A Life Full of Hockey

By Chrsitopher Tremblay, Staff Sports Writer
Having a father who was the first goalie for the Ashland High School ice hockey program, Lauren Bosworth was destined to take to the ice and the now senior can not even remember not playing hockey.
“I believe that I skated before I walked,” the Clocker defender said. “I loved the atmosphere of hockey; it was like nothing that I had ever encountered. You enter the locker room and everyone in there is your family.”
Bosworth began her career as a forward and was the team’s goal scorer, but her Lady Flames Coach moved her off the front line and back to the blue line and that’s where she has played ever since.
“If that’s what the Coach wanted me to do then that’s what I was going to do. I found that it was an easy switch and I loved playing defense; it gave me an entirely new perspective on the game,” she said. “Everyone loves scoring but making assists and helping to set up goals is just as rewarding. I found that getting back to play D was something that fit me well and I loved blocking shots and helping the goalie out.”
Before she knew it she was entering Ashland High School and knew that in a few short months hockey season would be getting underway and she was, of course, going to tryout for the team. Although nervous she was ready to show case her skills for the Clocker’s Coaching Staff.
“Being a co-op team (made up of schools from Medway, Holliston, Blackston valley, Keefe Tech and Ashland) I had never played with any of these girls before, but I wanted to go out there and play my best proving that I belonged,” Bosworth said. “Making the varsity was amazing and I am thankful for Coach Karl (Infanger) for giving me that experience as a freshman. It was a surreal experience and I have grown as a player while learning more about the game. I am always looking to keep improving.”
First-year Ashland Coach Lynn Pecci, a hockey player herself on the high school and college level (URI), considers Bosworth one of those players that only comes around once in a great while.
“Lauren is the epitome of a leader and I will be looking for her to continue sparking this team,” said the Coach. “She has a way of getting fired up and then getting the whole team going. We truly appreciate her as a player and person.”
Growing up Bosworth played on the boys team until she was around eight or nine years old before she moved over to the Lady Flames, a club team out of Marlboro. She has played for the Flames over the last nine-year years and during that time her ultimate goal was to be the first girl to play for the Boston Bruins. Eventually she realized that she would have to set her goals a little lower.
“Since I wasn’t going to be able to play for the Bruins, I realized that college was the next best thing and have since committed to play hockey for Salem University,” Bosworth said. “I had been working hard and participated in a clinic that showcased your talents to a bunch of college coaches. Following the clinic, I started having conversations with the Salem Coach.”
Although Bosworth had been conversing with other college coaches, she eventually found that the atmosphere at Salem University was for her.
“Salem was what I was looking for in a school,” she said. “It was the right fit, academically as well as athletically.”


Coming into this, her final season with the Ashland hockey team, Bosworth has been named one of three captains and she is looking to give back to the team what was given to her as a player over the past three years.
“So many of my captains took me under their wing and now it’s my turn to return the favor and that’s what I plan on doing,” she said. “I love being a leader and want the younger girls to trust me to help them get better.”
While the team has struggled with the State Tournament over the past few years, Bosworth would like to turn things around this winter. Since lacing up the skates as a freshman for the hockey team Bosworth and her teammates have been to three Division 2 State Tournaments, but unfortunately they have been eliminated in the first round of each year.
“As a senior I want to go out and play the best hockey that I can while having fun with my teammates,” the senior said. “The team is looking good and continuing to improve. We have a lot of talented young girls who are consistently working hard to make this team better.”
Bosworth would love to have the younger girls help guide this team deep into the Division 2 Tournament this winter, but if it doesn’t happen she is sure that sooner than later, after she ha