WATERTOWN — St. Mary’s girls hockey team didn’t need a reminder of how last season ended at the hands of Shrewsbury at TD Garden. This time, in an epic title rematch, the No. 2 Spartans knocked off the Colonials, 2-1, to get back to the Division 1 Final Four. 

And this one was beyond entertaining, from beginning to end.

A scoreless game in the second period, Spartans’ goalie Gianna Tringale made the save of the night. The netminder slid across the cage for a point-blank, backdoor save with 8:16 remaining in the period. 

“The backdoor [save] in the second period was unbelievable,” said St. Mary’s coach Frank Pagliuca. “We talked in practice that Shrewsbury loves to feed the backdoor. She was in the right spot and made a great save.” 

Less than a minute later, freshman and Catholic Central League MVP Bella Freitas stole the puck in the Shrewsbury zone and scored glove-side to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead. 

Shrewsbury nearly equalized, as a scramble in front of the net saw Tringale down on the ice. One referee called for a goal – only for it to be called back seconds later.

The Spartans kept the lead going into the final period, but the defending champs equalized in the third, courtesy of Natalie MacCausland. 

“They’re the defending champions and Frank (Panarelli) does a great job over there,” Pagliuca said. “We gave up a goal right away, but we didn’t get down. We just kept playing… I thought Gianna played tremendous and I’m really proud of her after the goal she let in. She didn’t let that get to her.”

After letting one slip by, Tringale knew she had to refocus. 

“My coaches always told me if a goal goes in, think about it for three-to-five seconds, then focus on the next save,” Tringale said. “That’s what I’ve been doing. I clear off the crease and I get back to it.” 

That she did. Tringale made save after save to keep things knotted.

On the power play, the Spartans methodically worked the puck around Shrewsbury’s zone before finding Freitas. From there, she took a back-handeder that went over the goalie’s glove and just under the bar with 3:30 to go (2-1). 

“Bella is clutch. That backhand was pretty special,” Pagliuca said. 

When asked what gives her the confidence to attempt a shot like that, she admits to not hesitating.

“If I know I can’t do it from one angle, I just go to my second option and won’t hesitate to do it,” Freitas said. “I just go for the net if I know I can get it.” 

The Spartans held on for some sweet revenge, and another trip to the Final Four. 

“I’m really proud of our kids. We fought hard all year. This group, considering we lost 13 kids from last year… this is a brand new group,” Pagliuca said. “They buy in and trust each other”

When asked about Freitas’ performance, he talked about the team’s motto to “keep playing.” 

“They were very physical with her and put people in her face. She kept playing. It’s a testament to her,” Pagliuca said. “She elevated her game in the third period when we needed her.” 

Both Tringale and Freitas spoke about how much fun they’re having, despite the high amounts of pressure in the tournament.

“This is amazing,” Tringale said. “This is the best thing we have ever done. We have a lot of young kids, but it’s so fun. We are all confident and have a lot of energy. We just all bond. It’s great.”

Freitas couldn’t have agreed more.

“It’s very fun. It’s my first year of high school, skating with all these great people,” she said. “I was very shy and scared coming to this school, but I made a lot of friends along the way and they were all very welcoming to me.” 

The Spartans return to the ice this Sunday against Archbishop Williams with the location and time TBD.