The Brinity Falcons fell to the two-time defending champion Hanover in the semifinals despite an opening goal and a strong defensive effort.
No. 4 Bishop Brady-Trinity-Bow (13-7) fell to No. 8 Hanover (13-8, 13-2) at Everett Arena on Tuesday afternoon for the girls’ hockey semifinals, 4-1.
It was déjà vu for senior captain Ali Pelletier. The team lost to Oyster River-Portsmouth in the semis last year and fell to Hanover 8-2 this season.
They were hoping to overturn the result.
“I believe we fought our hardest and did what we could to have a score 4-1 against Hanover,” she said.
Bow freshman Bridget Pinard opened the scoring with a strong shot from the left side, assisted by freshman Ainsley Herrick after a face-off win five minutes into play to surprise Hanover.
Hanover answered swiftly six minutes later as junior Casey Wilkinson tied it up, assisted by sophomore Pauline Rudd. Two minutes later, sophomore Abigale Lindsay, scored another to reverse the scoreline.
Brinity Falcons Head Coach Aaron House said the team did well to attack in the first but stopping Hanover’s cutters was a challenge.
Once the Bears went ahead, they didn’t let up.
The second period was a big challenge for the Brinity-Bow squad as they let in an early goal by Rudd and struggled to move the puck forward. Rudd would score one more in the third period, again assisted by Wilkinson, to seal the game.
By the time the Falcons got out of their defensive zone they pushed for a shift change and they couldn’t find a way to shoot on goal.
Freshman goalie Reese Skoglund kept the Brinity Falcons fighting until the end with 29 saves, many of which came in one-on-one situations.
House knew that Hanover’s program is tough to compete with, but recognized that this was year one of his best with Brinity-Bow.
“We don’t have to start from square one next year,” House said.
He thanked the players, parents, and boosters for their efforts throughout the year. Now, he’ll begin the work of trying to turn the team into a champion.
“Looking forward to doing off-season stuff and hopefully coming back stronger,” he added.
The Brinity Falcons stayed in the hunt for a state championship appearance since last making it in 2015, when the Bishop Brady-Trinity team finished runner-up to Hanover.
The team retains a young core with 13 of 18 players returning. Pelletier hopes the team grows based on what she preached as captain.
“You need to love each other because you’re a team, you’re a family. That’s what’s most important,” she said.