By Larry Moko
Aly Pescetti of Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School has committed to play hockey on scholarship next season for the St. Francis Xavier X-Women.
But before she joins the Nova Scotia-based squad in Antogonish, the Celtics' captain hopes to help capture a fourth consecutive Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic league title for BR.
The Celtics stayed undefeated (5-0) atop the standings with a 7-2 victory over the Bishop Tonnos Titans at Morgan Firestone Arena Monday.
Pescetti scored five goals and added an assist in the contest against the second-place Titans (4-2).
"Aly is an amazing athlete," Celtics coach Paul Altobelli said.
"She's been with us since Grade 9 and has always had that leadership ability ever since she showed up for her first tryout."
According to Altobelli, Pescetti is a good skater, moves the puck well and has great vision to spot her teammates on the ice.
"She feeds people and looks for people that are open. She also forechecks and backchecks from one end to the other without stopping."
The BR coach said he expects Pescetti to do well as a university athlete.
"Five is the most goals I've had in a game," said Pescetti, a centre who also plays at the U-22 club level for the Stoney Creek Sabres.
Bishop Ryan jumped out to a 3-0 first-period lead and took a 5-2 advantage into the third.
Other Celtic goals were shared by Julia Sayej and Jade Perger.
Tonnos answered with goals by Leah LeBlanc -- during a 5-on-3 power play -- and Olivia De Caria.
"She's definitely a strong player," Tonnos coach Alyssa Berardocco said of Pescetti. "We'll just have to do a better job of shutting her down in the future if we see BR again. Hopefully, that will give us a better chance of competing with that team."
Berardocco said the Titans dug themselves a hole by allowing a pair of goals in the first two minutes of play. She was pleased, however, by BT's improvement in the late stages.
"We were coming back," she said, "but we fell short. We're looking forward to the season ahead."
Altobelli said the Celtics are working hard and starting to gel as a team.
"I can see it happening on a game-to-game basis," he said.
Talk of a 4-peat is premature, however. "One game at a time," the BR coach said. "I'd like to keep them focused. We're in first place and having a good season but you can't think too far ahead."
The Celtics won their earlier meeting this season against the Titans, 6-3.
"We've got a pretty good team again this year," Pescetti said. "It makes it fun to come to the rink.
"I'm also excited about playing for St. Francis Xavier next year."
Elsewhere in the five-team league, the St. Mary Crusaders topped the St. Thomas More Knights, 8-3. It was St. Mary's first victory in six starts while More slipped to 1-4.
Photos by R.F. (Bob) Butrym, RFB Sport Photography
More photos on HWCDSB Athletics Facebook page
