In a back-and-forth matchup between two of the highest Division 2 contenders, it was Milton who claimed a 2-1 victory over Duxbury on Sunday at Conte Discussion board to advance to the state championship sport.
It was the third matchup between the 2 applications this season, with Duxbury taking the primary matchup 3-1 within the Tenney Cup championship again in December, and Milton securing a press release 5-1 victory late within the common season.
The Wildcats (24-1-1) return to the Div. 2 title sport after falling to Medfield within the championship final season.
“That they had a number of heavy stress on themselves this 12 months,” Milton Head Coach Matt Lodi stated. “They set a purpose on day one, it was unstated, we didn’t enable them to say the phrase ‘Backyard’ the whole 12 months till in the present day. … It was basically Backyard or bust.”
Milton will play King Philip for the Div. 2 crown Sunday after the Warriors ended defending-champion Medfield’s season on Saturday. Milton and King Philip didn’t meet within the common season.
“I’m so pleased with them, our coaches are so pleased with them,” Lodi stated. “They positively deserve this chance, and we’re excited to get again (to the Backyard) and have a second crack after a 12 months.”
The primary interval featured no objectives however a number of sturdy alternatives for all sides. That development continued within the center interval, till Milton’s Sabrina Stone scored the sport’s first purpose late within the second interval.
“Mia (Cataruzolo) had a extremely good battle within the nook. She received knocked down, however she was in a position to dish it out to me. I simply shot on the internet and it went in,” Stone stated.
Duxbury stored up the battle from right here, however couldn’t hold Milton’s Maeve Lovett from scoring a key insurance coverage purpose within the third interval. With the time ticking down and solely minutes left within the sport, Duxbury received extra aggressive in its makes an attempt to attain.
Duxbury senior Liv Gleason scored with simply 43 seconds left within the sport, restoring a few of Duxbury’s power. Nevertheless, Milton labored to pin the puck within the nook of the rink, which prevented the Dragons from scoring once more.
Lodi stated this was a method he had been engaged on with the ladies, and it was his proudest second of the sport. It was additionally appreciated by Wildcats goaltender Caera Hart.
“We positively knew we needed to hold possession of the puck,” Hart stated. “If we might hold it away from them, they wouldn’t get one other probability to attain.”
Milton will now will return to TD Backyard subsequent weekend, and the workforce is hoping to take house the state title for the college and the city.
“To have the ability to do it with this group could be tremendous particular. We’re all tremendous shut and tight as a workforce,” Milton senior Mairin Hart stated.
“The city has been backing us for the final two years. It will be actually nice to win for the city,” Stone stated.
