on the University of St. Thomas’ women’s hockey team next year.

“Her motor doesn't quit. She's endless and just relentless, you're like ‘man does she ever even get tired?’ Just a natural player and scorer,” said Benilde-St. Margret’s head coach Kevin Gray.

Zavoral put up 16 points in the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, consisting of 10 goals and six assists. The season prior, she led the team in points with 28.

The 18 year-old began playing hockey in kindergarten and instantly knew it was a passion she wanted to pursue. Both of Zavoral’s parents played high school hockey and later her three younger brothers found a love for the game as well.

“I always kind of knew, I just loved it so much. I love that not a lot of girls play it from my school, so I just kept playing,” she said.

Being a natural competitor, Zavoral became a multi-sport athlete, picking up soccer and lacrosse. The feeling of competing is what keeps her going.

“I just love the intensity of the games, just like the internal adrenaline rush it gives me,” Zavoral said. “It’s the best feeling and definitely something that helps me.”

Mary has been playing in her last soccer season before she hangs up the cleats and ties on the skates for her senior year of hockey. The soccer team finished its season as the Class AA runners-up with a record of 18-1-1, as well as being conference and section champs in 5AA.

Joining the Benilde hockey team as a freshman, Zavoral immediately became a crucial part of the team's success, playing in all 25 games and putting up 12 points. In her high school career she has racked up 35 goals and 51 points.

Gray joined the Benilde-St. Margaret’s program last

Mary Zavoral

year and will begin his second year as head coach of the team. While he is a newcomer, Mary and the senior class have been comfortable with each other for years.

“There weren't a lot of upperclassmen my freshman year, mostly just freshman and sophomores,” Zavoral said. “By the time I was a junior, and they were seniors, we were very close and we played together for a very long time. It is just a big team.”

The girls team is recognized for its strong offense and scoring ability. In Mary’s sophomore year her class was the highest scoring group of sophomores in the state. To win, Gray knows they need to score a lot.

“We need her to score goals, there's no question about that. If you look at last year, our team didn't score as many goals as what they had in the past. But we gave up a tremendous amount less, our chances were less, so now it's that next step. So now I think they've got that, they buy into that,” he said.

In Gray’s first year, the team finished as section runners-up to eventual state champs Edina, just missing state qualification. This year, Benilde-St. Margaret’s faces a difficult schedule, facing almost all top 10 teams in the state, which consists of many other future Division I hockey players like Zavoral.

The team is going to introduce seven new faces this year, and coach Gray sees Mary as a leader. Even though she has been busy with her soccer season and couldn’t join her hockey teammates for fall competition, Gray says she is a good role model for any young athlete.

“When she can get there, she gets there for any team function they've had. She's there when she can be, so her role has been a great amount of leadership, which is amazing to see from her.”

The last two years have been a rebuilding process for the Red Knights, with a new coaching staff and getting used to a new team culture. Zavoral wants this new culture to translate into what they can accomplish in upcoming years.

“I’m ready to keep building that team chemistry and, like, making sure that continues after we graduate,” she said. “Our goal is to make state, like, be very successful with our team and continue to be close.”

Next year, Zavoral will head over to the University of St. Thomas to continue her hockey career and play under U.S. National Women’s Hockey and St. Thomas head coach Joel Johnson.

“Watching what he's doing with the Olympic team right now, I understand he thinks that's what it takes to win. I think Mary will be prepared,” said Gray.

  Photo courtesy TeMo Photography

Mary is currently being coached by one of Johnson’s players from the national team, Kelly Pannek, who is the assistant coach at Benilde-St. Margaret’s. Pannek graduated from Benilde in 2014 before she continued her academic and hockey career at the University of Minnesota, later joining the Olympic team in 2017.

Gray has been helping Mary prepare for a higher level of play by developing her as a two-way player. With an uneasy year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he notices Zavoral’s production went down, but he says it's’ part of the growth.

“I think Mary's best years are actually still in front of her. She can put the puck in the net and I would say last year was a down year, but when you grow, sometimes you slip backwards.”

Zavoral was intrigued by the university's transition from Division III to Division I and could see the connection to the rebuilding of her own team.

“Being a part of something from the beginning, I think is really cool. We went through it and its been a fun experience, so I think it’s going to be a great experience to do it again.”

While the transition from high school to college hockey is a difficult one, Gray knows she is well prepared for the college experience.

“I think Mary's best years are actually still in front of her. She can put the puck in the net and I would say last year was a down year, but when you grow, sometimes you slip backwards.” - Red Knights head coach Kevin Gray

“She's gonna have a tremendous amount of experience. One of the things that we try to provide these kids are tools to be successful at that level, and as far as academics go, well, that's kind of our philosophy,” Gray said. “Obviously, it's tough though, there's a lot more to it to succeed in there.”

At St. Thomas, Mary has set her mind on Business, with the possibility of studying Management or Sales.

Being a multi-sport athlete can be challenging to find time for other activities, but Zavoral always finds time for the things she loves. When she's not on the ice or field, she enjoys hanging out with friends, family and going up north to her cabin in the summer.

Gray is convinced the best is yet to come for Zavoral in her hockey career and in life. He describes her as a natural leader and big personality.

“She just gravitates to people, she is welcoming. She's well spoken and not afraid to go up and talk to an adult. She's really a person that takes that leadership role on.”

Her welcoming personality and confidence drives her well beyond an 18 year-old high school student. Soon Zavoral will become a Tommie, but not before leaving her legacy as a Red Knight.

“Yeah I’m excited for everything that is coming up. Be successful this year then do it all again next year,” she laughed.

Olivia Paradise can be reached at para4336 at stthomas.edu.