2019 | Massachusetts | GIRLS

Milton High School | Wildcats | GIRLS

Four years ago we had no goalie for the girls hockey team heading into the beginning of the school year. Mary O’Connell was a swimmer but decided she would help the hockey team out and play goalie for them. Mary had never played hockey before this decision. Mary joined the team and worked hard every day. All year round Mary worked on being the best goalie she could be. Mary hired a goalie coach, she attended any and all clinics offered in the area, she played on spring and summer teams and did whatever she could to be the best goalie for our team. Mary is a dedicated and committed player to the team and as a result was voted captain this year. Mary is a leader on the team and a mentor to the younger players. Mary volunteers every week to help the youth leagues with learn to skate during the season. This exemplifies her love of the game, her commitment to the game and to those players that will play after she moves on. This also speaks to her amazing character. Mary is every coaches dream, she works on her game during any off time that she has, she watches film and uses this to strengthen her personal game. In Mary’s junior year a freshman goalie made the team who was very skilled and had been playing goalie since youth hockey. This goalie played almost all of the games during Mary’s junior year but this did not deter Mary who stayed loyal to the team and her goal of being the best she could be. This freshman goalie left after one year and went to private school and as a result Mary was back in as the team’s number one goalie. Due to her commitment and dedication she stepped right back in to that role her senior year. Mary is going to college for nursing and again this shows her selflessness and dedication to others.