“This is something I’ve always really wanted,’’ said Dinger. “I kind of wish I had it all four years, but I can’t be any happier.’’
With their athletic departments strapped for cash, schools have long cited the high cost of establishing varsity teams, along with lack of interest in girls’ hockey. As the game has become more popular with girls, however, many schools find they have the interest, but still lack the funds.
For Norwell, MOA, and Hanover/Cohasset, the funds to support the hockey programs were raised in large part due to persistent parents, dedicated players, and supportive communities.
“It’s pretty cool because there’s not a lot of girls’ teams out there,’’ said Meghan Carroll, a cocaptain and senior defenseman for Mansfield/Oliver Ames.
“It’s good to see that a lot of high schools are starting to get [girls’ hockey teams] now. To be a part of the first team, it’s really exciting. I’m glad we can be starting something that will hopefully continue to grow.’’
Carroll, like many girls, was forced to earn a spot on the boys’ team to play at the high school level. She was a member of the junior varsity boys’ team as a freshman and a sophomore. Occasionally, she would suit up for the varsity squad against weaker opponents, but the majority of her ice time was spent with the JVs.
Now, as a cocaptain, she has a team to call her own.
“We don’t want to go out there and have everyone think this is some kind of a joke,’’ said Carroll. “We want to be taken seriously. We all put forth our best effort, so whether we win or lose, we’re always giving 110 percent.’’
The challenges of starting a new team were apparent from Day 1 for both programs. Coaches had to assess the varying skill levels of their players, some of whom were putting on skates for the first time, and build chemistry.
Norwell, for instance, stepped on the ice as a team for the first time in a preseason scrimmage against defending Division 2 state champion Duxbury.
