Hannah Parker’s Game-Winner Leads Unbeaten Winthrop Past Peabody, 3–2

Junior forward Hannah Parker scored the game-winning goal in the second period as the Winthrop High girls hockey team bested Peabody, 3-2, in a Northeast Hockey League first-place showdown last Wednesday at the McVann-O’Keefe Rink.

“That was one of the prettiest goals that I’ve seen in a long time, especially for a game-winner,” said Winthrop coach Butch Martucci. “Hannah is a really hard worker – she gives her heart and soul every single practice and game, and she’s a great kid. To see her get that goal was beautiful, because she’s a player that shoots the puck hard and low, and this shot was an absolute missile to the far corner, just under the crossbar.”

Freshman goaltender Riley Towse and the defensive tandems kept Peabody off the scoreboard for the final 20 minutes of play in another strong overall performance. Peabody pulled its goalie for the extra attacker late in the third period, but the Vikings held on to lock up the victory over their chief rival in the league and remain undefeated.

“Our defense was amazing, blocking shots, and keeping people to the outside,” credited Martucci. “Abby Holmes, our senior leader, was fantastic. Adrianna Rizzotto, a junior, Amelia Spencer, a sophomore, and our two freshmen, Avalina Coffey and Tegan Pereira, were phenomenal.”

Emma Holmes scored the Vikings’ first goal 34 seconds into the game before senior Mia Norris intercepted a pass and scored a short-handed goal to give Winthrop an early 2-0 lead.

“The play of Mia Norris in the last four games has been really great for us,” said Martucci. “She’s been getting some big goals and making heads-up passes. Mia’s a senior who’s leading by example with her hard work and effort.”

Peabody scored two power play goals in the first period to tie the game at 2-2 after one session, before Parker gloriously entered her name into the GWG (Game Winning Goal) category.

Emma Holmes nets two goals in 2-1 OT victory over Newburyport

Emma Holmes, the Northeast Hockey’s League leading scorer, netted two goals, the latter in overtime, to highlight a 2-1 victory over Newburyport Saturday at the Larsen Rink at the Mike Eruzione Center.

Holmes scored her first goal in unassisted fashion at the midpoint of the second period to deadlock the game at 1-1. Thirty seconds into overtime, Holmes connected again to give Winthrop the victory.

“Julia [Holmes] made a really nice play to set up the goal,” said Coach Martucci. “She got the puck after the faceoff and took it deep into the zone and got a pass out to our defensemen. Emma was in front of the net, tipped the shot, and redirected it into the net,” said Coach Martucci.

Winthrop outshot Newburyport, 71-11, in the game, but the Clippers’ senior goaltender, Teagan Wilson, was “lights out” in net, according to Butch Martucci.

Winthrop (13-0-0) was set to play Marblehead Wednesday night at Larsen Rink. Winthrop is at No. 4 in the MIAA Division 1 Power Rankings. St. Mary’s of Lynn is the No. 1-ranked team, followed by Notre Dame of Hingham and Shrewsbury.