GLOUCESTER — The Beverly girls hockey team simply was not going to let it happen again.
Feeling like they’d allowed Gloucester to steal one in an overtime loss two weeks ago, the Panthers were motivated to put the clamps down in Saturday’s rematch. Using layered defense and team discipline, Beverly proved they’re learning to play with the lead with a 3-1 victory in enemy territory at Talbot Rink.
“We felt like this was a revenge game. We wanted to get one back after losing on overtime. That gave us a lot of energy to bring into the game,” said junior winger Meredith Johnston, who broke a 1-1 tie with 6:55 remaining by scoring her second goal of the night.
New linemate Asuka Keough sent the puck around the boards to Johnston, stationed at the top of the crease. With little room between herself and Gloucester’s ace goalie Kaydin Cusumano, the winger leveraged the puck high and found the small space between the crossbar’s corner and the goalie’s shoulder for the game-winner.
“I’ve been working a lot on bad angle shots in practice, so I saw that opportunity and tried to hit that tough spot,” said Johnston. “I saw the goalie kind of looking away and I knew I had to get it out quick; she’s so good that you’re really not going to beat her unless you take the eyes away.”
It was the first win of the season for Beverly (1-6) and the first behind the ice hockey bench for first-year head coach Kristen McCarthy.
“It was great to feel that emotion of a win as they time ticked down,” said McCarthy. “We did a very good job protecting the lead and playing smart. That was the biggest thing.”
Gloucester (4-3) had a few dangerous rushes in the third, but the Panthers held them to three total shots on goal over the final 15 minutes. Besides excellent backchecking from the forwards, defenseman Caroline Horn and Ashley Freitas were outstanding. Captain Morgan Linskey was missing due to injury and freshman Phoebe Allen had a phenomenal game on the back end.
“She got our ‘Player of the Game’ chain and it was well deserved. She did a really good job of keeping Gloucester out from the front of the net,” said McCarthy, who had plenty of praise for goalie Victoria Willington’s 20 saves as well.
“Vicky has improved a ton in just two weeks. The way she covered pucks and gave up less rebounds were big in this one.”
After a scoreless opening period, Johnston ripped the twine with a seed of a shot from the right circle midway through the second to make it 1-0. Junior Meg Ryan picked up assists on both of Johnston’s goals.
“I really like the way Meredith is finding ways to do different things, whether she shoots right away or takes people to the net,” McCarthy said. “She’s a tough, talented kid.”
Gloucester drew even when Teyah Fleming found space at the top of the crease and knocked in a one-time feed from Keagan Jewell. Once Johnston delivered the lead in the third, Beverly extended thanks to sophomore Emily Tibbetts’ first varsity goal. Captain Bradie Arnold fed her from behind the net and Tibbetts was ready with a quick shot for the pivotal two goal advantage.
Beverly 3, Gloucester 1
at Talbot Rink, Gloucester
Beverly;0;1;2;3
Gloucester;0;1;0;1
Scoring summary
First period: No scoring.
Second period: B, Meredith Johnston (Meg Ryan), 4:46; G, Teyah Fleming (Keagan Jewell), 8:35.
Third period: B, Johnston (Asuka Keugh, Ryan), 8:05; B, Emily Tibbetts (Bradie Arnold, Caroline Horn), 10:28.
Saves: B, Victoria Willington 20; G, Kaydin Cusumano 26.
Records: B, 1-6-0; G, 4-3-0.