Opening the 2007 season with 10 freshmen on the roster, Duxbury stunned the Red Raiders with a 4-2 win. Now that those former rookies have a year under their belts, Weiler is optimistic that his young team has the talent and the experience to make some noise this year.

A goal by senior captain Anie Grunwald, along with a pair of goals from sophomores Briana Connolly and Molly O’Sullivan is evidence that this year’s team has the leadership and depth that could produce some impressive results.

Barnstable had the advantage early in the opener, as they went on the power-play in the first three minutes. Nevertheless, junior goaltender Julia Hannon kept the Red Raiders off the scoreboard when she stopped a point-blank shot from close range, and followed it three minutes later when she stuffed Tori Snow, who had turned the defense and bore down on the three-year starter.

The visitors kept up the pressure until Duxbury responded with 4:39 left in the period, as Connolly picked up the rebound of a Ali Talerman save and promptly put it behind the goaltender with a delayed penalty about to be whistled. Junior transfer Kaitlin Sullivan was credited with the assist.

The goal was the turning point in the game, as the Lady Dragons took over and controlled the action the rest of the way.

After killing off a Barnstable power-play late in the period, Grunwald struck quickly, streaking down the right wing and whistling a shot past a stunned Talerman with 1:34 to go for a 2-0 lead. Sophomore defenseman Olivia McCarthy was credited with the assist.

Duxbury had a chance early in the second stanza when junior captain Meg Muncey found herself all alone in front of Talerman, only to see her shot deflected and sail over the net.

The Lady Dragons would have two power-plays over the next four minutes, but both proved ineffective. When they did get another chance with a man advantage and 3:36 left on the clock, they capitalized quickly, as Muncey took a perfectly placed pass from freshman defenseman Martha Findley and fired it into the open net for a 3-0 lead.

The hosts came out firing in the final period and dominated play, but couldn’t put it past Talerman until 2:28 remained in the game, as sophomore forward Molly O’Sullivan took a pass from Findley for the final score of the night.

“It was a good start and the girls worked hard,” said Weiler. “It was a three-period effort which is what we wanted, and the younger girls stepped up and showed they can play at this level. We still have a long way to go, and the girls need to get in better shape. But I’m really happy with the way they played, and they contested every puck.”

On Wednesday night the team will travel to Gallo Arena in Bourne to take on Sandwich at 7 p.m., and then return home on Saturday night at 6 p.m. to face Marshfield at The Bog