Unlike most other Old Rochester Regional High School interscholastic sports teams, girls ice hockey is not a member of the South Coast Conference; the reason being a lack of girls varsity hockey programs within the conference. In prior years, Bourne hosted the coop program until 2019 when ORR became a member of the Southeastern Massachusetts Girls Hockey League. The SMGHL no longer exists, so the program is operating independently this season.
“We had to make a deal with the school committee. They said we could play [Cape Cod-based] teams and then they let us play [North Dartmouth-based] Bishop Stang because they’re close,” ORR coach Ted Drew said. “But when all those teams shut down, we had nobody to play, so we lost some games there. Luckily, I was able to fill a couple holes with other teams.
“It’s going to be tough to try to make [the canceled games] up because all these teams are obligated to their leagues to make up their games first. We come second, and we have to be done by the second week of February.”
The Bulldogs have gotten four games in so far, most recently losing 4-0 to Sandwich after starting the season with three ties. Much like the other ORR student-athletes, Drew’s players are happy to be playing a sport they love, though that doesn’t mean they’re complacent with their start.
“They want to go out and prove what kind of team we are and have some fun,” Drew said. “Their tenacity and will to work hard, even being down 4-0 late in the third period (against Sandwich), they were working very, very hard. They’re a hard-working team.”
ORR has a weekend doubleheader up next. The Bulldogs are scheduled to face Sandwich again on Saturday at 6:00 p.m., followed by a 7:00 pm game on Sunday against Dennis-Yarmouth. Both games will take place at Gallo Ice Arena in Bourne.
Girls Basketball
The ORR girls basketball team had a week off in between their second and third games of the season after its game against Somerset Berkley was postponed. Still, that wasn’t enough to bring an end to the Bulldogs’ strong start to the season. Although their offensive output was down some, ORR was still able to defeat Apponequet, 31-23, on January 15 to improve to 3-0 on the season.
Maggie Brogioli was the lone Bulldog to finish in double figures, scoring 10 points for the third time in as many games. She also grabbed 10 rebounds, securing her first double-double of the season. She also led ORR with five steals in the South Coast Conference win. Meghan Horan almost had a double-double, as well. She had eight points, nine rebounds, and four steals against Apponequet.
ORR once again has a week off in between games with their January 19 game against Wareham being postponed. The Bulldogs will host Dighton-Rehoboth on Friday, January 22, at 6:30 pm.
Boys Basketball
The Bulldogs were handed their first loss of the season by Somerset Berkley to drop to 1-1. Sawyer Fox led ORR with 18 points, while Alex Wright was just behind him with 17 points, and Liam Geraghty finished with 14 points to account for 49 of Old Rochester’s points in their 64-57 loss. ORR’s January 15 game against Apponequet was postponed. After their January 19 meeting with Wareham, they visit Dighton-Rehoboth next.
Girls Swimming
Rachel Zutaut, Emma Whittaker, Corinne Hibbert, and Abigail Daniels helped lead ORR to victory in the team’s first meet of the season by finishing first in both the 200 and 400 freestyle relays as the Bulldogs defeated Apponequet, 97-68. Zutaut (diving), Whittaker (500 freestyle), and Hubbert (200 freestyle) each won individual events, as well.
Boys Swimming
The Bulldogs were powered primarily by Colin Kulak, Michael Holmes, and Sean Lund in their 96-57 season-opening win over Apponequet. All three won two events apiece in the virtual meet in which the teams competed separately, logging and comparing event times to establish the result. Lund won both the 100 and 50 freestyle, while Holmes finished first in the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke. Lund also took care of business in both the 200 and 500 freestyles.
Sports Roundup
By Nick Friar