MALDEN – It wasn’t long ago that St. Mary’s of Lynn girls hockey head coach Frank Pagliuca switched things up to put freshmen Bella Freitas and Alyssa Norden on the same line.

Wednesday night, they provided further proof as to why it was a good decision.

Coupled with stellar performances from the defense and senior goalie Gianna Tringale, Norden scored twice and Freitas added another to help lead the No. 2 Spartans (11-1-1) to a signature 3-0 win on the road over No. 4 Malden Catholic.

Tringale had 21 saves, coming up especially big in the second period against a few Grade-A chances from the Lancers (7-3-2). Blueliners Kasey Litwin (two assists) and Vanessa Hall (assist) also provided major contributions, rounding out the kind of complete win Pagliuca says St. Mary’s has been somewhat missing as of late.

“We’ve hit a little lull, put it that way, and I felt like tonight we got out of that lull,” Pagliuca said. “We kept it simple, we got pucks to the net, we took advantage of a power play opportunity … and I think our defensemen did an outstanding job of kind of limiting their speed in transition.”

“It’s really important … it’s a big game,” Tringale added. “We have a lot of younger kids, which it’s really impressive that we got the first goal and kept it up. … Our confidence is really going up.”

Keeping it simple is always a major focus for the Spartans, especially when facing a fellow top defense and one of the state’s premier goalies in Taylor Daley. Malden Catholic stayed composed to limit shots on Daley (16 saves).

All three goals came in the dirty area for the Spartans, with the first coming in the game’s opening three minutes. Litwin uncorked a shot from the right point, which Norden tipped in at the doorstep for a 1-0 lead. Defenses limited threats through the end of the first, but the game’s only penalty late in the second period set up another Norden goal – this time on a rebound in front.

Just 1:01 later, Freitas skated in front of the crease and potted the 3-0 advantage. Freitas and Norden have now each scored at least once in all three of the Spartans’ games since losing in overtime to Canton, combining for nine goals.

“We just kind of recently put them together,” Pagliuca said. “All the lines have done well, too, we’re keeping it simple. … (Dirty goals), that’s kind of been one of our things that we’ve been successful at. We’ve done a great job by getting screens and tips and deflections.”

With the score still at 1-0 in the second, Lancers captain Bella Gillis made a strong move to the inside to set up her backhand in front. Former Spartans teammate Abbie Poole was left alone for a wide-open bid a couple minutes later, and the Lancers set up a shot at the far post not too long after that. Tringale stoned them all, and then further preserved the shutout in the third by punching away a highlight-reel attempt from Antonia DiZoglio.

“I was just focusing on the puck,” she said. “Keeping my stance and just focus.”

“It says a lot about Gianna,” added Pagliuca. “She sat for three years and hardly ever played. Waited her time to get her chance her senior year. Even Megan (Donato), our other goalie, they’ve been really strong for us.”