THE SENIORS on the Wakefield High girls’ hockey team were honored before their game against Arlington Catholic on Monday night at the Stoneham Arena. Pictured with their families from left to right are seniors Yana Herzog, Bailey McDevitt, Maeve Recene, Abby Boudreau, Olivia Johnsen, Kayli Porter and Emma Johnsen. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)

 


Fall to AC 5-2; beat Melrose 9-1

 

By DAN PAWLOWSKI

STONEHAM — The Wakefield High girls’ hockey team celebrated seven seniors before their game over Arlington Catholic on Monday night at the Stoneham Arena.

It’s a group that Warrior head coach, and Wakefield High hockey alum Jacqui Mansfield appreciates for their devotion to the game and to the program at all levels.

Although the Warriors fell to the Cougars 5-2, the Class of 2022 went all out for a full 45 minutes, proving that commitment to their teammates.

“This group of seniors is a dedicated group, they are all determined to better not only their own team but girls’ hockey in general,” said Mansfield. “The countless hours they’ve all volunteered to WYSA has been rewarding to see as a coach as well as a Wakefield hockey alum. They are a big part of growing our program for the years to come.”

It was only fitting to see members of Wakefield Youth Skating Association on the ice with the team before the game in front of a great crowd and student section as the seniors and their families were honored before the contest. This is what they could be a part of in the future if they commit to that same level of dedication.

An exciting, fast-paced first period ended with a goal by senior Bailey McDevitt assisted by junior Charlotte Rossicone and sophomore Fiona Recene. With just seconds remaining, McDevitt got a hold of the puck from in-between the dots and the Cougar blue line, and aware of the clock, fired a wrister top shelf with just two seconds left to put Wakefield right back into it at the first intermission.

The Warriors, who outshot A.C. 25-21 in this one, had a big shot advantage of 12-5 in the first, making the goal that much more important in a period in which it felt like Wakefield was the better team despite two plays of brilliance from Cougar forwards, one on a breakaway and another on a 2-on-1 that led to goals.

“The entire team skated hard,” said Mansfield. “We dominated the play with shots on net, but now we need to think of crashing the net on those second shots in order to produce goals.”

Wakefield’s Red Sea was there to support all of their seniors, McDevitt, Yana Herzog, Emma Johnsen, Kayli Porter and captains Olivia Johnsen, Abby Boudreau and Maeve Recene, but it was Recene who earned the most applause in that initial period, and rightfully so, as she was playing in her first game of the season after working her way back from a serious knee injury that kept her sidelined for her entire senior soccer season as well.

“It was great to have Maeve back in the lineup,” said Mansfield. “She has always been one of the hardest workers on our bench and it gave her team something to rally around having her back on senior night.”

The first 10 minutes of the 2nd period featured no scoring but great hockey as both teams battled to get that next goal, something that is always so key in a one-goal game.

Senior goalie Abby Boudreau made multiple clutch stops during this stretch, especially at the very beginning when she fought off a tough slap shot that seemed to change directions to her stick side. Boudreau, who has been Wakefield’s starting goalie since her 8th grade season in 2017-18, has been making those types of saves for five years.

She made a few more stops on a penalty kill that also featured multiple shot blocks from McDevitt, Porter, Emma Johnsen, sophomore Erin Leary and 8th grader Rory McNeill.

Just as Wakefield gained some momentum on that PK, the Cougars got it right back on a goal in front with 4:32 remaining.

Fiona Recene was then robbed by an incredible left pad save after a nice dish from McNeill and soon after, A.C. capitalized on a Warrior turnover in the defensive zone to make it 4-1 after two.

Even after going down 5-1 in the third, Wakefield’s seniors fought to the end highlighted by a Porter goal on a shot from the slot that found its way through traffic set up in front by sophomore Julia Welch. Assists went to Herzog and freshman blue liner Maddy Taylor.

Although not the result they wanted, Wakefield, and especially the senior class, proved their dedication with consistent effort for a full game.

“It was nice to have two of the seniors, Bailey and Kayli, get on the scoreboard on senior night,” said Mansfield. “Rory McNeill has continued to play both ends of the ice each and every shift. My defensemen have become more consistent and are working well together with Olivia Johnsen and Charlotte Rossicone leading them. They are starting to do a good job of stepping up and protecting Abby Boudreau and clearing the front of the net, especially Erin Leary who has started to lift her head and make some smart cross ice passes.”

Beat Melrose 9-1

Senior night came just two days after Wakefield beat rival Melrose for the second time this season, this time by a score of 9-1. McDevitt led the way with 4 goals. Emma Johnsen scored a hat trick and Herzog and Porter each added tallies.

Boudreau got the win in her return after missing multiple games with an injury. Julia Welch, who helped step up to play goalie in Boudreau’s absence, finished the game in net.

“It was a great team win, led strongly by our seniors,” said Mansfield. “Every goal we scored was by a senior, so it was a great win going into senior night on Monday.

“Bailey McDevitt continues to produce for our offense and she led by example in Melrose scoring 4 goals. Emma Johnsen notched her first career hat trick. Along with Kayli Porter and Yana Herzog getting a goal apiece, Olivia Johnsen assisted on multiple goals.”

The Warriors were ranked 43rd in the latest MIAA Div. 2 girls’ hockey power rankings, making a state tournament appearance a long shot, but Wakefield has plenty of opportunities to make some noise, starting tonight, 6 p.m. back at the Stoneham Arena when they play Stoneham/Wilmington who is ranked 27th in Div. 1. The Spartans beat Wakefield 3-2 on Jan. 12.