Lucy Jean recorded a hat trick in three consecutive games earlier this season. FILE PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

Chuck Costello, the first-year coach of the Hopkinton High School girls hockey co-op team, had his work cut out for him at the start of the season, helming a team built with players from several area schools. But his squad started to jell after the new year, and the team started the month of February with a .500 record after a slow start.

“I didn’t know what to expect coming in, but they got right to work and I am having a great time,” Costello said. “I feel like I look forward to practice every day.”

Costello acknowledged that the mindset was a challenge for the girls at the start of the year with a new coach and while trying to break into the win column during a three-game losing streak.

“We were trying to build up confidence, and we are in a good spot right now, the energy is high,” he said. “We have four different schools, and that’s new for me. We have a team of people who only see each other at the rink.”

Costello said the team focused on building chemistry and culture as the season progressed.

And several players are putting together standout seasons.

Captain Lucy Jean had a hot streak that included hat tricks in three straight games.

“She has been lighting it up this year,” Costello said of the HHS senior. “In big moments, when we need her the most, she is who we rely on the most.”

Right behind Jean in scoring is Hopkinton middle schooler Abby Kreiman, who is making an immediate impact despite being in the eighth grade.

“She had to get used to playing with older kids and getting the feel for the type of game,” Costello said. “She is showing up big for us.”

Costello also is proud of the defense, which has five players who cycle through regularly and combine to limit the opponent’s chances. The quintet consists of Hopkinton seniors Callie Arthur and Katelyn Gaughan along with Olivia Heger and Adison Sobczak of Tri-County and Nipmuc’s Jocelyn Lomnicki.

“I can’t say enough good things about our defense,” the coach said. “We rely on them to keep the puck out of the net, and they follow our system to a T.”

The defense plays in front of star goaltender Riley Collura, a Nipmuc senior.

“She is on a roll right now,” Costello said. “I think she has been our best player.”

Costello said he has helped his team come together through the course of the year by trying to get the players to shut out the outside world when they come to the rink for practice or a game and instead focus entirely on one another.

“Having these different schools come together, it’s tough,” he said. “But we are a family now.”