With a 21-0 record and a Catholic Central League title in hand, the St. Mary's girls' hockey team earned the top seed and a first-round bye in the MIAA Division 1 tournament when pairings were announced yesterday.
Last year, St. Mary's was favored to win the championship, but Austin Prep ended the Spartans' run in the semifinals with a 3-2 defeat in a shootout.
"Last year was obviously a disappointment, but we take it as a learning experience and we move on," said St. Mary's coach Frank Pagliuca. "We're focusing on playing consistent hockey every time we go on the ice."
When asked if his team feels pressure because of the undefeated season, Pagliuca explained, "We're just trying to get better every game. There are a lot of good teams out there and we're perfectly aware we could lose. We just need to do the things we need to do to execute."
St. Mary's is led by Abby Gauthier (38 goals, 38 assists), Christen Hart (14-36 -50), and Courtney Winters (19-29 -48). The Providence College-bound Gauthier is the leading scorer in the history of MIAA girls' hockey.
Kelsey Magrane, who came in as a transfer student, has allowed only 13 goals this season for St. Mary's for an impressive 0.85 goals-against average, including six shutouts.
Austin Prep, which lost to Arlington Catholic in last year's final, is hoping that superb goaltending from Meghan Grant will keep them in the tournament.
"Arlington Catholic had our number last year. Their goalie was outstanding, they beat us up," said AP coach Jim McGonagle. "Meghan Grant is our defense. Our 'D' is probably our weakest spot. She's the one who kept us in everything this year. If it wasn't for her we would not be where we are right now."
Grant boasts a 1.15 GAA, allowing only 20 goals in 18 games and registering six shutouts.
Senior Danielle Deldotto (12-10 -22) and juniors Katharine Dagle (16-14 -30) and Allison Roy (20-10 -30) are the Cougars' force on offense.
Though St. Mary's is the team to beat, Arlington Catholic (14-4-2) is ready to defend its championship. AC is led by scoring threats Lauren Lepore (26-22 -48), Casey Stathopoulos (21-20 -41), and returning All-Scholastic Michelle Conway (11-30 -41). In net, Ashley Tolman will be ready for the challenge, posting a solid 1.68 GAA in the regular season.
"With a one-game elimination, you got to be playing well at the right time," said AC coach and last year's Div. 1 Coach of the Year, Ed McDonald. "You got to be ready for every game because it's one and done."
Other teams to watch are Boston Latin (13-3-3), Acton-Boxboro (15-4-1), No. 2 seed Wakefield (16-3-1), Lexington (15-3-2), Reading (12-5-3), Arlington (14-2-4), and Woburn (12-5-3).
"Anybody can beat anybody on any given day. When they show to play, they play," said McGongle.
Division 2 is up for grabs as Milton (14-0-3) attempts to return to the championship game after losing the title last year to Barnstable. Hingham (19-1-2), which has been a top contender in the division all season, will also provide tough competition.
Everett, Franklin, Duxbury, Waltham, Canton, and Concord-Carlisle will be other teams to watch in the tournament.
