BOURNE – Notre Dame of Hingham will return to a state girls hockey final for the first time since 2019, thanks to their win over Malden Catholic.
The top-seeded Cougars shut out No. 4 Malden Catholic 3-0 in the Div. 1 semifinals at Gallo Arena on Saturday night, with timely offense and key saves in goal.
“Our girls played really well tonight,” said Notre Dame coach John Findley about reaching the state final. “We’re very excited. The girls worked hard on defense from our defensemen to our forwards.”
In the first period, Notre Dame (18-4-2) had to kill a penalty in the final five minutes. Sophomore Devon Moore managed to take the puck and score while the Cougars were short-handed, giving them a 1-0 lead with just over three minutes left in the first.
The Cougars increased their lead in the second period with junior Caroline Hartnett scoring on a rebound in front of the net, making it 2-0 over Malden Catholic (16-4-4) with 5:30 gone in the period.
“I don’t think this team has ever forgotten the feeling of losing to Shrewsbury last year when we were down 2-0,” Moore said about the team’s composure. “So, being up 2-0 going into the third period, the returning players were eager to get another goal and secure the win. It feels amazing.”
Senior Lucy DelGallo scored with a little over four minutes left, assisted by Moore, to finish the scoring at 3-0.
“That’s what you have to do,” said Findley. “You have to take shots in front of the net. If you get shots on the net, anything can happen. That’s what I have always told the girls.”
Senior Ava Larkin made several important saves, including four in each of the first two periods, and a total of 10 in the game.
“It could’ve been a different game,” Findley said about Larkin's timely saves. “She has played well, and that’s what I expect of her. She’s a great kid.”
Next Sunday, the Cougars will play the winner of the St. Mary’s of Lynn/Archbishop game in the Div. 1 final at TD Garden.
