Shepherd Guides Ducks to Thrilling Overtime Victory

With Taylor Shepherd as their guide, the drive to the Division 2 State title lives on for the Fontbonne Academy girls’ hockey team.

The senior sensation launched the game winning goal just 1:12 into overtime as the Ducks escaped with a heart stopping 3-2 win over Walpole in Sunday night’s Division 2 Quarterfinal match-up at the Foxboro Arena. Coupled with last Thursday’s first round 4-0 shutout win over Whitman-Hanson, the Ducks improved to 15-2-5 overall.

Now they’ll have the daunting task of facing top ranked Norwood in next Sunday’s semifinal round at Stoneham Arena. Earlier in the day, the Mustangs handed Sandwich a 4-1 defeat.

Clinging to a 2-1 lead, the Ducks endured a tumultuous third period, which included a minor hip flexor injury to goaltender and Milton native Lan Crofton followed by a game disqualification by defender Meghan Collins.

“We overcame some adversity, but the girls gutted it out and pulled through for the victory,’’ said coach Bob Huxley. “Walpole came out at us very hard, and we had quite a few power plays to work with. For some reason or another, we weren’t able to put it by them, but we were able to come through in the end.”

In the game’s opening minutes, the Ducks created several quality opportunities from close range. Off a pass from Erin McLoughlin, Shepherd unloaded a shot from close range that Rebel goaltender Bethany Welch calmly tossed aside. Minutes later, the Ducks nearly grabbed the early 1-0 lead as shots by Shannon MacIssac and Collins deflected off Welch’s pads.

Despite three first period power plays at hand, the Ducks failed to convert as Welch stopped shots from close range by Shepherd, MacIssac and Collins.

“They put the body on us and were aggressive with the forecheck,’’ said Huxley. “They punched us right in the mouth, and that’s something we weren’t really used to. They forced Taylor to take a lot of shots from the outside, and they did a good job in disrupting our flow in the offensive zone.”

Early in the second period, the Ducks squandered an opportunity as Shepherd inched in all alone on a breakaway, but a poke check by Welch deflected the shot wide.

After several prime scoring chances, the Ducks broke the ice and grabbed a 1-0 lead with 10:32 remaining. Off a pass in the neutral zone from Michelle Barrett, McKenna Russell roofed a shot that eluded Welch top left corner and into the back of the net.

“We studied her (Welch) and we knew that we had to go top shelf on her,’’ said Huxley. “Coach (Kevin O’Sullivan, assistant coach) really did a great job working with the girls on getting them to practice lifting their shots. We knew (Welch) was a butterfly goalie, and we knew we had to try to go up top to beat her.”

Crofton, who recorded 32 saves in the win, shined in the spotlight throughout the first two periods, stopping a pair of wrist shots from Kelsey Cosby from short range along with an attempted one-timer from Rachel MacMillan.

Facing a shorthanded situation, the Ducks capitalized on a line change and grabbed a 2-0 lead with 2:33 left. Off a pass from Shepherd, Liz Coleman blasted a slap shot from between the face-off circles that eluded a screened Welch top right corner.

In the period’s final seconds, momentum slowly began to shift in the Rebels favor as MacMillan closed the gap within 2-1 with 40.2 remaining. Off a pass from Cosby on the far corner, MacMillan lifted a wrist shot that escaped a screened Crofton short side.

Midway through the third period, the Ducks were dealt a significant setback as Collins was called for a major penalty along with a game disqualification. As Cosby attempted a breakaway, she crashed into the right post head on, but Collins was called for intentional tripping and was ejected from the game. As a result of the game disqualification, Collins will be forced to sit out next Sunday’s semifinal match pending appeal.

“It was a huge blow for us to lose (Meg) out there,’’ said Huxley. “We didn’t think she (tripped) her, and we’re going to appeal the penalty. We’re hoping that it gets overturned by the (MIAA) and she has a chance to play.”

Now faced with a 4:00 short handed situation, the Ducks nearly escaped the storm, but the Rebels tied the contest with 6:29 remaining.

On a two-on-one, Cosby centered a pass to MacMillan, who one-timed a shot past a stunned Crofton for the 2-2 tie.

Throughout the final minutes, both teams created quality scoring opportunities, but Crofton and Welch stood tall, stopping several shots from close range as the contest headed into overtime.

Only 1:12 into the extra session, Shepherd recorded the game-winning goal. Off an odd player rush, Erin McLoughlin dished a pass to Shepherd, who one-timed a shot past Welch top corner as the Ducks escaped with the win.

The pictures above were taken by Pat McCarthy. For more information, click on http://mccarthy-clan.smugmug.com/Fontbonne-Hockey/2010-2011-Season