One day after ascending to the top of the HNIB News Massachusetts Division One Top 20, No. 1 Burlington had its 10-game winning streak go by the wayside in a 3-1 loss to resurgent Malden Catholic Monday afternoon at the Malden Valley Forum.
It stands as a signature win for MC, which is 2-0-1 in its last three games, has not allowed a 5v5 goal in its last four, and has shown steady improvement from the start of the season under new coach Chris Kuchar.
Malden Catholic
Sean Noonan, Matthew Babineau and David Bazile scored the Lancers’ goals and goalie Brady Roux finished with 28 saves.
“We’ve been playing well the last few weeks. The kids are starting to get more comfortable with the process and systems. We just need it be more disciplined and stick with and trust the process,” Kuchar said. “Burlington is an outstanding and well-coached team. We knew what we had to do coming in and that was limiting their top lines chances.”
MC returns to Catholic Conference play Thursday at BC High (Clark Center, 5 p.m.) and Saturday against Xaverian (MVF, 1 p.m.)
Arlington
“Like everyone else, we are dealing with sickness and injury. We’ll just keep pressing ahead,” Kuchar said.
Elsewhere:
Pope Francis
* No. 4 Arlington of the Middlesex League’s Liberty Division and Independent No. 8 Pope Francis battled to a 2-2 tie. The Spy Ponders’ Anthony Messuri forged the deadlock with a late power play strike. Brendan Piggott staked Arlington to an early 1-0 lead. Brandon Spaulding and Ryan Leonard connected for Pope Francis. The Cardinals won a December meeting between the teams, 4-2, Arlington’s lone loss to date.
*No. 5 Xaverian of the Catholic Conference toppled No. 14 Central Catholic of the MVC/DCL One, 3-1. Matt Ryan broke a 1-all tie early in third period and added an empty-netter. Max Lockwood also scored for the Hawks.
Duxbury
*No. 12 Duxbury edged rival Marshfield, 1-0, in a shootout in the annual Green Cup game. It’s a tie for MIAA Tournament qualifying purposes. Goalies Steve Pisani (39 saves) of Duxbury and Aidan Healey (21 saves) of Marshfield excelled.
Waltham
*Soaring No. 17 Waltham of the MVC/DCL One doubled up Falmouth, 6-3, behind a pair of Matt O’Toole goals. Cullen Millerick, Justin Moran, Dylan Fogg and Brian McNamara also scored for the Hawks, who have won 7-of-8.
*No. 2 St. Mary’s of the Catholic Central Large and Independent No. 10 Hingham skated to a 1-1 tie. Senior James Eustace gave the Harbormen a 1-0 lead with a power play goal in the second period. Junior Brady Carpenter tied it for the Spartans early in the third.
*Independent St. John’s (S) surprised No. 11 Austin Prep of the Catholic Central Large, 3-1. Griffin Burns popped in a pair of goals for the Pioneers. Sean Clark also scored.
Belmont
*Bolstered by a stout defense, Nico Carere notched his second straight shutout as Belmont blanked Stoneham in Middlesex League crossover action. Ben Fici, Matt Brady and Tom Grace scored for the Marauders.
* Matt Keohane and Colin Norton each had a goal and an assist and Brian Bulger also scored as BC High rallied to slip past Winchester, 3-2.
Reading
* No. 9 St. John’s Prep and No. 13 Reading played to a 1-1 standoff at the Essex Sports Center. Zach McKenelley scored for the Eagles, while Landyn Greatorex countered for the Rockets. Reading goalie Dylan Emery had 35 saves.
Other Scores:
No. 9 St John’s Prep 1, No. 13 Reading 1
No. 16 Shrewsbury 4, Westwood 0
No. 19 Bishop Fenwick 5, Lowell Catholic 2
Wellesley 4, North Attleboro 1
Bishop Guertin (NH) 6, Arlington Catholic 3
