Westford Girls Hockey Puts Up Fight But Loses Tourney Bid

Against powerhouse Woburn, the Westford Academy girls hockey weathered the storm early. But they got swallowed up by the end.

The fourteenth-ranked Grey Ghosts lost to second-seeded Woburn, 5-0, Saturday in the first round of the Division 1 state tournament. The loss ended WA's season.

Woburn got out to an early 2-0 lead, as sophomore defender Kylee Maher scored on a wrist shot about two minutes. Midway through the period, center Colleen Martell slipped one past Westford’s Jenny Grischuk (14 saves) to make it 2-0.

Westford put up a furious attack to get on the board in the second, with Kim Lizotte, Cara Curran, and Stephanie Arno working to pepper Woburn goalie Courtney Davis (16 saves). But the period ended with the score still 2-0.

“We weathered the storm in the first and again in the second,” said WA coach Todd Fletcher.

Things fell apart in the third.

Woburn blew up for three goals, including one by sophomore Kayla Smith, who also added four assists. Smith netted her 100th career point in the process.

Woburn (19-1-1) moved on the to quarter finals.

Westford finished its season 13-6-3.

Fletcher said the team is headed in the right direction. After finishing 1-19 two seasons ago, Westford (13-6-3) in the preliminary round of the tournament this season and will lose only two seniors to graduation.