Westford Academy Girls’ Hockey improved their record to 6-9-3 after winning 4-1 over Acton-Boxborough at Nashoba Valley Olympia on Wednesday, Feb. 14.
From the first puck drop, both teams were going back and forth down the ice, getting many quality scoring opportunities, but both goaltenders were able to stand strong in the net.
Just over two minutes into the game, AB was able to fire a shot past freshman goalie Lexi Mcdonough to take a 1-0 lead, however that lead did not last long. WA tied the game shortly after with a goal from freshman forward Kiley Carmichael.
As the first period came to a close, WA was able to move the puck around ABs’ zone and freshman Elsa Berglund scored with two seconds left, giving WA their first lead of the game.
The second period was a defensive battle. Neither team let many shots get to the net, and WA’s power play and penalty kill were instrumental in their victory. The period didn’t go scoreless, as Carmichael scored her second of the night halfway through the second to increase WA’s lead to 3-1.
Despite AB’s best efforts, they could not get another shot past Mcdonough. The second period ended with WA leading 3-1.
AB was unable to find an answer to WA’s hustle and passing in the third period, as AB surrendered another goal to Carmichael. With the goal, Carmichael completed the hat trick to increase WA’s lead to 4-1.
Late in the third, WA took a timeout and was able to hold off AB’s final push, defeating AB with a final score of 4-1. Head coach Jim Geraghty credited the girls’ effort on the ice for being the deciding factor in their 4-1 victory.
“The girls hustled, [and we] passed the puck really well. Overall it was a good win,” Geraghty said.
WA’s next game will be vs. Waltham at Nashoba Valley Olympia on Saturday at 3 p.m.
