St. Paul's has a target on its back this season.
The Big Red are coming off their second Large School tournament championship in four seasons.
The outlook wasn't as bright at the beginning of last season, though. St. Paul's had an up-and-down start, sitting 4-5-0 entering the holiday break. But the Big Red returned to go on a 15-3-2 stretch en route to a Lakes Region title and their tournament run.
"I think it was just a testament to the kids. We have great kids that love to play hockey and love St. Paul's," coach Kelli Mackey said. "It was really exciting."
Mackey, who enters her second season, believes the team's sights are set even higher now.
"I do think that the kids are very eager to get to the Elite 8," she said. "We're really looking forward to this season with some great newcomers and some really strong returners."
A foundation in goal
St. Paul's will see the return of their rock between the pipes, senior Ally Martinello (Salem, N.H.), a Colby commit who helped the team to a 9-0-2 run down the stretch.
"She's one of our captains, not only a great hockey player, but just a great kid and a great leader in the locker room," Mackey said. "We're just really excited to have her have a great senior year."
Martinello was the bedrock of the Big Red's tournament run last season, shutting out BB&N, 1-0, in the semifinals before picking up a 2-0 shutout over Taft in the title game. She earned tournament MVP after "putting the team on her back," in Mackey's eyes.
"Ally rose to the occasion, especially in the second half of the season," Mackey said. "I think she just is so competitive but also just so calming. I think she really just decided that this is what she wanted to do and kind of ran with it."
Helping Martinello out this season will be an experienced group of returners on the back end, which includes her twin sister, Gabby Martinello (Salem, N.H.), who also had a strong second half last season.
Fellow senior Kate Pura will slide back to defense after injuries forced her to play forward last year. She's committed to Colby as a defender, and Mackey believes it'll be a "flawless" transition back to the blue line. St. Paul's is also eager to see how Georgia Bussey takes a step as a senior after a big junior season.
"She has just been a great kid for us, a great leader, and she really had a breakout year last year," Mackey said. "We're excited for her. She has really grown and developed in her time here, and we're excited for her to help lead our back end."
Mackey expects younger players like Bell's younger sister, Chelsea Bell (Barre, V.T.), as well as Jade Hill (Lincoln, R.I.) and Maisie Koo to step into more responsibility this season.
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"They know this place and they know prep hockey," Mackey said. "We're excited for them to come back and be comfortable."
Plenty of returning firepower
Cami Bell (Barre, Vt.) will lead the way for the Big Red's attack this season as one of their captains. She has won back-to-back Loomis Medals as St. Paul's top female athlete in addition to All-NEPSAC honors last season.
"She's just a one-of-a-kind athlete that I'll get to coach in my coaching career always remember," Mackey said.
Bell's speed and scoring ability are part of what helps set her apart on the ice. But her willingness to do whatever is asked of her and set an example for her teammates is what makes her stand out.
"She's one of the nicest, most humble kids that I know," Mackey said. "I think for her, she loves hockey, and she'll be the first one at the rink and the last one to leave."
St. Paul's is also looking for more growth out of upperclassmen like Maude Niemann (Weston, Conn.), Charlotte Wensley (Dover, N.H.), Caroline Humber (Hingham, Mass.) and Charlie Voge. Niemann, Humber and Voge play on Assabet Valley's U19 Red Major squad. Tess Mulkerron (Concord, N.H.) should take another step as a sophomore, too.
"Really with our whole crew, it's everyone stepping up and taking that next step, being another year older, bigger, faster, stronger," Mackey said.
Niemann scored the eventual game-winning goal in last season's championship game against Taft with a shot from the slot.
"She really knows how to turn it on when the pressure's on," Mackey said. "We're excited that she knows how to finish at the perfect moments."
Exciting newcomers
Up front, St. Paul's welcomes a handful of new faces as well. Ava Hunter (Southampton, Mass.) enters as a transfer from Williston Northampton, fresh off back-to-back Elite 8 titles. Hunter also won nationals with the Mid Fairfield Stars U16 squad during her club season last year. She is committed to St. Anselm.
The Big Red will also add Morgan Barbossa out of the Newark Ironbound U16 team, where she had 14 goals and 30 points last season.
Incoming freshman forward Erin Flaherty (Boston, Mass.), a Boston Jr. Eagles standout, enters the fold as well.
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"Erin had an awesome run at national camp this summer and the U14 nationals last year with the Jr. Eagles," Mackey said. "So, we're really excited to have her joining us."
The blue line will also feature newcomer Maggie Berleth (Manchester, N.H.), who had a goal and seven assists with NAHA Red U16 last season.
