St. Paul’s School put the finishing touches on an outstanding run to end their season by taking home the NEPSAC Patsy Odden Large School championship, besting Taft, 2-0, in Sunday’s final.
The playoff wins, including a 1-0 semifinal win over BB&N, capped a 9-0-2 to close the season, giving coach Kelli Mackey a title in her first season as head coach.
St. Paul’s was the top seed in the six-team tournament, while Taft entered as the #3 seed and reached the final after knocking off Choate 4-1 in the quarterfinals and then second-seeded Westminster 2-1 in the semifinals.
Tess Mulkerran notched the only goal St. Paul’s would need in the first period, assisted by Breanna Ricker.
Midway through the third period, Ricker put home the huge insurance goal. Maude Niemann and Gabriella Martiniello assisted on the goal.
With the two tournament shutouts, St. Paul’s goalie Allyson Martiniello was named the Caroline Heatley Tournament MVP.
St. Paul’s finished with an overall record of 19-8-2. Taft, also headed by a first-year coach in Mackenzie Keith, ended 14-10-3.
