Billerica/Chelmsford falls to St. Mary’s
LOWELL >> Before the season, Billerica/Chelmsford girls hockey coach Ray Monroe thought his team had enough talent and skill to reach the TD Garden with hopes of playing for a state title.
On Sunday morning, that dream fell just short, as No. 13 Indians were defeated by No. 1 seed St. Mary’s, 6-3, Division 1 state semifinal at the Tsongas Center.
B/C went 2-5-1 in February before going on a terrific playoff run with wins over No. 20 Westford Academy, No. 4 HPNA and No. 5 Winthrop. The Indians (11-12-1) tried to keep that momentum going and were tied with St. Mary’s at 2-2 midway through the third period before the Spartans scored three goals in 62 seconds to break it open.
“We came in with a game plan and I thought we executed that game plan. We were just a couple of bounces short,” said Monroe. “Like I just told the kids, I wouldn’t trade this team for anyone. This is the most favorite team that I have ever coached and these girls brought it today. They never gave up. St. Mary’s scored a couple of goals there in the third period and we could have easily packed it in, but we came back and scored another one (to make it 5-3). That’s what this team was built on — never quitting.”
St. Mary’s entered 24-1-0 , which included outscoring teams 110-16, including posting 15 shutouts. Maggie Pierce finished with three goals and two assists, while Amanda Forziati and Jenna Chaplain added a goal and three assist each. St. Mary’s will play Shrewsbury in next Sunday’s state championship game.
“We tried to match up our first line with their first line, trying not to take away from our offense so we tried to spread it out more,” said Monroe. “Then they got those two quick goals and things changed because at that point you are playing catch up. They’re just a tremendous team, just a really strong team to play against.”
Early on the in first period, the Spartans dominated play but were denied by B/C sophomore goalie Hailey Graybeal, who turned away 29 shots, 24 through the first two periods.
“She was fantastic. She made all of the saves that she should have and made some that they shouldn’t have. They buried a couple at the end that she had no shot at getting. She did her job, plus more than we could have asked,” said Monroe.
The Spartans scored their first goal with 6:48 left in the second, but 47 seconds later, Kate Harrison tied it up as she buried a rebound with assists going to Jocelyn Sylva and Tori Apostolakes. The Spartans retook the lead with 2:35 left in the second.
The third period opened up with B/C scoring as defenseman Remore Serra took a wrist shot from the left point that banked off the goalie’s shoulder and into the back of the net for a power play goal and the game up at 2-2.
After Graybeal made a huge save on the stick of Abbie Poole, the Spartans scored a power-play goal to go ahead, added another one 46 seconds later, and then another one 16 seconds after that to go up 5-2. The Indians made things interesting with 3:19 to go as Katherine Morin scored on a wrist shot from the right point with assists going to Ruby Boucher and Caroline Pitts.
With 2:04 left, B/C was called for a penalty but that didn’t stop Monroe from pulling Graybeal with 1:22 to go, and St. Mary’s then was able to ice the game with an emptynetter with 20 seconds remaining.
“They just played us physical and they’re goalie played outstanding. We knew that coming in, that league I think is one of the best leagues around,” said St. Mary’s head coach Frank Pagliuca. “We knew we were going to get a tough game. That’s why power seedings works because (Billerica/Chelmsford) was where they should be. They deserved to be here, and they played a great game. We were fortunate enough to get a couple of bounces.”