Winthrop, Longmeadow battle to 2-2 tie
By Cary Shuman
On paper, it looked like a potential one-sided contest: Coach Butch Martucci’s undefeated, No. 10-ranked Winthrop Vikings versus a winless Longmeadow team making the long road trip from western Massachusetts to Larsen Rink.
But Longmeadow, boosted by the return of its No. 1 goalie, Gianna Naglieri, made things difficult for the Vikings’ offense all game, and the result was a 2-2 tie.
“When I spoke to the Longmeadow coach before the game, she told me part of their problem was that their starting and backup goalie were both out at the beginning of the year,” related Butch Martucci. “So, their record (0-7) was not indicative of the team. Their starting goalie returned [Saturday].”
Longmeadow is a co-op program with Westfield High School.
Martucci strikes first
Senior captain Talia Martucci continued her goal-scoring streak with an early goal, assisted by junior Avalina Coffey.
Martucci has scored at least one goal in each of the 4-0-1 Vikings’ five games.
“I think we got a little overconfident with the 1-0 lead and rested a little bit,” said Butch Martucci.
Winthrop’s one-goal lead lasted until the third period when Longmeadow took advantage of a defensive zone breakdown to tie the game at 1-1.
With five minutes left in the game, sophomore forward Angela Coscia scored a goal, assisted by junior Chloe Couture, to give Winthrop a 2-1 lead, but the visitors refused to go away and tied the game at 2-2, sending it into a five-minute overtime.
“We had a few chances in overtime, but couldn’t get one through to the net,” said Martucci, whikle noting that overtimes consist of 4-on-4 skaters, a rule change implemented two years ago.
Junior goalie Riley Towse had 15 saves in net.
“I thought Riley was fantastic,” said Martucci. “She gave up two goals, but we made some bad reads that were not her fault. She had a key save a breakaway. She’s having a great season.”
Martucci said the four players on defense – Amelia Spencer, Tegan Pereira, Avalina Coffey, and Francesca Indrisano – have also played outstanding hockey for the Vikings, who have allowed four goals in five games.
Junior center Reese Ferrara has been one of Winthrop’s “most consistent players,” according to Coach Martucci. “Every game, she’s been a solid three-zone player.”
Coscia’s Birthday Celebration
Ever-improving sophomore forward Angela Coscia scored the go-ahead goal and almost had the GWG (game-winning goal) in the non-league matchup with Longmeadow.
“It was Angie’s (16th) birthday, so she scored a goal on her birthday, which we were hoping was going to be the game-winner, but it didn’t turn out to be that,” said Coach Martucci. “We had cupcakes waiting in the locker room, but of course, the girls were not happy that we tied, so they just ate the cupcakes kind of silently.”
Winthrop-Peabody game
Tenth-ranked Winthrop was set to play in a major intra-divisional showdown Wednesday (Jan. 8) against No. 5-ranked Peabody, who like, Winthrop, brought an undefeated record into the game. Winthrop plays at Medford Saturday (Jan. 11).
Interestingly, Butch Martucci coached the North Suburban Wings fall-league U-19 team, and his two goalies were Winthrop’s Riley Towse and Peabody’s Alyse Mutti – a phenomenal netminding duo for sure. The fall season ended very well as Mr. Martucci’s daughter, Talia Martucci, netted a hat trick in the state championship game that was won by the Wings.