LYNN — When you get two of the best teams in the state squaring off in a regular season showdown, it’s bound to be a great game. Last Friday St. Mary’s (15-1-1) ranked second in Division I, while Peabody-Lynnfield-North Reading (PLNR) (12-2) was fourth. In a game with a lot of whistles (11 combined penalties), St. Mary’s defeated PLNR 3-1.
In the first period, PLNR started hot, getting pucks on the net and putting pressure on St. Mary’s defense. After five minutes, the Spartans slowly started to get into the game, testing PLNR’s backline.
Although both teams having opportunities to score, the game was level after one with both sides scoreless.
In the second period, however, the Spartans started to tilt the ice in their favor. With 12:07 remaining in the period and on the power play, St. Mary’s Vanessa Hall took a shot through traffic and found the back of the net for the opening goal.
Later in the period, the Spartans found themselves again in the power play. PLNR killed the power play, but moments later St. Mary’s doubled its lead. Junior Deirdre McCarron scored from a tight angle to give her team breathing room with 4:04 left in the second period.
With just over five minutes left in the final period, PLNR was on the penalty kill, but pushing to find a goal. However, St. Mary’s star freshman, Isabella Freitas, showed off her speed racing past PLNR’s defense before finding the back of the net from the left circle to ice the game (3-0).
Moments later, St. Mary’s was hit with a 5-minute major (its seventh penalty of the game). PLNR seized the opportunity and scored 26 seconds into the penalty, thanks to a goal from Alexa Pepper (3-1).
Despite there being over two minutes left, St. Mary’s held off PLNR to earn themselves its 15th win of the season.
St. Mary’s showed its versatility as its three goals came from three different scorers, while also limiting PLNR to just one goal.
PLNR’s junior goalie, Alyse Mutti, had a strong performance registering 35 saves.
St. Mary’s is back in action on Wednesday when it hosts Stoneham at 6 p.m., while PLNR will look to rebound on Saturday when it travels to Newburyport for a 2 p.m. game.
