After a season opening defeat at the hands of Shawsheen Tech last week, the Gloucester High girls hockey team found itself in a quick two-goal hole against rival Masconomet Wednesday night.
What followed from there was an inspired, well balanced performance, however, one that saw the the Fishermen pot five unanswered goals to run away for their first win of the season, 5-2.
It was a feel good outing for a new-look Gloucester squad that should now move into Saturday’s clash at Beverly with confidence.
“With a group this young and with so many new players, it’s definitely nice to get that first win,” said GHS coach Rob Parsons. “Hopefully this gets us going and (the wins) start to come in bunches.”
Gloucester may have trailed 2-0 early, but it wasted no time knotting things up.
Keagan Jewell — a junior captain and one of few returning players that was a staple in the lineup a season ago — got things started with her team’s first goal to cut the early deficit in half. Less than two minutes later, starting left winger Lexi Francis, an 8th-grader, found the back of the cage off assists from Elliana Parsons and Fiona Black.
Just like that, the Fishermen were right back in it and had seized the momentum heading into the second stanza.
“I feel like being down 2-0 like that, especially with a young team, that can get you into trouble quickly,” admitted Parsons. “But we were able to score a couple quick goals, tie it up, and all of a sudden it looks like we’re roaring back with this thing. We had a nice talk in the locker room after that first period, won the second period (1-0), and just kind of rolled from there.
“It was nice to see production from girls who are being thrown out at irregular times at points in the game, too, and getting that production from some of the (youngsters),” he added.
The Fishermen may be young, but there’s talent across the board. That was evident when Francis potted the early goal and again when fellow 8th-grader Claire Warde gave Gloucester the lead in the second. In the third, it was freshman Kayla Collins who got in on the action to all but seal the deal.
“We have a couple of good leaders at the top taking the younger girls under their wings, so it’s nice to see girls who are really separated by four or five years treated as equals,” said Parsons.
Jewell would add her second goal on an empty netter late in the third to officially clinch the victory. It was a breakout performance in the early stages of the season for a player who will likely have many more multiple-point outings this winter.
“Keagan look strong today. She always does but she had a couple of nice rushes, circled the net well, waited for open space, and when she rips it, she has one of the best shots in the conference,” said Parsons. “So it was good to see her come alive like that.”
Parsons and Black each finished with a pair of assists, while Francis and Melanie Earl both added one helper. Parsons also highlighted the play of 7th-grade defenseman Ella Laurie, who contributed at a high level throughout the evening.
“She played a regular shift as of our four defenseman, and that can’t be overlooked as a 7th-grader,” said Parsons. “She’s a smart hockey player, she was out there blocking shots … just a solid performance and everything I love to see from a defenseman.”
Gloucester will look to keep things rolling in its next clash at Beverly, which is slated for a 2 p.m. puck drop on Saturday at Endicott College.
Sports Editor Nick Giannino may be contacted at 978-675-2712 or ngiannino@northofboston.com.