The girls’ varsity hockey team had some business to attend to before they could depart for semester break. On Saturday, January 26 the Middlesex squad traveled to Dedham, MA to face fellow ISL rivals, Thayer Academy. Although the Zebras outshot the Tigers 12-4 in the first period, it was not until 43 seconds left in the second that they were able to put a number on the score board.
Middlesex kept consistent offensive pressure on Thayer throughout the entire first period. And although the puck did not travel past the red line often, the Zebras could not get anything by the Tigers’ talented goaltender. By the end of the first 15:00 of play, the two teams found themselves entering the locker room tied at 0-0.
The Zebras continued to control the pace of the game throughout the entire second period. The hosting team had a few chances to put the puck in the net but Christina Cleroux ’14 was determined to keep her shutout streak alive. With 2:10 left on the clock, a penalty was called on Thayer and Middlesex set out on a power player. The Tigers controlled much of the next 1:30 seconds but Maddie Winslow ’14 was able to tuck the puck away after receiving a pass from Cici Frattasio ’14 and Eleanor Knutzen ’13 just as the player up advantage was coming to an end.
With twelve shots on net in the third and final period of the game, the Zebras were able to capitalize on two of them. The first goal came at the 13:19 mark when junior Sarah Tabeek executed a beautiful pass to classmate Arushi Ray at the hash marks who then fired the puck past the Tigers’ goaltender for her third of the season. Just over 5:00 later, Cici Frattasio found Maddie Winslow in the neutral zone who blazed down the ice on a breakaway and vaulted her shot into the net top-center cross bar. For the final minutes of play, Thayer fought relentlessly to get on the score board but Middlesex was able to hold on to the 3-0 lead.
The Zebras will enjoy a well deserve break before returning to ISL action against Groton on Wednesday, January 30 at 2:45pm in Groton, MA.
