For the No. 16 Belmont Marauders, the path in the MIAA Division I tournament began with a mirror image of themselves. Facing No. 17 Shrewsbury in the first playoff game at the new Skip Viglirolo Rink, dropping a 3-2 decision in overtime.
Head Coach Brendan Kelleher understood the scouting report: two offenses built on the forecheck and lethal in transition.
Though Belmont carried the pedigree of two deep playoff runs, Kelleher preached composure, urging his team to “control what they could control” in a survive-and-advance scenario. What unfolded at The Skip was a tactical chess match that spiraled into a heart-stopping, split-second finish.
The first period was cagey. Belmont’s top line of freshman Mackenzie Tierney, sophomore Mia Smith, and senior captain Mackenzie Clarke generated chances but failed to truly test Shrewsbury goalie Adrianna Boucher. Their best opportunity led to a power play after Hannah Army was sent off for tripping Smith. Instead, Shrewsbury struck first: Paige O’Donnell capitalized on a turnover for a shorthanded goal, and Belmont entered the second period trailing 1-0 despite carrying much of the play.
The Marauders responded quickly. Their second line of senior captains Sydney Mun and Thea Monovic, alongside sophomore Lexi Fici—cleared after what had been feared a season-ending wrist injury—shifted momentum with relentless pressure. Belmont broke through when Clarke buried a goal, assisted by Smith and freshman defender Amelia Long, tying the game at 1-1. Sophomore goalie Elinor Dorn made the tie stand up, making several highlight-reel stops, sending the teams into the third period tied at one.
In the third period, Belmont continued to press, and Monovic capitalized on a rebound to give the Marauders a 2-1 lead with seven minutes remaining. Shrewsbury leaned heavily on its first line of O’Donnell, Allie Martel, and Lauren Albertson, keeping them on the ice for most of the final minutes. Belmont’s defense killed a late penalty and appeared poised to close it out, until O’Donnell unleashed a rocket from the blue line that beat Dorn top corner with 0.4 seconds left, tying the game and silencing the crowd at The Skip.
An eight-minute, four-on-four overtime followed. Smith drew her second penalty, handing Belmont a power play and a prime chance to advance. The Marauders peppered Boucher but couldn’t solve the Shrewsbury goalie. That was until Smith cut through traffic, switched to her forehand, and fired what looked like a top-corner strike. The crowd erupted, only for the goal-line official to wave it off, ruling it hit the crossbar. Shrewsbury countered immediately. Margaret Moody forced a two-on-one and roofed the puck past Dorn, ending Belmont’s season with a stunner.
