Millbrook 3 at Kingswood-Oxford 1

Millbrook traveled to Kingswood-Oxford to finish its season on a winning note, beating the Wyverns 3-1 to earn the sixth seed in the DII New England tournament, a first for Millbrook hockey.  The two teams, seemingly always well-matched, played an even and scoreless first period, but the Mustangs felt confident they could wear the hosts down with their deeper bench. In the second, back-to-back goals, first on a true "snipe" to the upper-right corner by Allanah Roopchand and then on a Kelly Fallon rebound off a Molly Chapman shot from the point and an assist by Louise Steele-Norton, Millbrook had a 2-0 lead that felt increasingly safe as the defense made few errors and Melissa Rome made some tough saves look easy. Millbrook resolved to try to see out the dangerous two-goal advantage, but early in the third were lifted by Meg Ahern sneaking home a puck left lying in the crease after Patricia McCarthy had directed it to the crease.  A seemingly harmless play turned into a goal that made all the difference, and the visitors played out rest of the period with poise until, after a time-out to pull the goalie and get an extra player on the ice, K-O got one back with not much time left, but it was too little, too late.  Both teams had played a fast, tough contest well, with the bounces and shots favoring Millbrook, and a great finish to a fine season for both teams.