Deerfield Academy girls hockey hands Williston its second loss of the season following 2-1 victory (PHOTOS)
Williston defender Nina Coffee, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the hockey game against Deerfield Academy at the Deerfield Academy Hockey Rink, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—
Williston forward Zola Piekarski (7) keeps the puck from Deerfield Academy defender Allie Corrieri, left, during the hockey game at the Deerfield Academy Hockey Rink, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—
Williston center Brenna Ziter (4) controls the puck during the hockey game against Deerfield Academy at the Deerfield Academy Hockey Rink, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—
Williston forward Keira Gould (8) and Deerfield Academy forward Julia Tamul (22) compete for the puck during the hockey game at the Deerfield Academy Hockey Rink, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—
Deerfield Academy's Kate Doucette (9) controls the puck during the hockey game against Williston at the Deerfield Academy Hockey Rink, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—
Deerfield Academy forward Brady Wierl, left, and Williston forward Mia Daley (18) compete for the puck during the hockey game at the Deerfield Academy Hockey Rink, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—
Williston forward Brooke Schlutter (23) keeps the puck from Deerfield Academy defender Chloe Cleaves (26) during the hockey game at the Deerfield Academy Hockey Rink, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—
Deerfield Academy goalie Campbell Krotee catches a shot during the hockey game against Williston at the Deerfield Academy Hockey Rink, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—
Deerfield Academy forward Gia Thompson, center, begins to high-five teammates after scoring a goal during the hockey game against Williston at the Deerfield Academy Hockey Rink, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—
Williston center Kierstyn Camiolo (17) and Deerfield Academy forward Olivia Austen (7) compete for the puck during the hockey game at the Deerfield Academy Hockey Rink, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—
Williston forward Nora Curtis (24) looks to celebrate with teammates after a goal is scored during the hockey game against Deerfield Academy at the Deerfield Academy Hockey Rink, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—
Deerfield Academy Gia Thompson (5) is pushed against the glass by Williston forward Keira Gould (8) during the hockey game at the Deerfield Academy Hockey Rink, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—
Deerfield Academy defender Gillian Herr, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the hockey game against Williston at the Deerfield Academy Hockey Rink, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—
Deerfield Academy players celebrate after winning the hockey game against Williston 2-1 at the Deerfield Academy Hockey Rink, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—
Deerfield Academy forward Reagan Deery, left, and forward Erin Dunne, right, celebrate with the team after winning the hockey game against Williston 2-1 at the Deerfield Academy Hockey Rink, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—
Williston goalie Olivia Ferebee (31) blocks a shot during the hockey game against Deerfield Academy at the Deerfield Academy Hockey Rink, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—
Deerfield Academy defender Keira Austen (17) and Williston forward Nora Curtis (24) compete for the puck during the hockey game at the Deerfield Academy Hockey Rink, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—
Greenfield Academy Head Coach Brooke Fernandez, left, talks to the team before the second period during the hockey game against Williston at the Deerfield Academy Hockey Rink, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—
Deerfield Academy forward Ava Giroux, left, looks to pass the puck during the hockey game against Williston at the Deerfield Academy Hockey Rink, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—
Deerfield Academy defender Allie Corrieri, left, and Williston forward Allie Corrieri, right, during the hockey game at the Deerfield Academy Hockey Rink, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—
| Published: 02-26-2025 7:09 PM |
DEERFIELD — After taking the Williston Northampton girls hockey team to overtime the last two years, Deerfield Academy finally got over the hump on Wednesday.
Hosting the Wildcats — a perennial power who came into the game with just one loss on the season, which occurred all the way back on Dec. 14 — the Big Green gained momentum with an early goal in the first period and after Williston tied the game in the second, DA went ahead with a goal early in the third period.
Trailing by one, the Wildcats came at the Big Green with all they had throughout the third but the Deerfield defense stood tall to walk away with a 2-1 victory at Class of 1993 Arena.
“The difference today was our mentality,” DA coach Brooke Fernandez said. “They have such a good team. I told the kids [that] Williston is able to win games before they even step onto the ice because they get into peoples’ heads because of how talented they are. Our goal was to play to win and not to play not to lose. Building on [a win over] Andover gave us confidence that we can play against really elite teams. Knowing and having the confidence we can win was a big part.”
Williston coach Christa Talbot Syfu said effort had a big part to do with Wednesday’s result.
“I think ultimately Deerfield wanted it more than we did,” Talbot Syfu said. “From the drop of the puck they were outstanding and gave everything they had every single shift. We didn’t come prepared to play the way we needed to.”
Against a Wildcat defense that doesn’t give up many goals and has shut out 12 opponents so far this year, getting the puck into the back of the net was going to be a challenge for DA.
Just 1 minute, 42 seconds into the contest and a funky shot was able to get the Big Green going. Peyton Wierl got the puck and sent it over to Gillian Herr at the point. Herr drove and fired an awkward knuckler on goal that found its way into the back of the net to give DA the opening lead of the game and fire up the Big Green bench in the process.
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“What I love about our kids is that they’re so animated on the bench for each other,” Fernandez said. “I tell them I’d rather lose together than win separately. They’ve proven me right on that. They’re always there for each other and they’re just as happy when their teammate scores. That’s what keeps you wanting to show up to the rink. Not only for me but for them.”
Neither Deerfield (18-5-1) or Williston (20-2-1) managed a goal the remainder of the first period. The Wildcats tallied their first and only goal of the game 10 minutes into the second period, as Nina Coffee collected a loose puck at center ice and blasted a slap shot home from the slot to tie things at one with eight minutes remaining in the frame.
The first two periods did not see a power play, but the Wildcats drew a penalty just 18 seconds into the third period though they were unable to capitalize on it.
Later in the period DA took a second penalty but Williston was whistled for a penalty shortly after, leading to 4-on-4 action.
The Big Green controlled possession with the ice wide open and it led to Gia Thompson smashing in a shot from the point that gave DA a 2-1 lead with 12:05 to play.
Williston had its chances late, but Big Green goalie Krotee Campbell stood on her head and made numerous saves late to keep her team in the lead. The Wildcats pulled the goalie with one minute to play and kept the puck in the Deerfield end for the entire minute but were unable to get a puck to the back of the net.
“The difference for us this year is that we’ve been a bit more buttoned up defensively,” Fernandez said. “In previous years we’ve held on a little bit. This year we’re more composed in the defensive zone which makes a difference. Our mentality the last two or three minutes was to keep it down there. We're not trying to stop them from scoring, we’re trying to keep them from getting it in the zone.”
DA goes on the road to face Loomis Chaffee to close out its regular season on Sunday while Williston finishes its regular season on Saturday by taking on Buckingham Browne & Nichols in Cambridge.
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