It was the end of the third and final period. The Falcons were down 3-4, and the clock was running out. The coach pulled the goalie, adding an extra player into the mix. With less than one minute to go, Surina Phelan ’27 scored, bringing the game to a tie and sending the Falcons into five minutes of overtime. Fans collectively held their breath, the excitement and fear for the outcome weighing heavily on their minds. It was past the time for cheering; all eyes were on the ice. In the last 48 seconds, Allie DelVecchio ’26 raced across the rink, scoring the fifth and final point. Players stormed the ice, embracing each other with giddy smiles. Fans cheered in disbelief. Coaches grinned from ear to ear. For the first time in 27 games, the team had won.
Girls Varsity Hockey is an often overlooked CRLS sport. With an assortment of middle and high schoolers, players from outside of Cambridge, and a zero-win record in the 2023-2024 season, the Falcons are a clear underdog. However, under a new coaching staff, the future looks bright for the team. The Falcon’s first home game of the season on December 12th marked their first win in two years.
We sat down with members of the team to get some insight on the season ahead. Most acknowledged the disappointing season behind them, as well as the decades-long legacy of losses from the team, but were eager to start this season. Coach Skylar Danhoff pointed out to the Register Forum, that as an underdog, “[We have] a lot of room to be fearless with how we play on the ice… there’s nothing to lose.” Returning players are ready to put their hard work building the team into action under new leadership. Olive Berotta ’25 agreed, saying, “I’m feeling very hopeful. I think it’s a fresh start for us.”
A major change this season is the merger with Watertown. Three players from Watertown High School are joining forces with the Falcons due to the shortage of Watertown girls players. For CRLS, additional players ensures growth of the program, providing the team with enough people to give ample rest during games and get fresh faces out on the ice. As with many CRLS girls’ sports teams, fans are an elusive, if existent, dream. The team hopes such a merger will generate conversation outside Cambridge and a larger fanbase.
On Thursday night, the team stepped onto the rink with a mix of hope and determination. The game quickly proved to be tight; Stoughton was aggressive but CRLS held up strong, with relentless goaltending from Max Cowen-Breen ’26 and sharp passes between players, showing the time and effort they have put in as a team. After the game, speaking amid “All I Do Is Win,” and the electricity of the players’ post-win high, the team’s new head coach, Michael Dattoli, applauded his players, “This win today was all about teamwork and it showed.”
This article also appears in our January 2025 print edition.
