Bailey Lower has always loved lacrosse, but ever since the Nantucket girls varsity hockey program began three years ago, she has grown to love the game of hockey too. The Whalers began their season 2-1, but are facing some adversity after dropping their last three games. Even in the midst of a losing streak, Lower continues to shine. She has hat tricks in back-to-back games for Nantucket, three hat tricks total this season, and a team-high 12 goals on the year. She is the Current Athlete of the Week and believes her teammates have played a large role in her success.
“I would say that the whole team has really helped everyone succeed,” Lower said. “We have not played a game yet with our full roster so we have had the chance to work with players who we may not regularly play with. We all build off each other. We’ve really come together as a team this year and all benefit each other on and off the ice.”
“Our team is really motivated to get more wins and everyone is improving. The energy is a lot higher from coaches, teammates, and having the fans there, which helps us a lot. We have had most of this group of girls since our first season and we have a lot of chemistry playing together.”
As Lower continues to score, opponents have shifted more and more of their attention her way defensively. With senior captain Evelyn Fey anchoring the top line it has been Lower, a sophomore, who has been pegged with the task of leading a productive second line alongside sophomore assistant captain Claire Misurelli and junior captain Lydia Johnson.
Due to lingering COVID issues and other injuries, that second line has rarely been together this season. It has forced Lower to play with other players she may not typically play with when the roster is healthy. Lower said the next step in her growth as a hockey player will be to pass more, set up her teammates, and bring out the best in them.
“The next step in my game is to work on moving the puck,” Lower said. “Then when there is a younger girl that is new to the game on my line, help them learn by trying to help them understand where to be on the ice and try to set them up.”
Lower thinks the uptick in production this season can also be attributed to all the time she has dedicated towards lacrosse in the spring and summer.
“I think that lacrosse has helped me a lot with hockey with the stick skills and speed even though they’re two completely different sports,” she said.
Lower said she has enjoyed the individual and team success this season, but one moment that stands above the rest so far in her varsity hockey career happened last season.
“My favorite hockey memory so far in my high school career is definitely our first (program) win against Martha’s Vineyard,” Lower said. “Everyone was really hyped to be there and we wanted that win really badly. We had a lot of fun.”
Lower said head coach Liz Collins and assistant coach Cassie Thompson have helped her learn the game and identify what she needs to improve. She said the additions of assistant coaches Max Perkins and Teddy Nixon have only made the guidance better.
“My coaches have helped me improve by sharing what they think I could do better like using my speed to get around players and where I should be on the ice,” Lower said. “There has definitely been a major improvement of the program from the first year to now. We’ve gained some new coaches that have really added a lot to our team in Max Perkins and Teddy Nixon. They’ve added a lot to our knowledge of the game. We’ve also gained a lot of new players who will grow and build the team in the future.”
Lower said that aside from developing her game as a playmaker who can make things happen with her pass, not just her shot, she also wants to help her team execute better on the power play and their breakouts.
“We have a lot of opportunities in games but it’s always been a struggle for us,” she said. “Also, since we have a lot of new, younger players, it would be really cool to get some of them goals and some opportunities on the ice.”
Lower and Nantucket are teetering the edge of the Div. II state tournament cut off line. They will likely need a few more wins in order to qualify for the playoffs for the first time ever. Lower will look to continue her success and help her team get back on track when they travel to Sandwich today to take on the Blue Knights at 4 p.m.
