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'I can’t believe it’s real': Norton helps punch Duxbury girls hockey's ticket to Garden

kevin perrington-turner, the patriot ledger
·2 min read

FRAMINGHAM – The Duxbury High girl hockey team made a collective effort in stopping Andover in a 5-1 win in the Division 2 semifinals at Loring Arena.

That win sends the Dragons to play against Canton at the TD Garden in the Division 2 state championship on Sunday at 9 a.m.

After Andover captain Rose MacLean put up the only Golden Warrior goal to tie the game at 1-1, the Dragons began to take over. Maddie Greenwood and McKenna Colella each tallied two goals in the win, but it was sophomore Sami Norton that put a stamp on the victory.

More:Canton boys, girls hockey headed back to TD Garden for annual state championship games

Norton scored a goal on a slap shot from the top of the faceoff circle in the third period with 8:19 left.

“(Coach) put me out in the power play, which it’s been a while since (I last played on the power play) and we ran it a bit differently,” Norton. “I saw a lane and I just shot it assuming I would get a rebound but it went in.”

Duxbury's Sami Norton, center, passes to teammate McKenna Colella, left, as Canton's Tess Khoury, right, moves in during the Elite Eight state MIAA Division 2 girls hockey championship at The Bog in Kingston, Saturday, March 12, 2022.
Duxbury's Sami Norton, center, passes to teammate McKenna Colella, left, as Canton's Tess Khoury, right, moves in during the Elite Eight state MIAA Division 2 girls hockey championship at The Bog in Kingston, Saturday, March 12, 2022.

That was just Norton's second goal of the season. The other came in a decisive win over Quincy/North Quincy. When she found the net, the entire Dragons bench celebrated in excitement. It was a sign that they were firing on all cylinders.

“When someone that doesn’t score a lot scores, it’s a huge lift for the bench,” said Duxbury coach Dan Najarian. “And Sami is such a well-liked kid. To get one for us to go to the Garden is a special feeling for her and all of us.”

Greenwood (16 goals this season) and Colella have been steady offensive contributors all season long for Duxbury. Colella is one of seven seniors that lead the way for the Dragons.

“I look up to them so much and I know everyone does,” said Norton of the upperclassmen. “They’re basically my role models so everything I do is for my teammates.”

Captain McKenna Colella slips the puck past MC goalie Danielle DeJon. The Duxbury girls hockey team hosted Malden Catholic at The Bog in Kingston winning in a 4-2 decision on Wednesday March 8, 2023
Captain McKenna Colella slips the puck past MC goalie Danielle DeJon. The Duxbury girls hockey team hosted Malden Catholic at The Bog in Kingston winning in a 4-2 decision on Wednesday March 8, 2023

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That senior class includes Martine Van Aarem, Carson Cerow, Beth Yucius, Colella, Lily McGoldrick, Flynn Bridgett and goalie Lily Sparrow.

Per usual, the Dragons leading scorers were the ones to carry the offensive load. However, for the sophomore defenseman, she got a chance to carry some glory on the offensive side.

“I can’t believe it’s real,” said Norton. “I honestly don’t believe it’s real. It’s been a dream of mine and I know everyone has been dreaming of it this season.”

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Duxbury High girls hockey defeats Andover in state semifinals