Girls Hockey Is Young Group of Wildcats

It’s safe to say this year’s Wilmington girls hockey team will be growing together.

The Lady Wildcats, who open their 2011-12 campaign on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. with a home tilt at Ristuccia Arena, feature just one senior and two juniors.

“It’s always a positive when you can keep some players for four years and beyond,” said head coach Joe McMahon, whose team moves into the Middlesex League this year. “They’ll be put right into the competition. It’s going to make them a much better team in the long run.”

Returning player Jane Farrell is among the forwards who will see significant ice time, along with Katie MacDougall, Caroline Robarge, Chloe Castellano, Ryan Gautreau and Michaela McLaughlin.

In the mix as regulars on defense are Lauren Fitch, Taylor Perella, Adrianna Kippenberger, Colleen Good, Ashley Michals, and Sam DePasquale.

McMahon has a pair of young goalies he will turn to throughout the season. Bridget Santos and Shelby McHugh are both freshmen who worked diligently in the offseason and are ready to step in between the pipes.

“I’m not going to lose any quality by starting either one of them,” said McMahon. “They’re both doing well as of right now, and they’re only freshmen. It’s a coach’s dream.”

The Wildcat mentor said his young team will need to learn as the season goes on, gaining experience throughout the campaign.

“There’s definitely a sense of excitement,” said McMahon. “It takes a lot of guts for a seventh or eighth grader to go up against a senior out there. The overall attitude is they just want to play, and they can’t wait to get out on the ice.”