Winthrop High Girls Hockey Claims League Title: Emma Holmes Scores Four Goals in Finale

Emma Holmes made a statement Tuesday in the final game of the regular season.

Holmes scored four goals to propel the Winthrop High School girls hockey team to a 6-3 victory over Beverly at Raymond Bourque Arena.

Winthrop finishes the regular season undefeated (18-0) for the second year in a row and as the champion of the Northeastern Hockey League.

Holmes was the league’s scoring champion with 47 points. You could say the senior captain saved her “best for last,” with her season-ending hat trick, but she’s been an unstoppable offensive force from the first game to the last.

“I think missing out on the MVP Award really got to Emma, and she really wanted to make a statement,” said Coach Butch Martucci. “It was a railroad [MVP] vote from the start, and this is no disrespect to the goaltender [Teagan Wilson] from Newburyport, who’s a fantastic player, but there’s no question who the MVP was, and it showed Tuesday night.” 

Hannah Parker scored Winthrop’s first goal of the game.  Holmes’ four-goal explosion helped erase Beverly’s 3-2 lead. Talia Martucci had Winthrop’s final tally.

Freshman goaltender Riley Towse played well, making some key saves in the third period. Towse was in net for all 18 victories this season, along with four shutouts.

“I couldn’t ask for more from Riley in her rookie season,” said Martucci. “She’s been great, and the best part of her is that she has a short memory. For a freshman, to bounce back from some of our opponent’s goals – and move on and stay focused – I’m so proud of her for that.”

Reflecting on the 18-0 record and Northeastern Hockey League championship, Martucci offered, “The girls are beyond ecstatic about the second straight undefeated season as are we, the coaches.”

Winthrop, currently at No. 4 in the Division 1 power rankings, will open state tournament play with a home game next week.

Six Winthrop Players Receive League Honors

Senior captains Emma Holmes and Julia Holmes were selected to the All-Conference team during a coaches’ meeting held Sunday at Winthrop High School.

Senior captains Abby Holmes and Mia Norris, sophomore Talia Martucci, and junior Adrianna Rizzotto were named as Northeastern Hockey League All-Stars.

Newburyport goaltender Teagan Wilson was named the MVP of the Northeastern Hockey League. Peabody’s Michelle Roach was voted the league’s Coach of the Year.