Make that four wins in a row for the Bishop Fenwick girls hockey team. The Crusaders took down St. Peter Marian, 2-1, in the first round of St. Joseph Prep Christmas Classic at Warrior Ice Arena in Boston Wednesday afternoon.
Sophomore forward Gabby Davern and senior forward Lexi McNeil each scored one goal and dished one assist. Senior defenseman Jill Mattucci logged one assist.
Fenwick trailed 1-0 at the end of the first period. Davern tied the game at 1-1 when she found the back of the net in the second period. McNeil netted the game-winner on a power play with 1:03 remaining in the game.
Junior goalie Daphne Jalbert made 15 saves.
“Lexi’s very good around the net,” Fenwick coach Doug Anderson said. “We were able to get her open. That line has gotten 98 percent of our goals this year. Our defense was solid, that’s the difference. We have three freshmen and a sophomore and they do a good job in front of Daphne. Limiting a team to 16 shots in a 45-minute game is pretty good. We’re doing well, we’re not giving up too much.”
Jalbert made eight of her 15 saves in the first period and played a key role in weathering the storm to keep Fenwick in the game.
“Even though they got one in the first period, Daphne had eight saves which were huge,” Anderson said. “If they had gotten another few we might not have been able to come back.”
The Crusaders improved to 5-1 with the win. Fenwick will play Arlington Catholic in Thursday’s tournament championship game at 6 p.m. Fenwick won the tournament last year.
“It’s an even tournament,” Anderson said. “It’s very competitive. It’s a great tournament for all four teams because we’re evenly matched. Our programs are all going in the right direction.
“It’s good to play to good teams. It only makes you better.”
BOYS HOCKEY
Methuen 2, Revere 0
At Simoni Rink, the Patriots were blanked in the first round of the First Responders Cup. Revere plays in the consolation round Thursday.
Marblehead 3, Westfield 1
The Magicians were aided by two goals from Will Shull as they earned a win in the first round of the Cape Ann Savings Bank Christmas Tournament at Talbot Rink in Gloucester. Charlie McGurrin also scored a goal, while Jacob Garfield had one assist in the win.
Marblehead (5-0-0) now moves on to face Gloucester in the championship game Thursday evening (6). Gloucester beat Beverly, 8-4, in the other first round game.