The Belmont girls team advanced to the Division 1 state quarterfinals on Saturday night, beating Reading 1-0 at Ryan Arena in its second-round matchup.
With just under two minutes to play in regulation, junior Mackenzie Clarke scored the game’s lone goal on the power play, with assists from senior Sadie Taylor and freshman Alexcia Fici.
“We’ve been working on the power play this week,” Coach Brendan Kelleher said. “It paid off.”
Junior goaltender Jil Costa was again excellent for the Marauders, recording her 10th shutout of the season in the win.
“What can you even say about Jil?” Kelleher said. “You get a hot goalie, they can steal you a lot of games.”
Belmont’s next opponent is Hingham, the top seed in the tournament. The game is Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Stoneham Arena.
Regardless of who’s in front of them, the team will be ready, Kelleher said.
Season Ends for Boys Team
When Belmont and Winchester took the ice for its second-round matchup in the Division 1 state hockey tournament, neither side knew which type of game would unfold.
“I thought it was a terrific high school hockey game,” Coach Tim Foley said postgame.
The game Foley referred to was a triple overtime thriller, which saw the Marauders fall to the Red & Black 2-1 on Sunday night at Ryan Arena in Watertown.
Junior Caiden Brady ended Belmont’s season 3:50 into the third extra session, beating sophomore netminder Evan Bauer high.
Bauer was excellent all game long, keeping the Marauders in the game in the first two overtime periods, making several acrobatic saves.
“Ethan put on an exhibition like I’ve never seen in high school hockey in a long time,” Foley said.
The game took a fast pace early, with both teams establishing a physical presence from the onset. Belmont headed to a power play at 9:01 of the first when junior Brett Daniels was called for high-sticking.
Almost immediately after killing the penalty, the Red & Black opened the scoring. Senior Chris McCarthy sprung free on a breakaway and beat Bauer to give Winchester a 1-0 lead at 11:05.
It looked as if the Red & Black had all the momentum when PD Dimas was called for tripping, but sophomore Liam Guilderson buried a shorthanded goal.
Senior Adam Bauer picked off a pass and pushed the puck forward to a streaking Guilderson, who beat sophomore goalie Graham Emerick blocker side high at 13:40 of the first.
The final two periods of regulation were much like the first — fast and physical. Both teams found stretches of sustained pressure in the offensive zone, but neither could beat the opposing goalies.
The Marauders started the first overtime on a 4-on-3 power play after senior Thomas Casey was called for tripping with 17 seconds to play in regulation. But Winchester, led by Emrick, was able to keep Belmont off the board.
After two and a half extra sessions that left the raucous crowd restless, Brady sent the Red & Black faithful home happy, and the Marauders’ fans left wanting more.
“The kids are hurt, but it’s life,” Foley said. “They’ve certainly added to what we’re trying to get this program to.”
