Girls’ hockey lost to Needham 2-1 on Wednesday Feb. 13 in their final game of the regular season.  “The girls played so hard yesterday,” said South spanish teacher Stephanie Pavao, the assistant coach. “We were on the edge of our seats.”

Needham struck first, scoring the first goal of the game early.

In the second period, senior Emma Mckee, a captain with seniors Abigail Dobies and Sarah Zeidan, responded with a goal of her own on a rebound, rejuvenating the team. “It was the senior captains that provided the leadership,” said Beals dean Scott Heslin, the head coach.

Freshman Camille Kouroriez, Newton’s goalie, did not allow a goal through much of the first period and all of the second period. “She played unbelievably well,” said Heslin. “She made a number of saves to stay in the game.”

With the score tied 1-1, the teams were at a virtual stalemate with nobody able to capitalize. “We had a lot of good offensive chances,” said Heslin.

Midway through the third period, Needham put the puck in the back of the net to take a late lead.

Newton was unable to tie the game despite a “significant amount of shots on net by our forwards.”

As a result of the loss, Newton missed the playoffs by one point. “The kids were obviously upset,” said Heslin. “They worked so hard for everyone in the locker room.”

Despite the loss, Pavao was proud of the team’s effort. “They skated so hard, they fought for every puck, they played right until the end with a tremendous amount of intensity.”

According to Pavao, both Newton high schools “came together really strongly” in their inaugural season together.

Despite not making the playoffs, Heslin considered the season a success. “It’s just been amazing.” he said, “The group of girls was a tight knit group.”