Martlets Fall to Taft

The Martlets hit the road for their second tilt of 2025, facing off against Founder League opponent Taft. Both teams were coming off tough losses and were eager to bounce back as they squared off in Watertown on Wednesday afternoon.

This matchup is always a hard-fought battle, with Westminster and Taft being very similar in both style and execution. The first period underscored this parity. The opening frame featured solid back-and-forth action, with both teams playing tight defense and limiting each other's chances. Late in the period, Taft capitalized on a broken play at the Martlet blue line, creating a quick 2-on-1 that led to the game's first goal. However, Westminster responded with great energy. On the ensuing shift, Timmy Donohue '27 intercepted a pass just inside the Taft zone and went on a breakaway, burying the puck to tie the game at 1.

The second period was the Martlets' strongest. They played with pace and purpose, consistently pressuring the Taft defense. Westminster pinned the Rhinos in their own end for much of the period, but Taft's goaltender stood tall, turning away multiple quality chances to keep the score level at 1 heading into the third.

The final frame began with both teams skating 4-on-4, giving each squad more space to work with. Just a minute into the period, Taft managed to get a shot through a screen that beat Jack Fichthorn '25, giving the Rhinos a 2-1 lead. Despite the deficit, the Martlets stuck to their game plan, continuing to play with intensity and generating numerous opportunities. With just under two minutes remaining, Fichthorn was pulled for an extra attacker. Despite several great looks, the Martlets couldn’t find the equalizer.

While the outcome wasn’t in their favor, the Martlets played a strong game and will look to bounce back when they host Salisbury at Jackson Rink on Saturday.