Photo by Tiffany Xiao/The Choate News
After nearly a month without a game on their home rink, the Girls’ Varsity Hockey team finally got to face off against Westminster last Wednesday. The game was a constant tug of war, eventually ending in a tie, 2-2.
At the start, Westminster immediately transitioned into an unsuccessful attempt on the goal. Possession of the puck bounced back and forth for the next minute, ending in a face off on the Boars’ side of the rink. Another shot was made by Westminster on Choate’s goal but was successfully blocked by goalie Mac Donovan ’22.
Minutes later, the Boars were able to build a push against Westminster. Nani Keyes ’25 was stick tripped, shutting down Choate’s momentum and giving Westminster their first penalty of the game. The Boars seized the opportunity to make a push onto Westminster’s side of the rink. The puck ended up moving between goal posts, with Choate’s team maintaining strong offensive control. Eventually, Choate crammed the crease in an unsuccessful attempt to score. An attempt on the goal by Sophia Rodham ’23 was close, but not successful.
Later in the first period, Westminster recovered puck control, but a block from goalie Donovan returned control to Choate. Minutes later, Donovan caught another puck, sending the game to a face off. With control back to the Boars, the team quickly skated to take advantage of an out of place defense. A shot from Co-captain Morgann Skoda ’22 led to a rebound to Co-captain Maddie Dubrinsky ’22 who buried the puck for a successful goal, the first of the game, making the score 1-0, Choate, with five minutes left in the first period.
During the second period face off, Caroline Holm ’24 gave puck control to Choate, resulting in a quick push against Westminster. Puck control oscillated between teams for the next three minutes, with neither side gaining a substantial advantage. Unfortunately, a penalty by Cadence Secreto ’23 against Westminster left Choate down a player for the next minute-and-a-half. With eight minutes left in the second period, Westminster scored on Choate, leveling the score, 1-1.
A face off gave control to Westminster, but the Boars were quickly able to regain control. Another penalty left Choate down a player with five minutes left in the half; however, the team was able to fill the gap, with their defense remaining strong. A block by Donovan, with five seconds left, secured the rest of the period, leaving the score 1-1.
A fast push by the team after a successful third period face of by Holm gave Skoda a clear shot, allowing her to score early in the period. At this point, the score was 2-1, Choate.
Boars defense remained strong for the next three minutes. Unfortunately, however, Westminster was able to capitalize on a fast turnover, scoring against Choate and leveling the score again, 2-2. The rest of the period remained a tug-of-war between the two teams, each looking to get an advantage on the ice. The period ended without another goal, making the final score a tie, 2-2.
Reflecting on the game, Brooke Edwards ’22 said, “I think it was a hard fought game. [Westminster] kept us on our toes the entire time, but it was a testament to our determination and unity as a team.” With their recent win against Worcester Academy, the Girls’ Varsity Hockey team record now stands at 5-3-3. The team hopes to increase their lead with upcoming games against Deerfield and Canterbury.
