Fourth-ranked Reading assumed control of the Middlesex League Liberty Division with an impressive 3-0 win over #3 Woburn Wednesday night at Burbank Arena.
(Photo by Joe Brown Photos)
“This was a big win for us,” said Reading head coach Mike Golden. “I am so happy for the girls. We knew we could play with them. The girls had this game circled from the beginning of the year. We are at the halfway point in the Middlesex League and we knew if we could beat Woburn, we’d be up two games on two good teams. It would give us a leg up in the second half.”
The Rockets (7-1-2) took control early, dominating the first period and taking a 2-0 lead after the first 15 minutes. Tori Grimmer put Reading on top 1-0 when she roofed a rebound, assisted by Rachel Thomson and Caroline Seibold. Later in the period, while shorthanded, Thomson forced a turnover and fed Ali O’Leary, who went in on a breakaway and scored.
“We did a good job forechecking and put the puck deep,” Golden said. “Their (Woburn) first line is great. Us getting the early lead brought us a certain comfort level. We were able to stay with the game plan. The girls did a tremendous job.”
Early in the second period, Emma McDonagh tipped home a shot from the point to make it a 3-0 game.
“This is my fifth year here and we had only beaten Woburn once, my first game against them,” Golden said. “I think we had gone eight games without a win.”
Things won’t get much easier for Reading, who takes on undefeated Watertown/Belmont on Saturday and then #5 Acton-Boxboro on Monday.
– Austin Prep was also impressive, with a 5-0 win over Winchester. Caty Flagg recorded her fourth shutout of the year, while Michaela Boyle had two goals, and Gabby Floramo, Rachel Utegg and Anne Richards had one goal apiece.
Franklin
– Franklin’s Alex Mitchell picked up her 100th career point on a goal as the Panthers edged Shrewsbury, 2-1. Mary Kate Drinkwater also scored for Franklin.
– In its second showdown of the season with rival St. Mary’s, Arlington Catholic rode goals from Adrieanna Rossini, Duggan Delano and Jackie Sindoris to a solid 3-0 win, knocking the Lady Spartans from the unbeaten ranks.
– Amanda Conway had three goals and Kelly Golini added a pair as Tewksbury/Methuen (8-0-0) remained unbeaten with a convincing 6-2 win over Division I foe Billerica.
Tewksbury/Methuen
– Jessica Leone had the hat trick, and Veronica Alois contributed a goal and three assists as Andover cruised to a 7-1 win over Central Catholic.
– Westwood needed a third period power play goal from Allie Damren enabled Westwood to salvage a 2-2 tie with Medway/Ashland. Kailey Jacobs also had a goal for the Wolverines, while Colleen Reardon and Kerry Ann Goode had goals for Medway/Ashland.
Sandwich
– Sandwich staged a huge comeback, scoring three late goals to get a 4-4 tie win Hingham. Maggie Layo had a goal and two assists for the Blue Knights, who also got goals from Nicole Martin, Katie Lowry and Claire Gauthier. Alissa Sullivan scored a pair for Hingham.
– Nicole Johnson scored three goals to lead Mansfield/Oliver Ames to a 4-1 win over St. Joseph Prep. Jamie Gottwald contributed a goal and two assists and Kaylee O’Hara two assists for the winners.
