Julia Holmes Nets Game-Winner in OT As Winthrop Girls Hockey Advances in Tourney

Senior captain Julia Holmes scored two goals, the second in overtime, to power the Winthrop High girls hockey team to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Whitman Hanson-Silver Lake in the MIAA State Tournament Sunday at the Larsen Rink at the Mike Eruzione Center.

The Winthrop High School girls hockey team was set to play Billerica Wednesday night in Revere for a berth in the Final Four of the MIAA State Hockey Tournament.

In the Round of 16 game Sunday, the visitors scored the game’s first goal, but the Vikings responded instantly. Julia Holmes scored a goal on the ensuing shift to deadlock the game at 1-1. Emma Holmes delivered a pass from behind the net to her sister, who blasted the puck into the net.

Winthrop was unable to convert on an early power play in overtime, but the Holmes sisters soon struck again, with Julia getting the game-winning goal honors and setting off a huge celebration among teammates and Viking supporters.

Winthrop opened the tournament with a 5-0 victory over Hopkinton. Emma Holmes led the way with two goals, while Julia Holmes, Hannah Parker, and Talia Martucci also lit the lamp for the Vikings.

Freshman goaltender Riley Towse was impressive in both victories. “Riley made some timely saves (17 overall) in the Hopkinton game and made a huge save on a 2-on-1 situation [versus WHSL] when the game was tied at 1-1 said Winthrop head coach Butch Martucci. “She’s been spectacular for us.”

The Vikings’ defensive unit, which limited the two tourney foes to a single goal,  also drew plaudits.

“Our defensive has been phenomenal since Day 1,” said Martucci, while crediting Winthrop’s own Elite Eight: senior captain Abby Holmes, junior assistant captain Adrianna Rizzotto, sophomores Amelia Spencer and Izi Hain, and freshmen Avalina Coffey, Tegan Pereira, and Mia Currier (who injured her ankle in the final game of the regular season).

“Mia was really coming along for us,” said Martucci. “She has great speed and toughness.” Martucci said the excitement has been building as his team advances in the tournament. “We’re right where we want to be,” said Martucci in advance of Wednesday’s game versus Billerica.