We mentioned it in an article a couple of weeks ago, but it bears repeating.
There have already been plenty of great girls hockey players that have come out of Newburyport over the decades, and played for the old co-op team with Masconomet. And there will be plenty more in the future who will star for the standalone Clippers program. But it’s going to be a LONG time before anybody touches the career numbers that Olivia Wilson just put up.
Our three-time Daily News MVP is just in a different stratosphere.
For a final time, Wilson is taking home our MVP honor for the third straight season. The electric goal-scoring forward now leaves High Street as a rare four-time Daily News All-Star (starting as an 8th-grader) and three-time MVP, and she was also named to the All-Northeast Conference First Team for the third consecutive season as well. The only winter she didn’t make our team was as a freshman, when she volunteered to move back to defense when Newburyport desperately needed skaters on the blue line.
But all told, it was a five-year run of dominance.
Wilson went out this winter and led our area in scoring once again, finishing with 23 goals and 10 assists to post her third consecutive 20-plus-goal season. A year ago when she finished with 27 goals, it was believed to be the most of any MIAA female player in the state. But regardless, for her legendary career Wilson poured in 88 goals with 57 assists, landing on 145 total points.
Numbers that may never be touched again by a Newburyport skater.
It was a younger group this winter, but as a senior captain Wilson still helped the Clippers (6-14-0) find a way to finish the year strong, as the team went 4-4-0 over its last eight games. She poured in a hat-trick against PLNR, then got to celebrate a Senior Night win over Marblehead with a 3-goal, 1-assist night. There were also a trio of 2-goal performances against strong Beverly, Newton North and Wakefield teams, and she scored the lone goal of the game in the third period to beat rival Gloucester, 1-0.
Oh yeah, and in two games against archrival Masconomet: 2 goals.
A two-sport standout during her time at Newburyport (well, really a complete hockey standout), Wilson was also a two-time Daily News Field Hockey All-Star. Over her last three fall seasons on James T. Stehlin Field, she poured in over 75 goals.
So if you add up both hockey careers, that’s close to 170 total goals.
Talia Armata
HPNA, Sr., Forward
Multi-year varsity athlete leaves picking up her first Daily News All-Star nod. Senior is a High Honor Roll student at Pentucket Regional. Co-captain helped HPNA (15-3-4) earn the No. 9 seed in the Division 1 tournament and make the Sweet 16. Didn’t find the back of the net this winter, but assisted on five other goals. Had two helpers in a win over Boston Latin. Also assisted on two goals in a victory over Newburyport, and set up a crucial tally in a big win over Malden Catholic. All-around player got back defensively to help the team post five shutouts with five other one-goal games. During the season, HPNA blanked Bishop Feehan, Billerica (x2) and Boston Latin (x2). Was also a key member of last year’s team that went 17-3-5 and made the program’s first ever trip to a state semifinal.
Riley Freeman
Newburyport, Sr., Defense
An impressive five-year varsity player and starter from Newburyport who went out with her best season yet. Was tied for second on the team in scoring with 5 goals and 10 assists, and was named a Second Team Northeastern Conference All-Star. Senior helped Newburyport (6-14-0) finish the season strong, going 4-4-0 over the team’s last eight games. Scored two goals in the season finale against Medford, and in total had four of her goals over the final five games of the year. One of only three defensemen available in what ended up being a gritty, 2-1 win over rival Masconomet. Assisted on a goal while celebrating her Senior Night with a win over Marblehead. Had a 3-assist game against PLNR. Scored a goal while assisting on another during a victory over Stoneham. Father, Josh, coaches the Clippers, while this winter she also welcomed 8th-grade twin sisters Isla and Harper to the team.
Cody Saboliauskas
Newburyport, Sr., Goalie
Two-year starter from Newburyport is a true goalie at heart, and leaves earning her first Daily News All-Star nod. Senior helped the Clippers (6-14-0) finish the season strong, going 4-4-0 over the team’s last eight games. Led the team in goalie minutes at 631:27, and finished with a 3.43 goals allowed average. Earned her first career shutout against Steonham, then posted a clean sheet during the team’s Senior Night win over Marblehead. Made 20 saves in a 1-0 shutout victory over Gloucester. Was excellent in a 2-1 revenge win over archrival Masconomet. Is an ultra-rare three-sport starting varsity goalie. Besides ice hockey, has also been a two-year starting goalie for the highly-successful field hockey team during the fall. Then last spring, took over as the starting goalie for the powerhouse lacrosse team, and helped the program reach its third straight Division 3 state championship game.
Bella Belanger
Newburyport, Frosh., Forward
Exciting freshman exploded onto the local hockey scene. Was tied for second on the team in scoring with 5 goals and 10 assists, and earned a spot as a Second Team Northeastern Conference All-Star. Lightning-quick forward helped the Clippers (6-14-0) finish the season strong, going 4-4-0 over the team’s last eight games. Put together a trio of 1-goal, 1-assist games in wins over Stoneham, PLNR and Marblehead. That victory over the Magicians came while the Clippers were celebrating their Senior Night. Also found the back of the net during the team’s first game against Marblehead. Assisted on the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over rival Gloucester. Started her career with an assist during the team’s season-opening game against Andover. Will be key piece of young core the program is building around moving forward.
Honorable Mention
HPNA — Sydney Caddigan, Sr., forward; Agatha Quinlan, Soph., defense; Mia Covey, Soph., goalie
Newburyport — Joely Middleton, Sr., forward (Triton); Lainey Pare, Sr., forward (Newburyport); Caroline Jones, Jr., forward (Newburyport)