BOSTON — New England Hockey Journal had a chance to watch the 2022 girls MIAA Division 1 and 2 championship games at TD Garden March 20 and took note of several players who made key contributions in the games.
Austin Prep and Algonquin Regional captured the championship trophies in two competitive games, with the Cougars pulling away late in a tight game with Arlington. Algonquin overcame a 1-0 deficit to beat Canton High in overtime. Austin Prep was the class of D-1 play, bringing an undefeated record into its game with the impressive Spy Ponders. After AP rook a quick 2-0 lead, Arlington cut it to 2-1 late in the opening frame, and that's the way it stayed until a power-play goal in the final minutes by McKenzie Cerrato secured a perfect season.
Stephanie Wood (Austin Prep) and Mike Hodge (Algonquin) were the winning coaches, whose teams capped their championship run with some solid performances against two competitive teams in Arlington and Canton.
To close the book on the girls MIAA season, here are some notes on key performers and players who helped lift their teams to victories, while also recognizing those who came up agonizingly short in their quest for their respective division crowns.
Division 1
Kathryn Karo, F Austin Prep (senior)
The captain was a visible presence on the ice, scoring Austin Prep's second goal of the contest and the eventual game-winner by getting to the net and having her stick on the ice to finish off a key play. The Hingham, Mass. native skated hard and led by example, putting an exclamation point on AP's 27-0 run.
Bree Anderson, D Austin Prep (freshman)
Surprisingly poised play for one of the younger members of the state's top team, bigger things could be in store for Anderson. She opened the scoring with a big shot from the point that found the back of the net.
Lauryn Hanafin, G Austin Prep (senior)
Although her team kept the shot totals down, the Wilmington, Mass. product embodied the importance of a goaltender being able to make the timely save when needed. After AP took a 2-0 lead, Arlington scored in the final seconds of the first period to make it 2-1, but she locked it down from there until the Cougars were able to get a late power play goal and empty-netter to seal the win in a much closer game than anticipated. She will join fellow Cougars Karo and Maeve Cary at Stonehill College next season.
Elise Rodd, G Arlington (senior)
In a David vs. Goliath scenario, Rodd was tremendous. She overcame two quick goals to lock things down and got hope on a late goal in the first period. While Arlington's team defense helped to keep it a 2-1 game, she made several flurries of athletic stops to keep her team in striking distance. The final score did not tell the full story of how well Rodd played against a team that posted some huge offensive numbers this season.
Grace Corsetti, D Arlington (senior)
Another poised defender who moved pucks efficiently and defended well, keeping the play in front of her. She displayed strong footwork and managed her gaps effectively.
Madeline Krepelka, F Arlington (junior)
With Arlington looking for any kind of spark, she provided it as the final seconds of the first period ticked down. With the puck on the outside near the left wall, she smartly threw it to the net. Hanafin made the initial save on the sharp angle shot, but freshman forward Libby Corsetti was there to swat the rebound into the back of the net. That kind of awareness and smarts to just get the puck to a high danger area even if her positioning wasn't ideal is the kind of hockey play coaches at higher levels look for.
Division 2
Lana Pacific, G Algonquin (senior)
She backstopped the Titans to three straight overtime wins in the playoffs to capture the D2 title. Behind in a 1-0 game after giving up a late first period goal, Pacific hung in and didn't allow another goal. She tracked plays well, squared up and brought a calm in the crease that gave her team the confidence to eventually pull it out.
Mallory Farrell, F Algonquin (sophomore)
With the overtime strike on a nifty play to get loose and then rifle the winning shot home, plus a helper on the tying goal, she displayed real championship character and poise. Based on this one viewing, she has a bright future in the sport and will have options as she continues to grow and develop her game.
Bryn Domolky, F Algonquin (freshman)
She tied the game by converting the rebound of a Farrell shot with just five minutes remaining in regulation to give her team a spark. The first-year player was in the right place at the right time, just getting to the net and making the play when the puck was on her stick.
Maya Battista, D Canton (junior)
The defender activated at the right time, taking the puck and firing it past Pacific late in the first period to give her Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. She was mobile and engaged during the game, fighting for pucks and providing a noticeable presence from the back end.
