WESTFIELD – Elise Musa’s game-winning, overtime wrister propeled Pope Francis, 2-1, past Longmeadow on Wednesday inside Amelia Park Arena.
The Cardinals improved to 5-4 on the season. Meanwhile, Longmeadow, a team that continues to show resilience and determination, is still in search of its first win, falling to 0-8-1.
“It was a pretty amazing feeling, especially with it being my first (Longmeadow game),” Musa said about the goal. “But I feel we pulled through at the end. But overall, it was a very intense game.”
Cardinals coach Chris Connors offered a similar tone regarding the OT walk-off victory.
“All I can say is that the puck had eyes, “Connors said. “And I told my team to remember that, in overtime, there are no bad shots, and one thing I had to express is it was about calming down my team. But hats off to (Elise) Musa, it was truly a beautiful shot.”
Once the puck dropped, it was clear both teams were running on all cylinders and ample amounts of heart and pure drive. Pope Francis started strong as the forecheck proved vital for the home team, and Longmeadow never faltered in keeping the offense lit.
Differences did arise throughout the opening stanza, as the Cardinals had the upper hand by consistently swarming the Lancers by clogging up the neutral zone, forcing them to take risky chances in any opportunity to score early on, and netminder Felix Goeckel turned away everything sent her way, dispelling Longmeadow’s spirit.
A shining star for the visitors was Lancers netminder Gianna Naglieri, who recorded 21 saves on 23 shots. Naglieri was near perfect until a late blemish in the second period disrupted her rhythm, getting the Cardinals on the board early. Goeckel was near perfect, garnering 29 saves on 30 shots, with only one goal allowed.
Connors noted the goalie play was the main takeaway from Wednesday’s victory and addressed the strength and resilience of both teams.
“Hats off to Longmeadow and (Melissa) Vandermyn, who always has her team ready to go, and (Gianna) Naglieri is a tremendous goalie, and I want to add Felix(Goeckel) has ice water in her veins, and she’s fantastic leader, and a strong foundation of our team.”
The best chance for either team early on came late, deep within the first stanza, as Keighley Gworek located the puck near the bottom of the zone, slipping into neutral ice until she quickly transitioned into a left-side rush down the side boards before dancing into the slot, but couldn’t elevate the puck past Naglieri to get the Cardinals on the board.
The moment previewed what was coming, as both teams needed one chance to break through.
Nonetheless, the Lancers had their moment when they were given a prime chance to take the lead. With 1:16 left in the first period, Musa was sent to the penalty box for a boarding call deep in the Lancers’ defensive zone. Longmeadow skated into the first-period intermission with a sense of confidence.
As the opening moments of the middle frame drew to an open, all eyes fell on Naglieri as she stepped up when her team needed her the most. She consistently made big save after big save to keep her team’s confidence high, but it proved false hope, as the Cardinals eventually broke through.
Captain Natalia Elson initiated a two-on-one with Claire Desrosiers on her right wing. Elson fired the puck on net, only to be salvaged and buried top shelf by Desrosiers before Naglieri could shift in time to make the initial save, granting the Cardinals the 1-0 lead at 6:02 left on the clock in the second period.
Longmeadow didn’t back down despite trailing 1-0 deep into the third period. Natalie Lacomb rushed into the offensive zone, setting up a loose rebound for Kirsten Czarnecki, who jammed it glove side, evening the score at 1-1 with 11:40 left in regulation, reigniting the Lancers’ faithful.
The final seconds of the third period didn’t disappoint as Goeckel made a miraculous save, bringing the game into overtime halting any chance for a Longmeadow comeback.
Goeckel said during postgame that, looking back, “the save was pure instinct.”
“They (Longmeadow) turned up their intensity during the 3rd period, as they didn’t give up, and the shots kept coming, but I felt we were ready for the challenge they provided. When it came to that save, I felt good, located the puck and made the play I needed to,” Goeckel added.
The overtime period was a true goalie battle, and it didn’t disappoint until the Cardinals manifested their victory. Musa corralled the puck, took it to the front of the slot, and buried it glove side to close the game with 2:14 left on the clock in overtime.
Both teams will return to the ice this Saturday, January 11th.
Pope Francis will face-off against Duxbury. Connors offered a glimpse into what Saturday’s matinee could possess.
“Duxbury is coming to town, but I feel that we gained some momentum from tonight, and our mission is to establish the forecheck and have an on-time start against them.”
The Lancers search for their first win as they take on the Peabody. Both puck drops are set for noon.
