King Philip and Franklin will do battle again this winter in the second season of Hockomock League girls hockey and both will look to unseat inaugural champion Canton. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
2017-2018 Record: 2017-2018 Finish: Reached Div. 2 state title game. Coach: Dennis Aldrich
For two straight winters, Canton has advanced to the TD Garden to play in the Div. 2 state title game. Two years ago, the Bulldogs shocked everyone by getting to the final, but last season there was an expectation that Canton could make a deep tournament run. Those high expectations are there again this year, as the first-ever Hockomock League champions return two experienced lines of forwards and defensemen that all saw time during the tournament run.
The first line returns the team’s top two scorers with senior forwards Maggie Malloy (10 goals, 13 assists) and Lauren Fitzpatrick (14 goals, nine assists) forming a dynamic partnership that sparked the Bulldogs attack last season. Malloy was particularly prolific in the playoffs, providing decisive goals throughout the playoffs. Second line center Andrea McNeil has graduated but sophomores Lizzie Tassinari, Maria Femia, and Ellie Rae Roberts provided speed and energy during solid rookie seasons.
Defense has been Canton’s best weapon in each of the last two seasons. Although outstanding goalie Colleen Kelleher has graduated, senior Ava Pacitti is earning rave reviews during the preseason and she will have a well-drilled group of defensemen in front of her. Seniors Katie Trerice and Leah McClellan and junior Meg Aldrich and Alexa Maffeo will form a solid top two pairings at the blue line, with McClellan adding the different dimension of also jumping into the attack as often as possible.
“Canton’s staple has always been one of a hard skating, defensively stingy, opportunistic team. This year should be no exception,” said Canton coach Dennis Aldrich, who is looking forward to the new challenge of defending a Hockomock League title.
2017-2018 Record: 14-4-4 2017-2018 Finish: Reached Div. 1 first round. Coach: Margie Burke
Franklin had a very strong 2017-18 season, winning 14 games, including one in the postseason, and will try to build on that momentum to make another run at the postseason and to challenge inaugural league champ Canton at the top of the standings.
There is plenty of experience coming back to power the Panthers up the league standings. Senior Regan Paterson is one of the league’s top skaters and was the league’s top scorer last year with 18 goals and seven assists. Sophomores Victoria Quinn, Amanda Lewandowski, and Libby Carter will also provide offense after combining for 16 goals as freshmen. Junior Jordan Dwyer is also back up top after a 12-point season last year. While this a lot of youth in the forward lines, all saw time last season.
Defense will be one of the team’s strengths this season, with juniors Tina Pisano, Gina Vignone, and Gianna Cameron and senior Cassi Ronan all back to lead a veteran crew. One of the biggest changes for the Panthers will be in goal. Natalie Stott had an impressive freshman campaign but left to attend prep school, so Franklin will turn to sophomore Gabby Colace, who allowed only 0.56 goals against, saved 96 percent of the shots she faced, and had three shutouts as a freshman, and is ready to step into a bigger role. Senior Gianna Cornetta will also see time in net.
Franklin coach Margie Burke, who was honored with the National Ice Hockey Officials Association (NIHOA) Coach of the Year award last March, said, “I expect the hockey [in the league] to be very competitive again this year.”
2017-2018 Record: 11-9-2 2017-2018 Finish: Reached Div. 2 first round. Coach: Jack Unger
King Philip finished second in the inaugural season of Hockomock girls hockey and nearly reached the Div. 2 quarterfinal, only losing to Archbishop Williams by single goal, and the Warriors bring back their leading scorers to try and make a run at the Hock title. With a mix of experience and youth, KP could give Canton a run in the league and be poised for a tournament run as well.
The forward line will be very experienced with seniors Meghan Gorman, Alli Meehan, Alli Wilson, and Emily Brawley all back to provide scoring punch. Leading scorer Nicole Connor is also back and the senior defender is one of the most dynamic players in the league, giving KP strong play at the blue line and adding to the attack. Connor will be joined in the defense by seniors Madelyn Kelley and Lilly Worthington.
Goaltending should be a strength for the Warriors this season with senior Lilly Potts and junior Cristina Coleman both capable of shutting down the opposition. The team is also loaded with underclassmen, which bodes well for the program’s future. Freshmen Sydney O’Shea and Morgan Cunningham are a pair of newcomers that could make instant contributions for the Warriors this season.
“Despite being a younger team overall, the players have tremendous potential,” said KP coach Jack Unger. “Typical of all the sports programs within the Hockomock League, each game is against the best inter-league contestants out there. We all have the ability to beat one another each time out.”
2017-2018 Record: 12-7-3 2017-2018 Finish: Reached Div. 1 first round. Coach: Roy Bain
While Mansfield/Oliver Ames has a new coach, as Roy Bain takes over the program this season, and will be looking to move on without leading scorer Cat Luciano, who is now at Holy Cross, there are 15 players returning from the team that got back into the state tournament last winter and nine freshmen that have added depth to the growing program.
Seniors Isabelle Shanteler (Mansfield) and Mackenzi Fraser (Foxboro) will try to make up some of Luciano’s scoring from last year. The duo will be on the top scoring line along with freshman Kylie O’Keefe (Foxboro) and provide the speed and energy to jumpstart the MOA attack. Unlike past years, the Warriors won’t be counting on one player to dominate the stats but will look to take advantage of its depth. Senior Lindsey Corning (Mansfield) will center the second line between sophomore wingers Ella Waryas (Foxboro) and Emma Garland (Mansfield), while sophomores Alex Ledin (OA) and Lily O’Brien (Mansfield) have shown promise as centers as well.
The defense is led by senior Danae Reager (Foxboro), who has been a varsity player for four years and sets the standard for the blue line group. Sophomores Melissa Shanteler (Mansfield) and Emma Pereira (OA) will be paired together, while Reager will be paired with sophomore Megan O’Hara (Mansfield). Freshman Jess Widdop (OA) has been outstanding in net during the preseason and has built the team’s confidence heading into the opening game.
Bain said of his new goalie, “In the 10 days since we’ve started practicing, she’s been nothing short of impressive. Her athleticism and work ethic will serve the team well as we enter the season.”
2017-2018 Record: 4-17 2017-2018 Finish: Missed postseason. Coach: Rich Grasso
Last winter, Stoughton had its best season as a program, winning four games, including a three-game win streak early in the schedule. This year, the Black Knights will get a boost from a co-op with Sharon, which should increase the numbers in the program as it tries to add its first win in the Hockomock League to its recent accomplishments.
The loss of leading scorer Julia Russell to an injury, which also kept her out of the field hockey season, will be tough, but the Black Knights have several other experienced players coming back to try and pick up the slack. Senior Katie Widrow is one of the leaders on the forward line and she will be joined up front by sophomore Morgan Lessa and a pair of newcomers to keep an eye on: junior Taylor Kim and sophomore Samantha Sherman.
On defense, senior Jordan Lyons and sophomore Haley Nelson will be the returning players to watch, keeping things organized on the blue line. Behind the defense, junior goalie Brianna Buckley will be between the posts to try and keep the opposition out. Stoughton coach Rich Grasso called Buckley the team’s “show stopper” and she is looking to build off a solid year of experience in goal.
“The team has one goal in mind and that is to make the tournament,” said Grasso. “This is a huge task being in the Hockomock League playing against powerhouse teams…We are small in numbers but talented. Looking forward to proving we belong in that league.”
Attleboro is looking to bounce back from a five-win season in 2017 and make a push up the league standings by mixing experienced players with a talented group of underclassmen that could make instant contributions for the Bombardiers.
The midfield will be a strength for the Bombardiers this season with returning starters like senior Kyra Lyons and junior Anna Back. Up front, leading scorer Grace Mayer graduated but senior Alex Compton was second on the team in points and will be counted on to fire in the goals. Attleboro will be hoping for more consistency from the defensive group this season to cut down on the 76 goals it allowed last year and senior goalie Shealyn Harrison will help keep things organized.
Attleboro coach Lindsay Antunes said, “We are looking forward to this season, as we have a lot of strong returning players throughout each line. We are fortunate to be pairing these returners with a very skilled and unsuspecting younger class, who I am certain will be instrumental in making a positive difference on our team.”
Davenport division champion Canton went to overtime against top seed Somerset Berkeley in last year’s Div. 1 South semifinal and was a goal away from setting up an all-Hock final. The Bulldogs bring back a lot of talent from last year’s squad and will be hoping to make a run at back-to-back titles.
Senior forward Maggie Malloy will once again be the focal point up top after leading the Bulldogs with 27 goals and eight assists last fall. Malloy will be joined up top by sophomore Maria Femia. Junior Kaitlyn Goyetch, the reigning HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year, is back in the midfield and she will get helped out by sophomore Meghan Labelle. Senior Katie Trerice will be the leader of the defense and sophomore Rose Malloy will jump in and contribute as well. Sophomore Riley O’Connor will take over in goal this fall.
Canton coach Chrissy O’Connor said, “We are looking forward to seeing the hard work and effort our players put in this pre-season pay off on the field.”
With 14 seniors on the roster this season, Foxboro has set its sights on regaining the Davenport division crown that it lost by just two points to Canton last year. Two years removed from winning the Div. 2 South title, the Warriors seem poised to make another deep tournament run with a team loaded with talent, depth, and experience.
Senior forward Lily Daly, the team’s leading scorer each of the past three seasons, will once again team up with classmate Sophia DiCenso to form one of the league’s most dynamic attacking units. Senior Molly Murphy and junior Jamie Notarangelo will add to an already formidable offense. Senior Meghan Curran will lead the midfield unit along with classmate Carly Stern and the defense will be guided by seniors Caroline McGeary and Kristin Whalen, while senior goalie Julia Carangelo.
After come narrowly short of the league title last season and reaching the sectional semifinal, expectations are typically sky high for one of the league’s perennial powers.
2017 Record: 10-8-2 2017 Finish: Reached Div. 1 South First Round Coach: Michelle Hess
Michelle Hess returns to the Franklin bench this season after eight years away from the program and she inherits a team that has the talent to compete for a league title and expectations of being able to make a deep run in the state tournament as well.
Senior midfielder Cassi Ronan is the primary playmaker for the Panthers and was the team’s leading scorer last fall with 16 goals and eight assists. One of the league’s top players, Ronan will be the primary focus of the opposition, but senior Regan Paterson can take some of that pressure off and will chip in with goals from the forward position. Senior Emily Valentino and junior Maeve Ledwith will provide organization for the defensive unit and senior Christina Luccini will be back in goal to backstop the defense.
“We are looking to improve on last years record and would love to go further in the tournament,” said Hess.
2017 Record: 19-3-1 2017 Finish: Reached Div. 1 State Semifinal Coach: Kimberly Meehan and Erin MacDonald
King Philip had a dominating run through the 2017 season, winning the Kelley-Rex title while losing just two games in the Hock all season, and then claiming the Div. 1 South title for the first time. This year, KP has a new coaching staff, with Kimberly Meehan and Erin MacDonald taking over the reigns, and high expectations with an experienced and talented roster.
The Warriors return six seniors, who will be counted on to keep the team focused in its quest for a second straight title. Alli Meehan will be the primary attacking threat again this season. The Northeastern University-commit scored 40 points last regular season, despite missing a couple of games. Senior Claire Lawlor will be on the left wing to support the attack, and senior Nicole Conner will jump into the attack from her midfield position as well. Three-year starter Dana Truini will run the midfield for the Warriors, providing support on both ends of the field. Defensively, senior Emma Izydorczak, a St. Anselm-commit, will be the leader of the back line to keep things organized. Fellow senior Kate Lindmark will also help out for a defense that last year allowed only 13 goals in 23 games.
Expectations remain high for the program this season and the new coaches “anticipate a very successful season led by their powerful seniors.”
Mansfield reached the state tournament again last year and was the only team in the league to beat Kelley-Rex champion King Philip (twice, in fact), but the Hornets have their sights set on returning to the top of the league standings as they did in 2014 and 2015. With a balanced roster that has depth all over the field, the Hornets have a chance to unseat KP in the division.
The Hornets have 10 seniors and experience all over the field. The forward line will include seniors Lauren Clang, Tori Farrington, Alicia Hottleman, Brooke Downy and Hayleigh Crawford. The midfield unit will be led by seniors Maggie Danehy and Kelly Doherty, who showed her versatility last season in several positions. Senior goalie Kayla Hunter is also back to help keep the defense solid. Newcomers like sophomore forward Abby Varricchione and sophomore midfielder Stori Rounds will jump in and contribute as well.
“We have some speed, some strong and some finesse,” said Mansfield coach Theresa Nyhen. “Mansfield field hockey is a team of heart and hustle. As a team, we still have lots of work to do but are looking forward to the fun competition in the Hockomock League.”
New head coach Katie Blackburn will try to improve on Milford’s three wins from last season with a group that has a lot of experience, especially on the back line, and speedy forward line that will try to fire in the goals.
The defense is filled with upperclassmen with seniors Eliza Valente and Emily Haley anchoring the back line along with junior Paige Reisman. Juniors Bella Gonzalez and Kathryn Swineford will be key players in the midfield and sophomore Madison Carneiro is a player to watch in the Milford front line, which Blackburn said would include a number of players that have a variety of skill sets.
Blackburn added, “Each player is unique and it has been exciting to see them all learning how to play together. We have a lot of speed as well as ball handling skills that will help us move the ball up the field and into the attacking circle.”
2017 Record: 9-7-4 2017 Finish: Reached Div. 1 South First Round Coach: Karen Folan
North Attleboro got back into the state tournament last fall, only to run into perennial power Walpole in the second round, and the Rocketeers have a deep roster to make another run this year and potentially challenge Canton and Foxboro at the top of the Davenport. The new turf at Beaupre Field should also help North utilize the team’s speed.
The Rocketeers have a ton of experience coming back this season, including seniors Abby Calistra, Julia Feid, Shaylee Maxcy, and Lizzie Frost, who will form a solid defensive corps in front of junior goalie Emma Strachan, who head coach Karen Folan said has improved her quickness in the off-season. Speedy midfielders Michelle Pothier and fellow junior Lindsay Robinson will join senior Jess Strachan, while senior Tara Nair and junior Faith Graveline will be up top.
Folan said, “We are looking forward to another year in the competitive Hockomock League. Our offense will start with our defense this season. We hope to use our cohesive ball movement to transition the ball quickly up the field and into the offensive circle to generate lots of shots on net.”
2017 Record: 9-7-3 2017 Finish: Reached Div. 1 South Preliminary Round. Coach: Sharon Lawrence
Oliver Ames is coming off a strong regular season performance, tying for third place in the Kelley-Rex division with 18 points, but they had to go on the road to Taunton in the playoffs and lost an overtime heartbreaker. First-year coach Sharon Lawrence takes over this season and has a roster with 11 juniors and seniors to try and make another run at a postseason bid.
Senior Meghan Rockey is one of the players that the Tigers will turn to this year and she will try to control the middle of the field. Fellow senior Kayla Lozzi can step in at forward or midfield and scored 10 points (four goals and six assists) for OA last season, while senior Samantha Clapp adds a defensive presence whether in midfield or defense. Lawrence is also excited for the contributions from the younger players, including sophomore forward Hannah Stryke, who is the Tigers top returning scorer with seven goals and four assists as a freshman.
“As a first-year coach, my focus has been on learning and assessing our talent and athleticism to position our players as a team for optimal success,” Lawrence said. “We have returning starters as well as new young talent on both offense and defense, and look to be competitive this season.”
First-year head coach Ashley Courville is looking to build the program from the ground up, and she is counting on a large roster and a core of returning players to get Sharon moving in the right direction this season. With only one sophomore on the roster, experience shouldn’t be an issue for the Eagles as they turn things around.
The defense will be led seniors Varsha Poreddy and Rebecca Clayman. Junior Blaize Hanna will also be part of that group this fall. The midfield has seniors Georgia Cheney and Lauren Yaffe to help out in the attack and also chip in on the defensive side of things. Sophomore Lauren Prenaveau is another player to watch in the Eagles midfield. Up top, senior forward Elizabeth Romantz will be counted on to add to Sharon’s goal tally.
Courville said, “We have a large team this year with a handful of returning players giving the team consistency and determination. Our defense has added strength and depth, while our offense has added speed.”
2017 Record: 7-12-1 2017 Finish: Missed playoffs Coach: Dan Mark
Stoughton graduated 13 players from last year’s team and then lost leading scorer Julia Russell to a knee injury, but there is hope for the Black Knights to make a run at a state tournament spot as the inexperienced players gain valuable minutes at the varsity level.
Defense will be a strength for Stoughton this fall, with returning seniors Katie Widrow and Jeanna Girolamo adding stability and keeping things organized at the back. Sophomore Kayla Lobby will start in goal for the Black Knights. In the midfield, senior Jordan Lyons is a strong two-way player and she will be looking to get the ball forward to the sticks of seniors Allie Howe and Alanna McCormick, who will both be trying to make up for the production that was expected from Russell.
Stoughton coach Dan Mark is hopeful that his team can meet its potential. He said, “We will be inexperienced in many areas, but do have several players who played regularly last year.”
2017 Record: 11-8-1 2017 Finish: Reached Div. 1 South First Round Coach: Liz Hathaway
Taunton had one of its best seasons in program history last year, winning 11 games and advancing in the playoffs for the first time by beating Oliver Ames in an overtime thriller. The Tigers will look to build on that success and compete with the top teams in the ultra-competitive Kelley-Rex division.
The Taunton midfield will be a strength this season, as it is filled with experienced players. Seniors Jillian Pagliuca, Lauren Torres, and Mabel Smith are all capable of making plays on both ends of the field and all read the game well to keep the Tigers moving in the right direction. Senior forward Ciera Bartel will be joined up front by last year’s playoff hero Alana Tavares. The sophomore forward scored the game-winner against OA and has the speed to cause defense lots of problems. The Tigers defense will be led by junior Kathryn Robinson and sophomore Jocelyn Pagliuca and if anyone gets through then senior goalie Emma Sheehan will be there to stop them.
Taunton coach Liz Hathaway said, “This team has come together and have a great on field bond that allows them to successfully execute plays and breakaways.”
Below are the official 2018 Hockomock League Girls Hockey All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.
Hockomock League MVP
Catherine Luciano, Mansfield/OA/Foxboro
Hockomock League All Stars
Kendra Farrelly, Canton
Lauren Fitzpatrick, Canton
Colleen Kelleher, Canton
Maggie Malloy, Canton
Leah McLellan, Canton
Jackie Connelly, Franklin
Regan Paterson, Franklin
Natalie Stott, Franklin
Nicole Connor, King Philip
Jessica Daniels, King Philip
Meghan Gorman, King Philip
Olivia McCarthy, King Philip
Catherine Luciano, Mansfield/OA/Foxboro
Isabelle Shanteler, Mansfield/OA/Foxboro
Melissa Shanteler, Mansfield/OA/Foxboro
Julia Russell, Stoughton
Sarah Widrow, Stoughton
Franklin senior forward Brendan O’Rielly will be one of the players to watch as the Hockomock League hockey season kicks off. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)By HockomockSports.com Staff
The Black Knights are a relatively young team this year, so they will be relying heavily on their experienced players to lead the way and make a difference. Senior Brendan Campbell was one of three players to go over the 20-point plateau last season, and just one of two returning this season along with junior Sean Doherty. Campbell was second on the team with 11 goals and notched a team-high 15 assists for a team-best 26 points. Campbell is one of the fastest skaters in the league, which gives him an edge on defensemen. Once he gets the puck on his stick, he’s a threat to make a big play. Whether it be setting up a teammate for a great opportunity, or putting it on goal himself. He is someone opposing teams will need to focus on this again season.
Two years removed from being selected for the HockomockSports.com Third Team and All-Underclassman Team, King Philip senior Collin Cooke remains one of the most dynamic forwards for the Warriors and someone capable of helping KP climb up the league standings. Last year, Cooke scored 10 goals and recorded seven assists and was tied for second on the team with 17 points. His speed and his ability to beat defensemen in the attacking zone opens up space for his teammates and he is capable of picking the right pass to ensure a scoring opportunity for the Warriors. Cooke will be one of the key players for KP, if the Warriors are going to book a spot in the state tournament.
Quinn Gibbs had big shoes to fill when he stepped between the pipes last season, trying to fill the void left by a three-year starter. But Gibbs held his own, and quickly made a name for himself around the league as a top goalie. During his first year in net, he made 320 saves (0.924 save percentage) while allowing just 1.31 goals against a game. As the year went on, you could see his confidence grow. He will be a vital part of the Bulldogs’ defense this year after losing a handful of starters to graduation. He already has a good amount of playoff experience as well, which will be key as Canton will likely be a contender in D2 South again this season.
Mansfield senior defenseman Tyler Oakley will be the leader of the Hornets defensive effort this season and will set the tone with his physicality and ability to pick the right pass to spring the forwards into the attack. Oakley was a HockomockSports.com Second Team performer in 2016-17 after anchoring a defense that allowed only 50 goals on the season, which was second best in the Kelley-Rex division and fourth best in the league. He also recorded 10 assists from the blue line and recorded a team-high plus-18 for the season. With Oakley back as a top-four defenseman, Mansfield will be hoping to improve on last year’s third-place finish in the division.
Franklin senior forward Brendan O’Rielly will be hoping to lead the Panthers on a run similar to his sophomore season when they won the Div. 1 state title. O’Rielly was the team’s leading scorer last year with a team-best 20 goals plus 11 assists for 31 points. He will spearhead an experience group of forwards and will use his strong skating, good stick-handling, and accurate shooting to help Franklin make another run at a Kelley-Rex division title. As a three-year varsity player, O’Rielly has continued to develop throughout his career and has the potential to be one of the league’s leading scorers again this winter.
Attleboro senior forward Jake Parker returns to lead the Bombardiers attack this winter and, as usual, will be counted on to not only create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates but also to chip in on the power play and penalty kill. An unselfish forward with a keen eye for a pass, Parker is always the first look for an Attleboro defenseman to try and break the puck out of the zone with speed. With great stick-handling ability, Parker can get Attleboro set up in the offensive zone and gives the Bombardiers much-needed patience on the puck. Parker, who was on the HockomockSports.com Second Team last year, scored 20 goals and had six assists in 2016-17, including a five-goal performance in a tie with Mansfield.
Foxboro has been able to rely on Aidan Sullivan for the past three years and will look to him for leadership both on and off of the ice this season. Sullivan enters his fourth year as a member of the Warriors’ defensive unit and has improved every single year. He was named to the 2015-2016 HockomockSports.com All Underclassman Team as a sophomore and improved his production on the offensive end of the ice last season notching a career-high eight points, scoring twice with six helpers. Foxboro has a relatively young group of forwards this season so it will be important for Sullivan to be an anchor on the defensive end as the younger players gain experience.
After a season away with a juniors team, Taunton senior forward Will Walsh has returned to provide a boost to the Tigers attack. Walsh is a dangerous scorer with an accurate shot and a lot of energy that is contagious. His teammates feed off the emotion and energy that he plays with. Two years ago, as part of a powerful Taunton offense, Walsh scored three goals and 11 assists. In 21 games with the South Shore Kings in 2016-17, Walsh scored two goals and seven assists and his addition will open space for his fellow forwards and add to the potent Tigers attack.
North Attleboro’s Ryan Warren has been one of the most consistent goalies in the league over the past two seasons. He was stellar during his freshman season and earned HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year honors, and last year during his sophomore campaign he helped Big Red to 14 wins by making 395 saves and a .892 save percentage. From his first year on varsity, Warren has always shown great positioning, and his ability to control rebounds makes it difficult for opponents to net second chance goals.
Oliver Ames had a handful of young talented forwards last season, and Brett Williams emerged as one of the most talented in the league. Williams helped the Tigers have a terrific season, coming within one point of the Kelley-Rex division title. As just a sophomore, he scored a team-high 12 goals while adding eight assists for 20 points. His speed is what really sets him apart from others in the league. His quick burst allows him to get get pass defenses and fly in on goal, and on top of his speed, he has the ability to finish.
King Philip junior Nicole Connor is one of the most versatile girls’ hockey players in the newly formed Hockomock league and will be a key to KP making a run at the inaugural league title. Connor will see time as both a forward and on the blue line, giving the Warriors help all over the ice. As a sophomore, Connor scored five goals and had six assists while playing primarily as in defense and she is poised to have a breakout winter for the Warriors.
Canton senior goalie Colleen Kelleher returns after a strong season in net for Canton, leading the Bulldogs from the No. 14 seed to their first state final since 2006. Kelleher came through numerous times in the playoffs to keep opponents out and give the potent Canton attack the chance to find winning goals. She will backstop Canton’s attempt at winning the inaugural Hockomock League title.
Foxboro senior forward Catherine Luciano has been one of the most dynamic scorers in the area over the last two years and led the Warriors in scoring last winter with 25 goals and 12 assists. Luciano is off to a flying start this winter with a hat trick in the season-opening win against Dover-Sherborn/Hopkinton. The partnership of Luciano with Mackenzie Fraser (19 points last year) and Isabelle Shanteller (21 points) could be the key to Mansfield/Oliver Ames making a run at the first ever league title.
Franklin junior Regan Paterson will be one of the primary attackers for Franklin, as the Panthers compete for the first ever Hockomock League title and book a return to the state tournament. Paterson score 11 goals and had five assists as a sophomore and is coming off a strong fall for the Franklin field hockey program. Her experience will be counted on to lead a young Panthers roster this winter.
Stoughton senior defenseman Julia Russell is coming off a pair of all-star seasons for the new program and will be hoping to take her form from the SEMGHL to the Black Knights opening campaign in the Hockomock League. Russell is a speedy defender who can also step into the attack and her leadership will be key for a talented group of underclassmen that have Stoughton confident in a big improvement this winter, as evidenced by a season-opening win over Framingham.
Canton and North Attleboro will once again battle for the Davenport division crown this winter, as Hockomock League hockey kicks off a new season. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com) By HockomockSports.com Staff
2016-2017 Record: 6-12-2 2016-2017 Finish: Missed Postseason. Coach: Mark Homer
Attleboro struggled in its closing games of 2016-17 and narrowly missed out on a place in the state tournament via the Sullivan rule. This year’s Bombardiers are hoping that a mix of youth and experience will be enough to get the team over the hump and back in the playoff mix.
The main scoring threat for Attleboro this season is senior forward Jake Parker, a HockomockSports.com Second Team selection last winter who led the team with 20 goals despite facing regular double teams and playing loads of minutes. Parker will be joined up front by sophomore Ryan Morry, who is coming off a solid rookie campaign and will try to take advantage of the opportunities Parker creates near the net.
Attleboro’s experience is on the defensive side of the ice. Seniors Eddie Noel and Sam MacKenzie and junior Kyle McCabe provide size, physicality, and reading of the game to protect the Bombardiers goal. Attleboro coach Mark Homer, in his second season with the team, is expecting the defensemen to be aggressive in the zone and be more prepared to clear the puck. The Bombardiers are also experienced in goal with junior Evan Andrews and sophomore Derrik Rivet offering a solid one-two between the pipes.
“As a team, we are working on becoming more competitive in our games at all phases of the game, said Homer. “We will strive to be better today than we were yesterday but not as good as we will be tomorrow. Our success will be measured by how hard we work and not by our wins and losses.”
2016-2017 Record: 16-5-3 2016-2017 Finish: Reached Div. 2 South Semifinal. Coach: Brian Shuman
After another league title in 2016-17 and a run to the Div. 2 South semifinal, Canton has started this season with a win and a draw (that turned into an overtime win in the final of the Gormley Cup) and the expectations remain as high as ever for one of the teams to beat in D2.
Last season, Canton was by far the league’s best defensive team, allowing only 32 goals in 24 games. The next best defense allowed 48 goals. But, the Bulldogs will need to rebuild the blue line this season after the graduation of HockomockSports.com Player of the Year Jackson Maffeo and Third Team selection C.J. Martin. Defensemen Brad Murphy and Nick Allen have experience and will be counted on to step up to bigger roles this year.
The key for the Canton defense, which has allowed only one goal in two games so far this season, will be junior goalie Quinn Gibbs. He was a HockomockSports.com First Team choice last year with a league-best 0.924 save percentage and there is hope he can get even better with a year of experience. Offensively, the Bulldogs bring back most of the goals from last year with Ryan Nolte, Johnny Hagan, Bubba McNeice, and Jack Goyetch all returning this season and all having scored big goals in big moments for Canton during last season’s tournament run.
“I think the most important determinant of our success will be whether we can find some depth at forward and defense,” said Canton coach Brian Shuman. “Teams need more than two lines and four ‘D’ to make a deep run, so we need some guys to compete for those remaining spots.”
2016-2017 Record: 6-12-2 2016-2017 Finish: Reached Div. 3 First Round. Coach: Mark Cedorchuk
Foxboro saw improvement last year, increasing its win total, goals for, and allowed fewer goals than the season before. Head coach Mark Cedarchuk is hoping that trend continues this season as the Warriors look to try and compete for the spot in the postseason.
The Warriors will be relying on a mix of experience as well as youth to try and compete in the Hockomock League this year. Senior captain Aidan Sullivan (two goals, six assists) has been an anchor of the team’s blue line unit over the past couple of seasons and will be relied upon to lead the way again this year. Senior captain Taylor Sharfman is another defenseman that gives the Warriors two capable and reliable options in the back. Junior Tanner Kennedy is also back after a solid sophomore year and Warriors added junior Brendan Tully to the defensive unit.
On offense, Foxboro graduated its top three goal scorers but sophomore Ronnie MacLellan (four goals, seven assists) is back after a strong sophomore year. He will be joined up front by senior Sam Garrabrant and sophomore Sebastian Ricketts, who had four goals and two assists last year.
Foxboro will have to find a replacement for goalie John Cronin, a multi-year starter in between the pipes for the Warriors. Foxboro has three goalies – freshman Jack Spinney, sophomore Espen Reager, and freshman Connor Callahan – listed on the roster.
“With a combination of experienced upperclassman and talented underclassman, we’re looking forward to an exciting and competitive season,” Cedarchuk said.
2016-2017 Record: 14-9-1 2016-2017 Finish: Reached Div. 1 South Quarterfinal. Coach: Chris Spillane
Although last winter was atypical for the Panthers, losing two games in the league for the first time in several years, Franklin won another league title and with 20 players back for this season the expectation is that a seventh straight league crown is a distinct possibility – not to mention making a run in the state tournament.
Experience will be the key for the Panthers. Most of the forwards were members of the team that won the state championship two years ago and know what it takes to get goals against top competition. Leading scorer Brendan O’Rielly is back after scoring 20 goals and recording 11 assists last season. He should have plenty of help up front with classmates Luke Downie, Jeremy Miller, T.J. Durkin, and Ken Demerchant, who are all three-year varsity players for the Panthers.
Defensively, Franklin has lost several talented young defensemen to other programs in recent seasons, but still boasts a strong defensive corps heading into this winter. Jack McGrath, Matt Crane, Connor Norton, Cam Cassella, and sophomore Tom Tasker will all contribute to the defensive pairings this season and that depth will be important over a long season. The goalie position is a battle between three seniors, including returning netminders Owen Ginley and Dan Sheehan, who both saw time last year.
“I will be looking to our leading goal scorer from last year Brendan O’Rielly to once again lead the offensive charge,” said Franklin coach Chris Spillane. “From a small practice sample (one skate) I was impressed with our team speed.”
2016-2017 Record: 4-16-0 2016-2017 Finish: Missed Postseason. Coach: Paul Carlow
King Philip finished just below .500 in the league last season, and just five points out of second place in the Kelley-Rex division, but struggled in the non-league schedule, losing all 11 games outside of the Hock. The Warriors will look to improve that considerably this year with an experienced roster that wants to challenge for a league title.
KP returns 13 players from last year’s squad and that experience will be vital to allow the Warriors to compete not only in the league but against a schedule that has been bolstered because of the program’s move up to Div. 1 several seasons ago. Offensively, the attention will be on senior forward Collin Cooke, who chipped in with 10 goals and seven assists and has been drawing the focus of opposing defenses for several years. Senior Gavin Maxwell had nine goals and eight assists last season and will again be a solid counterpoint to take some of the pressure off Cooke in the attacking zone.
On the defensive side of the ice, KP continues to be a physical team that likes to be aggressive attacking the puck. Senior defensemen Will Connor will get some help at the back with the return of senior Mike Curtin from juniors, who head coach Paul Carlow said could be an “anchor” on defense. Senior Shane Frommer, fresh off a stellar football season and another Super Bowl title, will quickly transition from the gridiron to be the team’s starting goalie, after posting a 2.66 goals against average in 2016-17.
“Our strength is that we have a total of 13 returning players from last years team,” said Carlow. “We have experience up front and on the back end. We should see some team chemistry with this many returning players.”
2016-2017 Record: 12-8-2 2016-2017 Finish: Reached Div. 1 South First Round. Coach: Mike Balazarini
In last year’s state tournament, Mansfield held its own against perennial power Xaverian before losing 2-1 in the opening round and that defeat is spurring the Hornets on this season, as the team has built a deep roster that believes it can challenge for the Kelley-Rex crown.
Team speed is going to be a strength for the Hornets this season, even without several key pieces from last winter, including breakout freshman Chris Jenkins, lost to graduation or to juniors. Senior forward Dylan Tivnan and Cullin Anastasia will be back to man the top scoring line along with freshman Coleman Jenkins. The second line will feature a lot of youth with sophomore Jake Lund and freshman Matt Copponi alongside junior Chris Copponi.
Seniors Tyler Oakley and Tim Arnold will be the leaders on the defensive side this year, while senior Ryan O’Hara and juniors Nick Levine and Austin Ricker will give the Hornets depth in the defensive unit. That depth should make things easier for sophomore Sean McCafferty, who will be stepping between the pipes for Mansfield this season.
“I think everyone wants to pick up where he left off last year,” said Mansfield coach Mike Balzarini. “We’ve had a good mindset early on this season. We have some new faces and everyone has gelled so far. We can’t take everyone lightly, we have to play every shift as its out last.”
2016-2017 Record: 14-4-4 2016-2017 Finish: Reached Div. 2 South Quarterfinal. Coach: Ben McManama
North Attleboro is coming off its most successful season in program history, and will be starting a new chapter with new head coach Ben McManama.
The Rocketeers will be tasked with finding replacements for some of the top players in the league from a season ago. Someone will need to step up in order to fill the void left by Zach McGowan (19 goals, 13 assists for 32 points – third most in the Hockomock) as well as Hunter Sarro’s 22 points and Erik Clements’ 20 points.
Senior Jason McNeany is a key piece back for the Rocketeers, fresh off a terrific football season. He scored 13 goals last season and added 13 assists, and has been a big piece of the offense for many years now. He will be counted on to be a leader this season, both in the locker room and on the ice.
2016-2017 Record: 14-7-1 2016-2017 Finish: Reached Div. 2 South Quarterfinal. Coach: Sean Bertoni
Under first-year head coach Sean Bertoni, Oliver Ames proved to be a strong skating team that could cause a number of problems with its dangerous attack. That speed up front will be put to the test again this year, as the Tigers look to jump from second in the Kelley-Rex division to the top of the standings.
The Tigers have a number of talented forwards returning from last season’s team, which reached the Div. 2 South tournament and beat Nauset only to run into state finalist Scituate in the second round. That loss will provide motivation for junior forward Brett Williams, who was on the HockomockSports.com Second Team with 12 goals and eight assists last year, and the rest of the OA forwards. Williams will be joined up front by seniors Eric LeBlanc and Rory Madden and junior Max Ward.
On defense, junior Matt McCormick returns to be one of the top four along with senior Mike Nikiciuk. Both players will provide leadership for a defensive unit that promises to be aggressive in both zones, as Bertoni continues to implement his system at OA. Sophomore goalie Owen Connor will be the new goalie for the Tigers.
“We will continue to use our team speed and play an aggressive style offensively and defensively,” said Bertoni. “We hope to compete at a high level in all three zones. If we bring an aggressive forecheck we can create turnovers which should result in production.”
2016-2017 Record: 7-12-2 2016-2017 Finish: Missed Postseason. Coach: Dan Mark
Numbers are a bit down for the Stoughton High hockey team this season, so the Knights will be relying on their most experienced players to lead the way, especially early on.
On offense, the Knights boast senior Brendan Campbell at center and junior Sean Doherty at wing. Campbell had a team-high in points last season, finishing second with 11 goals while recording a team-best 15 assists for 26 points. Doherty was third on the team, tying for the team lead with 12 goals and finishing with 25 points.
Senior Cam Nelson and junior Josh Hough will be the leaders of the Knights’ defensive unit. Hough is a captain along with Campbell and Doherty and has the most experience on the blue line. Nelson also saw plenty of time last season, recording an assist.
“We are an inexperienced team that will improve as the season goes on,” said Stoughton head coach Dan Mark.
2016-2017 Record: 12-9-2 2016-2017 Finish: Reached Div. 2 South First Round. Coach: Kris Metea
Taunton has grown by leaps and bounds over the past couple of seasons, setting new program bests for wins and making the state tournament two seasons in a row. This year’s team features only three seniors, so the Tigers will be hoping recent success will continue with a youthful lineup.
Senior forward Will Walsh has returned from junior hockey and will provide a boost to the front line, which head coach Kris Metea has high hopes for this season. Senior Jake Roberts is also back for the Tigers after scoring 18 points last year and junior Cam Sneyd is back after a 16-point season last winter. Metea is counting on high energy from the offensive unit and believes that the roster is capable of creating loads of scoring opportunities.
Sophomore Sean Bunker will be in net for the Tigers and the defensive unit is fairly inexperienced, although the coach believes that by working together Taunton will be able to put together a solid back line. The hope is that defense will become a strength of the Tigers by the end of the season.
“The players enjoy wearing the orange and black and look forward to coming to the rink every day,” said Metea. “The coaching staff has preached about enjoying the journey of a season and the developmental process. These players strive to work hard and get better every day. They will be fun to watch grow throughout the season.”
Colleen Kelleher and Canton will be one of the favorites to win the inaugural Hockomock League girls’ hockey season, which begins this winter. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
2016-2017 Record: 14-5-6 2016-2017 Finish: Reached Div. 2 State Final Coach: Dennis Aldrich
Canton is coming off a remarkable state tournament run that took the No. 14 seed all the way to the TD Garden and the program’s first state title game appearance since 2006. After years of competing in the SEMGHL Coastal division, the Bulldogs are excited for the first Hockomock League girls’ hockey season and enter the new season as favorites to bring home the first Hock title.
A number of key players are back from the team that battled Notre Dame Academy (Hingham) in the state championship game last March and will be counted on to put together another solid defensive effort that made the Bulldogs so tough to play against during the tournament run. Spearheading that defensive unit is senior goalie Colleen Kelleher, who was stellar throughout the state tournament with clutch saves in key situations.
On offense, Canton returns plenty of firepower. Juniors Maggie Malloy and Lauren Fitzpatrick emerged as big time scorers last year and came through with important goals to help the Bulldogs make a run to the Garden. Senior forwards Melissa Devane, Kendra Farrelly, and Andrea McNeil give Canton a loaded attacking unit that always seemed to pop up with goals when the team needed it most.
“The strength of the Bulldogs will continue to be a tenacious, smothering team defense, strong goaltending, and balanced, opportunistic scoring,” said Canton coach Dennis Aldrich. “We are proud to have our roster filled with 11 Canton team captains amongst our 22 rostered players.”
Franklin enters the first Hockomock League girls’ hockey season with a young roster, but one that is expected to compete with the other four teams and have a shot at bringing home the inaugural title.
Junior Regan Paterson and senior Jackie Connelly will be expected to provide leadership and create scoring opportunities for a roster that is loaded with underclassmen. Both players provide speed and playmaking ability in the attacking zone and the Panthers will be counting on their experience to make the difference.
Leadership is going to be critical for this year’s team and head coach Marjorie Burke is looking to her senior class to provide direction for the youthful lineup on both ends of the ice. Among the seniors that Burke is looking to this season are Bella Trask, Caroline Hedvig, Maddie Hinkley, Jillian McGlaughlin, and Connelly.
“We are excited about the upcoming season,” said Burke. “We are young but look to be competitive.”
Three years ago, King Philip was the top seed in Div. 2 and after two more playoff appearance, the Warriors now have the opportunity to bring their recent success into the first ever Hockomock League girls’ hockey season and hope that an experienced lineup could make them the first Hock champs.
Junior Nicole Connor is off to a strong start this season and has the potential, according to KP coach Jack Unger, to be one of the top players in the Hockomock League this year. Connor will play both at forward and along the blue line, crucial versatility that makes her an important piece for KP. The Warriors return five seniors who will be the “backbone” of the squad, said Unger. Kyleigh Remmes, Olivia McCarthy, Jessica Daniels, Katie Crowther, and Talia Quinn give the Warriors depth all over the ice.
Lilly Potts returns for her third year in between the pipes, while sophomore Cristina Coleman will be the backup netminder. Freshmen Avari Maxwell and Jordyn Remmes will be instant contributors on offense, while classmate Marin Cormier will step in on defense. Sophomores Abby Carr and Sammy Robison are also expected to step in at forward this season.
“[The roster is] rounded out by a number of talented juniors who should be able to spread out the scoring amongst the three starting forward lines,” said Unger.
2016-2017 Record: 14-6-1 2016-2017 Finish: Reached Div. 2 First Round. Coach: Mike Dalton
Mansfield, Oliver Ames, and Foxboro have joined forces since the 2014-15 season and have reached the postseason each of the past two winters, suffering an overtime loss to Walpole in the first round of the state tournament last year, and have started this season with an impressive win in the opener.
The Warriors will be led by Foxboro’s Catherine Luciano. The senior was the team’s leading scorer last year and scored a hat trick in the season opener to get off to another strong start. Joining Luciano on the top line will be Mackenzie Fraser and Isabelle Shanteller. Other contributors in the offensive zone include senior Kayla Dalton, Kristina O’Connell, and Lindsey Corning.
While the Warriors are expected to create a number of scoring opportunities, defense will be just as important if Mansfield/OA (MOA) is going to make it a third straight playoff appearance. Denea Reager, Ali Delano, and Emily Bubencick will all be critical components of the Warriors defensive unit. Senior Kerren Holmes will be back in goal this year to stifle the opposition, while freshman Cate Gallegher will be the backup netminder.
“A strong freshman class will assist the team with help on both offense and defense,” said MOA coach Mike Dalton. “The team looks to compete for a top position in the Hockomock League and secure a spot in the tournament.”
2016-2017 Record: 1-19-1 2016-2017 Finish: Missed Postseason. Coach: Richard Grasso
The newest of the programs in the inaugural season of Hockomock League girls’ hockey, Stoughton is in only its third season of varsity play, but the Black Knights are counting on last year’s experience and the growth in the program to make them a team to watch out for this winter.
Two-time all-star Julia Russell will be one of the key defenders for the Black Knights, but also brings an offensive punch with her speed forcing opponents to worry about her carrying the puck through the neutral zone. Senior Sarah Widrow will join Russell at the blue line and provides consistency in the defensive zone. Both will be expected to provide leadership for the less experienced players on the roster and try to make Stoughton a team that is tough to play against.
The offense will be sparked by a pair of freshmen. Hailey Nelson and Morgan Lesso made an instant impact on their debuts, helping Stoughton start the season with a 6-5 win at Framingham in the season opener. Lesso recorded a hat trick against the Flyers to set a high standard in her first varsity action.
“Stoughton will be a much stronger team this year than last,” said Black Knights coach Richard Grasso. “However, this will be a great challenge for our program. We have a lot of respect for the teams in the Hockomock League. There’s a lot of talent out there and each team is well-coached.”
Boys Soccer
Sharon, 3 vs. Norwood, 2 – Final – Sharon scored a pair of goals in the final five minutes to erase a one-goal deficit and land a one-goal win. Freshman Bryce Nathan converted a free kick just outside the area in the 34th minute to bring the Eagles level. Norwood went up 2-1 in the 57th minute but the Eagles leveled the match when Antonio El Khoury scored on a bicycle kick inside the area in the 76th minute. Senior Andy Reyes-Jones headed in the winner in the 78th minute off a long throw-in from classmate Tyler Hippler.
Field Hockey
Attleboro, 1 @ Franklin, 3 – Final – Attleboro took the lead early but junior Annie Walsh tied the game last in the first half for the Panthers. FHS junior Cassi Ronan then scored the next two goals to give the Panthers the win. Franklin coach Lisa Cropper noted that senior Kyla Aldred played a strong game on defense.
Taunton, 0 @ Oliver Ames, 2 – Final – Oliver Ames freshman Hannah Stryke scored a pair of goals in the first half to help the Tigers qualify for the state tournament. Senior Sarah Stevens assisted on the second goal while senior Caitlin Grant made two saves in net.
Stoughton, 6 @ Sharon, 1 – Final – Julia Russell led the Stoughton offense with three goals while Jackie Evangelista scored a pair of goals and Brittni Paul found the back of the net once. Emily Locke scored for Sharon.
Volleyball
Attleboro, 0 @ Franklin, 3 – Final – Franklin defended home court with another balanced offensive attack. Hailey Sanders and Meaghan Maguire each recorded eight kills for the Panthers while Maggie Doyle had four kills to go along with 14 service points and a pair of blocks. Junior Lauren McGrath added 21 assists and 14 service points in the win.
Canton, 3 @ Foxboro, 0 – Final – Canton went on the road and recorded a 25-20, 25-19, 25-16 sweep of Foxboro. Erin Devine had five kills and five blocks for the Bulldogs. Canton head coach Pat Cawley noted that Caitlyn Cahill had some clutch serving and good defense while Angie Elias came off the bench and provided a spark on offense.
King Philip, 3 @ Mansfield, 0 – Final – King Philip picked up the sweep on the road over Kelley-Rex rival Mansfield, walking away with a 25-18, 26-24, 25-20 in a competitive contest. Sydney Phillips led the offense with 17 kills, five digs, and two aces while Michaela Palumbo added 10 kills, nine service points and a pair of aces. Grace Ely added four kills while Julianne Rando chipped in with six digs and six aces. For Mansfield, Julia Harrison led the offense with 11 kills while Meg Hill added 10 kills. Jolie O’Neil, Sam Sternberg, and Katie Dardinski each had 10 digs for the Hornets.
North Attleboro, 3 @ Milford, 1 – Final – North Attleboro picked up a tight win on the road, leaving Milford with a 25-23, 25-27, 25-22, 26-24 win over the Scarlet Hawks.
Taunton, 2 @ Oliver Ames, 3 – Final – Taunton won two of the first three games but Oliver Ames battled back to win games four and five and earn the win (24-26, 25-16, 14-25, 25-15, 15-4). Katie Flynn led the way for the Tigers with 14 kills while Emma Petrillo also had 14 kills as well as six aces. Allie Kemp finished with 36 assists, Sadie Homer added 32 digs and a pair of aces and Kayla Raymond slammed down eight kills with six blocks.
Stoughton, 3 @ Sharon, 1 – Final – Stoughton bounced back after dropping a tight first set to win the next three and earn its 15th win of the season (27-29, 25-13, 26-24, 25-17). Senior Val Whalen led the way with 16 kills and 23 digs for the Black Knights while junior Molly Turner added 17 assists and 16 digs and junior Hanna Holden chipped in seven aces.
Football
Canton, 31 @ Sharon, 2 – Final – Click here for a photo gallery from the game. 1st Quarter: No scoring.
2nd Quarter: (C) Alec Ragusa 4-yard rush; (S) Conversion no good, 90-yard return by Drew Naisuler; (C) Tony Harris fumble recovery in end zone, Owen Lehane XP good; O. Lehane 29-yard field goal.
3rd Quarter: (C) Gersom Rivera 15-yard rush, Kyle Fitzgerald 2-point rush.
4th Quarter: (C) A. Ragusa 14-yard rush, O. Lehane XP good.
Field Hockey
King Philip, 9 @ Sharon, 0 – Final – Click here for a photo gallery from the game. – King Philip’s Abby Nixon scored her first two goals of the season and MacKenzie Mazur netted her first to help the Warriors pick up a big win.
Milford, 0 vs. Martha’s Vineyard, 3 – Final – Milford’s Shannon Cormier had a strong game at forward while Eliza Valente and Emily Condon played well defensively for the Scarlet Hawks.
Stoughton, 3 vs. East Bridgewater, 1 – Final – Brittni Paul scored a pair of goals to lead the Black Knights to their fifth win of the season. Julia Russell also scored in Stoughton’s win.
Taunton @ New Bedford – Postponed to a date and time TBA.
Boys Soccer
North Attleboro, 1 @ Attleboro, 1 – Final – Attleboro sophomore Michael Russo scored the equalizer inside the final five minutes to help the Bombardiers take a point against unbeaten North Attleboro. The Rocketeers took the lead in the first half in the 34th minute. Jeff Gale flicked on a free kick service from Gabe Pinhancos and Zach Matracia buried his volley to put Big Red up 1-0. The Bombardiers tied the see-saw game in the 77th minute, heading in a free kick from junior Aidan Lancaster.
Canton, 1 @ Franklin, 2 – Final – Franklin scored two goals in the first half, both on assists from senior Andrew DiLeo, to beat visiting Canton. The Panthers took the lead inside the first five minutes when DiLeo set up junior Nick Barry for the game’s opener. DiLeo then assisted on junior Tim Duval’s game-winner, coming at the half-hour mark of the first half. Canton cut the deficit to one just before half.
Foxboro, 2 @ Taunton, 0 – Final – Foxboro junior Shane VandenBoom scored on both sides of halftime to lift the Warriors to a win on the road. VandenBoom opened the scoring in the 20th minute, converting a chance from Ryan Kelley. The junior then iced the game, doubling the lead in the 75th minute.
Stoughton, 0 @ King Philip, 10 – Final – King Philip built a 6-0 lead at halftime and never looked back in a big win over visiting Stoughton. Senior Tyler Mann and junior Anthony Bozza each scored a pair of goals, Zac White notched two helpers and senior Thomas Lugten had two assists and one goal. Senior Eric Woolson added a goal and an assist in the win.
Sharon, 2 @ Mansfield, 2 – Final – Mansfield raced out to a two-goal lead but the visiting Eagles battled back to earn a point on the road. Sean Lanzillo put the Hornets up 1-0 on a feed from Sam Hyland and senior Cullin Anastasia doubled the lead on an assist from Luke Savoie as Mansfield took a 2-0 advantage into halftime. Sharon cut the deficit in half when sophomore Brian Higgins netted one on a clearance off a corner kick in the 55th minute. The Eagles scored the equalizer 10 minutes later when sophomore Michael Baur scored on a free kick from just over 20 yards out.
Milford, 1 @ Oliver Ames, 5 – Final – Oliver Ames senior Cam Vella opened the scoring in the 18th minute, dispossessing a Milford player at midfield and making a darting run on goal before finishing from outside the box. The Tigers doubled its lead moments before halftime when James Gillespie won possession on the sideline and connected with Brandin Osborne, who found Nathaniel Cardoza on a run into the area for the finish. Gillespie nodded home OA’s third goal on a throw from Chris Lawrence in the 45th minute, Niko Byron made it 4-0 with his first career goal, converting a rebound off Lawrence’s shot and senior Jack Galas converted a penalty kick for his first career goal in the 75th minute. Milford senior Jacob Balzarini scored his first career goal, burying a half-volley on a corner kick.
Girls Soccer
North Attleboro, 2 @ Attleboro, 1 – Final – North Attleboro broke a tie game with just under three minutes to play to grab two points on the road. Ashlyn Gaulin continued her strong season, scoring the game-winner in the 78th minute on an assist from Leah Jetter. North Attleboro took the lead when Haley Guertin opened the scoring on a feed from Kayla Pasquel. Attleboro equalized with just under two minutes to play in the first half. North Attleboro head coach Bill Wallace added that Aine Mendonca, Felicity Monfils, Haley Ferrin and Emma Gauin all played great two-way soccer.
Taunton, 0 @ Foxboro, 6 – Final – Lizzy Davis scored a pair of goals and Lily Sykes added a goal and an assist for the Warriors. Katie Huether, Shaina Abbott and Mia Oglia also scored for Foxboro and Warriors coach Katie Stalcup said that Alex Stamatos and Sykes both had great games.
King Philip, 5 @ Stoughton, 0 – FinalAvery Snead scored two goals and set up a pair of goals for classmate Chloe Layne as the Warriors earned their 11th win of the season. Emma Corcoran and Ally Stanton assisted on the Snead goals and Jenna Midura scored an unassisted goal with two minutes remaining for KP. Melina Connolly made three saves to earn the clean sheet.
Mansfield, 1 @ Sharon, 0 – Final – Stephanie Kemp scored the lone goal of the game in the first half off an assist by Erin Daniel. Sharon had its chances to equalize and was “unlucky,” according to head coach Brad Furnival, including a Sabrina Robbins free kick that struck the underside of the bar.
Oliver Ames, 1 @ Milford, 0 – Final – Sofia Masciarelli scored the lone goal of the game seven minutes in to the second half off an Erin Holmberg assist. Olivia Marshall played well in net, according to Milford coach Jay Mastaj, making four saves for the Hawks.
Field Hockey
Stoughton, 6 @ Brockton, 0 – Final – Meghan Foley scored two goals to pace the Black Knights to a season sweep of Brockton. Julia Russell, Jackie Evangelista, Haley Apotheker and Kamryn Oliveira each scored once for Stoughton. Kayleigh Marinelli had her first career shutout in goal.
Volleyball
North Attleboro, 3 @ Attleboro, 0 – Final
Canton, 0 @ Franklin, 3 – Final – Franklin picked up its eighth win of the season with a 25-15, 26-24, 25-12 sweep of visiting Canton. Lauren McGrath set the offense in motion with 31 assists, setting up Lauren Lockhart and Ellie Wisniewski (eight kills apiece). FHS head coach Kate Horsmann said Lauren Bissanti and Riley Marino both had strong serve receive and defensive games for the Panthers. Canton head coach Pat Cawley said freshman Angie Elias played well at the net while Sophia Connor had a strong game defensively.
Foxboro, 0 @ Taunton, 3 – Final – Taunton defended home court with a 25-13, 25-22, 25-18 sweep of Foxboro. Sam Reaume led the offense with 10 kills, five digs, two aces and a block while Kayli Fagan finished with 23 assists, five kills, three aces and three blocks. Sam Silviera chipped in with six kills for the Tigers.
Sharon, 1 @ Mansfield, 3 – Final – Mansfield rallied after dropping the first game to win the next three, grabbing a 19-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-12 win over visiting Sharon. Julia Harrison had eight kills and eight digs, Lexi Gardner added 18 service points and six kills and Jolie O’Neil had 16 digs and 12 service points.
Milford, 2 @ Oliver Ames, 3 – Final – Oliver Ames edged out Milford in an incredibly close match, taking the first, third and fifth games to beat the visiting Hawks (25-18, 22-25, 25-19, 23-25, 15-13). OA sophomore Ally Kemp paced the Tigers’ offense with 25 assists while senior Kayla Raymond finished with 14 kills and two blocks. Senior Emma Petrillo added eight kills and four aces, junior Sadie Homer added 15 digs and two aces and junior Grace McCallum was tabbed player of the game by head coach Chelsea Cunningham. “Her commitment to the back row was solid throughout the whole match and she held the team’s composure in the height of the match,” Cunningham said of McCallum.
Stoughton, 0 @ King Philip, 3 – Final – King Philip picked up a big win in a crossover match with Stoughton behind a balanced attack. The Warriors, who won 25-16, 25-15, 25-19, got nine kills from Sydney Phillips (four digs, two aces, seven service points), seven kills from Grace Ely and five kills from Michaela Palumbo (nine service points). Elise Pereira added eight service points, four digs and three aces in the win.
Golf
Oliver Ames, 161 @ Franklin, 170 – Final – Oliver Ames senior Ryan McGarry earned match medalist honors, carding a low-round of 38 to lead the Tigers to a win at Franklin Country Club. Nolan Donza, Matt Kelley, Mark Bissonette, Thomas Walsh and Eric LeBlanc all shot 41 for OA.
Canton, 173 @ Foxboro, 181 – Final – Canton punched its ticket to the MIAA state tournament for the eighth straight year, improving to 7-0 with a win over Foxboro. Jack Goyetch earned match medalist honors with a round of 41 while Thomas Singleton helped the Bulldogs with a round of 42. Joey Vaughan, Chris Lavoie and Niko Donovan each shot 45 for Canton. Logan Sloan, Matt Lathrop and Steve Foster each carded rounds of 45 for the Warriors.
Mansfield, 166 @ Attleboro, 164 – Final – Attleboro’s Ethan Johnson earned match medalist honors, shooting a low-round of 38 to lead the Bombardiers to a close win over Mansfield. Kyle DelSignore and Corey McKenna each added rounds of 41 while Taron Mills shot a 44. Freshman Brian Lee led Mansfield with a 40 while classmate Ryan Dow added a 41 for the Hornets.
Milford, 181 vs. Nipmuc, 156 – Final – Andrew Fauerbach had a strong day for the Hawks, shooting a team-low round of 39 for Milford.
North Attleboro, 155 @ Stoughton, 181 – Final – North Attleboro picked up a win at Easton Country Club with Marcus Costa’s medalist round of 36 leading the way for the Rocketeers. Dylan Kane (39), Colby Cameron (40) and Jillian Barend (40) also factored in for Big Red. Stoughton’s Brendan Campbell had a team-low round of 38 while Nick Szum added a 44.
Taunton, 194 @ Sharon, 175 – Final – Sam Fergenbaum led the way for Sharon, carding a team-low round of 41 while Max Brody added a 42 for the Eagles.
Boys Soccer
Canton, 2 @ Norwood, 0 – Final – Canton senior Jake Verille converted a penalty kick and freshman TJ McCabe netted his first career goal as the Bulldogs earned two points on the road in a non-league game.
Field Hockey
Franklin, 4 @ Attleboro, 1 – Final – Frankin junior Cassi Ronan had a hand in all four Panthers goals, scoring a pair and assisting on the other two. Juniors Annie Walsh and Regan Paterson each scored once and added one assist in the win. Panthers goalie Christina Luccini made nine saves in the win while FHS head coach Lisa Cropper said Jill McLaughlin did “an outstanding job in the midfield.”
Mansfield, 2 @ King Philip, 1 – Final – Mansfield scored once in each half, netting the game-winner with just over 15 minutes to play in the game. Hayleigh Crawford opened the scoring, putting the Hornets up 1-0 on an assist from Ann Maher just before the midway point of the first half. KP tied the game five minutes into the second half when Dana Truini converted a centering pass from Alli Meehan. Kristina O’Connell netted the winner on an assist from Crawford. Mansfield goalie Kayla Hunter made 21 saves in net.
Milford, 0 @ North Attleboro, 6 – Final
Oliver Ames, 3 @ Taunton, 1 – Final – Oliver Ames had three different players score in its win on the road. Liz Nuss, Maggie Woods and Maura Kiernan each found the back of the net while Kayla Lozzi had two assists. Caitlin Grant made nine saves in net for Oliver Ames. For Taunton, Diana Brens scored on an assist from Lauren Torres.
Sharon, 0 @ Stoughton, 6 – Final – Stoughton’s Lauren Berteletti and Julia Russell both found the back of the net twice while Kamryn Oliveira and Haley Apotheker each added single goals for the Black Knights.
Volleyball
Franklin, 3 @ Attleboro, 0 – Final – Maggie Doyle had a strong day at the service line, recording 14 service points, including three aces, and added five kills as the Panthers earned a sweep on the road. Ellie Wisniewski (eight kills) and Meaghan Maguire (seven kills) helped pace Franklin’s offense.
Foxboro, 0 @ Canton, 3 – Final – Canton defended its home court with a 25-20, 25-20, 25-15 sweep over the visiting Warriors. Nicole Brown led Canton’s offense with 18 assists, four kills and one block while Hannah Jerrier added 10 kills. CHS head coach Pat Cawley said Angie Elias and Nyah Claiborne played well off the bench.
Mansfield, 0 @ King Philip, 3 – Final – King Philip earned a sweep against the visiting Hornets, cruising in the first game before edging Mansfield in the final two (25-13, 25-23, 26-24). Sydney Phillips led the way with 22 service points, including four aces, and led the offense with 14 kills. Michaela Palumbo added 12 kills, Rachael Veilleux finished with 32 assists and Julianne Rando had six digs. For Mansfield, Meg Hill had eight kills and four blocks, Julia Harrison added six kills and Greenly Kelly finished with five kills and three blocks. Junior Katie Dardinski had eight service points for the Hornets.
Oliver Ames, 3 @ Taunton, 1 – Final – After dropping the opening game, Oliver Ames rallied for three straight wins to earn the victory on the road (24-26, 25-17, 25-20, 25-23). OA head coach Chelsea Cunningham praised senior Caroline Cavanaugh, saying she was “the glue on and off the court.” Sophomore Ally Kemp finished 30 assists, junior Sadie Homer had 22 digs, senior Emma Petrillo added 14 kills, and senior Kayla Raymond finished with 11 kills, four blocks and three aces.
Sharon, 1 @ Stoughton, 3 – Final – Stoughton bounced back from its first loss of the season with a 25-19, 22-25, 25-22, 25-22 win over Sharon. Senior Vicky Ramos and sophomore Mykiah Simpson had strong games from the outside while junior Molly Turner added 17 assists for the Knights.
Golf
Foxboro, 171 @ Milford, 170 – Final – Milford’s Andrew Fauerbach earned co-medalist honors, carding a team-low round of 39 to help the Hawks nip the Warriors. Foxboro’s Logan Sloan shared medalist honors with a 39 of his own. Milford’s Riley Lynch and Foxboro’s Noah Hicks each carded rounds of 42.
Franklin, 166 @ Mansfield, 162 – Final – Mansfield senior Brendan Loomer and freshman Brian See both carded rounds of 38 to lead the Hornets to a close win over Franklin. Senior Madison Haughey and freshman Joseph Gormley added rounds of 43 for the Hornets.
Stoughton, 179 @ North Attleboro, 150 – Final – All four of North’s top golfers finished with rounds under 40 in middle course at Heather Hill. Dylan Kane fired a one-over-par round of 36 while Matt Wanless, Marcus Costa and Jillian Barend each shot 38 on the day.
Football
Sharon, 8 @ North Attleboro, 42 – Final 1st Quarter: No scoring.
2nd Quarter: (NA) Brendan McHugh 4-yard rush, Geoff Wilson XP good; (NA) Nick Raneri 6-yard rush, G. Wilson XP good; (NA) B. McHugh 5-yard rush, G. Wilson XP good; (S) Chris Gong 5-yard rush, XP blocked.
3rd Quarter: (S) Safety; (NA) B. McHugh 2-yard rush, G. Wilson XP good.
4th Quarter: (NA) N. Raneri 4-yard rush, G. Wilson XP good; (NA) Ryan Boyle 25-yard rush, Devin Slaney XP good.
Boys Soccer
Oliver Ames, 0 vs. Masconomet, 1 – Final
Girls Soccer
Milford, 0 @ Holliston, 2 – Final – MHS head coach Jay Mastaj said Juliana France played well for the Scarlet Hawks in the loss.
Oliver Ames, 2 vs. Brockton, 0 – Final – Oliver Ames scored once in each half to sweep the season series with neighboring Brockton. Anabella Walsh opened the scoring the first half, finishing off a cross from Abby Hodges to put the home side ahead. Anna Tempestoso doubled the Tigers’ lead in the second half, converting a penalty kick. OAHS head coach Britt Sellmayer said Maeve Hogan and Maggie Ault anchored OA’s back line.
Field Hockey
Franklin, 0 vs. Walpole, 3 – Final – Franklin junior goalie Anna Jardine made a highlight-reel save with a beautiful slide tackle on a breakaway as one of her career-high 16 saves but the Panthers fell to state perennial power Walpole. FHS head coach Lisa Cropper noted sophomore Maeve Ledwith and junior Cassi Ronan also played well for Franklin.
Stoughton, 5 @ East Bridgewater, 0 – Final – Allie Howe led Stoughton’s offense with a pair of goals while Brittni Paul, Julia Russell and Alanna McCormick each netted a goal apiece.
