Girls hockey captures 3rd straight Hock title

With one powerful shot by junior defenseman Maya Battista, the CHS girls ice hockey team wrapped up a third consecutive Hockomock League title last week as they squeaked past King Philip Regional 2-1 in overtime to clinch the crown outright.

Junior Maya Battista (Mike Tureski photo)

Wednesday’s victory was their fifth in as many tries against a league opponent and all but one of those games have been close, which reflects the competitiveness of the four-team league.

“That was our second game against King Philip this season and both were 2-1 wins,” noted assistant coach Nick Maffeo. “They’re a talented team and it was a difficult win for us, for sure.”

The Warriors had a goal called off in regulation and put some good shots up against Canton netminder Carolyn Durand, who turned in another stellar effort in the win with several big saves.

Battista’s game-winning goal was also a thing of beauty, set up by some impressive puck movement on a four-on-three power play that culminated with a well-timed pass from senior Payton McDonough.

“That’s not something we usually practice because we don’t see four-on-threes very often,” noted Maffeo. “But we had the power play going into overtime and our girls moved the puck really well to set up the shot for Maya.”

Senior Tess Khoury also had a goal in the win with the assist going to junior Audrey Koen.

A few days later, the Bulldogs would extend their winning streak as they rolled past nonleague Dennis-Yarmouth 5-2 at Metropolis Rink. Canton outshot the Dolphins 30-8 and barely let go of the puck over the final two periods, allowing just one breakaway goal but no other shots during that stretch.

“It was a good way for us to end the week, and with the win we officially qualified for the state tournament,” Maffeo said.

Sophomore Anna Lehan led the way with a pair of goals while Khoury had a goal and two assists and Battista added one of each. Koen also got in on the action with her team-leading seventh goal of the season while McDonough (2), Allie McCabe and Tori Carr were all credited with assists.

Winners of their past four games, the Bulldogs are now 10-5 on the season and are currently ranked 16th among 54 teams in Division 2. They are due to host Lincoln-Sudbury tomorrow night and will wrap up the season over the next two weeks with games against Duxbury, Barnstable and Walpole.

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Posted by Jay Turner on Feb 10 2022. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.