BELMONT – Belmont secured a 3-1 girls hockey win against Woburn on Saturday afternoon at the Skip Viglirolo Skating Rink.

“We have historically very tough games with (Woburn), today was no exception,” said Marauders head coach Brendan Kelleher, “I think both teams played well, (but) we came out on top on the scoreboard.”

Belmont put pressure on Woburn from the very start, and the Tanners met them with a strong defense, with timely saves from captain Cadence Pearce in goal. Although Woburn worked hard to return the energy from Belmont, both teams ended the first period tied 0-0.

Belmont started the middle frame strongly with a goal by captain Mackenzie Clark, assisted by Mackenzie Tierney. Clarke said the energy from the Marauders’ bench motivated her to get the first goal.

“When the bench is getting hype it really helps us on the ice … it gets us more motivated to score,” said Clarke.

With just about four minutes left in the period, Alexcia Fici scored Belmont’s second goal with an assist from Adele Goho. Woburn came close to cutting into the deficit, with a great opportunity with 1:34 left in the frame, and Belmont nearly scored a third goal on the Tanners in the final minute, but Pearce held strong in goal, keeping the score at 2-0 as the horn sounded.

Belmont once again came out of the gate swinging with another goal by Fici, this time assisted by Clarke and Elsie Lakin-Schultz, to open the third period. The Tanners pressed to get on the board from this point and finally managed to follow through with just over four minutes remaining via a goal from Madelyn McManus, with assists from Mia Basile and Gianna Prisco.

Woburn pulled its goalie in favor of an extra attacker but was unable to find any additional scoring. The Marauders had a few looks at the empty net but did not add any insurance and left with the 3-1 victory.

The Marauders (5-2-2) remain undefeated in Middlesex League play. Kelleher said the win over the Tanners was a good model for how the team needs to play going forward.

“From a coach’s standpoint, that was about as complete of a game as we’ve played so far this year,” Kelleher said, “Every period we went out, did our job. Everyone on the team has a role, whether it’s on the ice or not on the ice. We’re really proud of the team victory today.”