By Max Clifford
Hometown Weekly Reporter
After losing a five-game unbeaten streak earlier in the week, Walpole Girls’ Varsity Hockey bounced back in a big way on Saturday night in Natick, topping the 11-win Redhawks by a final score of 3-1.
It took just over three minutes for the Timberwolves to get the scoring started on Saturday night. With Katie Colleran providing the assist, Elena Govoni fired the puck past the Natick goalkeeper for an early 1-0 advantage.
The Timberwolves were aggressive throughout the first period in search of their second goal of the night. Caitlyn Caulfield and Nora Kelly each fired shots that came to a rest inside the crease, but were knocked away just in time by Natick goalie Jane Brunell.
With under two minutes to play, a pair of Walpole penalties overlapped for all of 15 seconds, giving Natick just enough time to capitalize on the two-skater advantage. With freshman Izzy Mastrangelo setting the stage, Elle Ferguson knocked in the tying goal for the Redhawks.
The 1-1 score held for over 12 minutes in the second period as both goalies were putting the stop to each shot they faced. With just under three minutes to play, Kelly took assists from Ella Dacey and Kaylee Walsh to the net, sliding in the go-ahead goal.
Not done for the period yet, Walpole’s Ava England launched a shot from near the blue line that was redirected by Dacey on the way into the goal. Dacey’s second point of the period stretched the Timberwolves’ lead to 3-1 at the second intermission.
Walpole dominated time of possession in the third period to keep the Natick offense away from the net. Any puck that did find its way through the defense was quickly smothered by Ainsley Roof, who locked in to save every shot she faced after letting up the early goal.
The Timberwolves will return to their home ice for a pair of non-league matchups with Dedham on Saturday and Billerica on Monday to close out the regular season.
