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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
Coming off a 13-6-3 regular season in 2017-2018, the Westwood High girls varsity hockey team is holding themselves to a high standard heading into what appears to be an extremely promising year.
Back to lead the Wolverines in 2018-2019 are a trio of senior captains in leading scorer, forward, and reigning All-Scholastic recipient Kat Keith, defenseman Olivia Jordan, and goaltender Caroline McDonough.
Along with Keith, two other names that should be showing up repeatedly on the score sheet for Westwood throughout the season are sophomore forward Hannah Blomquist and senior forward Colleen Dalton.
“Kat [Keith] is one of our most reliable goal scorers and helps keep the team together,” said Dalton on her fellow senior counterpart. “Hannah Blomquist will account for many points, as well.”
Defensively, Westwood returns a plethora of talented shutdown defenseman, headlined by Jordan and freshman Robin MacAusland, while being backboned by Gallagher between the pipes.
“Olivia Jordan will have a big impact defensively,” said Dalton. “Her play will be a big determining factor on the outcome of our season. Robin [MacAusland] should have a killer freshman season. She and Olivia will protect our amazing goalie, Caroline McDonough, who we believe will continue to be one of the best goalies in the state and hopefully guide us to victory.”
As for the team’s general expectations, Dalton made it clear that the goal is to win, and to win big.
“Our goals are to be undefeated in the TVL,” said Dalton. “We want to be TVL champions for the second year in a row. We are also hoping to make it to the Garden [for the state championship game].”
Westwood begins conference play on December 15 against Medfield/Norton at Canton Ice House.
For funny and incisive sports analysis, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter at @fLAno0, or read his blog at www.flannylive.wordpress.com.
