Girls hockey is on a power surge once again with a win against Central Catholic by a score of 4-1 that put them into the 2016 DCL playoff push.

Westford Academy has played just 15 games and already have the amount of points required to qualify for the playoffs. Their record is an impressive 8-3-4. The team shows no sign of slowing down.

Both team quickly started the game off with a familiar sense of aggression, leftover from a well remembered game from earlier in the season. Sophomore, Taylor Pacifico was strong on the forecheck along with her linemates Cat Mahanna and Emily Earl who supplied consistent intensity through all three periods.

Westford Academy struck first with a great play starting with Sophomore Hannah Keefe who made a smart look to Captain Alayna Serpa who then gave a swift pass to freshman Kayleigh Butler right on the doorstep for the goal.

With 5 minutes to go in the first WA struggled to stay out of the penalty box and gave up a powerplay goal to Central Catholic, ending the first period with a score of 1-1.

WA did not panic in the face of the challenge and remained strong and determined to regain the lead.

Junior Cat Mahanna showed her strength while she fought through the defense from the neutral zone straight to Central’s goalie, who challenged Mahana out of the crease. Mahana deked and dragged the goalie to the side resulting with a goal giving WA a 2-1 lead. The power surge did not stop there.

Central Catholic seemed to weaken a bit after WA regained the lead. WA took advantage. With numerous breakaways from Alayna Serpa and Hannah Keefe, the team carried their lead into the third period with no hesitation.

After seven minutes of play, Mahana lit the lamp again with a goal from the high slot that slid with ease right underneath the goalie, who did not seem prepared for the shot.

With just four minutes remaining, WA seemed to have immense momentum that would not come to a halt until the final buzzer. They bolstered their lead when defensemen Ali Benedict was able to capture her fifth goal of the season ending the game with a glorious win by a final score of 4-1.

Westford Academy is now officially in the 2016 DCL playoffs and will continue to strive for success until the championship banner gets “2016” stitched on to it.

The team still has five games remaining and will carry their season to the beginning of march. Their next game is at Andover Saturday at 5:20.

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