Talia always scores a hundred
By Cary Shuman
The stage is set for Winthrop High School senior Talia Martucci in the girls hockey season opener Saturday at 1 p.m. versus Medford High at Larsen Rink at the Mike Eruzione Center.
Martucci has been sitting on 99 career points since her two-goal performance in the Vikings’ 3-2 loss in the MIAA State Tournament in February. After the hockey season came to an end, Martucci wasn’t looking ahead just yet to next season as she had other milestones to accomplish, such as scoring her 100th career point in May for the WHS girls lacrosse team.
There will be much excitement and loads of anticipation for Martucci’s magic moment inside Larsen Rink. Scores of Talia’s classmates, friends, and former teammates – and of course, members of her own illustrious sports family – including her mother Hall of Fame athlete Tracy Gigliello Martucci, her sister, Mia Martucci (who scored 93 points in her brilliant hockey career) and her uncle, Super Bowl champion Gus Martucci – will be in attendance.
“We’re excited for her, and we’re excited for the program to have another 100-point scorer,” said Talia’s father, head coach Butch Martucci, jesting that he purposely scheduled 14 home games this season, “to ensure she does it at home.”
With the historic point (which can be a goal or an assist) Talia Martucci would join former Vikings Mackenzie Clark, Emma Holmes, Julia Holmes, Taylor Brown, Caroline McKinnon, and Mia Price in the 100 Career Point Club. Talia would also become the second WHS athlete to score 100 points in lacrosse and hockey, standing with former teammate Emma Holmes in that esteemed category.
The fact that Talia has 45 goals and 54 assists shows the unselfishness of her game, not to mention her prolific passing, excellent stickhandling, and accurate shooting skills.
“I try my hardest to pass the puck,” she said humbly.
Grateful to her teammates
Talia Martucci was asked what the milestone represented in her three-sport (soccer, hockey, and lacrosse) athletic career.
“It’s an honor and it’s a good feeling,” said Talia. “I’m not sure if it was a reachable goal when I first started playing, but I always wanted to get to that goal.”
Talia said she was thankful to all of her current and former teammates, including past linemates Emma Holmes and Julia Holmes (part of the fabulous Holmes triplets that includes Abby Holmes), Mia Norris, and Hannah Parker.
“I’m grateful to the players and the coaches,” said Talia. “And my parents are my biggest supporters. They’re the reason why I am where I am today, all thanks to them.”
Talia will take the ice for the 2024-25 as a returning captain, sharing that honor with defenseman Amelia.
“We’re a really young group, but we have a great set of leaders for the upperclassmen, and I think we’re going to do really well this season. It’s a tough schedule, but we’re ready.”
Looking ahead to the season opener, Butch Martucci, having played ice hockey, understands the enormousness of 100 points, a true barometer of greatness. “We’re hoping she gets it done early,” said Martucci. “You’re going to have about 5 million of the family here, the Tianos, you’ll have some Ferraras, and the Martuccis – it will be a mess over there in the stands.”
Butch Martucci said the game will be stopped at Point No. 100, Talia’s feat will be acknowledged, and the puck will be collected for posterity.
“We’ll move on from there,” said Butch. “It’s more about the team and winning the game.”
Meanwhile, Winthrop hockey legends Mike Eruzione and Jillian Dempsey both offered their congratulations to Talia Martucci on the eve of the season opener.
“It’s just a tribute to her dedication and hard work to continue to get better every year and lead her team,” said Eruzione.
Dempsey, who was Talia’s fifth-grade teacher, at the Cummings School, said, “I want to say to Talia, congratulations to my former student and hockey star. It’s hard to believe that you’re already in your senior year, but I’m incredibly proud of you and everything that you do in the classroom, helping in the community and in athletics, and I can’t wait to follow along and see your college hockey career at Salem State. Have a phenomenal senior season. Enjoy it. Soak it up. And go, Vikings.”