Warriors win first game in two years, edge Wildcats 4-3
SENIOR FORWARD Julianne Bourque (right) scored all four Warrior goals in Wakefield’s 4-3 triumph over Wilmington yesterday at the Kasabuski Arena. On the left is senior captain Meaghan Kerrigan.
(Donna Larsson Photo)
Published in the January 7, 2016 edition.
By DAN MARGARITA
SAUGUS — The Wakefield Memorial High girls’ hockey team did something yesterday afternoon that it didn’t do all of last season — win a game.
The Warriors got their first victory since the 2013-14 season and initial win this winter by beating Wilmington, 4-3, at the Kasabuski Arena with all four goals coming from Julianne Bourque.
“I’m very happy with the way they played the last two games. Against Stoneham we just couldn’t buy a goal when we needed one. It was a real good effort today. They’re always working hard and they never quit or get down. They just keep going,” said Wakefield coach Jack Foley.
It was a few minutes into the game when Bourque got her first goal on a pass across the crease from Sophia Rossicone.
Wilmington outshot Wakefield but some nifty work in net by young goalie Cailyn Wesley kept the Wildcats from scoring.
“She made some pretty big stops. She’s played very well for us all season long,” praised Foley.
It was later in the period when Wilmington’s Fiona Heffernan scored to send the teams into the intermission tied 1-1.
Wakefield regained the lead at the beginning of the second period when Olivia Cameron poked the puck up the ice to Bourque for a breakaway that the senior buried for a goal.
Wilmington began to dominate play but once again the eighth grader Wesley stonewalled the Wildcats offensive bids. The pressure paid off with a goal by Dianna Riley to make it 2-2, where it would stand at the end of two periods.
“They needed to work the full 45 minutes today and it paid off. We finished better and had plenty of chances. We probably could’ve scored more but I’ll take the win,” noted Foley.
Wakefield once again took a lead on a power play goal from Bourque to put Wakefield up 3-2.
Wilmington’s Lauren D’Angelo tied the game at 3-3 but Wakefield immediately responded with Bourque’s fourth and final goal to make it 4-3.
Things got dicey when Wakefield was hit with two penalties in the final minutes of the game. One was a slashing penalty and the other for having too many men on the ice.
“We put some pressure on ourselves and made a mistake on the bench, which was a communication error on the coaches. The two of us send out a player to replace one coming off and that’s not a good thing. It was a legitimate penalty. We deserved the penalty and I take responsibility for that,” Foley explained.
With a two-man advantage becoming a three-man advantage with the goalie being pulled, Wilmington had a decided advantage that it couldn’t capitalize on. Wakefield was able to kick the puck out to prevent any shots on goal and preserve the victory.
“Obviously, it made it a little more exciting at the end, probably more exciting than I’d like it to be. The kids did a nice job dumping the puck out and keeping it out of our end,” said a relieved Foley.
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At Kasabuski Arena, Saugus
Wilmington………….1 1 1 — 3
WAKEFIELD………..1 1 2 — 4
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First Period — Wak, Bourque (Rossicone) 3:57. Wil, Silva (Farrell, Woodward) 10:55.
Second Period — Wak, Bourque (Cameron) 1:03. Wil, Riley (un.) 6:01.
Third Period — Wak, Bourque (Nadolny, Hill) 1:04 (pp). Wil, D’Angelo (un.) 2:40. Wak, Bourque (Lilley, Stewart) 4:57.
Goalies — Wak, Wesley (35 shots-32 saves).Wil, Spinazola (15-11).
