The Pembroke Academy ice hockey team isn’t focused on its 10 losses. Its one victory is of far greater concern.

As the season approached, school officials weren’t certain PA had enough players for a team this year. Senior standouts VJ Ranfos and Jamison Syphers had options to leave and play elsewhere.

The school, its players and the community supported the program, and those backers were rewarded with a 4-3 win on Jan. 20 over visiting Monadnock. After a hefty number of seniors graduated from last year’s team, the program’s future looked bleak.

But athletics director Suzanne Klink, after a lengthy search, rounded up 12 new players, many who had never skated previously, to send a team to the ice.

When many of the players lacked the proper equipment, local businesses made donations of skates, helmets and other necessities.

“The school felt that it didn’t matter what sport it was … Hockey, baseball, or track, their philosophy is to keep the kids going and keep them active,” said Marty Myers, hockey head coach. “They know that athletics are part of the learning process, and team building is something you can use inside and outside of school.”

Ranfos and Syphers had a chance to play for the Junior Monarchs rather than the Spartans, but their decisions to stay ensured the program’s stability.

In the victory over Monadnock, Syphers and Ranfos assisted on the tying and winning goals, respectively, for the team’s first win.

At the 4:44 mark in the third period, Syphers dished a pass to Marcus Bessette for a tally, then Ranfos found Dan Sanders little more than a minute later.

“They knew what they’d be in for, that they may not win a game all season,” said Myers of his two captains. “They certainly accepted the responsibility of playing on this team.

They’re great leaders, and they wanted to play because they have school spirit and want this program to continue. They knew their involvement would be a key in it.”

Freshmen Bessette, Sanders and Colby Chown form the team’s second line, and Myers said the trio plays far beyond its years while gaining valuable first-year playing time.

Tyler Ranfos and Adam French had no hockey background before joining the team.

The PA mentor said the junior and senior have garnered tremendous respect from their teammates with the amount of progress they’ve made.

“They can see themselves getting better, but every time we look at the scoreboard it doesn’t reflect it,” said Myers. “That was the only game we’ve won, but I truly believe they’ve improved every single game. This time they had a chance to see it in lights.”