*A Waltham forward controls the puck while skating through traffic against Central Catholic during Senior Night play.*

Just a month ago, the Waltham High School varsity girls hockey team was fighting to keep its postseason hopes alive. Sitting at 6–7–1 in late January, the Hawks needed a strong finish to earn a Division 1 state tournament berth — and they delivered in thrilling fashion.

Waltham closed out the regular season with six wins in its final seven games, including five shutouts, to finish 11–8–1. That late surge not only secured a spot in the MIAA tournament but also gave the team a surge of confidence that carried into playoff action.

That momentum paid off last Friday at Pilgrim Arena in Hingham, where the 26th-seeded Hawks stunned No. 7 Hingham — the defending Division 1 state champions — with a 3–2 overtime victory. Freshman Molly Whittier contributed a key assist. Senior standout Sophia LaFauci reached her 100th career point in the win, and Taylor Losier sealed the upset with the game-winning goal in sudden death overtime. It was a signature moment in a season defined by heart and grit.

The Hawks’ postseason run continued into the Round of 16 on Saturday, Feb. 28, where they faced off against powerhouse Reading. In another back-and-forth battle, Waltham pushed the game into overtime once again before falling 3–2. Ava Anderson and LaFauci each found the back of the net, while goaltender Miyana Bahl turned aside 26 shots to keep the Hawks in contention until the final whistle.

Though their season ended in heartbreaking fashion, the Hawks left the ice proud of their resilience and growth. The team celebrated a remarkable turnaround and honored its senior leaders — Brenna Roche (#5), Ava Anderson (#7), Sophia LaFauci (#9), Ryanne O’Connor (#10), Juliana Fry (#14), and Miyana Bahl (#30) — for their lasting contributions to Waltham’s hockey program.