By Ken Chaisson
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
The Walpole Ladytimbs girls’ ice hockey team beat the MOA-FTM Warriors, 3-2, at the Foxboro Sports Center on Saturday December 28, 2024. The MOA-FTM Warriors, a cooperative girls’ hockey team featuring players from Mansfield, Foxboro, Oliver Ames/Easton, and other Hockomock League high schools.
Walpole is led by head coach Bobby England and senior captains Cassie Burke, Ava Dacey, and Maddy Graceffa. The team has reached the first round of the state tournament for the past three seasons.
Walpole entered the game with a 2-3 record (2-1 in the Bay State Conference), while MOA-FTM stood at 1-2. Both teams endured difficult losses on Cape Cod earlier in the season, with Walpole falling to No. 7-ranked Nauset-Monomoy and MOA-FTM losing to Dennis-Yarmouth. While the two squads did not meet last season, Walpole had won their previous three close encounters.
Junior Kate Schneider has been Walpole’s leading scorer this season with three goals, while Burke, sophomore Caroline Sullivan, and junior Kaylee Walsh each have two. The Ladytimbs boast 14 returning skaters, including three seniors, along with four freshmen. The roster consists of 17 skaters and goalie Nadia Michienzi. Without a junior varsity squad, the team faces challenges when injuries occur, often leaving a tight bench.
Walpole’s first line features forwards Schneider, Graceffa, and Walsh, with Burke and freshman Madelyn Falcione anchoring the defense.
The game began with a jolt, as MOA-FTM scored just 19 seconds into the first period. The early goal snapped Walpole out of its holiday sluggishness, and the Ladytimbs carried the play for much of the period. Burke tied the game 1-1 midway through the first, assisted by Dacey.
Walpole applied relentless pressure in the second period. Ella Dacey had a standout performance, creating multiple scoring chances with a breakaway and a near-tip on a pass from Sullivan. Though Schneider was denied on a breakaway, Walsh capitalized moments later, tipping in a Falcione assist to give Walpole the lead. The highlight of the game came soon after when Burke’s power-play shot was deftly tipped by Schneider through the five-hole, extending the lead to 3-1.
The final period was chaotic, with Walpole assessed two simultaneous penalties, giving MOA-FTM a two-man advantage for two minutes. Despite the 5-on-3 pressure, Walpole’s defense held firm. MOA-FTM managed to close the gap to 3-2 with 10:52 remaining, but Walpole’s defense and stellar goaltending from Michienzi secured the hard-fought victory.
Michienzi was a standout throughout the game, particularly in the critical third period. Walpole hopes to see injured skater Nora Kelley return to the lineup soon as the team builds momentum for the remainder of the season.
The girls will face Needham on Saturday, January 4 at 5:15pm
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