Inspired to succeed: Our 2024 Girls Ice Hockey Player of the Year and Super Team
Even though the SouthCoast was down to one co-op girls hockey team in Bishop Stang this past winter, many local schools were represented with participation from Bishop Stang, Dartmouth, New Bedford, Apponequet, Fairhaven and GNB Voc-Tech as well as Durfee, Dighton-Rehoboth and Somerset Berkley.
Here's a look at The Standard-Times' top girls ice hockey players from the 2023-24 season.
GIRLS HOCKEY PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Izzy Duarte, Bishop Stang Freshman
Izzy Duarte was playing for more than herself and her team every time she laced up her stakes this past winter for the Bishop Stang girls ice hockey co-op.
“My grandfather (Frank Willard) passed away during the season,” she said. “That motivated me to try a little harder.
“Before every game I would always tell myself, ‘Remember who I’m playing for and I’m playing for him.’”
Duarte, a freshman, played beyond her years as Bishop Stang’s starting goalie.
“She’s been playing hockey for a long time and she’s been playing goalie for a long time,” said Bishop Stang head coach Bill Theodore. “She puts in a lot of work and does clinics and things like that.
“She got used to the high school game and she got better and better as the year went on.”
WHY SHE WAS SELECTED
With Duarte anchoring the defense, Bishop Stang was able to finish the regular season with an overall record of 8-10-2 and punch a ticket to the MIAA Div. 1 state tournament as the No. 26 seed.
KEY STATS
In 19 games, Duarte allowed just 45 goals for a 2.36 goals against average. She had a .888 save percentage and recorded three shutouts against Arlington Catholic twice and Bishop Fenwick once.
“She is a very good athlete, technically sound,” said Theodore. “She had a way of not letting the previous goal affect her next save.”
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Duarte learned to skate when she was 2 or 3 years old and started playing hockey at age 6 with the SouthCoast Panthers.
“My dad (Joe) played hockey so I got it from him,” said the 14-year-old Duarte, noting that she also has played for the Taunton Bruins, Massachusetts Spitfires and Walpole Express. “I’ve always been a goalie since passing the pads to now. I just love it. I’ve had so much fun doing it.”
Duarte said over the years, she’s developed good instincts.
“I’m trying to think about the next play,” she said. “I feel like I have good vision. I like to know where the puck is going to go before it goes there.”
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MVP MOMENT
In Bishop Stang’s 2-1 loss to Shrewsbury in the Div. 1 Round of 32 matchup, Duarte kept the opposition scoreless for the first two periods. “She played tremendously,” said Theodore.
WHAT’S NEXT
Duarte is currently playing goalie for the girls lacrosse team. She said her goal is to play ice hockey at the next level. “I would love to play in college,” she said.
NOTES
Duarte lives in Freetown. She has a younger sister, Emma, who also plays hockey.
SUPER TEAM
Isabella Batista, Bishop Stang, Senior
Batista capped off her high school career with a strong senior year. As a center, she recorded five goals and four assists for the Spartans. “She probably had her best year,” said Bishop Stang head coach Bill Theodore. “She led that second line. She’s strong on the puck. She’s a great stick handler and good on the net.”
Kacey Curran, Bishop Stang (Durfee), Junior
Curran, a left wing, finished second on the team in scoring with 14 points on nine goals and five assists and was named to the Catholic Central League All-Star team. “She drove our blue line,” said Bishop Stang head coach Bill Theodore. “She’s so strong on her stakes and she’s so strong on the puck. She’s strong around the net.”
Madison Lewis, Bishop Stang (Fairhaven), Freshman
Lewis made quite the debut for Bishop Stang’s co-op girls hockey team as she finished her freshman year as the team’s leading point scorer with 15 points. The left wing had seven goals and eight assists. “Madi loves playing sports,” said Bishop Stang head coach Bill Theodore. “She’s so energetic. She’s great on the forecheck, setting the pace for us. She’s aggressive around the net. She’s just a great kid.”
Lily-Mae Melo, Bishop Stang (Dartmouth), Senior
Melo was a force on Bishop Stang’s defense and was named a Catholic Central League All-Star for her impact on the ice. “She led the defensive core with experience,” said Bishop Stang head coach Bill Theodore. “She had improved a lot from junior year to senior year. She was the backbone of our defense back there.”
Samantha Souza, Bishop Stang (Dartmouth), Senior
Souza made the move from forward to defense and powered Bishop Stang’s defense this year. She was named a Catholic Central League All-Star for her contributions. “She’s a tenacious athlete,” said Bishop Stang head coach Bill Theodore. “She'll do anything you say. She’d run through the brick wall for you.”
HONORABLE MENTION
Meghan Costa, Bishop Stang (Somerset Berkley), Sophomore; Olivia Medeiros, Bishop Stang (New Bedford), Freshman; Alexis Pettinato, Bishop Stang (Dighton-Rehoboth), Freshman; Isa Rioux, Bishop Stang (Dartmouth), Freshman; Ashley Smith, Bishop Stang (Apponequet), Freshman.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: 2024 Girls Ice Hockey Player of the Year and Super Team
