FRAMINGHAM — As they ready for his or her upcoming state championship video games the previous couple of years, some coaches requested late King Philip ladies hockey head coach Ken Assad for notes on the opponent. And he gave them. Extensively.
It was round that point final yr that he despatched an image of TD Backyard to his Warriors, believing they may quickly get there themselves. And now, lower than three months after his sudden passing, No. 5 King Philip (23-2-1) introduced that perception to fruition at Loring Enviornment by defeating reigning champion No. 9 Medfield, 2-0, in a Div. 2 state semifinal on Saturday.
Senior captain Kiki Lynch (21 saves) earned a second straight shutout, whereas Tayla McDuff and Annabelle Curran scored the targets.
Subsequent up is both No. 2 Milton or No. 3 Duxbury in subsequent Sunday’s state remaining.
“It’s so thrilling, it’s so rewarding” Lynch mentioned. “Everybody put in a lot effort. It was our primary aim all season. That is what we labored for. We did it for ourselves and, everybody is aware of our coach, we did it for him, too. It was his largest dream. He despatched this textual content, he despatched an image of TD Backyard final yr that mentioned, ‘That is us subsequent yr.’ We have a look at that day-after-day. And that was our primary motivation.”
“There’s one thing particular occurring proper now,” added interim head coach Tim Langevin. “Simply journey the wave and maintain it going.”
Assad’s affect reached by way of an extended community within the hockey neighborhood, lots of whom prolonged well-wishes to Langevin earlier than and even through the recreation. Langevin, as at all times, felt Assad spiritually gave the staff an additional push.
King Philip acquired that push early on an influence play, as McDuff acquired place in entrance to tip in a feed from Ella Morgan on the left wall for a 1-0 lead with 1:19 left within the first interval.
“(It was) enormous,” Langevin mentioned. “With Canton and Medfield, they’re actually robust defensive groups. I do know the place (Lynch) stands. So, I do know if we will get one on the board fast, we’re within the recreation, for certain it doesn’t matter what, till the tip.”
Lynch proved that principle proper, recording 10 saves within the first interval and 11 extra the remainder of the best way as King Philip’s protection restricted alternatives.
Medfield’s Leah Carlson helped lead a cost that put a number of beauty on Lynch, however the senior overcame pregame nerves to ship how she knew she wanted to.
“I felt scared as hell, I used to be so nervous,” Lynch mentioned. “However I simply went to what I do know finest – put my music on. I acquired prepared with my pals, and simply went by way of outdated reminiscences. We’ve numerous motivational issues round our locker room… Do it for Kenny. I don’t know. I simply locked in after I wanted to.”
With slightly below six minutes left, King Philip then acquired some important insurance coverage on Curran’s aim from the left circle on a feed from Stephanie LeBlanc.
