Taylor Nowak and the West Haven / Sacred Heart Academy girls hockey team did not want to let an opportunity slip away. Nowak made the most of hers.
Scoring the lone goal of the game at the 1:45 mark of the third period, Nowak helped the Westie Sharks to a 1-0 victory over Hand in Northford Saturday evening. With the win, West Haven / Sacred Heart Academy improved to 2-1 on the year.
“The girls came ready to play tonight,” West Haven / Sacred Heart Academy coach Erin Blake said. “They moved the puck well, worked hard offensively, and defensively. Taylor (Nowak) had a great game, scoring the game winning goal, but she really stepped it up defensively as well. Tatum (Courtmanche) had a great game as well with her first shutout of the season.”
Tatum Courtmanche recorded the shutout with 15 saves as the Westie Sharks held a 30-15 shot advantage in the game.
The defense of the Westie Sharks continues to play well, led by Veronica Lynn, Brooke McNabola, and freshman Mackenzie Gardner.
Offensively, the Westie Sharks have started to come together with Celina Condon double shifting, playing well with Francesca Criscuolo and Shannon Siclari, and also with Jenna Hunt and Jianna Cohrs.
Mia Celentano has also played well, teaming up with Megan Froehlich and Nowak. Froehlich had the assist on Nowak’s winner in the third period.
Lynn and her West Haven/Sacred Heart Academy teammates were none too thrilled with how the season started. A loss to Darien in the opener did not project to the way the Westie Sharks had hoped to start the season.
Just two days later, Lynn and the Westie Sharks turned the tables in a 5-0 victory over Guilford Wednesday evening at DiLungo Rink in East Haven.
Lynn led the way with one goal and two assists, and eight different players got into the scoring column as the Westie Sharks improved to 1-1 on the year.
“Tonight’s win was a full team effort,” Blake said. “Eight different players had points tonight, we had strong goaltending, and every player touched the ice.”
The Westie Sharks took a 1-0 lead at the 13-minute mark of the opening period when Nowak scored off assists from Criscuolo and Siclari.
West Haven/Sacred Heart Academy put the game away with three goals in the middle period. Criscuolo scored off assists from Nowak and Gardner, Condon scored off an assist from Lynn, and Froehlich also scored off an assist from Lynn.
Lynn iced the game at the 12:21 mark of the third period, scoring off an assist from Hunt.
Kyleen Crowe was stellar in goal, stopping all eight shots she faced.
(Kyleen) Crowe played well in net,” Blake said. “We played well.”