The girls' varsity ice hockey team picked up a big win against hockey powerhouse Cushing Academy on Friday afternoon in Pratt Arena. The Zebras scored their first goal with 5:33 left on the clock in the first period en route to a 8-4 victory. Middlesex now improves to 4-5-1 on the season.
Maddie Winslow '14 tallied her first of three goals on a power play when linemates Cici Frattasio '14 and Sarah Tabeek '14 worked the puck to her in the slot to take the 1-0 lead. Just over a minute later, Tabeek caught a pass from Winslow and Frattasio in front of the Penguins' net where she quickly tucked her shot past the goaltender to raise the scoring gap by two. And with three minutes left to play, the line of Frattasio, Tabeek and Winslow struck again when Frattasio scored her seventh goal of the season to take the commanding 3-0 lead. Cushing was able to notch a goal with 1:53 left in the period however, sending the message to the Zebras that they were not going down without a fight.
Middlesex picked up right where the left off with Tabeek tallying her second goal of the game about half way through the second period. With 8:14 left on the clock, Mary Demoulas '16 found D partner Brooke Gary '14 at the point who riffled her shot into traffic in front of the net where Tabeek skillfully tipped the puck past the screened Penguins' goaltender. For the next several minutes, Middlesex continued to take control of the game with Leah Olson '15 and Winslow contributing one goal each to demonstrate the Zebras' resolve to win. Christina Cleroux '14 continued to be a rock for the Zebras between the pipes, turning in a seven-save performance in the second stanza.
Although Cushing was able to score three quick goals in the third and final period, Middlesex kept the momentum of the game in their favor. Winslow and Arushi Ray '14 both contributed a goal apiece to close out the scoring for the afternoon with Frattasio, Demoulas, Olson and Brenna Chitkara '17 all adding assists.
The Zebras outshot their opponent 24-17 and will return to action on Saturday, January 18 when they host (NEWHL) at 1:30pm in Concord, MA.
