HINGHAM – The Hingham girls hockey team started 2026 much of the same way it ended 2025 – a gritty win over a legitimate state title contender.
A day after edging Archbishop Williams in overtime on New Year’s Eve, the No. 5 Harborwomen (6-1-1) used a three-goal second period and a stellar defensive showing to beat No. 9 Westwood, 4-1, on New Year’s Day.
Izzy McGarr’s 26 saves proved pivotal in a true battle, while four different players scored for the defending Div. 1 state champions. Westwood had scored at least five goals in each of its first four games prior.
Hingham’s win on back-to-back days is impressive on its own given the competition, but it is also a bounce-back from a 6-2 loss to Milton in the Tenney Cup semifinals on Monday.
Westwood (4-1) made Hingham labor quite a bit Thursday, but the Harborwomen were up to the task despite playing their seventh game in 12 days.
“The kids are on school vacation and we’ve played a lot of hockey,” Hingham head coach Courtney Turner said. “I think being able to respond in back-to-back games is just a testament to how much heart they have in the locker room, and the will to win, and kind of the depth that we have. … It stinks to lose, I don’t think they like that. So, it was great to see the response. Milton, Archies and Westwood are really great teams.”
Hingham had a 14-4 shot advantage in the first period, though Westwood’s forecheck generated hectic activity around the net over several stints. Sam McCabe, CC Flynn and Bria Bellew stood out on defense to eliminate space in the defensive zone and get a touch on seemingly every threat.
McGarr stepped up in the second, recording eight saves in the period across 2:27 of penalty kill. Westwood outshot Hingham, 14-7, in the frame, but the Harborwomen got scrappy on the attack to build a 3-0 lead.
Julia Whitney scored the first goal, sniping the top far corner from the left circle after battling for positioning. Callie Crean needed just 17 seconds into a power play to make it 2-0, fighting for a loose puck by the post before powering it in. And with 4:37 left in the second, Katie Teague did the same in front, banking in a shot off Westwood goalie Jennifer Lin’s side for a 3-0 advantage.
Much of Hingham’s firepower from last year’s title run is gone, so those are the scrappy goals Turner looks for from her team to gut out big wins – especially with how well Lin (25 saves) played otherwise.
“Last year we scored our goals a little bit differently,” Turner said. “I think it’s just important for our character, and for the way that we’re going to play hockey this year, that we continue to get those kind of goals.”
Westwood got 10 more shots on McGarr in the third, one of which Maggie Ash trickled through the five-hole off an initial save, cutting the deficit to 3-1 in the first minute of the frame.
But her breakaway opportunity shortly after was stonewalled by McGarr in an otherwise dominant showing, despite Westwood peppering her across a few stints. Hingham got that goal back with 5:13 left, which Ellie Bellew finished off a great feed across the middle.
“(McGarr) was just solid,” Turner said. “Her rebound control was great. She was covering pucks when we needed it. I think defense wins games, and our defense played good tonight. The goals will come, but she really held us in there – especially in the second period.”
