Hannah Mortazavi estimated it was about 30 seconds before the start of the 2023 NJSIAA State Tournament championship game that she realized she definitely was starting in goal for Morristown-Beard.
She knew it was a possibility during warmups because the blade of senior goalie Gracie Meyers’ skate fell out, but when Meyers came back out for player introductions, Mortazavi figured everything was taken care of and she wasn’t needed. When the blade fell out again, though, she was thrust into the spotlight without any time for the nerves to kick in.
Mortazavi, then a freshman, delivered, stopping all nine shots she faced and shutting out Pingry in the first period. Meyers returned for the remainder of the game, and the Crimson won their third consecutive NJSIAA state championship.
While that start was a surprise, it wasn’t surprising when she became the team’s starting goalie as a sophomore. Given time to think about it, Mortazavi actually was more nervous for this season's opener against Trinity Hall.