CHARLOTTE ROSSICONE scored her first varsity goal against the Saint Joseph’s Phoenix on Dec. 30. She also assisted on Maeve Recene’s second tally. (Beth Boudreau Photography)
Published in the January 6, 2020 edition.
STONEHAM — The Wakefield High girls’ hockey team skated in the inaugural Middlesex League/Catholic Central League Play Day on Dec. 30. The Warriors lined up against Saint Joseph’s Prep and after setting the tone early, cruised to a 5-2 victory improving their record to 3-2.
Wakefield came out flying, scoring three goals on their first three shots of the game.
“Each one of our lines scored a goal which was nice to see,” said Wakefield head coach Chrissy Weeden. “We played well, but need to continue playing a full three periods of hockey.”
Wakefield’s first period goals were scored by Olivia Johnson assisted by Sarah Melanson and Caroline Melanson; Annabella Forziati assisted by Hope Melanson and Maeve Recene unassisted.
Recene, a sophomore, later finished up her terrific day with a second goal, assisted by Carestin Stewart and Charlotte Rossicone.
“Maeve Recene has been contributing in big ways this season,” said Weeden. “She came into the season determined to get ice time and she has done just that. I have been very impressed by her since day one.”
Rossicone’s assist came after she scored Wakefield’s fourth goal of the game. It was the first career goal for the freshman.
“Charlotte Rossicone has been a great addition to our blue line,” said Weeden. “She is a daily hard worker and I was happy to see the puck go in for her. She is a very offensive defenseman and will be on the scoresheet more often if she continues to play the way she did in this game.”
The Warriors hosted Burlington on New Year’s Day morning at Stoneham Ice Arena.
Wakefield again started well against an upstart Red Devil squad and put together two strong periods to take a 2-0 lead into the third.
Burlington stepped up in the third and eventually tied the game with just 1:09 left to play.
“Playing a full three periods of hockey has to be one of our focus areas for the remainder of the season,” said Weeden. “The girls have set big goals as a team and one way to really accomplish them is to make sure we play each period to the buzzer.”
The two teams played an even game on the scoreboard in the first, but coach Weeden was proud of the effort.
“Our first period was one of the best we have played as a team since the start of the season. We were making good decisions up and down the ice. We have been focusing this year on making smart passes coming out of our own zone and it all seemed to click for us.”
The Warriors built on that momentum by scoring twice in the second period.
Wakefield’s goals were scored by Forziati and Erin Heffernan. Forziati’s goal was assisted by Heffernan and Bailey McDevitt while Heffernan’s goal was assisted by Stewart and Hope Melanson.
“The second period for us was more productive, not just because we scored twice but because we had the play in the offensive zone for most of the period,” said Weeden.
The play was back-and-forth in the third period, but according to Weeden, Wakefield couldn’t close the right way. The Warriors had a chance to run out the clock with two offensive zone faceoff in the last minute but couldn’t win them.
Overall, it was still nice to get a point off a team that will test many opponents this year.
Weeden, in her second year as head coach, was an assistant in Burlington and still teaches at BHS. She knows there are great things in store for that program.
“Burlington is a team that we will be hearing about,” said Weedney. “They will be scary for all Middlesex League teams to play throughout the season.”
The Warriors picked up their seventh point of the season with that tie.
Wakefield went on to beat Watertown 1-0 on Saturday at John Ryan Arena.
The Warriors will bring a 4-2-1 record into a rematch against Fontbonne Academy tonight, 8 p.m. at Stoneham Ice Arena. Wakefield beat the Ducks 7-1 on Dec. 19.
A full recap of these two games will appear at a later date.
