By Chris Villani

Sports Writer

Medway girls’ ice hockey head coach Karl Infanger wanted to test his team this season and put his players through one of the toughest schedules in the state. The Mustangs co-op responded with a record above .500 and a number 16 ranking in the state at the end of the regular season.

“We faced off against probably three of the top five teams in division II and two of the top teams in division I,” Infanger said. “We wanted to make sure this team was battle tested going into the state tournament. We knew there would be times when we took our lumps, but we are better for it.”

Medway, which has eight players from Blackstone Valley Tech, was competitive throughout the season. A majority of the team’s eight losses were by a single goal and the Mustangs took teams like perennial D1 powerhouse Shrewsbury to the wire.

BVT sophomore Ella McCann has been a big part of the Mustangs’ success as the team’s goalie this winter.

“She has been phenomenal all year,” Infanger said. “She is one of the best goalies around and she hasn’t given up more than three goals in a game the entire year. Her job is to put us in position to win the game and she has been able to do that every single game this year.”

A pair of Valley Tech players have helped boost the Medway offense, with juniors Breanna Reneau and Lily Turcotte adding to the team’s attack along with sophomore Skylar Cournoyer.

A number of BVT skaters have also given the Mustangs one of the deepest blue lines in the area. Macyn White, Michaela Gledhill, and Abigail McGovern have all logged significant minutes on defense.

“They have made a tremendous impact,” Infanger said. “We are able to run about six or seven defenders sometimes and all three of them have been great.”

The Medway co-op brings together four different schools. In addition to the host school and BVT, the team has athletes from Ashland and Holliston. Getting the group to gel quickly is always a challenge, but Infanger said the captains made the job much easier this winter, including BVT senior forward Julia Bern, who also ranked among the team’s top scoring threats.

“When they talk into the rink, we have that team mentality,” Infanger said. “It doesn’t matter what school you’re from or if you just played against one of your teammates in field hockey a month earlier, when you walk through that door, you’re a Mustang.”

The team-first mentality has allowed Medway’s players to form a strong bond despite coming from different schools. He credited the leadership of the veteran players, like Bern.

“All of the captains have done a tremendous job in making sure all four schools are one team,” Infanger said. "It’s been great to have that strong leadership from the captains."