PHOTOS: Flyers Defeat Redhawks For First Time in More Than A Decade

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FRAMINGHAM – The Framingham High girls ice hockey team defeated Natick High last night in their season and home opener at Loring Arena.

It was the first time the Flyers had defeated the Redhawks in more than a decade.

Senior Amber Welch scored the lone goal in the battle between Framingham & Natick.

Freshman Katelyn Nickerson had a beautiful shop from the point, and Welch buried the rebound to the back of the net.

“That’s a textbook goal,” said Head Coach Casey Diana after the game. “We talked about that before the game,. The Natick goalie is great down low, but gives up rebounds and we wanted to make sure that we were capitalizing on those.”

The Flyers got several shots but that was the only goal of the game.

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“I think we just got to get a little bit hungrier. I think there were some rebound opportunities that we didn’t jump on, but it’s the first game jitters,” said Coach Diana. “We were a little bit nervous coming in. Natick had a game under their belt. And the fact that we haven’t beaten Natick in so long, it’s naturally a little anxiety inducing for the kids. But I think the goals are going to come and I think they’re going to keep working hard.”

Mikal Franklin made 16 saves for the Flyers

“Mikal made some big saves. She didn’t see too many shots in the first period, which isn’t a bad thing, but it also doesn’t let her settle in. So she still had a little bit of nerves going into the second, but she got some more shots on in the second and was able to settle in and she made a couple great plays with her blocker,” said Coach Diana. “She was big when we needed her.”

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Coach Diana also singled out the play of Zoe Yale.

“She’s a grinder. She always has been. She’s a sophomore this year. She’s cruising on, I don’t know what she did over the summer or what she ate today, but she’s gained a lot of speed ,” said Coach Diana. “She’s always had that work hard mentality. And we saw tonight that work hard. Mentality’s now paired with some speed and some confidence as a sophomore and she was cruising out there.”

Up next for the Flyers is a game against the Tigers of Newton North on Saturday on the road.

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