“Both teams played great. It was physical. It was a defensive battle,’’ said Messina after the Harbormen’s 2-1 victory over Needham yesterday in the fifth annual New Year’s Eve matchup at Pilgrim Arena in Hingham.

Hingham used a grinding defense to control play, but the eighth-ranked Rockets (3-1) got things started early when Pete Doisneau slipped the puck past John Grenier 3 minutes 22 seconds into the game.

It looked like the game might turn into a shootout when Hingham responded just 25 seconds later after Ryan Linehan shuffled the puck to Nolan Driscoll, who fired home the tying goal from the point. However, the defenses stepped to the forefront with the Harbormen maintaining a heavy edge in possession, creating pressure on goalie Connor Murray, who had 27 saves to keep Needham in the game.

The winning goal came off the stick of senior captain Matt Hughes, who picked the puck off the boards, skated across the middle, and beat Murray to his right 4:42 into the third period.

The Harbormen’s defense, spearheaded by Driscoll and junior Andrew Flynn, clamped down the rest of the way to secure the victory.

“We’re starting to make some improvements,’’ said Messina. “Our defense is inexperienced, and they really haven’t seen prime time. We have so many big games where we don’t have any time to just learn, it’s unfair pressure on the defense.’’

No. 11 Hingham (4-2) handed Needham its first loss.

“This is a big step for us here,’’ said Messina. “They are learning, they’re doing a good job, they’re listening and tonight was a good test for them and they passed it.’’

Somerville 3, Latin Academy 1 - Junior wing Tyler Anderson chipped in a goal and two assists for the Highlanders.

Norwood 6, Archbishop Williams 0 - Forwards John Galvin (two goals) and Peter Kelly (one goal) piloted the Mustangs’ offense.

St. Peter-Marian 5, Lowell Catholic 2 - Junior Ryan Petit had two goals and an assist while James Blute had a goal and two assists to lead the Guardians (4-2) in Billerica. Pat Germain and Zack O’Connor also scored, while Tyler Miller made 19 saves for St. Peter-Marian.

Andover 5, Austin Prep 2 - Matt McIver had three goals and an assist against No. 18 Austin Prep.

Nobles 2, Berkshire 1 - Junior Chris Calnana scored in overtime and Connor Maher had 28 saves.

Girls’ hockey

Gardner 0, Masconomet 0 - Jinelle Croteau stopped all six shots she faced for the Wildcats, but Gardner (3-1-1) couldn’t get a shot past Alex Jones, who made 24 saves for Masconomet (3-3-1).

Fontbonne 2, Austin Prep 0 - Sophomore Shannon McIsaac scored twice and goalie Carli Gavin recorded her first career shutout.