NATICK — Any rigidity the No. 2 Walpole subject hockey workforce may’ve felt from final yr’s scoreless tie in opposition to Natick — the one sport it didn’t win — simmered when it as an alternative centered on giving the opposite half of its 20 seniors a beginning alternative within the rematch early Saturday morning.
No matter little rigidity that remained utterly evaporated when that group scored lower than two minutes in for the Porkers (15-1), kickstarting a 5-0 Bay State Convention win over the No. 24 RedHawks (12-4-1) in yet one more Div. 1 assertion.
Goalie Natalie Boyer (16 saves) and a stingy Natick protection restricted the injury regardless of Walpole’s typical starters subbing in, holding off a number of lengthy waves of heavy stress.
However two targets within the second quarter had been greater than sufficient to again the early aim, and Kate Schneider’s two targets within the fourth put the ending touches on a signature displaying in opposition to a Natick group ranked No. 9 within the newest MIAA Div. 1 energy rankings.
Ultimate pictures on aim had been 22-1.
“To Natick’s credit score, they’re undoubtedly a approach higher workforce this yr — they’d some ability, they moved the ball effectively,” mentioned Walpole head coach Jen Quinn. “(The win) will assist our rankings, that’s good. … There have been a pair feedback right here and there (from our gamers about final yr’s tie beforehand), however I believe we had been fairly assured coming in.”
Whether or not or not it’s the lens of the everyday starters’ potential to rally, or the opposite seniors’ potential to set the tone in opposition to a robust event menace, Quinn and the teaching workers confirmed a number of that confidence in your entire program with their resolution to begin just one (Kendal Cusack) of their typical subject starters.
The group wanted lower than two minutes to use stress early and draw a nook. Cusack shot a robust drive to the left nook, which inserter Caitlin Caulfield tipped in for the 1-0 lead.
Natick made a number of transitions to the attacking finish by way of Caylee Lynch and Jolee Flynn, however Walpole principally stored the stress up on the RedHawks’ facet of the sphere.
“The one one which was on the market that’s a typical starter was (Cusack), and so they appeared superior,” Quinn mentioned. “They appeared so good. They moved the ball effectively, they appeared composed. They actually did job, in order that was good. … These youngsters, anyplace else, they’d be like, studs. It’s simply good to see.”
Kaylee Walsh, Anna Jolley and Caulfield particularly stood out with the beginning alternative.
Natick restricted Walpole to only one aim within the first, however attacking stress dialed up within the second with the standard beginning lineup again in. Freshman Eva Karacalidis and senior Emily Hagan anchored the hassle to restrict Natick’s breakouts, whereas Cusack, Ella Dacey, Nadia Michienzi and Grace Hagan shortly broke up no matter bought by way of.
Heavy defensive visitors and high quality play from Boyer held off a number of harmful balls in entrance, with Schneider threatening on a lot of them. However Emily Dunn lastly completed one for a 2-0 lead halfway by way of the second, and Dacey added one other on a nook.
Starters got here again out within the third quarter, which Walpole principally dominated by conserving the ball on the attacking half. Natick’s protection allowed simply 4 pictures on aim in a scoreless body.
Schneider bought on the stat sheet within the fourth quarter after threatening all sport, tipping in a Cusack (two assists) deflection. A couple of minutes later, she added her second aim on a artful transfer to get round Boyer.
Quinn felt like this was a significant displaying of this system’s power.
“I believe typically our greatest competitors is observe,” she mentioned. “It simply exhibits. Like at present, the place they’ll stand out and management the sport, and solely have one starter on the market that wasn’t even in her place. … It was good to see (others step up).”
