Hockey player standing on the stand.

BORN — For the first time since 2019, Notre Dame of Hingham will return to the girls hockey state final.

Thanks to some timely attacks and several big stops at the back of the net, the top-seeded Cougars beat No. 4 Malden Catholic 3-0 in the Division I semifinals at Gallo Arena on Saturday night.

“Our girls came to play tonight,” Notre Dame coach John Findley said of making the state final. “We're absolutely blown away. … The girls have worked hard from the defensive core all the way down to our forwards.

In the first period, Notre Dame (18-4-2) had to come up with a penalty kill in the final five minutes of the frame. Sophomore Devon Moore came out with a takedown and buried the short opportunity to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead with just over three minutes left in the first.

The Cougars extended their lead in the second half as junior Carolyn Hartnett connected on a rebound right in front of the crease for a 2-0 lead over Malden Catholic (16-4-4) with 5:30 gone in the period. .

“I don't think this team has ever forgotten the feeling we had last year when we lost to Shrewsbury 2-0,” Moore said of the team's composure. “So, after going 2-0 up in the third period, the returnees were fired up, scored another goal and secured the win. It's an amazing feeling.

Senior Lucy DelGallo added a tally with just over four minutes remaining on a layup by Moore to make it 3-0.

“That's what you have to do,” Findlay said. “You have to hit the ball in front of the net. If you get shots on net, anything can happen. That's what I always tell the girls.”

Senior Ava Larkin made several timely stops, including four saves in each of the first two periods as she collected 10 in the contest.

“It could have been a different game,” Findley said of Larkin's timely saves. “She played well and that's what I expect from her. She's a great kid.”

Next Sunday, the Cougars will play the winner of Sunday's St. Mary of Lynn/Archbishop team in the Division I final at TD Garden.