Girls Hockey Falls to Walpole on New Year's Eve

The Norwood girls hockey team fell to Walpole 4-1 on New Year’s Eve. The Mustangs were looking to bounce back from their previous 6-4 loss to Dedham, but instead fell to a 1-5 (1-4 BSC) start to the season.

Walpole kicked off the scoring with a goal from defensemen Cameron Johnson only two minutes into the game. The Mustangs were able to get momentum on offense after Walpole’s Olivia MacMillan was sent to the penalty box for roughing, allowing Norwood to get several quality scoring chances. Norwood goalie Janelle Kelleher (30 saves) was able to hold off the Rebels following the early goal, but Walpole was able to extend their lead to two on a goal with 5 minutes left in the first.

Kelleher held off the Rebels pressure at the start of the second period, but Walpole’s Katelyn Houser scored her second goal of the game to make the score 3-0 with 8 minutes left in the second. Towards the end of the period the Mustangs got arguably their best chance of the game off of a penalty shot from senior Hannah Gillis, who was unable to slide one past Walpole goalie Francesca Bonanno. The Mustangs were able to finally cash in on offense with a goal from senior captain Erin Kelly with a little over a minute left in the period. Kelly weaved through Walpole’s defense and put a backhand shot top shelf on Bonanno, sending the Mustangs into the second intermission down 3-1.

Walpole scored their only goal of the third period in the first minute of play, with Bonanno shutting out Norwood’s offense in the third period. With the 4-1 final Walpole hockey picked up its second win of the day, having beat the Norwood boy’s team that morning 5-1.