September 25th vs Wilmington
Player of the Game: Samantha O'Hara, Ivory Hestmark

The U19 girls faced off against the U19 Wilmington girls at 4:30 PM Sunday in Walpole. Our girls really carried the play in the first period and the Wilmington goalie had to make some tough saves to hold the score at 0-0. Most of our shots were from the perimeter and we were not in good position to capitalize on the rebounds.

In the second, the girls started to pressure the net and get some second and third chance opportunities. At the halfway point Co-Player of the game, Samantha O’Hara, capitalized on a rebound to put us up 1-0. However, the Wilmington girls started to mount their own attacks while starting to play physical in front of both nets.

Still 1-0, the third period started with Walpole continuing the pressure but not able to generate any points against a strong goalie. At the same time we had several defensive lapses that resulted in breakaways and point blank shots on our other Co-Player of the game, Ivory Hestmark. Ivory stoned Wilmington on every attempt they had including a clean breakaway from center ice with 2 minutes to play and a minute thirty of 6 on 5 play to end the game..

A repeat comment from my last review, we still need to work on our defensive coverage and breakouts, but a solid effort from all of the girls.

September 17th vs Medford
Player of the Game: Mary Cuddy

The U19 girls faced off against the U19 Medford girls at 6:20 PM Saturday in Watertown. Both teams came out with spirit and energy in the first period but neither team was connecting on passes. Our girls started to carry the play and by the end of the period had a decided edge in play, mounting multiple scrums in front of the Medford net. However, the Medford goalie was up to the task and the period ended 0-0.

The second period started out the way the first had ended and it didn’t take long for Walpole to capitalize. One minute and 17 seconds in, Emily Buckley fired a nice wrist shot that beat the Medford goalie for a 1-0 lead. Throughout the period we continued to carry the play with several excellent rushes and constant pressure in their zone. However, one mental lapse on defense had Medford scoring on a breakaway about halfway through the period for a 1-1 tie.

The third period started with Walpole continuing the pressure. Mary Cuddy (Player of the Game) scored her first of two 3rd period goals at the 3 minute mark and gave us some breathing room at the ½ way point with her second goal. Both scores were hard working, front of the net goals and seemed to sap any energy the opponent had.

We still need to work on our defensive coverage and breakouts, but a solid effort from all of the girls.

September 10th vs Wellesley
Player of the Game: Annie Yonker

Tough opening game. The girls had a lot of rust to work off and in the first two periods, it showed. Most passes were off the mark and we were running around our own zone against a very disciplined Wellesley team. Both teams struggles until the 10 minute mark when Wellesley scored one of their two 1st period goals at the end of a powerplay. Trailing 2-0, we were hemmed in our zone for much of the 2nd period, allowing 3 more goals. In the 3rd period the girls woke up and were making good break-out passes, resulting in more puck control and offense attacking. 5 minutes in Annie Yonker (Player of the Game) put a wrist shot just under the outstretched glove arm of the Wellesley goalie for our first goal of the game. Wellesley did score one with time ticking down.

It was good to see the girls get more aggressive and play better toward the end of the game. We look to keep that momentum heading into game 2.