If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
The third time was certainly the charm for Groton as the No. 1 Zebras outlasted No. 7 New Hampton in a 1-0 win for the girls Small School crown on Sunday. The win prevented a four-peat for New Hampton and exacted revenge for Groton, which lost to the Huskies in the Small School final in 2023 and 2024.
Caroline Matusovich (New Gloucester, Maine) scored the game's lone goal late in the third period for Groton (19-6-2).. Nora Wilson (Weybridge, Vt.) earned the win in net. Elizabeth Vincent was equally strong in net at the other end for New Hampton (15-16-1).
I swung and missed on my Small School championship prediction, picking the hot hand in New Hampton. But Groton proved me wrong, finishing a rocky run of picks in the Small School tournament, as I went just 4-for-7. But that's why they play the games in real life!
Several players had tournaments to remember. Here's our girls All-Small School tournament team and MVP.
Most Valuable Player: Nora Wilson, Groton
Wilson was nearly unbeatable in the postseason, surrendering just one goal in three games. After giving up a goal on the first shot against No. 8 Frederick Gunn in the quarterfinals, Wilson never looked back en route to a dominant shutout streak. She made 17 saves against Gunn before pitching a 19-save shutout against No. 5 St. Mark's in the semis. The uncommitted junior saved her best for last with a 20-save shutout in the final against New Hampton. She denied quality chances as the Huskies surged in the first period and throughout the third period. Wilson finished the playoffs with a .982 save percentage.
CHAMPIONS: How Groton overcame New Hampton for first NEPSAC title
All-Small School team
Forward: Jaelyn Trudell, Groton
Trudell (Andover, Mass.) came alive in the postseason, and she powered Groton's semifinal win over St. Mark's with a pair of goals. The senior finished on a 2-on-1 with Charlotte Matusovich (New Gloucester, Maine), hustling to make herself available before sniping one off the left post and in. Trudell iced the game with a long-range empty-netter, capitalizing on a turnover. In the finals, Trudell was one of the most impactful players on the ice. Her relentlessness impacted every shift, and she had several strong scoring chances, including a shorthanded breakaway.
Forward: Emma MacPherson, New Hampton
MacPherson's (Sandwich, Mass.) breakout season continued, posting six points (three goals) across the quarterfinals and semis. MacPherson powered a 3-1 upset of No. 2 Rivers in the quarterfinals, factoring into every goal with two scores and an assist. The uncommitted junior followed it up with a goal and two assists in a 4-2 upset of No. 3 Cushing in the semis. MacPherson scored on a breakaway, capping a strong individual effort, and one of her assists was a brilliant pass to Katie Usilton for a power-play tap-in.
MORE CHAMPIONS: Boys Elite 8 — Avon Old Farms beats St. Mark’s | Boys Large School — Cushing beats Berwick | Boys Small School — Winchendon beats Holderness | Girls Elite 8 — Loomis Chaffee beats Deerfield | Girls Large School — Phillips Exeter beats Choate
Forward: Jocelyn Gray, St. Mark's
Gray (Hanover, Mass.) led the charge in the No. 5 Lions' quarterfinal upset of No. 4 Governor's, posting a hat trick and an assist. The freshman scored a trio of highlight-reel goals. The first came as she dangled to the right dot and picked the top corner, and the second was a clever tip-in from Allie Sauls at the bottom of the circle. Gray later got behind the defense on a drive to the net before deking to her forehand for the hat trick. A hat tip to Sauls as well, who also finished with four points (three assists).
Defense: Caroline Matusovich, Groton
Matusovich (New Gloucester, Maine) saved her best for last, scoring the late game-winner in the championship. The sophomore cashed in with 5:26 left in regulation during a 4-on-4. She picked up the loose puck inside the defensive blue line and hustled the other way on a 2-on-1 with Trudell. Matusovich opted to shoot but didn't quit on the play, crashing the net and potting the loose puck. The blue-liner was also a key piece to a dominant second period for Groton, making plays at the offensive blue line.
Defense: Addy Peel, New Hampton
Peel (Scarborough, Maine) was everywhere in the postseason, capping a breakout season on the blue line. The senior Vermont commit had four points (one goal) across the quarterfinals and semis. She had a pair of assists against Rivers, including a strong play to win a battle in the neutral zone before sending MacPherson in for the score. Peel added a goal and an assist against Cushing. She was once again a force in the title game, keeping plays alive at the point, using her size in the defensive zone and leading transition.
READ MORE: All-Elite 8 girls team | All-Large School girls team |Â All-Elite 8 boys team | All-Large School boys team
Goalie: Nora Wilson, Groton
No surprise here. Although, give credit where it's due to New Hampton's Elizabeth Vinent for a sterling tournament of her own.
