VIDEO: Arlington Catholic Girls’ Hockey Advances to State Semis

The defending state champion Arlington Catholic girls’ hockey team is back in the state semis.

The seventh-seeded Cougars (16-4-2) reached the final four again Wednesday night by taking care of No. 2 Beverly Danvers (17-3-2) 4-0 in the Division 1 quarterfinals at O’Brien Rink in Woburn.

“Getting by this round and moving onto the semifinals, it’s just another thing you look forward to, another gift that you’re given by your hard work,” Arlington Catholic coach Maggie Taverna said Wednesday.

The Cougars advance to face No. 3 Westford (17-3-2) at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Chelmsford Forum. Westford beat No. 11 Acton-Boxboro in the quarterfinals at O’Brien Rink prior to Arlington Catholic’s game.

The Cougars got on the board halfway through the first period when sophomore Jackie Sindoris cleaned up her own rebound. Sophomores Kathleen McLaughlin and Duggan Delano were credited with assists.

About five minutes into the second period, moments after a faceoff, sophomore Jessica Piracini took a pass from sophomore Adrieanna Rossini, faked out the last defender and then beat the goalie glove-side to put the Cougars up 2-0.

Freshman Mickey McLaughlin got the Cougars third goal with less than three minutes remaining in the second. McLaughlin scored on a power play after Piracini took a hard check in front of the net. Rossini and junior netminder Megan Messuri earned the assists.

The Cougar’s fourth and final goal came with less than four minutes remaining in the game. After Rossini went the length of the ice, Delano put home her rebound. Sophomore Kathleen McLaughlin also got an assist on the play.

On the other side of the bracket, No. 1 Woburn (19-0-3) and No. 4 St. Mary’s of Lynn (17-3-4) will square off Sunday in Chelmsford prior to Arlington Catholic’s game.

The Cougars beat Woburn and St. Mary’s in last year’s tournament in the quarterfinals and finals, respectively. However, this regular season, the Cougars split with St. Mary’s and lost their only game against Woburn, 4-1.