“It’s a chance to try and change the game,” Mead said. “You know the moment you get the puck everyone’s behind you counting on you to move it.”

Over the Crimson’s final three games, Mead didn’t only advance the puck, she fired in four goals and was on the assist side of three scoring plays.

Mead’s stellar offensive showing helped Morristown-Beard keep its precious zero intact. The Crimson blanked Lawrenceville 2-0 last Thursday to conclude their season 22-0.

“It’s been a lot of fun but it was kind of stressful,” Mead said of the squad’s quest for perfection. “We’ve bonded and gotten close. It was a great experience. Coming together at the end of the season was icing on the cake.”

Playing defense had its advantages. Mead said it made her “a better hockey player.”

Her line, consisting of sophomores Allie Aiello and Brettie Brier, was explosive and cohesive.

“I can’t take away from anyone else on my line,” Mead said. “The communication was perfect. We all contributed equally. Hopefully, we’ll get to stay together next year. It was a blast. I love playing with them.”

Aiello opened the scoring for Morristown-Beard versus Lawrenceville, known for its depth, converting in the first period. Mead’s goal was in the third period.

The weekend before, the Crimson notched their 20th and 21st victories, claiming their second consecutive Women’s Interscholastic Hockey League of the Mid-Atlantic Tournament in Rye, N.Y.

Morristown-Beard beat Portledge (N.Y.) 6-1 in the final of the tournament behind two goals each from Mead and Alyssa Bufis. Aiello (two assists) and Justine Wnek also scored. Katherine Chester turned back 12 shots on goal.

Wnek and Brier each netted a pair of goals when the Crimson shut out Rye Country Day (N.Y.), 5-0, in the semifinals. Mead added a goal and two assists and goalie Zoe Zisis rejected 19 shots.

All season, the offense was paced by Aiello, a sophomore forward, Bufis, Wnek, a Morris Township resident, and Brier.