Senior Stephanie DeMars sends a shot into an empty net to clinch NSA’s victory over the Northwood School Wednesday at the Olympic Center. (Enterprise photo by LOU REUTER)

LAKE PLACID — For the past five years, Stephanie DeMars, a native of Vermontville, has proven that she belongs among the elite athletes who play for the National Sports Academy’s girls hockey team. For her efforts, she’s been rewarded with a full athletic scholarship to Providence University in Rhode Island. The signing was announced recently at a special ceremony at NSA. At the same time, Rebecca Morse, of Westfield N.J., was also honored for receiving a full athletic scholarship to the same university for women’s hockey. The two are currently co-captains at NSA. “We’re really happy,” said DeMars, who said she was surprised her friend will be joining her there. “We’ve been together for a long time.” Morse is a defensive player. DeMars plays both center and defense. DeMars’ coach, Bill Ward, said she is very versatile. Ward praised DeMars as someone who can play physically or control the puck.