Wildcat Girls Hockey Suffers a Tough Campaign

For the Milton High girls’ hockey team, the goals were just few and far between. And despite several strong efforts, the Wildcats struggled to one of their most challenging campaigns in the program’s accomplished history.

After escaping with a 2-1 win over King Phillip in the opening round of the Norte Dame of Hingham tournament, the Wildcats fell in the championship game to Falmouth en route to a heartbreaking 3-1 defeat.

For veteran coach Maggie Radley, the season ending loss signified a slew of lost opportunities for the youthful Wildcats who limped home to a 4-12-4 season ending mark.

“Our defense was great and our goaltending was awesome,’’ coach Maggie Radley said. “We were in every game, and we either tied or lost by one goal in nine games during the course of the season. If a few of those losses had been ties and the ties had been wins, then maybe we’d be in the tournament this season. Unfortunately, it wasn’t really meant to be for us this year, and now we have to look forward to next year.”

In its 2-1 win over King Phillip, the Wildcats were guided by senior tri-captain Emily McLelland and Erin Higgins, who notched a goal apiece.

“It was pretty much back and forth, and the game could’ve gone either way,’’ Radley said. “It was a nice win for us, and the girls went out and played extremely hard.”

Defensively, Liz Johnson fared impressive while Jen Berry also contributed on both sides of the ice.

Eighth grader Sarah Parks, who filled in for injured senior tri-captain Emma Drew in goal, recorded 31 saves to preserve the win for the Wildcats.

“(Sarah) did a great job, and she was able to gather some valuable varsity experience for next year,’’ Drew said. “She made a lot of saves, and she was one of the key players that kept us in the game. Our defense did a nice job clearing the puck out of the zone, and giving our offense some quality scoring chances.”

In the championship match-up against Falmouth, the Wildcats suffered a tough 3-1 defeat to Falmouth.

In the loss, Drew returned to action despite playing with a high ankle sprain.

“She got clearance to come back that day, and she did a phenomenal job,’’ Radley said. “She made some great saves, and kept us in the game.”

Splitting the duties in net was Drew and Sparks, who combined to stop 26 shots in the losing effort.

Offensively, Higgins along with McLelland and Johnson fared impressive, while generating quality scoring opportunities while Courtney Driscoll delivered some solid efforts on defense.

“It was a nice way to end the season despite the (loss),’’ Radley said. “It was another close game and the girls gave it a great effort.”

Offensively, the Wildcats could only generate just 21 goals, but allowed only 40 in the process. Drew, who recorded just a 4-10-4 mark during the season, posted an impressive goals against average of 1.86.

“Emma was just outstanding, and she deserved better fate,’’ Radley said. “She played hard every game, and even came back in her final game to play with a badly injured ankle. She’s everything you could ever ask for in a coach.”

With a youthful team to work with, the Wildcats lose just three seniors to the cap and gown, include tri-captains Paige Neelon, Drew and McLelland.

Not only will the Wildcats return a large number of underclassmen, but will also return five eighth grade girls. Including Parks followed by Jackie Losi, Amanda Hill, Siobhan Murtaugh and Hannah O’Leary.

“We had one of the youngest teams in the conference, and the girls really learned a lot from this experience,’’ Radley said. “We’re hoping they’ll be able to improve as we set our sights on making the tournament next year. It’s just tough for the seniors to go through because they did such a great job leading the team and I only wished they could had experienced the tournament.”