Martlets Tie in Back and Forth Game

The Martlets hosted Taft on Wednesday afternoon in a thrilling back-and-forth matchup that ended in an overtime tie. Taft struck first midway through the opening period, capitalizing on a power play opportunity to take a 1-0 lead. Despite strong defensive efforts from the Martlets, the visitors carried that one-goal advantage into the first intermission. About five minutes into the second period, Bella Zapata showcased her speed to even the score. Driving hard down the right wing, she cut to the middle and fired a shot over the goalie’s shoulder to tie the game at 1-1. Taft responded quickly, reclaiming the lead just moments later and then extending it to 3-1 on the following shift. The Martlets refused to let the momentum slip entirely. Before the end of an action-packed second period, junior Naomi Flom chipped the puck past a Taft defender and snapped a shot over the goalie’s shoulder to cut the deficit to one heading into the final frame. It was an exciting stretch of hockey that set the stage for a dramatic third period. Westminster came out flying to start the third and found the equalizer just minutes in. Zapata drove down the left wing and sent a low shot on net. Ellie Larrabee followed the play perfectly, burying the rebound to knot the game at 3-3. Once again, Taft answered, regaining the lead a few minutes later, but the Martlets would not back down. With eight minutes remaining, Mya Polastry ‘27 sent a puck into the slot, where Larrabee finished it off for her second goal of the game, tying things up at 4-4. The final eight minutes were intense and hard-fought, with both teams trading chances but neither able to break through. Overtime brought more competitive play, yet both sides held strong defensively, and the game ended in a well-earned tie. It was a gritty, determined performance from the Martlets in a truly back-and-forth battle from start to finish. The Martlets look ahead to Saturday as they take on Berkshire and celebrate their five amazing seniors!

Our Girt & Grace player of the game is junior Naomi Flom! Naomi scored a vital, late second period goal tonight and was acknowledged by her teammates for her play on the ice and the hustle she displayed for all three periods.