On Wednesday night, February 29, the Girls Hockey team kicked off their postseason when they faced the Cougars of Notre Dame Academy Hingham at Iorio Arena.  The Rebels started the game a little slow and the Cougars were eager for any chance to get a quick lead.  Despite being shorthanded during much of the first period, Walpole was able to deny any opportunities from Notre Dame.  The Cougars did put the puck behind junior Captain and goalie Bethany Welch one time in the first period, but the goal did not stand because time had expired.

The second period was a power struggle between two talented squads.  Both teams went back and forth with numerous scoring chances, only to have each team’s respective defenses step up and make clutch plays.  Welch was on her game as she turned away everything the Cougars shot her way.

It seems the Rebels waited until the third period to start scoring as junior forward Michaela Tosone broke the tie five minutes in when she sneaked one past the Cougar goalie.  Less than a minute later, senior Captain Cori Donahue added a goal of her own.  Donahue’s goal gave the Rebels a comfortable 2-0 lead with a little under 10 minutes left in the game.  Walpole dominated the rest of the game.  The Rebels stifled any offensive attempt by Notre Dame.  With 1:48 left, Donahue struck again, hitting the nail in the coffin for the Cougars.  Donahue scored on a slap shot from the slot to give the Rebels a 3-0 lead and win.

The Rebels take the ice next on Sunday, March 4 against the 7th seeded Falmouth Clippers.  Falmouth beat Wellesley 2-1 in the first round of the playoffs.  The game is at 6 pm at Franklin and the winner will be in the semifinals and will play the winner of the Westwood vs. Gardner/St. Bernard’s game.