Marlboro, MA – This past weekend the U16 Red, U16 White, U19 Red and U19 White all participated in the Massachusetts Girls State Tournament. All Wings teams had strong showings in their respective divisions.
U16 Red – Coach Diana’s team made it to the Quarterfinals for the second straight year. In the first game of the weekend, the team defeated a good Boston Advantage team 2-1 in overtime. Paige Nottingham had the regulation goal with Ali Sprissler picking up the game winner in overtime. After a 5-3 loss to the Bay State Breakers, the team defeated the Crimson Pride 6-2 to capture the 3rd seed on their side of the bracket. Goals by six different Wings contributed to the victory. Unfortunately in the quarterfinal on Saturday night, the Valley Junior Warriors proved to be too much despite great goaltending by Alyse Mutti and Ella Tucker, with the team losing by a 4-2 final.
U16 White – Coach Kane’s team finished off an impressive season with a finals appearance. In round robin the team went 3-0 behind stellar goaltending from Taylor Daley and goal scoring from 11 different Wings players. Having secured a place in the semifinals against the Bay State Breakers, the team held a 1-0 lead into the 3rd period on the back of a Kendall Lariviere goal. Insurance goals by Emma Ryan, Abigail Stauss and Livia Lawrence pushed the Wings into the finals against the Cape Cod Kraken. Despite a great effort, a tough second period proved to be the difference as the Kraken prevailed by a final score of 6-2.
U19 Red – Coach Oteri’s team made their second straight state semifinal, coming on the heels of last year’s finals appearance. Despite a disappointing loss on Friday night to the Charles River Blazers, the team responded with a big 2-1 victory over the Valley Junior Warriors on Saturday morning. Kelly Lovett provided all the scoring with two big goals and the goaltending of Danielle DeJon and Taylor Bruno proved to be the difference. In a rematch of the prior year’s semifinal, the Wings faced off with the defending national champion East Coast Wizards on Sunday morning. Despite a great defensive effort and the game coming down to the final seconds, the Wizards offensive fire power proved too much in a 5-4 defeat. Goals were scored by Jenna Chaplain, Kaitlyn Bush (2) and Hannah Gromko.
U19 White – Coach Conway and Coach Ficociello’s squad brought home the first State Championship for the NS Wings girls program this weekend. Going 4-1 on the weekend. The final pitted two familiar foes against one another yet again, with the Wizards having defeated the team in round robin play. Despite trailing 4-2 going into the third period, with goals coming from Ava Krasco and Zarenna Sawyer, Ang Catino came up with timely saves throughout the third period to keep the game within reach. Goals by Krasco and Katelin Hally pulled the teams even at 4. Finally, it was Sadie Papamehail who scored the GWG with :42 remaining on the clock. A great season and effort by Coach Conway and Ficociello’s team which was capped off in amazing fashion.
