How do you replace someone who accounted for more than 50% of your team’s goals?
With the MVP and other key players having graduated or transferred after last season, Belmont/Watertown girls hockey coach Brendan Kelleher is trying to figure out the best way to rebuild a winning team this season.
Last year, the Marauders enjoyed a 13-2-3 campaign, thanks largely to senior center Molly Driscoll. The Watertown resident was the MVP of the Middlesex League Liberty Division and the Massachusetts High School Hockey Coaches Association Div. 1 Girls Player of the Year.
“She scored roughly 55% of our overall goals,” said Kelleher, embarking on his second season at the helm.
Driscoll, who tallied 23 goals and 7 assists, formed a dynamic duo with senior wing Lola Rocci, who finished with 5 goals and 15 assists.
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Overall, the Marauders lost 11 players (two transfers) who helped Belmont win the Middlesex Liberty Division championship and go undefeated in league play.
“That’s a big number,” Kelleher said of his departed players. “Those are all big losses. You go from nine seniors to one senior. It’s a different feel. The bulk of the team [this season] will be underclass student-athletes.”
Leading the way this year will be junior goaltender Jil Costa, who only had three losses last season. Costa made the All-Middlesex League team as a sophomore.
“Out of 15 wins, she had 11 shutouts,” Kelleher said. That’s pretty impressive at any level.”
Costa’s goals-against average was a minuscule 0.90.
Other key returners include junior defenseman Thea Monovich, who will be counted on for leadership and experience, and sophomore defenseman Elsie Lakin-Schultz, who had 2 goals and 2 assists last season.
Kelleher also noted senior center Sadie Taylor, junior wingers Mackenzie Clarke and Caroline French, junior forward Sydney Mun, and sophomore forwards Adele Goho, Yui Ochi, and Gigi Mastrangelo as returning players who will play important roles.
“They will all be thrust into the spotlight, which is great,” he said. “I think they’ll all do a great job with these new roles.”
Sophomore goaltender Serena Field will be Costa’s main backup in the crease.
“She shows up to every practice with a smile and leaves with a smile,” Kelleher said. “It’s amazing.”
Five freshmen will also suit up for the Marauders this year, which should help build the team’s future. They are:
- Alexcia Fici, a two-way player.
- Mia Smith, another two-way player.
- Clem Canneva, forward.
- Claire Viney, defense.
- Elinor Dorn, goaltender.
Sophomore Martha Dimas, who tore a knee ligament playing soccer in the fall, is out for the season.
“That’s a big loss to our defense,” Kelleher said. “She’s a big part of our team.”
Last year, the solid senior leadership helped the Marauders beat Billerica and Lincoln-Sudbury in the postseason before losing to Archbishop Williams in the third round. How Belmont fairs this season will depend on how Kelleher’s players respond to their new roles, especially on defense.
“It’s a different team from last year,” he said. “The excitement level is high. We’re all excited to get going. We’re going to have to replace the goals from last year. A lot of players will have new roles, and they’ll have to embrace those roles. There’s a target on our back. Leadership is going to come this year. It will emerge. Everyone is going to have to play a role. It’s who’s up next? Who’s gonna replace the sound and stable defense last year?”
