Above: ARHS Girls Hockey hit the ice over the weekend for the MIAA playoffs. (image cropped from photo by Laney Halsey)
One Algonquin team is still in pursuit of a state title.* In an intense “Sweet 16 game”, Algonquin Girls Hockey came out on top, shutting out opponent Martha’s Vineyard on Saturday night.
The “Vineyarders” had previously lost to Algonquin 4-0 on Jan. 14. In an interview with MetroWest Daily News, senior Titans captain Emily Johns asserted that their success in that game motivated them to reach a new level of play.
The teams were well matched, and there were an abundance of penalties from the start. It seemed to me that there was always a player in the penalty box, which added an additional layer of intensity to the game.
Period one ended in a 0-0 gridlock, and both teams were fighting hard for that first goal.
Five minutes into the second period, Johns scored with an assist from freshman Ariya Tice. The goal ignited the team, fueling a commanding finish to the second period.
Even though the Titans players are from six different schools (Algonquin, Hudson, AMSA, Marlborough, Clinton, and Nashoba), they play with immense connection and familiarity, which made the game especially exciting to watch.
The Titans controlled the third period, starting off strong with a goal from sophomore Madelyn Glynn assisted by junior Annie Biagini.
I was particularly impressed with sophomore goalie Addy Cagan’s game. At one point in the third period, the opposing team was firing shot after shot. Cagan demonstrated her ability to recover and stay calm under pressure, successfully stopping each one. Even more remarkable, this game marked her seventh shutout of the season.
With 3:45 left in the game, Johns scored again, resulting in a 3-0 game and Algonquin’s advancement to The “Final 8” stage of the state tournament.
The “Final 8” will be against the Nauset/Monomoy Warriors. The Warriors are coming off of a win against the Sandwich Lady Knights with a score of 4-0. They have a record of 18-2-1 versus the Titans’ 15-6-1.
The game will be held at The Bog in Kingston, MA on Wednesday, March 6 at 5:30 pm. The two teams haven’t faced off this season, and I anticipate it will be a great game. The Titans will give it everything they’ve got if they hope to make it to the “Final Four”.
Tickets to that game can be bought here.
*[Editor’s Note: Girls Hockey is the last Titans team still competing this winter. But as posted last Monday, there were members of other teams in two competitions last week. There aren’t any big wins to report. But for those interested in the details — you can find Indoor Track results from the MSTCA Pentathlons here and results of the Alpine Ski Championship here.]
