FALMOUTH — Greely High continues to look like the state favorite in girls’ hockey after a 5-1 victory against Edward Little/Leavitt/Poland in a North semifinal Saturday night at the Family Ice Center.

Danita Storey, Emilee McGillicuddy and Bridget Roberts all had a goal and an assist. Ellie Schad and Courtney Sullivan also scored. Goalie Nica Todd made 12 saves, including some key ones on breakaways in the first period.

The Rangers (19-0), top-seeded in the North, advanced to the regional final Wednesday against No. 2 St. Dominic (17-2) in the Colisee. The time will be announced. The Saints beat No. 3 Lewiston 6-0 on Saturday.

No. 4 Edward Little/Leavitt/Poland (9-8-3) lost three times to Greely.

“We know we have more (to face in the playoffs) but I was really impressed how our team played,” Greely Coach Nate Guerin said.

In the regular-season games, Edward Little/Leavitt/Poland scored first each time, but this time Greely pounced. Early in the first, Erin Molloy and Storey took shots that were blocked by the defense, but McGillicuddy was there for the rebound at 3:26.

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The Rangers kept rolling their top two lines, keeping possession. The line of Sullivan, Roberts and Faith Price enjoyed a prolonged stay in the zone. The Rangers finally capitalized when Schad, a busy defenseman, skated through two opponents and roofed a goal at 9:18.

“Our goal was to put the puck behind the goal line and play hockey down there, which I think we did really well,” Guerin said. “If we’re unsure, that’s our safe spot, to get it deep and work from there.”

Later in the first period, Edward Little/Leavitt/Poland got a two-on-one rush, then a Haley Frohlich breakaway. Todd stymied both efforts.

“Nica played great,” Guerin said. “That could have been a real different game in a hurry. They’re such an emotional team. If you let them grab momentum, you better hang on.”

Edward Little/Leavitt/Poland got in a hole in a hurry in the second when a checking penalty was followed by a tripping call. Greely capitalized on the five-on-three with a Storey goal at 5:22 for a 3-0 lead.

“That really took the girls out of it a little bit, mentally,” Edward Little/Leavitt/Poland Coach Shon Collins said. “Despite the 2-0 score, we had a few quality chances in the first. Coming out in the second, I thought we generated some chances and then (the penalties).”

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Sullivan lifted in a goal at 7:48 for a 4-0 lead. Edward Little/Leavitt/Poland scored with 15 seconds left in the period, Madison DeRosa burying a crossing pass from Mariah Vaillancourt.

“We didn’t like giving up that goal but a little thankful for the break,” Guerin said. “We said in the locker room to go out there and put this one away.”

Roberts’ backhander made it 5-1 at 5:22 of the third.

Greely and St. Dominic will meet for the third time. The Saints’ only losses were to Greely, 2-1 and 8-4.

This will be Greely’s first trip to the regional final since winning back-to-back state titles in 2012 and 2013. St. Dom’s hasn’t reached the regional final since it was state champion in 2011.

The South final will also be Wednesday at the Colisee.

 


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