ORLEANS — The Lower Cape Coyotes ice hockey team captured the Massachusetts Boys U18 Tier III Small State Championship at Murphy Memorial Skating Rink in Boston earlier this year. The Coyotes, who earned the second seed following pool play, beat Lynnfield-Saugus in the semifinals before dispatching Marblehead 5-1 in the finals to claim victory in the three-day tournament.

“It’s incredibly meaningful to see a group of players come together as a family and compete for one another the way they did,” said Coyotes head coach Barry O’Neill. “It bonded a group of friends for life and speaks volumes to the quality of players we have here on Cape Cod. The seniors who have been with us for years did an amazing job of leaving the program better than they found it, and for that we are very grateful. The younger players stepped up big when we needed them most. The Coyotes have a bright future ahead.”

The Coyotes were led by seven seniors, including Cooper McIntire, Sam Wiener, Pete Murphy, Dan Deering, Logan Valine, Ben Rose, and Mitch Silva. Six of them play for Nauset Regional High School in Eastham.

The U18 Midget A team is currently leading the Herman Division with a 13-3-5 overall record in the South Shore Conference.

“This team has grown so much over the last few years — it’s been incredible to watch and be part of,” said Nauset High’s Julian Krivos. “This team has so much heart, and we play our hardest for each other. [The state championship] is just the beginning of what this group can accomplish together because we all believe in one another.” —Allen Gunn