By Kathleen McAleese and Ellie Smith
Editor–in–Chief and Features Editor

From the first drop of the puck, the Westford Academy Girls’ Ice Hockey team had an advantage over Central Catholic leading up to a 4–1 victory on Saturday, February 7 at an afternoon game at the Groton School. With strong offense and defense, the girls commanded the game and out–played the opponent.

The girls played cohesively and scored in every period of play. Early in the first period, less than a minute and a half into the contest, junior Bridget Schofield scored. Senior Becca Legro and freshman Kaitlin Campbell each were awarded assists. For the duration of the period, sophomore Katie Hargrave played well with several shots on goal.

The only goal scored by Central Catholic occurred in the second period in response to a WA goal by junior Alayna Serpa, assisted by freshman Erin DeMarco and senior Kathryn Walker. As the score rose to 2–1 WA and with less than a minute on the clock, junior Kerry Pouliot in goal was pulled to gain an extra skater on the ice. The period came to a close without any further score changes.

In the third, the Ghosts pulled further ahead, lengthening their lead against the opponent and with only 15 seconds in, Walker scored with assists from Serpa and Hargrave. After several shots on goal from Walker and sophomore Colleen Ellis, WA increased their lead yet again. Serpa got her second goal of the game and junior Ali Benedict got an assist. The two goals in the third lead to a final score of 4–1.

Jacqueline Dagle, a senior on the team, was impressed by the way the team played.

“We kept the pressure on and maintained possession up until the end and it paid off in a great win,” she said.

Hargrave, Serpa, and Walker all played well throughout the contest. The team will move on after their successful victory to play at the Groton School against Andover High School on February 10.

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