The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Hamden collects program’s first SCC crown
WEST HAVEN — There are times in a championship game that go down as defining moments. For the Hamden girls hockey team, they found that moment late in the second period.
Lexy Patel’s shorthanded goal broke a tie and helped lead the Green Dragons to a 3-1 victory over West Haven/Sacred Heart Academy in the Southern Connecticut Conference championship at the Edward L.
Bennett Rink in West Haven Friday evening.
Hamden won its first SCC title and avenged a double overtime loss to the Westie Sharks from one year ago. West Haven/Sacred Heart Academy had defeated Hamden twice before in the league final.
“We have played well on the penalty kill all season,” said Hamden coach Jessica Morgillo, whose team improved to 14-8-1. “We played better sometimes on there than the power play. Those shorthanded goals change the momentum really quick.
“This means everything. Especially last year, we lost in double overtime to them. To be back here and win against them was a good revenge. I am so proud of them.”
The second period saw the turning point of the game as the Westie Sharks went to the power play with the game even at one and a chance to take the lead in the final five minutes of the period.
But an errant pass lead to a Hamden breakaway. Evelyn Twarowski made the initial stop on a shot by Giada Broccoli, but Patel was there for the rebound and a 2-1 Hamden lead with 4:32 left in the middle period.
“Lexy coming behind me and getting the rebound, we have been working on that in practice,” Broccoli said. “We executed it, and we scored.”
Patel’s goal held up as Hamden freshman goaltender Kyra Sweeney turned aside 29 shots, including 13 in the second and 10 in a thrilling third period to earn the game’s
Most Outstanding Player award.
Despite taking a pair of penalties in the final 15 minutes, West Haven/Sacred Heart Academy put the pressure on Sweeney, but Sweeney was at her best, turning aside Julianna Montano from the slot with 8:27 remaining.
Sweeney held off the Westie Sharks in the final five minutes, turning aside Julianna Montano again with 4:14 to go, then denying a laser from the point by Taylor Alfano with 3:58 to go.
“Honestly, I couldn’t have done it without my team with the constant forecheck and communication,” Sweeney said. “It really helped. Once we got up, I was like I can’t lose now. I have to keep going.”
Hamden clinched the championship with 42.4 seconds left on Jozie Becker’s goal off an assist from Broccoli.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game especially after last year’s championship,” West Haven/Sacred Heart Academy coach Erin Blake said after her team finished the season 10-13. “Jess (Morgillo) has a fantastic team. They have such strong lines. They had the momentum. We had the chances, but we couldn’t finish.
“I am extremely proud of my team. We fought hard. To be the number four seed and come here again this season, win or lose, is an honor. I am proud of them for making it here.”
Players of the Game
Giada Broccoli and Kyra Sweeney, Hamden:
They helped the Green Dragons to their first SCC girls hockey title from different sides of the ice. Broccoli scored the first goal of the game and also added a pair of assists, while Sweeney made 30 saves in net.
Quotable
“We came back from being underdogs. A couple of seasons ago, Hamden didn’t, they weren’t really known. Last year, we lost in double overtime, and now that we won against the same team, it feels really good.” — Hamden’s goaltender Kyra Sweeney