Baseball
Taunton, 12 @ Milford, 2 – Final (5 Inn.)
Mansfield, 3 vs. Xaverian, 2 – Final – Mansfield erased a two-run deficit in the sixth inning and then walked off with a win in the bottom of the seventh to knock off the defending D1 state champs Xaverian. The visiting Hawks scored once in the third and fourth to build a 2-0 lead going into the final two innings. The Hornets went without a run over the first five innings but not for a lack of opportunity. Mansfield loaded the bases in both the first and fifth innings, and had runners in scoring position in the second third, and fourth innings but couldn’t push across a run. That chad in the sixth as Caden Colby drew a lead off walk, moved to second on a single from Matt DeShiro (3-for-5), and an infield single from Conner Zukowski loaded the bases. Jimmy Gilleran grounded into a fielder’s choice to bring into a run and DeShiro then came home to tie it. In the bottom of the seventh, Jared Fraone had a one-out single, took second on a walk by Colby Geddis, and then came around to score the winning run on a two-out single from DeShiro. Aaron Blinn pitched well in the start for the hosts, allowing two runs on seven hits and four walks, striking out six in five innings of work. Geddis earned the win in relief, tossing two scoreless innings with one hit, one walk, and four strikeouts.
Softball
Attleboro, 1 @ North Attleboro, 4 – Final – Zoey McDonough struck out 16 and allowed only an unearned run to lead North to a big win in its season finale, splitting the series with the Bombardiers. Attleboro got on the board in the top of the first but McDonough dominated, allowing only one lead-off batter to reach all afternoon. North tied the game in the third. Mandi Hanewich reached on a single, stole third, and came home on an overthrow. The following inning, Maryellen Charette hit a solo homer, her first varsity home run, to put North in front. In the fifth, Hanewich and Ally Levine beat out infield hits and Colleran plated one with a double. McDonough helped her own cause with a single that scored Levine. McDonough then capped the win by striking out the side in the seventh. It was North’s fifth straight win to close out the regular season.
Mansfield, 5 vs. Boston Latin Academy, 0 – Final (Forfeit)
Sharon, 11 @ Duxbury, 7 – Final
Foxboro, 0 vs. Silver Lake, 2 – Final
Taunton, 11 vs. Bishop Feehan, 6 – Final – Buoyed by a big start and a strong offensive performance, Taunton picked up a win over Bishop Feehan in a contest between two of the top rated teams in Division 1. The visiting Shamrocks got on the board first with a run in the top of the first inning but Taunton struck for four runs in the bottom half and led the rest of the way. Walks to Kyleah Plumb and Angie Lynch preceded Kaysie DeMoura being hit by a pitch to load the bases. Ava Venturelli drew another walk to bring in a run, Hayley Krockta brought a run in with a sac fly, Liv Mendonca added another run on a ground out, and Brooke Aldrich smacked an RBI double for a 4-1 lead after an inning. The Tigers added two runs in the second (Mia Fernandes solo home run, Venturelli RBI ground out) and another in the third (Plumb HBP with bases loaded) for a 7-2 lead. In the bottom of the fifth, Taunton tacked on four more runs to build a lead too big for the Shamrocks to rally from. Kylie Thorpe had an RBI single, Fernandes drove in one with a single to center, and Lynch’s single to left brought in two runs.
Boys Lacrosse
Milford, 7 @ Attleboro, 18 – Final
Foxboro, 8 @ Cohasset, 6 – Final
Franklin, 5 @ Medfield, 16 – Final
King Philip, 2 vs. Norwell, 13 – Final
Mansfield, 8 vs. Advanced Math & Science Academy, 5 – Final
Oliver Ames, 12 vs. Middleboro, 8 – Final – OA scored nine times in the first half and held off a second-half comeback by the Sachems to secure the non-league win. Ben Reardon was the spark on offense, leading the Tigers with seven goals. Ryan Jaco had a hat trick and Evan Jaco and Alex McAndrew each scored once in the win. Despite being shorthanded, OA led 9-2 at the break and was able to hold on down the stretch.
Girls Lacrosse
Attleboro, 5 @ Milford, 12 – Final – Aislinn Bennett scored five goals to lead the Hawks to a season sweep of Attleboro and to their 11th win of the season. Bennett now has 81 goals for the season and is the program’s leading scorer with 117 goals in her career. Emily Croteau added two goals, while Carly Haley, Jill Araujo, Erin Michelson, Stephanie Goulet, and Ava Lebel each found the back of the net once. Caitlyn Bangert made eight saves to preserve the win and Emma Tredeau had a solid game in defense. Milford is heading to the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
Oliver Ames, 17 @ Middleboro, 6 – Final – Georgia Costello scored five goals and Hailey Bourne scored four to lead the Tigers to a non-league road win. Jess Widdop had another solid game in net to pick up the win for OA.
Taunton, 7 @ Sharon, 6 – Final – Cali Melo and Sarah Clark each recorded hat tricks for the Tigers, who beat Sharon by a goal for the second time this season. Caroline Vallarelli added a goal for the Tigers. Sharon got big games from its seniors, Athena Merck scored three times and Kaitlyn Galeota added two. Bailey Garte had Sharon’s sixth goal and Tess Letendre continued her strong play in goal, making 21 saves to keep the Eagles close.
Boys Tennis
King Philip, 1 @ Xaverian, 4 – Final
Sharon, 4 @ North Attleboro, 1 – Final – Sharon completed a perfect 16-0 league schedule by taking down North Attleboro on the road. The Eagles won a pair of matches in singles action and swept both doubles matches to get the win. Sophomore Matthew Lally earned a 6-0, 6-3 straight set win at first singles and freshman Jacob Slavsky took a 6-2, 6-0 verdict at third singles for the Eagles. The team of Hyojae Park and Sava Kassev only lost a pair of games in a 6-0, 6-2 win at first doubles while Savir Basil and Wenhao Yang added a 6-2, 6-1 win at second doubles. North Attleboro’s Brody Carter captured a 6-2, 7-5 win at second singles.
Taunton vs. New Bedford, 4:00
Girls Tennis
North Attleboro, 0 @ Sharon, 5 – Final
Taunton @ New Bedford, 4:00
King Philip, 4 @ Franklin, 1 – Final – King Philip won its second straight match over Franklin to finish the season, leapfrogging the Panthers in the standings to claim its fifth straight Kelley-Rex division title. After dropping a contest to OA in early May, the Warriors rattled off nine straight wins to finish the season to move into the top spot in the division. King Philip, which won by the same score on Monday, finished off a rain-delayed match from last week on Wednesday. Ahunna James picked up where she left off a week ago and earned a straight set (6-2, 6-0) win at first singles while Shea Mellman erased a 4-2 deficit in the first set to win 10 of the next 11 games to secure a 6-4, 6-1 win — the match that clinched the win and the division title for the Warriors. Resha Ajoy and Lauren Casper added a 6-4, 6-4 win at first doules while Priya Riar and Carlie Burns rallied in the third set, overcoming a three-game deficit to prevail 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (5).
Boys Volleyball
King Philip @ Milford, 6:00
Taunton, 0 vs. Xaverian, 3 – Final
Baseball
Oliver Ames, 7 vs. New Bedford, 11 – Final – Oliver Ames got off to a great start with four runs in the first inning but New Bedford answered with seven runs in the second and never surrendered that lead for a win at Frothingham. For OA, Ian Kelly had a big day with three hits and three RBI, Andrew Rodgers added three hits, and Jack Richardson, Jake Waxman (two hits, two runs), Patrick Finnerty, and Joe Cicchetti each had an RBI for the Tigers, who only allowed three earned runs.
Sharon, 7 @ Mansfield, 15 – Final – Mansfield’s bats stayed hot at the start of the game and it carried throughout as the Hornets secured a 15-7 win, their third victory of the week and fourth straight overall. Sharon carried a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the first inning after an RBI single from Dan Okstein, but the Hornets took advantage of four straight walks to start the game and pushed across all four of them for a 4-1 lead. Mansfield really broke it open in the bottom of the second, plating eight runs — all but one coming with two outs. Connor Curtis had an RBI double, Jake Maydak drove in two with a triple, Brian Butler knocked in two more with a double, and both Aiden Jones and Conner Zukowski drove in a run to make it 12-1. Butler and senior Jeremy Rotenberg each had two hits for the Hornets while Zukowski (three stolen bases), Anthony Sacchetti, and Jimmy Gilleran each scored twice. Okstein finished 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored, as well as two scoreless innings in relief, for the Eagles while Will Hippler added two hits and three runs and Ryan Baker drove in a pair.
Softball
Milford vs. West Haven (CT), 11:00
Attleboro, 6 vs. Holliston, 3 – Final
Girls Lacrosse
Franklin, 10 vs. Concord-Carlisle, 7 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this game. Kaitlyn Carney scored five goals and had three assists and the Panthers went on a 4-0 run in the second half to pull out a win over Concord-Carlisle in a rematch of last year’s D1 East final. The Panthers controlled the first half, winning 6-of-7 draw controls, forcing the Concord goalie into six saves, and going 11 minutes before allowing a shot on goal on the other end. Carney opened the scoring inside the first minute with a sidearm finish and then her pass from behind the cage picked out Kenzie Baker to double the lead. Carney then intercepted a clearance and threw a skip pass to Lindsay Atkinson to make it 3-0 after eight minutes. Brigid Earley came up with a couple of big saves with nine minutes left in the half and the Panthers extended the lead with a free position goal from Kate O’Rourke and a good dodge at the crease by Jackie O’Neil. The visitors got one back before halftime and carried the momentum through the break. Earley (eight saves) came up with a big point-blank stop early in the second half, but the Patriots scored twice to make it 5-3 with 20 minutes to go. Katie Peterson set up Carney to move back in front by three, but Concord-Carlisle scored two straight and it was a one-goal game with 16:23 to go. Carney got her fourth of the day cutting across the middle and then she set up Baker for her second. O’Rourke finished from a free position to make it 9-5 and then Carney fired in another strong sidearm shot to push the lead back to five with less than nine minutes to go.
Milford, 11 vs. Norwood, 8 – Final – After six straight games on the road to start the season, Milford earned a hard-fought win in its first home game of the season. Junior Carley Haley scored just under a minute into the contest to set the tone for the Scarlet Hawks, who built a 5-4 advantage by halftime. After Norwood pulled level at 7-7, the Hawks came out of a timeout with four straight goals to run away with the win. Emily Croteau (three goals, two assists), Aislinn Bennett (four goals), and Haley (three goals, one assist) each scored a pair of goals in the second half to lead the balanced attack. Caitlin Bangart had a standout performance in net while senior Emma Tredeau anchored a strong defensive effort.
Foxboro’s Mary Collins (left) battles for possession with King Philip’s Ally Beltramini during the 2020 season. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com) By HockomockSports.com Staff
2020 Record: 5-3-6 Coach: Lindsey Antunes
With a large senior class full of experience, the Bombardiers are looking to make the tournament and a run at the Kelley-Rex division title. Attleboro has players back all over the field and could be a serious contender for the division crown.
The offense starts with returning All-Hockomock selection Madison Ellis, who enters her third year with the team. Ellis has been one of the best attackers over the past two years, leading the Bombardiers during last year’s abbreviated season and was third on the team as a sophomore. Classmate Sarah McMahon should see an expanded role this year and will be tasked with helping pace the offensive attack for Attleboro.
Defensively, the Bombardiers have senior Ava Haggerty back in the cage and that is a big boost for the defense. Haggerty has started since her sophomore year and is one of the most experienced goalies in the league. Stand out defender Emma Briggs will anchor the defensive unit in front of Haggerty. Senior captain Emelia Westwater and classmate Jordan Croteau highlight the midfield unit for Attleboro.
“We are looking forward to transitioning back into the 11v11 model and a more traditional season,” said head coach Lindsay Antunes. “We have a great senior class, who has been working diligently in the offseason which we feel will positively impact our program and our overall season.”
2020 Record: 8-2-2 Coach: Chrissy O’Connor
After missing out on back-to-back league titles but just two points, Canton graduated a host of long-serving players. Despite those graduations, the Bulldogs return several key players who are looking to step into bigger roles and help the team get back on top in what should be another difficult Davenport division title race.
Canton will obviously feel the loss of the league’s co-leading scorer, Maria Femia, but the Bulldogs have a lot of attacking talent that should be able to make up for at least some of those goals. Junior forward Ellie Bohane is a three-year varsity player and her quickness on the wing and finishing ability have her poised for a breakout year. Senior Erin Lane has been a playmaker from midfield and classmate Payton McDonough is a skillful, physical presence in midfield or inside the circle. Senior Sarah Cunningham and junior Audrey Koen will also be factors in what remains a dynamic attack.
The defense will be a young group this season. Senior Carly Fitzgerald is the lone returning starter and will be the backbone of the defensive unit. Junior Carolyn Durand and Jackie Smith are vying to take over the goalie position and there are several younger players that look capable of jumping into the defense and contributing right away. Sophomore Maggie McCready will be one of the newcomers to keep an eye on this year.
“Offensively we have some versatility with several players with scoring potential,” said Canton coach Chrissy O’Connor. “While we have several slots to fill on defense, we have our returning starter Carly Fitzgerald, who will undoubtedly be the backbone of our defense.”
2020 Record: 7-3-2 Coach: Melissa Bordieri
Foxboro slipped to third place in the Davenport last fall, but was only four points back of first-place Oliver Ames and went into the final week of the regular season with a shot at the title. The Warriors were impacted by graduation and transfers, so there will be some new faces in new spots this season, but there is still confidence that the pieces will come together for another division title challenge.
Even with the transfer of leading scorer Dylan Rappoli, the Warriors still have a lot of firepower up top. Senior Kate Collins will be the focal point at the center forward position, coming off a season in which she led the team with eight assists. Junior Mya Waryas and sophomore Mary Collins will be in the forward line and both have shown the ability to get into good scoring positions in the circle.
Midfield will be led by senior Paige Simoneau, who will bring much-needed experience. Alongside Simoneau will be junior Mia DiNunzio, who adds club experience to her time on varsity and adds a burst of energy. Sophomore Val Beigel is another dynamic player who can be counted on at both ends of the field. The midfield will play a big role in Foxboro’s team defense, but the Warriors can also count on two strong goalies. Senior Lilli Jones returns from varsity last year and Katherine Ferguson will make the jump up from JV and is expected to see some time this year as well.
“We’re looking good,” said Foxboro coach Melissa Bordieri. “We’ve got some new players and some returning players, so I’m feeling good about it. Trying to put players in the right position to get the maximum out of the team. I think, as a unit, we’ll be a competitor in our division for sure.”
2020 Record: 11-0-2 (Kelley-Rex division champions) Coach: Michelle Hess
Franklin has won back-to-back league titles and enters the season on a run of 30 league games unbeaten (26-0-4) going back to 2018. After graduating 11 seniors from the Hock Cup champions, the Panthers will be inexperienced at several spots this season, but there is confidence in the new players that they can step in and keep Franklin’s impressive run going this fall.
It is in attack that the Panthers will have a lot of new faces, but Franklin coach Michelle Hess sees a lot of skill from the new group, and a willingness to get into dangerous positions. Junior midfielder Kaitlyn Carney is back after tying for the league lead with 22 points last year (15 goals and seven assists). Her aggressive personality will be a major factor in getting the Panthers into the attack. Defensively, Franklin is quick and experienced. Seniors Kate O’Rourke and Kendall Jones are both returning to provide leadership at the back. Senior Jill Fenerty is carrying an injury into the season, but the Panthers will hope she returns quickly.
“We are looking forward to defending our 2-year title and working hard towards a three-peat as champions,” said Hess. “Although we are inexperienced and have some positions to fill from last year, I feel we have players that will step up nicely into their new roles and do a great job.”
2020 Record: 8-3-3 Coach: Lisa Cropper
King Philip lost three games last season and all three were to league champ Franklin, by a combined four goals, including a one-goal loss in the Hock Cup final. The Warriors graduated their three starting forwards from last year, but return a roster that is as experienced (15 seniors) as any in the league and KP coach Lisa Cropper will be hoping that they have enough experience to end her former team’s two-year run at the top of the Kelley-Rex.
While the three all-stars are no longer leading the line for the Warriors, there is still plenty of firepower up top. Seniors Sydney O’Shea and Jen Daniels will be expected to take on bigger responsibilities and get into good goal-scoring positions. Sophomore Mara Boldy and freshman Makenzie McDevitt are a pair of newcomers to watch and could provide an instant burst of energy in the KP attack. Sophomore Kelly Holmes will run things from the center of midfield and senior Christina Gifun provides support for both the attack and defense.
The strength of the team should be an experienced back line. Seniors Morgan Cunningham, Lily Brown, and Haley Izydorczak are strong on-ball defenders and, if anyone gets through the first line of pressure, senior Molly Piller is always there at sweeper to clear the ball. Junior Haley Bright will be stepping in to be the new starting goalie.
“We should have some good depth and play about 14 kids rotating thru the lineup,” said Cropper. “Losing all three starting all-star forwards and goalie to graduation, we have some big shoes to fill at both ends of the field, but we should be solid in the midfield and on defense with a senior-heavy team.”
2020 Record: 2-7-3 Coach: Theresa Nyhan
Mansfield will be leaning on its senior leadership this season but it will need to be a complete group effort as the Hornets are looking for key contributions from both its juniors and sophomores on the roster. There are seven seniors on the roster with captains Celia Puleo (striker) and Caitlin Dumouchel (defense) leading the way on each end of the field.
Puleo spearheads a veteran offensive unit as she is joined by classmates Sadie Mello and Maddie Brown, giving the Hornets a trio of experienced players in its attack. Dumouchel is the anchor of the defense with senior Bethany Sears and junior Hallie Popat currently in the mix. Head coach Theresa Nyhan expects to see some new faces emerge both offensively and defensively as the season progresses throughout.
Senior Grace Bertolino is just one of six players back from last year’s team and is going to control the midfield for the Hornets, getting up the field to get involved with the attack while also transitioning back to help solidify the defense. Junior Danni Cuzzi and sophomore Lola Varricchione look to fill out the midfield for the Hornets. Junior Lily Danehy made the switch from the field to the cage last season and returns as the starter this year.
“The Hornets are excited to get back to the traditional field hockey format,” Nyhan said. “Team play, fluidity and communication will be tenets of Hornet success!”
2020 Record: 0-9-2 Coach: Tim Dowd
The Hawks will be putting a major emphasis on defense this season, hoping to establish a solidified front and work their way up the field against the always tough Hockomock League competition.
Senior captain Maddie Hunt returns in the cage for the second straight season, and she has played against a lot of tough competition already. Her experience will be key as the Hawks look to improve each game. Seniors Emma Tredeau and Stephanie Wong are also captains for the team and they’ll be counted on their leadership both on and off the field.
Head coach Tim Dowd is not only counting on his captains to lead the way but the entire senior class. Carmela Bon Tempo, Ashley Maldonado, Gill Meaney, and McKenna Smith will all play key roles for the Hawks this season. Tredeau and Smith will be the focus of the offense alongside Tessa Scrimgeour and Stella Portes as Milford looks to build cohesion on the offensive end of the field. Newcomers Sam Fazo and Lindsay Casman will be in the mix as well.
The midfield could be the strength of the team with dynamic players Jordan Douglas and Ashlynn Ringo — both juniors — ready to take a big step forward this year after getting experience at the varsity level last year. Bon Tempo will be joined by Sophia Soares and Hailey Beagle to help strengthen the defense in from of Hunt.
“We’re looking forward to a great season and getting back to the normal rules of play,” Dowd said. “As a team, we’re going to be focused on defense first and try to give our goalkeeper as much help as we can. We’re also going to try to work hard as a team and stay positive.”
2020 Record: 3-10-0 Coach: Karen Folan
Expectations are high for the Rocketeers this season with a strong mix of experienced seniors and juniors back in the fold. With key players back at all positions, North Attleboro is looking to get back into the mix for the Davenport title.
North Attleboro will try to be on the front foot this year, using speed and skill to apply pressure to opposing defenses. Senior captain Zoe McKeon is back for her second year up front and will be a target for the Rocketeers’ talented midfield unit. Senior captain Kelsey Briere will provide key leadership both on and off the field and will be joined in the midfield by junior Julia Puccio, the team’s leading scorer last season and All-Hockomock selection. Puccio is among the top players in the league and will be an important link in the transition game for North.
The midfield also will feature junior Caroline Folan, another two-year member of the varsity program. Her speed will help North get the ball up the field as the Rocketeers push from defense into offense, setting up teammates in the circle. Junior Ava Mckeon will add a strong defensive presence to the midfield while still firing drives on net from the top of the circle.
“We have high expectations for ourselves this season,” said head coach Karen Folan. “With a core line up of experienced players that mesh well, there is a drive to generate lots of offensive pressure. We will look to keep the energy on the field high by utilizing the depth on our roster.”
2020 Record: 9-1-2 (Davenport division champions) Coach: Sharon Lawrence
Oliver Ames edged Canton and Foxboro to win the Davenport title in 2020. In each of the last three seasons that the Tigers have played in the division, they have come out on top. OA will have a challenge to make it four straight titles, as the Tigers graduated 11 seniors (eight of which were two-year starters), but there is a lot of talent returning to keep the expectations high going into the new year.
With nine returning seniors, eight juniors, and two sophomores that saw significant minutes last season, OA has reloaded to take on the league’s best. The key for the Tigers will be rebuilding the defense, after graduating an entire back line. Junior Maddie Proia will be the anchor on that end of the field. Senior Ava Costello will be the driving force in the midfield, which is loaded with experienced seniors, and she is a key to the Tigers getting forward into the attack.
Senior Georgia Costello is the team’s top returning scorer and the combination between the twin sisters will give OA plenty of chances in transition. The Tigers will also return junior Julia Maclaine and sophomore Erin Cottam, who were both vital to OA’s title run last year. The speedy wingers give the Tigers a consistent outlet and both showed a nose for the goal. Depth will also be a strength, as OA coach Sharon Lawrence believes her bench can step in to produce and give fresh legs.
“We are a brand new team this year with lots of re-positioning,” Lawrence said, “but we are improving every day and building on our passing game. There is magic in the air with our season back on track, and I know good things and lots of goals are in our future this fall.”
2020 Record: 0-11-0 Coach: Paulina Kosmadakis
Sharon has four captains this season and they will be leading the way as the Eagles look to improve each and every game, getting better as the season progresses.
Seniors Abby Gott, Rachel Glass, Ashley Young, and Shiraz Becker are all captains for the Eagles this team with Young back in the fold after missing last season due to injury. Young and Glass will help in all areas of the field while Becker and Gott will make up a strong forward line for the Eagles. Head coach Paulina Kosmadakis has been impressed with the captains’ heart, determination, and “true grit” so far.
Junior Natalie Kessler will start in the cage for the Eagles, who are looking to improve on the defensive end as they tackle an incredibly tough schedule against Hockomock foes. Sophomore Jane Hendrixson joins the varsity squad this year and will be an important piece of the Eagles’ defense.
“The girls have been working hard to try and be more of an offensive team,” Kosmadakis said “Sharon’s defense has always been strong but as an overall team, we are looking forward to playing both sides of the field this year.”
2020 Record: 5-7-0 Coach: Dan Mark
Varsity experience will be in short supply for Stoughton this season. The Black Knights graduated 20 players from last year’s team and return only four starters. This will be a season of transition, as a host of new faces get acclimated to playing against Hockomock competition, but with hope that the talent could carry the team to a playoff spot.
Senior Zofia Bangs scored 10 goals last season and she is back to give the Black Knights a consistent goal-scoring threat. Senior Mia Allie is also back at forward and will be looking to step into a bigger role and take advantage of more chances this season. Seniors Kate Bulger and Sydney Menz will bring athleticism to the midfield and senior Melody Casna will be stepping into goal this season. Although the Black Knights will have 11 seniors on this year’s roster, the vast majority will be getting their first varsity appearances.
“We lack experience at many key positions,” said Stoughton coach Dan Mark, “but the [returning] players will supply stability and experience for less experienced players.”
2020 Record: 0-2-8 Coach: Liz Hathaway
Taunton are another team that will be turning to youth this fall. The Tigers graduated eight seniors from a team that only saw the field four times in a very abbreviated season. There will still be plenty of speed and athleticism on display for Taunton, which has consistently proven over the past few seasons to be a tough team to beat even for the top teams in the league.
Senior forward Ashley Amaro scored three times in four games last year and will lead the line for the Tigers, using her ability to carry the ball and her speed to stretch the opposition. Junior Caelen O’Leary is a newcomer to the attack, who will offer Amaro a good partner up top. Senior Kylie Thorpe returns in the midfield and has been an important player supporting both the defense and the attack. Senior Emily Gannon is back in goal and will once again be one of the league’s top shot stoppers. Junior Thalia Nogueira is going to be a key player in the Taunton defense, with her aggression and leadership needed in a young group.
“We do have some returning speed and ball handlers that we will be really counting on,” said Taunton coach Liz Hathaway. “Our returning players do demonstrate a good field awareness that translates well both offensively and defensively.”
2019 Record: 9-8-3 2019 Finish: Reached D1 South First Round Coach: Lindsay Antunes
The Bombardiers had one of their best years in recent memory during the 2019 season and with a strong group of returning players, are looking to carry that success over to 2020.
While replacing HockomockSports Player of the Year Anna Beck will certainly be a tough task, the Bombardiers have a lot of talented players back ready to take advantage of the pace and space that comes with 7v7 field hockey — a new rule modification this season. There is a lot of firepower in the Attleboro offense, a group that has played together before and is always looking to set each other up. Senior captains Amanda Burns (five goals, nine assists), Campbell Compton, and Hannah Webster will spearhead the attack alongside junior Madison Ellis (seven goals, six assists).
Attleboro’s defensive unit is coming along, showing plenty of progress in preseason alone. With some open spots up for grabs on defense, potential candidates took advantage of offseason club teams to improve their game. Senior Kiara Murray will be an important part of the backline while junior Ava Haggerty returns in net after a stellar sophomore season.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the accomplishments and success of this team this season,” said Attleboro head coach Lindsay Antunes. “The strong leadership skills, the positive attitudes and the confidence my players have this season is amazing to see given the nature of this season and all of the changes and challenges. We have a lot of returning players with tremendous skill, paired with new additions to our roster who are sure to make an impact this season.”
2019 Record: 12-4-3 2019 Finish: Reached D1 South First Round Coach: Chrissy O’Connor
Expectations are high in Canton as the Bulldogs, one of the perennial league powers year in and year out, will be looking to repeat as Davenport division champions. A big reason for that optimism is the amount of returners from last year’s squad that had 12 wins, just one league loss, and a division-best 61 goals scored.
Senior captain Maria Femia played a part in nearly half of those goals, finding the back of the net five times while recording a Hockomock-best 27 assists. She’ll work alongside Meghan LaBelle (nine goals, eight assists) to form one of the most dangerous attacking units in the Hockomock League.
Beyond Foxboro, one of the biggest challenges the Dogs will face this year is the new rule modifications. Just six players plus a goalie will grace the field at one time, meaning a lot more space to cover. Add in the fact the girls have to wear a mask while wearing a mouthguard.
Allie Gefteas and Lizzie Tassinari will be key pieces in the Canton lineup as well. While defending will look a bit different this year with breakaways more of a concern than penalty corners (which aren’t allowed), the Dogs have senior Riley O’Connor back in net. O’Connor has been one of the top goalies in the Hock the past two seasons and is very aggressive off her line.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to be back on the field this season,” said Canton head coach Chrissy O’Connor. “Our team has worked hard to be here and they do not take it for granted. Our seniors who have played together since a young age deserve to have a competitive and fun season. We look forward to getting started with games next week.”
2019 Record: 13-2-5 2019 Finish: Reached D2 South Quarterfinal Coach: Melissa Bordieri
Last year’s Davenport division race came down to just one game, with Canton taking the title with two more points than Foxboro. With just 10 games on tap this season, the Warriors know each point is vital if they want to try and knock off the Bulldogs atop the division.
Replacing Jaime Notarangelo won’t be easy but the Warriors have options and depth as they navigate the new rules of 2020. Foxboro is coming off a 13-win season that ended in the D2 South Quarterfinal round.
Senior Ella Waryas will be a key piece in the middle of the field for the Warriors this season. Her ability to play strong defense and then transition into a key piece of the offense will be vital in the new 7v7 style. Sophomore Mya Waryas (seven goals in 2019) had a breakout season and could be an important part of the Foxboro attack in 2019. The Warriors will also see production from senior Molly McElhinney, juniors Kate Collins and Mikayla Doherty, and sophomore Dylan Rappoli (four goals, four assists in 2019).
All-Hockomock selection Shannon Egan is back to anchor a defensive unit that was the best in the Hockomock League last season with just 11 goals allowed. And on top of that, senior Hannah Trombley is back in the cage to anchor the defensive unit.
2019 Record: 15-3-2 2019 Finish: Reached D1 South Quarterfinal Coach: Michelle Hess
When you look at the talent the Panthers possess on their roster this season, it’s hard not to immediately think what kind of run they could go on in the postseason. Unfortunately, there aren’t any playoffs this season so Franklin’s focus zeroes in on one thing: repeating as Hock champs.
A year removed from going undefeated against league opponents, the Panthers enter the 2020 season as the favorites to take home another Kelley-Rex title. For starters, Franklin has its top three scorers back from last year’s team that scored a Hockomock-best 91 goals. Amanda Lewandowski (20 goals, 10 assists), Stephanie Bell (14 goals, eight assists), and last year’s HockomockSports Underclassman of the Year Kaitlyn Carney (14 goals, eight assists) combine to make the Panthers one of the most lethal teams in the region.
Franklin’s offense even more of a boost with the return of senior captain Sara Carney (who missed last season with an injury) and junior forward Jill Fenerty.
Senior captain Neilee Hess anchors the defensive unit as the starting goalie. Hess’ experience will be vital as Franklin has some new faces on its defensive unit, including Molly Collins, Kendall Jones, and Kate O’Rourke. Freshman midfield Sophia Cuneo could make an impact right away.
“I am extremely proud of my team and how they have adapted to the modifications,” said Franklin head coach Michelle Hess. “They have taken a situation that could have put a damper on their enthusiasm and shared with me that they are just ready to get to work. They have a Hock Title to defend and these modifications are not going to stop them from accomplishing their goal of a Back to Back Kelley-Rex Title!”
2019 Record: 10-7-3 2019 Finish: Reached D1 South First Round Coach: Lisa Cropper
King Philip had a lot of new faces last year, but there wasn’t a huge drop-off from the team’s success of the back-to-back title-winning seasons, as the Warriors finished in second place in the Kelley-Rex division and picked up a win in the postseason. With returning players all over the field, KP has high expectations to challenge Franklin for a league title this fall.
Speed will be one of the strengths for the Warriors, who will try to take advantage of experience on the wings in the new 7-on-7 format. Seniors Abby Nixon and Paige Berdos are both coming off strong seasons in the attack and senior midfielders Grace and Isabelle Crocker will push forward to add more threats in front of goal.
Experience will be a key to the defensive effort this year, starting in goal with senior Makenzie Manning, who has been on of the league’s top shot stoppers (and showed it in the season-opening win against Mansfield). Junior Molly Piller had a very strong sophomore season and will be the team’s sweeper, while juniors Christina Gifun and Morgan Cunningham and senior Alli Beltramini are all back as part of the defensive unit.
“We have a lot of experience, but I’m not sure how much that will help us with no penalty corners and only six field players,” said KP coach Lisa Cropper. “Hopefully our depth and overall team speed will help to cover all that empty space out there this year.”
2019 Record: 12-7-2 2019 Finish: Reached D1 South Quarterfinal Coach: Theresa Nyhan
Longtime Mansfield head coach Theresa Nyhan is excited to see what the 2020 version of the Hornets can do on the field this season. The new rule modifications have taken some players off the field, making it 7-v-7, but that opens up a lot of space on the field.
That space benefits the Hornets as Nyhan says her squad has speed in both the attacking and defending ends of the field. But the new rules also bring a pair of intriguing challenges. First will be figuring out a new substitution pattern that keeps players fresh for 60 minutes, and the other is adjusting the offense without penalty corners — not only for gameplan purposes but for the active rest players can get while setting up.
The Hornets have a large number of seniors and juniors on the team this year, hoping that experience will translate to success on the field. Tai-captains Abby Varracchione, Alex Burnham, and Grace Danehy lead the way for the Hornets and will be vital to the success of the squad. Seniors Fiona Katz, Stori Rounds, and Emma Kelly will bolster the forward group, Lindsay Devine, Grace Fernandez, and Ally McDevitt provide depth to the midfield, and Bella Deberghes, Lily O’Brien, and Leah Sheehan are important pieces to the defensive puzzle.
Juniors Caitlin Dumouchel, Celia Puleo, Maddy Brown, and Grace Bertolino should factor in this season while sophomore Lilly Danehy will take over as the starting goalie. Nyhan expects freshman Lola Varracchione to be an impact player at the varsity level right away.
“The Mansfield field hockey community wants to thank all who have worked long and hard to make a season possible,” Nyhan said. “We are grateful seniors have a “senior season” and look forward to competing!’
2019 Record: 4-12-2 2019 Finish: Missed playoffs Coach: Tim Dowd
The Scarlet Hawks saw improvement during the 2019 season and are hoping that upward trajectory continues into 2020 under new head coach Tim Dowd.
Milford will be leaning on its three captains to lead the way: Maddy Carneiro, Olivia Macleod, and Olyvia Whyte. All three have been cornerstones of the program and will be leaders both on and off the field.
Maddy Hunt will start in the cage for the Hawks, who will be putting a lot of importance into the defensive side of the ball. With the new rule modifications meaning there will be more breakaways, the Hawks are hoping to have good numbers defensively to give Hunt as much help as possible.
Offensively, the Hawks will turn to speedy juniors Emma Tredeau and Stephanie Wong to try and take advantage of all of the space on the field. With just six field players, conditioning and positioning are going to be of the utmost importance.
“It’s certainly going to be an interesting season as we all try to adjust to the modifications and a new way of approaching the game,” Dowd said. “We’re just focusing on working hard and keeping a positive attitude.”
2019 Record: 6-8-4 2019 Finish: Missed playoffs Coach: Karen Folan
North Attleboro finished third in the Davenport division last season, just two points out of a playoff spot, but will not only have to contend with the typical top two of Canton and Foxboro but will also have Oliver Ames in the division this year and the modified 7-on-7 rules, which should make this an interesting fall.
The Rocketeers have a strong group of returning players that they can count on and expectations of being competitive in every game, but also are trying to adapt to new positioning and the much quicker transitions that come from having fewer players and more space on the field. Senior forwards Lauren Abusheery and Emma Bailey will look to take advantage of those openings to create scoring chances, while sophomores Ava Spencer and Caroline Folan are newcomers that have shown a scoring touch in the preseason.
In the midfield, senior Nora Dluhy is a consistent performer wherever she lines up and sophomore Julia Puccio has the speed and ball control to weave through defenders. Senior Emily Daby will lead the defensive unit and can also step up into the midfield and carry possession, which will be a big help with the new rules. Senior Hannah Bachand will take over in goal this season.
The team is excited to start games this week,” said North coach Karen Folan. “I’ve told them to enjoy each minute on the field and to make the most of the shortened season and the unique situation.”
2019 Record: 9-10-0 2019 Finish: Reached D1 South Preliminary Rou Coach: Sharon Lawrence
There are a lot of familiar names on Oliver Ames’ roster this season, highlighted by 11 seniors and eight returning starters from last year’s team. The Tigers have experience all over the field and could be a dark horse in the Davenport division title race.
With the game reduced to six field players due to the rule modifications, there is plenty of space on the field. That fits right into OA’s gameplan as the Tigers are looking to utilize their speed and passing game to jump-start their offense. Like many teams in the league, Oliver Ames will be shifting to lines similar to an ice hockey team. With a total of 24 players on the team, there is plenty of depth so head coach Sharon Lawrence will be using her deep bench to keep fresh legs on the field throughout the game.
“We are all just happy to be together and have a season,” Lawrence said. ”They have all worked so hard and deserve it! Getting outside to play together is a mental and physical win for all.”
The heart of the team lies in the midfield as the Tigers have a strong mix of talent and experience. Senior captain Maggie Woods, a HockomockSports.com First Team selection last season, gets it done on both ends of the field, a big part of getting Oliver Ames transitioned from defense to offense. She will be joined by senior Sofia Anestam, junior Ava Costello, and sophomore Julia Maclaine in the midfield.
The Tigers return two dangerous attacking players in junior Georgia Costello (nine goals, five assists in 2019) and senior Haley Gilman (five goals, one assist). Without penalty corners, OA will lean on its speed up front to try and beat the defense and score in the run of play. The defense will be anchored by senior captain Emily Han, who has a lot of experience at the varsity level and senior Abbey Boyce.
2019 Record: 2-13-3 2019 Finish: Missed playoffs Coach: Paulina Kosmadakis
Former Sharon standout Paulina Kosmadakis is back with the program, this time taking over as new head coach. And after an improved 2019 season, Kosmadakis is hoping the program continues heading in the right direction in 2020.
The Eagles broke into the win column last season and Kosmadakis has liked what she’s seen from her team so far in the preseason. It starts with the team’s four captains: Sam Sherman, Ashley Young, Jill Parker, and Yesha Sharma. Kosmadakis said that the group has brought a new, competitive edge to the program.
Offensively, the Eagles strength is on fast breaks. Improved passing has led to some odd-man rushes and the opportunity to go one-on-one with defenders. It also comes as a result of a lot of space on the field due to the modifications to the rules. On the flip side, the Eagles are adjusting to the new intensity that 7v7 field hockey brings. Kosmadakis plans on using as much of her bench as possible with a lot of subbing throughout the game.
“I believe that the team is really stepping up their competitive edge and going to “Shock the Hock” both defensively and offensively,” Kosmadakis said. “I am excited for this season and the seasons to come!”
2019 Record: 2-15-2 2019 Finish: Missed playoffs Coach: Dan Mark
After a two-win season in 2019, Stoughton will look to bounce back this fall with an experienced group, with 20 seniors on the roster, which faces the tough test of trying to compete with the top teams in the Davenport division, and it starts right away with two games against defending league champ Canton in the first week.
The Black Knights should be capable of scoring goals this year with a speedy forward line getting extra space to work with the new 7-on-7 rules. Senior forwards Haley Nelson and Morgan Lessa will be the leaders in the attack and have the skills to put defenders on the back foot. Juniors Zofia Bangs and Mia Allie are new forwards that add depth to the attack this season.
Seniors Sarah McGrath and Kat Billo will shore things up in the midfield and try to help cover for the backline. Senior Lena Allie jumps in goal this season after a solid year with the JV team last fall.
“The biggest obstacle with the modifications is only having six field players and a goalie on the field,” said Stoughton coach Dan Mark. “I plan on using line shifts like in ice hockey. We have a large senior-dominated team, so hopefully that experience should help us.”
2019 Record: 5-12-1 2019 Finish: Missed playoffs Coach: Liz Hathaway
Looking back at last year’s standings, if there’s one team’s record that isn’t indicative of how good a team was, it’s Taunton. The Tigers had a stellar defense, allowing just 30 goals in total, playing close games against some of the top teams in the league including KP, Foxboro, and Canton.
Defense will be a strong suit of the Tigers once again this season. Even with the changes to the game with the new rule modifications, Taunton will hang its hat on the defensive end. Junior Emily Gannon is a major part of that, returning as the starting goalie after a breakout sophomore season. Gannon had over 100 saves last season, five shutouts, and allowed one or fewer goals in 10 of the 18 games played.
Gannon will have a familiar face in front of her as Jocelyn Pagliuca enters her third season as a key piece of the Tigers’ defense. With that much experience in the defensive end, expect Taunton to be among the toughest groups to break down.
The Tigers are hoping to find the back of the net more during the 2020 season. With last year’s leading scorer back in Alana Tavares, there’s a good chance that happens. Tavares, who has been on the team since eighth grade, will be among the top threats in the league. Having more space will allow Tavares to use her speed to get behind the defense and attack the net. Taunton head coach Liz Hathaway is expecting big contributions from junior Ashley Amaro and senior Skylar Rheaume as well.
“This season will be different but we are up for the challenge and we are grateful to have a season,” Hathaway said. “The girls have been working hard to keep the season going. They are also working hard and embracing the 7 vs. 7 format.”
