Girls Hockey shines at Garden but comes up short

Andrea Mcneil celebrating after her 3rd period goal tied up the game at 1-1.  Photo by Michael Tureski

 When Andrea McNeil tied it up at 1-1 early in the 3rd, it looked like the Girls Hockey team would storm back to an upset come-from-behind win over undefeated, top-seeded NDA-Hingham in today's State Final at the Boston Garden, but a quick goal by NDA once again put the Bulldogs in a hole. A mentally tough Bulldog squad kept plugging and just like earlier in the period, the Bulldogs came back again- tying it up a 2-2 on a Lauren Fitzpatrick shot that seemed to find a magic pathway to the back of the NDA goal.  But the remainder of the game belonged to the top-seed, who went on to score three unanswered goals and defeat the Bulldogs 5-2. 

Lauren Fitzpatrick on her goal to make it
2-2.  Photo by Michael Tureski

The result was not what Bulldog fans, coaches or players were hoping for, but the game was an amazing display of our community spirit, grit and sportsmanship.  The contest started off with the MIAA presenting our captains- Becca Eckler, Kristen Eckler and Colleen Kelleher, with the MIAA Mulloy Sportsmanship Award.  Canton fans packed our side of the Garden stands in full support of their team. Nobody left early as all stayed in attendance to honor our girls who played with tenacity, resiliency and heart the entire season- right until the final whistle.

Congratulations to Notre Dame Academy of Hingham on a great season and a great game.