Manzella passes on goals, lifts Framingham

By Jessica Isner, Globe Correspondent  |  January 13, 2009

The Boston Bruins' offense flows through the playmaking of All-Star center Marc Savard, and Framingham's Allison Manzella seems to be following his example this season.

Manzella controlled the game last night, and picked up her 100th career goal, in leading the host Flyers to a 7-1 girls' hockey victory over Weymouth.

Framingham coach John Gallagher said Manzella has sacrificed some of her goal-scoring abilities this season for the good of the team.

"We graduated a lot of senior girls she played with last year, so she's had to adjust to new linemates," said Gallagher of Manzella, who entered the season with twice as many career goals as assists.

"She's taken it upon herself to be a team player and try to incorporate and involve the people she plays with on offense."

Manzella's strategy worked last night when she notched her first assist 29 seconds into the game on a pass to freshman Abigail McGinty, who converted it into her first career varsity goal.

Framingham went on to dominate the Wildcats, who are in their first year as a varsity program.

Senior Liz Wright recorded 15 saves for the Flyers.

Bay State: Senior Sue Cunniff had 16 saves in posting her third shutout of the season as undefeated Walpole edged Dedham, 1-0.

Southeastern: Eighth-grader Erin McGinnis recorded a shutout in her first high school game as Quincy/North Quincy blanked Martha's Vineyard, 4-0.

Nonleague: Senior Kristen Connors earned her fourth shutout of the season and junior forward Catherine Flaherty scored two goals to spark Fontbonne to a 6-0 victory over Archbishop Williams . . . Katie Davis's two goals and one assist carried Woburn to a 3-1 win over Wellesley.

Nonleague: Abington/East Bridgewater got three goals in the final six minutes of the game - including the tying goal from freshman Dylan Voss - in a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Wareham.

Commonwealth: Lynn Tech got 20 points from Trey Gallo and 13 from Victor Smith en route to an 83-33 thrashing of Greater Lowell.

Independent: Robert Lewis scored 36 points and Gregory Coleman added 22 to help Fenway hold off St. Clement, 85-83, in double overtime. Coleman made five free throws in the second overtime to put the Panthers ahead.

Nonleague: Senior guard Mike Frizzell's 19 points and junior Bryce Magny's 16 helped Blue Hills beat West Bridgewater, 62-49 . . . Joe Wesoloki's 21 points and 15 rebounds led Arlington Catholic to a 79-66 victory over Tewksbury.

Commonwealth: Sophomore forward Allyson Trayson scored 16 points to lead Shawsheen to a 51-22 win over Northeast.

Mayflower: South Shore trailed Southeastern at the half but roared to a 69-60 victory on the strength of 43 second-half points. South Shore center Nicolette Hutchinson had 18 points and junior forward Jamie Gauthier added 16.

Prep-Private: Junior guard Nancy Epstein had 27 points and 7 assists in Kimball Union's 55-52 victory over Gann.

Nonleague: Bianca Flores scored 28 points for New Mission and Khadijian Ellison added 9 points and 8 assists in a 58-34 win over Mystic Valley . . . Brimmer & May beat Woodward, 44-24, behind a 22-point performance from Kerrie Bourque.

Information from athletic directors, coaches, and their assistants was used in this report.