Girls hockey hosts cancer fundraiser

The Dover-Sherborn/Hopkinton co-op girls hockey team held its second annual “Stick it to Cancer” fundraiser on Jan. 25 at the Blackstone Valley IcePlex, with proceeds going to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the GirlyGirl P.A.R.T.S. Foundation, which focuses on ovarian cancer research.

The players wore special jerseys for their game against St. Peter Marian and helped raise funds via donations, raffles and a bake sale.

The event was inspired in part by the mother of Hopkinton player Keelan Boyle, Marie Boyle, who is battling ovarian cancer. She was recognized at the event along with Hopkinton police officer Molly McGaffigan, an ovarian cancer survivor.

“I have had the absolute privilege to meet amazing women like Marie, who are the strongest, most passionate, most resilient women I have ever met in my entire life,” Dana-Farber representative Susanne Menon said in a brief ceremony before the game. “The science has changed dramatically in the last few years, and it’s due in large part to interest in funding and research that comes from fundraisers just like this one, so that we can find new and better treatment and more for early diagnosis and prevention. …

The HHS boys hockey team finally suffered its first loss, dropping a hard-fought 2-1 decision to Tri-Valley League rival Westwood on Feb. 1. The Hillers, who won their first 13 games, remained in control of the TVL race.

Down to wire for hoops teams

The roller coaster ride continued for the HHS girls basketball team. After opening the season with three wins, the Hillers lost six straight, split a pair, and with their playoff chances dwindling, bounced back with four straight decisive wins over Westborough, Norton, Holliston and Dover-Sherborn. That left their record at 8-7 and put them in position to advance to the postseason if they could win two of their final five games. Sophomores Lauren Cho, Lexy Trendel and Kiki Fossbender fueled the resurgence.…

The HHS boys basketball team, which started the season 7-1, fell into a midseason slump, losing seven out of nine games (although one of the losses, vs. Somerville, won’t count against their record for postseason purposes). The Hillers were one win away from clinching a postseason berth but had lost four straight heading into a Feb. 7 home game against Medfield. That game served as a Coaches vs. Cancer fundraiser as well as Senior Night.

Abbott makes ESPN top plays

Hopkinton’s Will Abbott, a sophomore lacrosse player at Quinnipiac University, earned a spot on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays on Feb. 2. In his team’s season-opening game at Rutgers, Abbott scored a goal on a behind-the-back one-hop shot. The play was ranked No. 2 on ESPN’s list.