ARLINGTON – With some timely strikes, the No. 1 Arlington Catholic girls’ hockey team showed why they were the top cats in the Catholic Central League and in the state with a 4-0 win over No. 2 Austin Prep (16-2-1).

Junior forward Nicole Amato scored twice and senior Michaela McLaughlin notched three assists for the top-ranked Cougars (17-1-1).

It was the third CCL title in three years for Arlington Catholic.

“It’s awesome,’’ said senior defender Erin Healy. “I’d really like to cap off the season with an even bigger championship at the end of the year. It’s an awesome feeling because we’re in such a strong CCL league.’’

The first period was tense, with chances going end to end. In the packed Ed Burns Arena, it felt almost like a playoff game. Neither team found the back of the net.

“I think it took them a little bit of a period to settle in,’’ said AC coach Maggie Taverna. “But once that happened, they executed things properly, they worked well together, and they were successful.’’

Sophomore Margaret Sullivan broke the ice a minute into the second period with a heavy shot on a two-on-one.

Austin Prep hung around in the second, but the Arlington Catholic offense started to claw ahead.

A minute into the third period, senior Eileen Flynn scored the backbreaker with another heavy shot that rocketed past senior goalie Caty Flagg.

“I feel like they were two really, just good goals,’’ said Healy.

The Austin Prep attack fell silent and Amato’s two goals sealed the 4-0 win with junior Jaz Mucci picking up the 17-save shutout.

“We played amazing. We wanted it more than the other team did. We came out and we killed it,’’ said Mucci.