The East Bay Co-op girls ice hockey team skated its way into the state championship finals after defeating South County 7-6 in overtime in a Game 3 showdown on Monday afternoon, March 1.

The Eagles defeated South County in the first game of the semifinals series, 3-2, and lost the second game 3-1 on Sunday. The Eagles will play against LaSalle in the finals.

In the semifinals, East Bay overcame the loss of its goalie, Sara Turelli, who suffered a concussion mid-way through Game 2.

Barrington High School Coach Mike Cox said Barrington has not had a back-up goalie this season, forcing the Eagles into a difficult situation. He said the team discussed what to do during Game 2, and initially Layla Rappleye offered to fill in at goalie. Taylor DeFraites then said she had played goalie a long time ago.

“We threw some equipment on Taylor DeFraites,” Coach Cox said.

Taylor, who usually skates on the Eagles’ second line, has done her best to turn aside the opposition’s shots. Meanwhile, the Eagles have shifted the lineup to feature three defensive players, instead of two.

Coach Cox praised the efforts of Sarah Yee, one of the Eagles’ top defenders, for her play throughout the series against South County and especially in Game 3. He said the junior defensive player was on the ice for 40 minutes in Game 3 and helped keep the Eagles in the game.

“Sarah Yee is the real deal,” Coach Cox said. “She just does everything.”

Coach Cox said Sarah was joined by her sister Samantha and Mallory Cox on the defense. He said the Eagles then had two lines of forwards.

“We played with nine all day,” Coach Cox said.

Scoring by periods

The Eagles opened the scoring in the first period, when Peyton Whittet scored off an assist from Marissa Levreault.

The opening goal marked a stark contrast from the first two games of the series, where East Bay failed to score early. In Game 1, the Eagles were able to bounce back from an 0-2 deficit to win 3-2. In Game 2, the Eagles were unable to bounce back from 0-2 hole.

In Game 3, Whittet’s goal gave an early lift to the Eagles. South County tied it up by the end of the first period, but Whittet scored her second on a power play at the start of the second period and gave East Bay a 2-1 lead. South County scored two more goals in the second period, but the Eagles finished out the period with two straight goals — one from Levreault and another from Whittet. The final goal of the period gave Whittet a hat-trick.

South County and East Bay traded goals throughout the third period, with the Eagles’ goals coming from Levreault and Kat Barker.

By the end of regulation, the teams remained locked a 6-6.

In the extra period, Barker, East Bay’s top offensive threat, did what she had done all season and netted another Eagles’ goal. Levreault blasted a shot at the South County goal that was turned aside. Barker grabbed the rebound and then poked it into the back of the net.

The win propels East Bay into the finals against LaSalle Academy. The Rams have not lost a game this season.

“We’ve got our hands full,” Coach Cox said. He quickly added that his team was determined to go out there and knock off LaSalle.

Coaching help

Coach Cox said the Eagles have had coaching help this year from Brendan Whittet, the head coach of the Brown University men’s hockey team. With the Ivy League not playing sports this year, Coach Whittet has been able to work more closely with the Eagles.

“He’s been doing everything,” Coach Cox said, adding that Coach Whittet’s guidance has proven key for the Eagles this season.

Game two

The East Bay Co-op girls ice hockey team lost the second game of the series, 3-1. Trailing 2-0 after the first period, East Bay’s Kat Barker scored a goal, assisted by Marissa Levreault. The goal cut the South County team’s lead in half, but the momentum was short-lived as South County scored about a minute later and held on to even the series at one game apiece.

Game one

The East Bay girls team trailed 2-0 after two periods, but battled back for a thrilling 3-2 victory over South County last weekend.

Peyton Whittet scored first for the Eagles, followed by Sarah Yee and Levreault. Barker, Mallory Cox, Yee and Whittet all had assists in the victory.