Spartans roll to a spot in the history books

LYNN – The reaction of the St. Mary’s girls hockey team after its 11-1 demolition of Mount St. Joseph’s on Wednesday at Connery Rink wouldn’t have given an indication that the Spartans had just etched their names in the history book.The two-time defending Division 1 state champions eclipsed Northeast Regional’s record of 54 consecutive victories against the team that the streak began against, ironically enough, two seasons ago. Yet as they left the ice, many of the St. Mary’s players were unaware they had finally gotten to the mark.”It’s something that we’ve really not talked about in the locker room,” St. Mary’s coach Frank Pagliuca said. “But it’s a tremendous accomplishment for these girls and for the program. In the grand scheme, though, it’s just another win.”Ten different players recorded goals for the Spartans and 12 players in all recorded points.Rachel Donahoe got the scoring started at the 2:38 mark, assisted by Courtney White and Allison Butler. The Spartans then began to play a little sloppy, causing Pagliuca to call time-out to get his troops together.The move worked as the Spartans would score five goals in the final 6:31 of the first. Bridget Donovan; Meaghan Spurling; Erin McAndrews; Butler and Courtney Winters did the honors while the defense held MSJ without a shot the entire period.Early in the second, Winters recorded a shorthanded goal to increase the gap to seven before Sabrina Iannetti made it 8-0 after two following a Winters assist.”All we’re trying to do is get better,” Pagliuca said. “And we’re focused on getting into the tournament as quick as possible.”Defenseman Michelle Macchione scored twice in the third along with Genevieve Benoit and Mikaela Donovan to make it 11-0. MSJ spoiled the shutout bid with 33 seconds left on Nicole Ames’ goal.