TMHS Girls Hockey Stomps Nowell, 10-3, In Playoff Debut

If the Tewksbury/Methuen girls hockey team was feeling any jitters heading into their first-ever playoff game, they did an awfully good job of hiding it.

The Red Rangers, laid waste to Norwell High, 10-3, in the preliminary round of the Division 2 North Tournament.

Sophomore Amanda Conway and 7th Grader Kelly Golini led the Red Rangers offense, as they have throughout the year. Conway scored four more goals, giving her 48 on the season. Golini notched a hat trick and added a pair of assists.

Tewksbury/Methuen came into the game as the No. 20 seed in the 22-team tournament. But they played like anything but a lower seed, as they skated circles around No. 13 Norwell from the opening puck-drop.

With the win, Tewksbury/Methuen (9-7-3) moves on to challenge No. 4 Canton (16-3-1) on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. at the Metropolis Arena in Canton. The winner advances to the quarterfinals.

Against Norwell, the Red Rangers got points from seven different players. Hayley McCathy had a goal and three assists, Hayley Sutherland added two assists. Kathleen LeFebre had a goal to go with two assists. Catherine McVey chipped in with a goal and Niamh Cote chipped in with three assists.

Junior goalie Taylor Lirakis turned in a solid effort with 28 saves.

Boys Basketball

Division 2 North Preliminary Round

Arlington 68, Tewksbury 52

The Redmen's visit to the post-season tournament was disappointingly brief, as they fell to Arlington High, 68-52.

Tewksbury trailed by just five points entering the fourth quarter before the Spy Ponders were able to pull away for the win and advance to take on top-seeded Melrose.

Junior Kevin Dick led the Redmen offense with 17 points. Freshman Nate Tenaglia capped an excellent rookie season with 14 points and Xavier Salamon chipped in with seven.

Tewksbury, which will return nearly everyone on its roster next season, ends its season at 9-12 under Coach Phil Conners.