Hockey Coverage presented by Natalie Marsh:
Complete Team Effort Lifts Westwood Girls Past Hopkinton

December 21, 2025
 
After coming out with confidence from the opening faceoff, the Westwood Wolverines quickly set the tone against the Hopkinton Hillers. Early pressure from Maggie Ash, Bridget Lewis, and Abby Presley moved the puck with speed and precision, keeping play deep in the offensive zone and forcing Hopkinton into defensive errors.
 
That early pressure paid off midway through the first period. A quick set of passes between Olivia Alex and Abby Presley opened up space in front of the net, and Captain Justine Connelly slid it in to finish, giving Westwood the opening goal and sending the bench into cheers. The goal energized the Wolverines, who kept the puck moving and maintained control throughout the period.
 
Westwood’s momentum grew as Avery Hughes and Maeve Callahan played in the neutral zone, with strong support from Julia Marino. Their smart and quick passes drew a penalty on Hopkinton, setting up a power-play opportunity. On the man advantage, the Wolverines executed with patience, cycling the puck and finding a clean shooting lane. Another shot found the back of the net by Maggie Ash, doubling the lead and giving the team a clear advantage heading into the second period.
 
The second period started as Westwood continued to dominate offensively. Livvy Hicks, Justine Connelly, and Erin Gannon were forechecking hard, forcing turnovers and creating scoring chances. Connelly and Hicks made crisp passes, keeping Hopkinton on the defensive and limiting their chances to break out.
 
Minutes into the second, Maggie Ash set up Abby Presley on a well-timed breakout pass, and Presley’s shot from the slot found the net to extend the lead. Bridget Lewis capitalized on a rebound in front of the crease, giving the Wolverines a comfortable advantage and keeping the Hillers scrambling. The bench erupted with every goal, reflecting the team’s energy on the ice.
 
Defensively, Fallon Campbell and Delia Joyce were key in shutting down Hopkinton’s rushes, supported by Erin Carolan, Olivia Alex, Natalie Redmond, and Ciara Shevory, who cleared rebounds. Their strong presence in the defensive zone allowed Westwood to transition quickly out of the zone and sustain offensive pressure.
 
In goal, Jennifer Lin remained composed under pressure, saving several scoring chances in the third period to preserve the lead, leaving her with her second shutout of the season.
 
The game ended with Westwood firmly in control, celebrating a complete team victory. Strong passing, smart use of the power play, forechecking, and defense allowed the Wolverines to capture and hold the lead from start to finish, setting a positive tone for the season ahead.