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BY JOSH PERRY (@Josh_Perry10)
Walpole High girls' hockey extended its unbeaten streak to three games at the start of the new season with a 3-0 win over Brookline/Newton South at Rodman Arena. The Rebels added the shutout to wins over Natick (3-2) and Newton North (6-2).
Head coach Joe Verderber, who is in his ninth season in charge of the girls' program, called this season "promising." He added, "We will have a big learning curve as a team...but the core is returning from last year and we have some freshmen with the ability to make an impact right away."
Olivia MacMillan scored all three goals against Brookline/Newton South, inlcuding a late empty netter that put the game away. Her second was the "highlight," according to Verderber. MacMillan stole the puck from the defenseman in front of goal and cut across for a pretty goal.
Despite the victory, Verderber is looking for more from his team.
He explained, "The Brookline game went fairly well however we did not skate to our capabilities and were a bit less aggressive than we need to be."
The Rebels will be looking to build "team cohesion" and Verderber is hoping that the second line will provide "sustained offense" to complement the first line. Franky Bonano is back in goal for Walpole, but she may be counted on for big saves early in the year with four of her six defensemen being freshmen and sophomores.
Verderber said, "It will be interesting this year. A great opportunity lies in front of the girls."
The Rebels faced Wellesley this week and then close out 2015 against Archbishop Williams.
See more photos at
http://timhoffman.zenfolio.com/p168662457
