‘They stuck to the plan’: Algonquin bests Shrewsbury in battle of Central Mass. girls hockey powers

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Smiles all around as Algonquin celebrates scoring. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Smiles all around as Algonquin celebrates scoring. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

MARLBOROUGH — It was a stressful end to the game for Algonquin girls hockey.

Nursing a narrow, 2-1 lead late in the third period, the Titans watched the Shrewsbury Colonials take shot after shot in an effort to even the score. To make matters worse for Algonquin, the team committed four penalties in the game’s final 10 minutes, giving its opponent multiple 5-on-3 situations.

But luckily, the Titans had Addy Cagan.

The junior goalie stopped everything in that third frame, helping the Titans defeat their Central Mass. rival, 3-1, on Monday night at New England Sports Center in Marlborough. Cagan had already become a bonafide star during her team’s playoff push last year, but this year she’s playing with “so much confidence,” Head Coach Tina Beauchemin said.

“She played so confident. They had two 5-on-3 [situations], and Shrewsbury is a great, great team. They play great positionally. I thought Addy totally played with confidence. She comes out, sees the puck, is reading the puck. It’s great to see that from her,” she added.

Cagan finished with 30 saves.

Lauren O’Malley high-fives her teammates after an early Algonquin goal. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Lauren O’Malley high-fives her teammates after an early Algonquin goal. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Lauren O’Malley, a Hudson native and Algonquin’s captain, gave the Titans an early lead, scoring the game’s first goal with 11:51 remaining in the first period. After an intermission to talk things over, Shrewsbury’s Lauren Albertson — assisted by Mariam Rabuck —  responded early in the second frame, knotting the score at 1-1.

But the Titans quickly put themselves ahead once again. Madelyn Glynn’s shorthanded goal with 4:13 remaining in the second period put Algonquin in front, and — after Cagan’s determined effort to preserve the team’s lead — Glynn scored once more on an empty-netter with 0:03 remaining in the contest.

“The other team, Shrewsbury — they did a really great job of moving around,” said Glynn. “I think we hustled, really got to the puck.”

“They played well. They stuck to the plan. They got pucks to the net. They moved their legs. This is a great rivalry that we play against Shrewsbury, and they got up for this game. It’s a really good win for us, and it’s really great to play competition like that. It could’ve went any way — just a matter of a bounce,” added Beauchemin.

Liv Argentieri gets sandwiched between two Algonquin defenders. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Liv Argentieri gets sandwiched between two Algonquin defenders. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

After advancing to the MIAA Division 2 semifinals last year, the Titans haven’t been perfect this season — they suffered a 3-0 loss to Natick in their first game of 2025 — but the loss galvanized the team, players explained, and the group has only become closer.

“It takes a while to get that chemistry going on the ice,” said Beauchemin, whose team includes players from five different Central Mass. schools. “I think they’re believing in themselves more. It’s always tough coming from so many different schools, but now the freshmen are getting more comfortable, and they’re learning the systems.”

“I think we’re definitely working really hard in practice. We’re building team chemistry — we have a lot of pasta dinners, we have a fun time. Our coaches are really helping us during practices, we’re really focused, and it’s showing in the games we play,” said Glynn.

Shrewsbury’s Margaret Moody brings the puck up the ice. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Shrewsbury’s Margaret Moody brings the puck up the ice. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Allie Martel looks for an open teammate. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Allie Martel looks for an open teammate. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Algonquin’s Brenna Joyce and Shrewsbury’s Riley Manchester. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Algonquin’s Brenna Joyce and Shrewsbury’s Riley Manchester. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Allie Martel has the puck as she skates up the ice. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Allie Martel has the puck as she skates up the ice. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Lauren Albertson corrals the puck. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Lauren Albertson corrals the puck. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Algonquin’s Ariya Tice fends off Shrewsbury’s Emma Lavery. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Algonquin’s Ariya Tice fends off Shrewsbury’s Emma Lavery. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Emma Lavery scoots ahead of the Algonquin player. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Emma Lavery scoots ahead of the Algonquin player. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

A Shrewsbury player takes a tumble behind Algonquin’s Annie Biagini. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

A Shrewsbury player takes a tumble behind Algonquin’s Annie Biagini. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Brenna Joyce looks for an open teammate. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Brenna Joyce looks for an open teammate. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Algonquin’s Betsy Bertonazzi and Shrewsbury’s Allie Martel vie for the puck. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Algonquin’s Betsy Bertonazzi and Shrewsbury’s Allie Martel vie for the puck. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Ariya Tice prepares to rip a shot. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Ariya Tice prepares to rip a shot. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Ariya Tice fires a shot. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Ariya Tice fires a shot. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Blaire Fay brings the puck past the blue line. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Blaire Fay brings the puck past the blue line. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Paige O’Donnell controls the puck. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Paige O’Donnell controls the puck. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Blaire Fay prepares to fire a shot. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Blaire Fay prepares to fire a shot. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

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