March 2, 2023 – Story and photos by Joshua Ross
The Harborwomen are playing their best hockey at the best possible time – playoff time.
The road to the Garden started last night as Hingham (6th seed) took on Arlington Catholic (27th seed) in the first round of the MIAA D1 State Championship at Pilgrim Arena.
Going into the game on a seven game winning streak, the girls have seemed to found their stride and looking to carry the momentum deep into the tournament. Just as in year’s past, the team has some very talented players that makes that journey high possible, but this year seems a bit different. That difference started off the ice with the hire of first year head coach Courtney Turner and continued throughout the season.
“We’ve done a lot of team bonding outside of being on the ice, which has definitely helped,” says senior captain Piper Jordan. “We all get along and we’ve figured out our problems and we’re going in a good way.”
There is no lack of offense on this team. Lead by the Patriot League Keenan Division co-MVP, sophomore Caroline Doherty and league All-Star sophomore Addy Garrity, the Harborwomen are putting up goals the second half of the season. Perhaps lost in the shuffle is the outstanding play by freshman goalie Izzy McGarr, who notched her third straight shutout in Hingham’s 3-0 win. McGarr also earned Patriot League All-Star honors.
“Izzy’s had three shutouts in a row, which in the playoffs is what makes or breaks a game,” Jordan went on to say. “She’s doing great. In the second period they had zero shots on net, which I think is the first time we’ve ever done that. So we just need to keep on helping her as a defense and getting it out of the zone and scoring some goals. We have confidence in her and we know if we keep people away from her she’ll make the save.”
Hingham will next face either Longmeadow or Newburyport on Saturday night at 6pm at Pilgrim. This will be their last home game of the season as the next rounds move to neutral sites.
GAME PHOTOS
