Weston-Wayland Drops Hard Fought Battle to Dedham, 2-1

The upstart Weston-Wayland girls’ hockey team gave powerful host Dedham a scare, before dropping a 2-1 non-league decision to the Marauders yesterday at the Noble and Greenough Rink.

Weston-Wayland (0-5-1) is still seeking its first victory, but yesterday’s outing was inspiring even in defeat, as Dedham improved to 6-2-1.

“Both teams played well and play was very even,” Weston-Wayland head coach Bill MacDonald said.

Weston-Wayland held a 23-19 edge in shots on goal, thanks to “a consistent effort to generate shots” by forwards Jane Haffey, Grace Cartwright, Jackie McInerney, Patty Atkinson and Gianna Fargnoli, MacDonald said.

The coach also lauded the play of goalie Andrea Defina, who made 19 saves.

Trailing 1-0, Weston-Wayland tied the tilt on a terrific effort by junior star Cara Lembo. Lembo zoomed in with a defender tracking her down the left wing, outmuscled her opponent, gained control of the puck, ripped a wrist shot that handcuffed the goalie, and then put away the rebound.

Dedham opened the scoring in the first period on a strike by Anna Mahoney.

After Lembo’s tally, the Marauders responded 40 seconds later with a goal from Meaghan Dwan that caught the short side.

Weston-Wayland pulled its goalie in favor of the extra skater and put tremendous pressure on Dedham in the final 14 seconds, before the Marauders escaped with the win.

MacDonald noted a strong effort by Weston-Wayland defenders, junior captain Jess Greenwood, fellow junior Sara Coburn, and eighth graders Katherine Goguen and Ainsley Gibard, kept the game in reach.

Weston-Wayland will host Waltham on Wednesday.