At this time last winter, the talented junior forward was a scoring dynamo for the Bay State Breakers, her club team. Norwell High did not field a varsity girls’ team. And neither did Mansfield or Oliver Ames.

This season, Norwell, along with two cooperative programs in the region, Mansfield/Oliver Ames and Hanover/Cohasset, are playing their inaugural seasons at the varsity level.

“This is something I’ve always really wanted,’’ said Dinger. “I kind of wish I had it all four years, but I can’t be any happier.’’

With their athletic departments strapped for cash, schools have long cited the high cost of establishing varsity teams, along with lack of interest in girls’ hockey. As the game has become more popular with girls, however, many schools find they have the interest, but still lack the funds.

For Norwell, MOA, and Hanover/Cohasset, the funds to support the hockey programs were raised in large part due to persistent parents, dedicated players, and supportive communities.

“It’s pretty cool because there’s not a lot of girls’ teams out there,’’ said Meghan Carroll, a cocaptain and senior defenseman for Mansfield/Oliver Ames.

“It’s good to see that a lot of high schools are starting to get [girls’ hockey teams] now. To be a part of the first team, it’s really exciting. I’m glad we can be starting something that will hopefully continue to grow.’’

Carroll, like many girls, was forced to earn a spot on the boys’ team to play at the high school level. She was a member of the junior varsity boys’ team as a freshman and a sophomore. Occasionally, she would suit up for the varsity squad against weaker opponents, but the majority of her ice time was spent with the JVs.

Now, as a cocaptain, she has a team to call her own.

“We don’t want to go out there and have everyone think this is some kind of a joke,’’ said Carroll. “We want to be taken seriously. We all put forth our best effort, so whether we win or lose, we’re always giving 110 percent.’’

The challenges of starting a new team were apparent from Day 1 for both programs. Coaches had to assess the varying skill levels of their players, some of whom were putting on skates for the first time, and build chemistry.

Norwell, for instance, stepped on the ice as a team for the first time in a preseason scrimmage against defending Division 2 state champion Duxbury.

“It’s challenging, but I have to say that with the way they’ve performed and come together as a group, it’s been quite rewarding up until this point,’’ said MOA coach Patrick O’Heir, who volunteered to coach his squad in order to direct all available funds toward the program.

“We didn’t know how [the season] would play out, but the girls have really come together not as two towns, but as one team.’’

The skating ability varied from girl to girl. A few girls had played with club teams like the Boston Terriers, the Bay State Breakers, or Bridgewater Bandits. A few others had not.

“There are girls on the team that haven’t played in three or four years,’’ said Norwell coach Steve Casagrande, who spent the last several seasons as an assistant coach for the Rockland boys’ squad.

“Part of this year has been building their hockey legs back up, getting their hands back, and they’re starting to come around now.’’

Being thrown into a varsity game and absorbing all the elements is a daunting task, but the players have proven to be quick learners.

“The new girls have improved so much,’’ said Norwell senior cocaptain Breanne Brown. “They can keep up with us now. We’re getting faster each practice, learning more stuff each practice, which is good for our game. Each game we’re getting closer and closer’’ to where the team wants to be.

At 6-8, Norwell still has tournament hopes, but must win three of its last four games to clinch what would be an improbable postseason berth.

Mansfield/Oliver Ames (3-11-1), however, will play out the remainder of the season and look to continue their program’s early success next season.

Coach O’Heir sees abundant potential, and knows his girls will enter next season stronger and more experienced. The lack of postseason play doesn’t take away from the chemistry of his team, and the pride they have in representing their communities.

“It went from a group of strangers to almost a family atmosphere,’’ said O’Heir. “It was really fun to watch. Bus rides home, it’s almost like they’re little kids, singing their hearts out in the back of the bus, having a grand old time when we just got blown away by a D1 team like Barnstable. It’s been fun. It’s been an experience.’’

Grady’s crosstown move yields results

Junior forward Shawn Grady is not the biggest player on the first line for North Quincy, but he’s making a quick and profound impact.

The 5-foot-9 Grady, who transferred from crosstown rival Quincy High School at the beginning of this school year, has filled a gaping hole on the first line left by the graduation of Brendan Glynn. In 10 games, Grady has 12 goals and five assists.

“I coached against him for two years, and he’s just one of those kids that, if you don’t pick him up or knock him down, the puck always finds his stick,’’ said third-year head coach Matt Gibbons. “You just hate to play against him, but love to have him on your team.’’

Over the last three games, Grady has netted seven goals and three assists after missing five games with a lower body injury. More importantly, however, Grady has come in and quickly asserted himself as a leader.

Grady has “stepped in and been a leader in the locker room right from the start,’’ said Gibbons. “He’s pretty much the backbone for our forwards. If we’re going to score goals, he’s going to be a part of it. He’s chippy, and he’ll work his butt off for you. He’s been a very welcome addition.’’

Two at Duxbury hit 100-point mark

With a goal Friday in a 4-0 victory over South East conference foe Barnstable, Lily Connolly became the second Duxbury girl this season to reach the 100-point plateau in a career. Fellow Dragon Hannah Murphy reached the mark in a 4-0 victory over Falmouth Jan. 4.

The twin milestones “just speak to their dedication and hard work,’’ said coach Friend Weiler, now in his 10th season at the helm. “They are very gifted hockey players. They’re terrific to coach and fun to watch. They come to the rink ready to go, they have great attitudes, and they’ve put a lot of work in over years.

“For them to reach that milestone in their junior seasons, it just talks to what great hockey players they are.’’