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Record-shattering Conway career comes to close

NORTH BILLERICA — It should take a whole lot to impress Amanda Conway considering the Methuen-Tewksbury star scored a state record 86 goals this winter.
So Burlington forward Kelly Browne should feel special knowing she greatly impressed Conway here Friday.
“She phenomenal,” Conway said. “Her shot’s a cannon. I’ve never seen a shot that fast in girls hockey. She (has) a better shot than I do.”
Fans at Friday’s Division 2 quarterfinal contest between Tewksbury-Methuen and Burlington witnessed the Conway vs. Browne Show. The No. 1 vs. No 2. goal-scorers in the state.
Both girls starred, scoring four goals apiece. But it was the freshman Browne’s squad which prevailed.
No. 12 Burlington completed the 6-4 upset here at the Chelmsford Forum to advance to the semifinals. Fourth-seeded Tewksbury-Methuen’s season ended in a 15-4-1 record.
These two teams never met during the regular season so it was the first time Conway ever played against Browne, who now has 54 goals this winter. The two played for the same club but at a different age level.
“It’s a battle obviously just trying to get out there every shift with her so I can cover her,” Conway said. “That’s my job on my team is to cover her. She played a (heck) of a game. She’s a good player. I kind of hope they win (the tourney).”
Conway, a Methuen High senior, might be headed for a post-graduate year at Worcester Academy. She’s still waiting to hear from admissions.
Asked about her sensational career, she replied, “I’m happy with what I’ve done. I mean, I wish I could have done more, but whatever happens, happens. You’ve just got to go with it.
“I think we did everything we could. There’s not much more we can (do). We tried our best.”
Julia Swarbrick scored Burlington’s other two goals. Swarbrick gave her team a 4-3 edge with 1:09 remaining in the second period and with three seconds left on a power play.
The Red Rangers tried to clear the puck but Swarbrick caught the puck at the blue line, dropped it to the ice and drilled in a slap shot.
“That was a great shot,” Conway said. “(Goalie) Kaia (Hollingsworth) didn’t even see it so I don’t expect her to stop that. I don’t know, I guess I could have blocked it but there’s only so much you can do.”
Conway tied it early in the third period but Swarbrick made it 5-4 and then Browne scored an empty netter to seal it.
Red Rangers coach Arianna Rigano enjoyed watching the Conway vs. Browne Show.
“It was phenomenal matchup,” Rigano said. “It’s like when either one of those girls have the puck, no matter who’s around them, no matter how many defenders are against them, you know they’re kind of capable of anything.”

Conway’s Career
204 career goals: 2nd state history; 1st Colleen Sanborn (Woburn ‘05) 206
5 vs. 3: Sanborn played 5 years, Conway played 3
86: Goals this year, a state record
66: Old girls mark, set by Conway last year
81: Boys record set by Pittsfield’s P.J. Murphy in 1976
Source: Masshshockey.com