Ducks Clip Mustangs to Reach Third Consecutive Division 2 State Championship

Facing a 2-0 deficit, defeat glared straight in the eyes of the girls hockey team. As Ali Maloof crashed the net for her second goal of the contest early in the third period to give No.1 seeded Norwood a two-goal edge, it appeared that luck had finally run out in the Ducks’ quest to capture this year’s Division 2 state title.

Fighting adversity throughout the week and during the first two periods of Saturday afternoon’s state semifinal round, the Ducks emerged on one of the most historic comeback victories in the program’s history.

Senior co-captain Taylor Shepherd led the way, recording two goals, including the game-winner with 2:30 remaining in overtime as the Ducks prevailed in a dramatic 3-2 victory over the top-seeded Mustangs at a packed Foxboro Arena.

With the win, the fifth-seeded Ducks, who improved to 16-2-5 overall, will advance to their third straight Division 2 championship game, slated to take place next Sunday at the TD Garden against the winner of Sunday’s Duxbury-Concord Carlisle match-up.

Not only were the Ducks without third line winger Paige Frabetti-Merlino, who was sidelined with a separated shoulder, but also without captain and defensive leader Meghan Collins, who is serving a suspension for an intentional tripping incident during last week’s 3-2 overtime quarterfinal win over Walpole.

“These girls never gave up,’’ said assistant coach Kevin Sullivan. “We’ve been banged up and battling through an assortment of injuries and these girls really came together and gutted it out. (Norwood’s) a great team and they have two solid scoring lines. Both teams had a lot of opportunities, but we believed in ourselves and (Shepherd) came through for us once again. It’s been a great season, and it’s an honor to be competing for the state title.”

In the game’s opening minutes, both teams generated quality scoring opportunities. On a power play situation, Shepherd dished out a pass to Erin McLoughlin, who one-timed a shot right into the glove of Mustang goaltender Christina Frasca.

Seconds later, the Mustangs nearly grabbed the early lead. On a two-on-one opportunity, Emily Kelly centered a pass to Maloof, who one-timed a shot from close range, but Duck goaltender Lan Crofton kicked the puck away with the right pad.

Crofton, who stopped 22 shots en route to the win, continued to fare solid between the pipes, stopping consecutive shots from Maloof along with a wrist shot from Kelly from the right face-off circle.
”(Crofton) made some outstanding saves, and she withstood a lot of pressure from them,’’ said Sullivan. “She kept us in the game, and she didn’t give up a lot of rebounds. The defense did a tremendous job in front of her, and the girls just continued to believe in themselves.”

Seconds after Crofton robbed Maloof from point blank range, the Mustangs struck first, grabbing a 1-0 lead with 58.3 remaining in the first period.

Off a pass from Katie O’Brien, Maloof, positioned right outside the goal crease fired a rebound past a diving Crofton, top corner.

Throughout the second period, both teams generated quality scoring opportunities. Off a pass from McLoughlin, Shepherd deked a pair of Mustang defenders and whistled a shot, but Frasca snatched the puck in midair.

On another opportunity, McKenna Russell wheeled around a Mustang defender and nearly tucked in a wraparound before Frasca stopped the puck right in front of the goal crease.

While Frasca turned aside several quality shots, Crofton also kept the Ducks within striking distance. On a two-on-one, Maloof fired a pass down the ice to Kelly, who launched a wrist shot that landed into Crofton’s glove. On the ensuing rebound, Maloof nearly poked in the puck, but Crofton slid across the crease to deflect the puck wide.

Clinging to a 1-0 lead through the end of two periods, the Mustangs increased the lead on Maloof’s second goal of the contest just 48 seconds into the third. On a three-on-one, Hayley O’Rourke crossed a pass to Maloof, who one-timed a shot past a sprawling Crofton, short side.

“We never gave up on ourselves, and we knew that we were playing for our lives,’’ said Shepherd. “We’ve been a pretty resilient team all season long, and we knew that we had to take our game to the next level. We all just believed in ourselves and pulled together.”

Only 38 seconds later, the Ducks stormed back and closed the gap to 2-1. On a two-on-one, McLoughlin streaked down the center of the ice and dished off a centering pass to Shepherd. Shepherd followed, one-timing a shot that eluded Frasca top left-corner with 13:34 remaining.

“We knew we had to get one back right away if we were to have a chance,’’ said Shepherd. “We were down two goals and we knew that it was do or die, and Erin made a beautiful pass to me, and I was able to get a good shot on net.”

While the Mustangs continued to apply pressure in the offensive zone, Crofton continued to hold the fort, stopping several shots from close range from Maloof, Allison Ryan and Kelly.

“They came at us in the third period, and (Crofton) kept making some great saves,’’ said Sullivan. “Defensively, we were shorthanded but the girls really stepped it up. (Kayana Ham), Michelle Barrett and everyone else really did a tremendous job.”

As the minutes ticked on the Ducks’ season, McLoughlin tied the contest with 3:35 remaining. Off a pass from Kristen McCarthy, McLoughlin ignited a wrist shot that eluded a screened Frasca, top corner.

“We never doubted ourselves,’’ said Shepherd. “It was a total team effort, and McLouglin had an awesome game. We had to stay focused and we didn’t panic. We just went out there and tried to take our game to the next level.”

In the final seconds of regulation, both teams failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities as the contest headed into the extra session.

In the overtime session, Maloof engineered two quality scoring chances, as Crofton continued to hold ground, turning aside a blistering wrist shot glove side with 5:46 remaining.

Capitalizing on an odd player rush, Shepherd delivered the miraculous game-winning goal with 2:30 remaining.

Off a pass from Liz Coleman, McLoughlin fired a shot from between the face-off circles that Frasca turned aside. Shepherd, spotting the loose puck, chipped in a shot that landed over the diving Frasca and into the back of the net as the Ducks escaped with the victory.

“It’s been a great ride in the tournament,’’ said Shepherd. “We can’t wait to go back to the (TD) Garden and have another chance at winning a state title. It’s just an unbelievable feeling right now.”

The pictures above were taken by Pat McCarthy. For more information, click on http://mccarthy-clan.smugmug.com/Fontbonne-Hockey/2010-2011-Season