For the first time in the 12-year history of the Wayland High School girls ice hockey program, a third school will join the cooperative team.
While there is a much-needed boost from bringing Newton South into the fold with Wayland and Weston, it will add competition for the three locals who don the skates and equipment for the Warcats.
Unfortunately, there was little choice. Weston’s four representatives, along with the three from Wayland, would make up only two forward lines and a goalie for the 2025-26 season.
Thankfully, the team from Newton South, a fellow Dual County school with Wayland and Weston, was available after Newton North ventured out on its own. Newton South brings loads of players (12) in addition to experience and success.
“The biggest thing coping with a third school is it allows Wayland and Weston to continue playing,” said coach Jess Boehmer, a Wayland native in her fifth year in the program, fourth as head coach. “It’s a big year across the board with lots of changes in the team and practices. But I think it is going to help the program.”
Drew Galizio, a sophomore defense-man from Wayland, welcomes the new players, even if it may cut into her ice time. During last year’s 6-13-2 campaign, she got consistent ice time despite being a freshman, though she’s well aware that it could change.
“It’s been really great having more players, especially in practices — it challenges us more,” she explained. “When we start playing harder games we should be more prepared.
”I’m not really concerned with ice time now that we have another school. I know the coaches will do whatever is best for the team. I think everyone feels the same.”
Boehmer noted that she has already seen improvement in Galizio’s game. She said her on-ice vision has improved and her confidence is higher. It may result in more than her one assist last year, but that isn’t her main job.
“She’s always ready to go and always gives 100% on every shift,” Boehmer said. “She played strongly and confidently as a freshman.”
Galizio has also shown leadership characteristics by being one of the first players to make friends with the Newton South girls while acclimating them to the program. Boehmer is excited to see her lead the team in the coming years.
Fellow sophomore Mackenzie Young saw significant ice time as a freshman, finishing with one goal and one assist as a center. She’s the type of player who wants to improve from shift to shift, and Boehmer describes her as “a great teammate.”
Adeline Marashio, the third player from Wayland, is a freshman defenseman who is still navigating her way on the varsity squad, The staff sees her as a very coachable player who learns from her mistakes.
So far, the influx of new faces has contributed to early-season success. With three wins in its first five games. While it’s still early, they may be on their way to their second winning season in a dozen years.
“I think a good start is going to be important for us as we push into the middle of the season,” said Galizio. “Last year started out losing and it brought the overall mood down in both practices and games.”
In addition to providing depth for this year’s team, having Newton South enables the squad to be successful while also cultivating young players like Marashio and the two freshmen goalies from the larger third school.
And youngsters who are playing in youth leagues, or are considering talking up the sport, will have something to strive for with a varsity program that will be around for some time.
“Good, younger players will know there’s somewhere to play,” Boehmer said. “A big goal for me and the program is to get the awareness out there and then kids at the elementary level can learn to play hockey and want to play for their high school team.”
