'From friends to foes': These two go from teammates in hockey to opponents in softball

HUDSON — For Emily Johns and Lauren O’Malley, their athletic relationship is a little bit tricky these days.

In the winter, the two teenagers from different towns co-op on the same Algonquin ice hockey team. In the spring, they compete on separate softball teams — Johns for Clinton High and O’Malley for Hudson High.

From teammates to opponents in a matter of weeks, Johns and O’Malley are finding a way to make their friendship work.

With bragging rights now on the line.

“It brings life to the game,” O’Malley said. “She’s a power player in both hockey and softball, and one of my best friends.”

“From friends to foes,” Johns said.

A budding friendship on the ice

During the winter season of 2021-22, Johns and O’Malley joined forces for the first time as teammates with Algonquin hockey.

Initially, O’Malley was a little nervous about how she was going to fit in with the co-op team — that connects players from six different schools — as the wide-eyed Hudson freshman was intimated by this talented sophomore from Clinton.

“(Emily is) a beast on the ice and that frightens everyone at first,” O’Malley, 17, said. “But once you really get to know her, you get to see what a fun and caring person she is.”

Soon, a friendship began to bud.

From sharing sandwiches to song suggestions to time in the penalty box, the two hockey players hit it off.

“Lauren genuinely has one of the sweetest souls and is always the first person to laugh with you,” Johns, 18, said. “She is always willing to lend a helping hand whether it is on or off the ice.”

During their first season together on the ice, Johns and O’Malley helped the Algonquin hockey team claim their first state championship in program history with a 2-1 overtime win over Canton in the Division 2 state final at TD Garden.

It’s a core memory that will last a lifetime for the two friends.

“It was honestly such a special moment that only fueled the strengthening of our bond,” Johns said. “It is great to look back at that moment now and simply just reminisce on that exhilarating day for the rest of our lives.”

This past winter, Johns and O’Malley wrapped up their final season together on skates.

A senior captain and forward, Johns compiled 20 goals and 12 assists for the Titans en route to being named a Massachusetts State High School Hockey Coaches Association Senior Girls All-Star selection and T&G Super Teamer.

“Emily is a slick grinder with a nose for the net and a lethal shot,” Algonquin coach Tina Beauchemin said. “She always has played with tenacity and determination with a never-quit attitude.”

A junior assistant captain and defenseman, O’Malley put up 14 points (6 goals, 8 assists) this winter and was named a T&G Super Team selection.

“Lauren doesn’t get the (same) accolades (as) her forward teammates,” Beauchemin said. “But she has stepped up as a leader (and) plays with total toughness and heart.”

An unbreakable bond

On Monday, Johns and O’Malley met at Hudson High for their first official softball game against one another.

After spending nearly every day with each other over the past three winters, the game provided a nice opportunity for the former teammates — who both play catcher for their respective softball teams — to catch up.

“It’s extremely difficult (going) from seeing Emily every day to seeing her once a week,” O’Malley said. “But we always keep in touch, and we will continue to do so.”

“Fortunately, when we do see each other, things just pick up where they left off,” Johns said.

Following a pregame “Youth Night” celebration for Hudson softball, both teams lined up on the field for the national anthem. But when the recording didn’t work, players and coaches from both squads improvised with their own rendition of the star-spangled banner.

“That was definitely not planned,” Hudson coach Laura Bowen said. “But it was a cool way to have everyone come together on a special night like that. We didn’t sound the best, but we got the job done.”

Then, two batters into the game, Johns strolled into the batter’s box in the top of the first inning. Before seeing her first pitch, Johns smiled at O’Malley, who, standing behind home plate, smiled right back.

It’s another core memory for the two.

“Lauren and Emily both don’t want to lose, and they are going to fight tooth and nail for bragging rights,” Clinton coach Angela Kaizer said. “The great thing about these two is if you know them you know that they love each other and support one another.”

As for the game, Hudson (6-3) defeated Clinton (6-3) behind a solid start from sophomore pitcher Taylor Attaway (7 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 3 K) and a three-hit performance from senior Alyssa Davis.

O'Malley also won bragging rights over Johns with a solo home run in the fourth inning. Although Johns couldn’t congratulate O’Malley at the time, she made sure to give her former teammate a big hug after the game.

“At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about,” Bowen said.

From friends to foes, and the ice to the diamond, the bond between Emily Johns and Lauren O’Malley is unbreakable.

Even if their sisterhood is a bit tricky these days.

“Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have met Lauren,” Johns said.

“I am so grateful for Algonquin hockey because that is where I built the best friendships and met such amazing people,” O’Malley said. “That is where I met Emily, and we built a friendship that will end up lasting a lifetime.”

—Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44. 

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Clinton's Emily Johns, Hudson's Lauren O'Malley share unique sports bond