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By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
Still in search of their first victory of the 2019-2020 season, the Dover-Sherborn/Hopkinton girls varsity hockey team hosted Norwell for the latter half of a back-to-back on Friday afternoon at Blackstone Valley Iceplex in Hopedale.
With 3:53 left in the opening period, the Raiders (0-8-0, 0-3-0) seized an early lead after a backhanded shot by senior forward Amanda Borden found its way home via the five-hole off of a feed from the corner by freshman Kelly Bailey. DS/Hopkinton was able to kill off a late Norwell power play and took their one-goal lead into the first intermission.
Norwell tied the game at one just 54 seconds into the second on a breakaway. With 11:36 to play in the period, Norwell took its first lead of the contest with a power play goal. A big sprawling save by senior captain and goalie Kristin McCluskey with about five minutes remaining in the period kept the game 2-1, but a late power play tally by the Clippers made it a two-goal game heading into the final period.
Kelly Bailey (2) chips the puck in the offensive zone on a dump-in.
Despite an impressive late push by the Raiders to cut into the deficit, Norwell was able to get onto the board next with a goal from an odd angle. The Clippers added a goal with six minutes to play to make it a 5-1 game before burying another late to come away with the 6-1 victory.
The DS/Hopkinton girls will look to crack the win column when the Raiders travel to Masconomet on January 11.
For funny and insightful sports analysis as well as video highlights of games, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter and Instagram @flano0.
