SALEM — Goals have been hard to come by whenever the Bishop Fenwick girls hockey team hits the ice in 2025. That’s a trend that appears likely to continue in 2026 after the Crusaders closed out December by battling to a 1-1 tie with Marblehead on New Year’s Eve at Salem State’s Rockett Arena.
Both the host Lady Headers and visiting Crusaders came away pleased with the point and satisfied with a hearty defensive effort.
Bishop Fenwick (2-1-1) had the better of possession and shots on goal in the five-minute 4-on-4 overtime, but Marblehead (2-4-1) head the cleanest look when winger Addie CoPeeps broke in only to have her shot disrupted by a great stick lift from defenseman Brianna Polley.
“It wasn’t our best performance, but it was a good point,” said Fenwick head coach Kylie Currier, whose team has yet to allow more than one goal in game this winter — but hasn’t scored more than two in any contest, either.
Marblehead found its skating legs in the second half Wednesday, improving its forecheck and neutral zone game as the contest wore on. After falling behind in the first, the Lady Headers got the game-tying goal at 9:53 of the second period when eighth grader Brooke Griffin dug out a rebound for her third goal of the year.
“It took us a bit to settle in, but once we did I though we played pretty well,” said Marblehead head coach Jon Strzempek. “Sometimes you just have to remember to breathe a little bit out there.”
A nifty rush by sophomore Bella Marcinkowski produced the game’s other goal. Fenwick’s young center scooped up the puck near center ice, made a defender miss and then dished off to junior winger Alex Kohalmi. Marcinkowski stuck the play, though, and was there to score when Kohalmi’s initial shot was knocked down in the crease just 3:17 into the first.
“It was a really nice play not only because of the way Bella moved the puck, but because she didn’t stop. She crashed the net,” said Currier. “Alex has been a great addition to that top line and does a good job shooting low to create those rebounds.”
Marblehead’s eighth grade goalie, Nola Ferraresso, made 23 saves and did an excellent job controlling the puck and holding her ground on potential rebounds. At the other end, Fenwick freshman Stella Madarese had another stellar outing, stopping 20-of-21 shots and showing off a confident, calming presence in net by always being at the top of the blue paint.
“(Fenwick’s) goalie made some key saves, and Nola just finds a way to make saves for us. She’s been lights out so far this year,” said Strzempek.
Special teams play defined the middle part of the game. Bishop Fenwick’s first power play was cut short by a bad change that produced a too-many-men penalty, but Marblehead couldn’t take advantage of over a minute of 5-on-3 time at the start of the second.
The Lady Headers had another power play later in the second that Fenwick killed off, and Marblehead returned the favor in the third with a Lexi Salah point blast being the Crusaders’ best scoring opportunity.
“We took too many penalties and the second period wasn’t our best, but I liked the way we calmed things down in the third and overtime,” said Currier. “We just couldn’t bury one.”
Marblehead 1, Bishop Fenwick 1
at Rockett Arena, Salem
Bishop Fenwick;1;0;0;0;1 Marblehead;0;1;0;0;1 Scoring summary First period: BF, Bella Marcinkowski (Alex Kohalmi), 3:17.
Second period: M, Brooke Griffin (Vera Conley, Gwen Potter), 9:53.
Third period: No scoring.
Overtime: No scoring.
Saves: BF, Stella Madarese 20; M, Nola Ferraresso, 23.
Records: BF, 2-1-1; M, 2-4-1.