LYNN — Austin Prep got out to a hot start and held off St. Mary’s last night, clinching the Catholic Central title following a 4-2 victory at Connery Rink in Lynn.
“It’s always a good matchup with these two teams,” AP head coach Stephanie Wood said. “It was definitely one of our goals to win the CCL and we were lucky to do that tonight.”
The Cougars (17-0-1) came out fast and furious in the first period, getting the scoring started just 54 seconds in as Alexandra Santostefano laced one home from the right face-off dot.
Austin Prep tacked on two more quick goals off the sticks of Kara Cecchini (5:29) and Felicia Zuccola (7:02), to make it 3-0 less than halfway through the first.
“When we really come to play, we can be relentless offensively,” Wood said. “That’s always part of the game plan.”
The Spartans (14-3-0) chipped into the lead with 4:44 remaining in there first when Aylah Cioffi snapped one over the blocker of a screened Hannah Aveni, making it 3-1.
St. Mary’s got a huge lift on the power play with just five seconds left in the second period, when Jenna Chaplain (goal, assist) collected a cross ice feed from Codi Butt and ripped it short side to make it 3-2 heading to the third.
Said Wood: “They’re too good a team. We knew they weren’t going to go away.”
Cougar goalie Hannah Aveni (16 saves) came up huge in the third, stopping all ten shots she faced, including a breakaway save early on to keep the Prep ahead for good.
“She’s solid, and she has been all season,” said Wood. “She’s a junior this year and she’s playing a little more experienced, and we have a ton of confidence in her.”
Captain Kendra Currier would ice the game with 57-seconds to go potting an empty-netter from her own zone.
AUSTIN PREP 4, ST. MARY’S 2
Austin Prep (17-0-1) 3 0 1 — 4
St. Mary’s (14-3-0) 1 1 0 — 2
1st Period
AP — Alexandra Santostefano (0:54), unassisted
AP — Kara Cecchini (5:29), unassisted
AP — Felicia Zuccola (7:02), ast. by Maeve Carey
SM — Aylah Cioffi (10:16), ast. by Jenna Chaplain
2nd Period
SM — Chaplain (14:55, PPG), ast. by Codi Butt and Madison Hentosh
3rd Period
AP — Kendra Currier (14:03, ENG), unassisted
SAVES
AP — Hannah Aveni (16)
SM — Maddy Delano (19)
