MIDDLEBURY — The Middlebury Union High School girls’ hockey team edged visiting Stowe on Friday, 4-3, to improve its record to 10-8 and clinch a .500 season in its first season in Division II. The Tigers won just twice a year ago playing in D-I before this winter’s rebound.
The Tigers twice faced one-goal deficits in Friday’s victory and won despite being outshot, 24-10. Stowe’s Stacy Tomlinson scored at 1:31 into the first period, unassisted. Middlebury’s Maria Ploof evened things up about a minute later, with an assist from Emmy Hescock.
With about six minutes left in the period, the Tigers’ Viscaya Wagner scored, assisted by Sara Boudah, but an unassisted goal from Stowe’s Kim Haab forged a 2-2 tie after one period.
Stowe took the lead two minutes into the second period on a strike by Michaela Meehan. In the middle of the period, Hescock tied it up with an assist from Ploof, and the teams entered the third period at 3-3.
Hescock wasted little time snapping that tie, tallying the game-winner 29 seconds into the third period, a score assisted by Grace Foshay and Ploof.
Tiger co-coach Wendy Leeds described the game as “very physical,” with nine penalties assessed, six on the Tigers. Critically, she said, Kayla Quesnel-Cousino, Boudah and Ploof successfully killed a third-period double penalty on the Tigers in which the Raiders had a lengthy five-on-three advantage.
Tiger goalie Ashley Howlett backstopped the win with 21 saves, while Mikayla Geraci made six saves for the 8-8 Raiders.
On Wednesday, host Mount Mansfield dropped MUHS, 6-4, despite the Tigers’ 28-21 edge in shots on net. Hescock scored twice for MUHS, and Saige Twombly and Ploof added a goal each. Howlett made 15 saves.
The Tigers conclude their regular season this week with games at Northfield on Wednesday and at home vs. Harwood on Saturday. They are currently in sixth place in D-II, and a win this week could secure them a home playoff game.