PEABODY — Three weeks before the Bishop Fenwick girls hockey team began its 2018-2019 season, the team was already hit with some adversity to overcome. Goalkeeper Cailyn Wesley injured her ankle playing field hockey, leaving a big hole in the Crusaders defense.
“Cailyn was a two-year all star going into her junior season,” Crusaders head coach Doug Anderson said. “She had major surgery and ruptured her ankle three weeks before the season playing field hockey. So she’s missing the entire year and some of lacrosse in the spring. It’s a six-month injury.”
After the loss, the Crusaders turned to another junior, Daphne Jalbert, to step up between the pipes.
“I was definitely kind of nervous going into the situation,” Jalbert said. “I just went into it trying to get better. I am trying to get better every game I play. My teammates have helped a lot too.”
It’s fair to say that Jalbert has risen to the occasion for Bishop Fenwick. With five games remaining in the regular season, Jalbert and the Crusaders are 9-5-1 and are one point shy of qualifying for the state tournament.
“Daphne is also a junior and she has definitely stepped up for us,” Anderson said. “There have been nights where she is our best player and she has really been steady all year.”
The Crusaders and Jalbert have five shutout wins this season, including a 2-0 win over rival Arlington Catholic this past Sunday.
Anderson has been more than happy with the work Jalbert has put into improving this season for a Crusaders team that prides itself on slowing down opposing forwards.
“We very seldom give up two goals or three goals,” Anderson said. “Her goals against average is around two per game on the season. I couldn’t have asked for more from her. She’s really good on shots down low, but needs to improve a little bit on the upper corners. Our goalie coach Billy Corley and her are working on improving everyday. We have been very excited about her and she’s certainly not the reason we have lost any points.”
Jalbert points to the hard work she has put in a practice with Corley as one of the key reasons for her success along with teammates around her.
“It’s just been going to practice every day with the right effort,” Jalbert said. “Trying my hardest everyday and working hard each practice.
“My teammates have been great,” Jalbert added. “They’ve helped support me and everyone works hard. Me and Cailyn talk, that helps too.”
Jalbert, a Peabody native, is one of a few players who play for Bishop Fenwick but attend Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School. This season, the Crusaders have three games up the street from Essex Tech at the Essex Sports Center.
“Those aren’t like away games for us,” Anderson said. “It’s a little too large for our makeup it’s more like Salem State. We have three games here and we are happy about that. It’s good that the girls get to play at night there so it gives them a little bit of a jump.”
With five games remaining to get one point, Jalbert and the Crusaders are ready to buckle down for the close of the season.
“Our main focus going forward as a team is scoring goals on the offensive side and doing what it takes to get in the tournament,” Jalbert said.
