Hot Shots: Ally DeCoste

BRAINTREE – Ally DeCoste’s pain turned out to be Braintree’s gain.

During her sophomore year at Phillips Exeter, DeCoste was experiencing back pain. She was eventually diagnosed with a pair of stress fractures. Rather than transport her back and forth for a bunch of doctor’s appointments, the family decided it was easier for Ally to transfer back home to Braintree High for her final two seasons.

“I liked it at Phillips, it was like my second family,” DeCoste said. “But it was nice being back home, getting some home cooked meals and sleeping in my own bed.”

Braintree girls hockey coach Kevin Burchill joked that the real reason for DeCoste’s return was because of him. In any event, Burchill was more than happy to add a quality player both on and off the ice.

“I’ve known Ally since she was a little kid and she’s just an all-around athlete,” Burchill said. “I’ve watched her play lacrosse, field hockey and ice hockey and she’s a competitor. Her IQ for the game is off the charts and rarely do you have a student athlete who possesses all those qualities.”

DeCoste had a seamless transition to Braintree hockey, teaming with Abby Holland and Delia Lee to form one of the premier lines in the state. The trio combined for 56 goals and 51 assists in leading the Wamps to a 17-5-1 record and a berth in the Division 1 state quarterfinals before falling to Austin Prep, 5-3.

While the loss stung, the Braintree players took solace in the fact that every player from that was returning to the fold. The additional experience has paid dividends as the Wamps opened the season with a 12-0-1 record, the sole blemish being a 1-1 tie against Needham.

“We knew we would be better because we didn’t have any seniors and we got a couple of additions, which was good,” DeCoste said. “We still have the same mentality which is to do better than last year and beat that record.”

As good as Braintree’s first line was last year, Burchill feels they are more complete this season. DeCoste has already lit the lamp 25 times, while Holland and Lee check in with 15 goals apiece according to Burchill.

“The competitiveness between the three of them is off the charts,” Burchill said. “I told them if they work together as a threesome, it makes all of us better.”

As good as DeCoste is on the ice, it is a different form of hockey where she is heading toward next year. A standout field hockey player, DeCoste signed her National Letter of Intent to play at Providence College in the fall.

“I didn’t start playing field hockey until I was a freshman, but I picked it up pretty quick,” DeCoste said. “It was pretty similar to hockey and I like to run.”

While DeCoste is earmarked to playing field hockey at Providence College, she hasn’t completely ruled out trying to play hockey at the next level. If DeCoste does indeed plan on hanging up her skates for certain, she freely admits it will be tough.

“I’ll miss playing hockey, miss the feeling of competing for a championship,” DeCoste said. “There are a lot of girls on the team who will be playing hockey for the last time and winning will mean a lot more for us.”

Do you have a similar story in your community? Please feel free to let me know at donato.ventura@bostonherald.com

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/36AFXyu