Field Hockey
Attleboro, 1 @ Mansfield, 1 – Final – Attleboro scored very early in the game but Mansfield answered with a goal in the fourth quarter as the Bombardiers and Hornets split the points in a 1-1 tie. Madison Ellis gave the visitors in the lead just three minutes into the contest but Mansfield’s Stori Rounds found the back of the net in the fourth quarter to bring the Hornets level.
Canton, 4 @ North Attleboro, 0 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this game. – Ellie Bohane scored a pair of goals in the first three minutes of the second half to break open a two-goal game and help Canton remain perfect on the season. Bohane’s first came on a rebound after North goalie Hannah Bachand (14 saves) stopped a Maria Femia breakaway. Bohane added a second when she stole and outlet pass and drove across the face of goal. Femia opened the scoring for Canton with a first quarter goal and Samantha Vrabel doubled the lead with her first varsity goal in the second quarter.
Stoughton, 2 @ Foxboro, 6 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this game. – Foxboro scored twice in each the second and fourth quarters to pull away from an upset-minded Stoughton squad. Sophomore Dylan Rappoli scoed a hat trick for the Warriors, including the opening goal of the game. Stoughton equalized to knot the score 1-1 after a quarter of play. But freshman Mary Collins and Rappoli scored back-to-back goals in the second to give Foxboro a 3-1 edge at the halftime break. Kate Collins, Rappoli, and Mya Waryas added second half goals in the win.
Taunton, 0 @ Franklin, 3 – Final – Franklin celebrated Senior Night with a shutout win over visiting Taunton. Holding a 1-0 lead through two quarters of play, the Panthers scored twice in a one-minute span in the third quarter to pull away from the Tigers. Kaitlyn Carney scored an unassisted goal in the second quarter and then tacked on a big insurance goal in the third quarter. Stephanie Bell (from Sara Carney) scored just over eight minutes into the third to make it 2-0. Neilee Hess made eight saves in net for the shutout.
Milford, 0 @ King Philip, 5 – Final – King Philip raced out to a 3-0 lead by halftime and never looked back in a win at home over Milford. Senior captain Abby Nixon scored the first two goals of the game while junior Margo Riley added a third for the Warriors. Senior Paige Bergos (from captain Grace Crocker) and freshman Kelly Holmes (first career goal) scored in the second half for KP. Senior goalie Maddie Paradis (three saves) earned her first shutout in her first career start. Milford goalie Madison Hunt (23 saves) and Olyvia Whyte had strong games for the Hawks.
Sharon, 0 @ Oliver Ames, 6 – Final
Golf
Attleboro, 182 @ Mansfield, 152 – Final – Mansfield got back into the win column with a victory at home over visiting Attleboro. Nate Morreale was the match medalist, shooting a low-round of 36 to pace the Hornets. Ryan Dow added a 37, Joseph Gormley shot a 39, and Ryan Doherty carded a 40. Brendan Raymond led the Bombardiers with a team-low round of 42.
North Attleboro, 159 @ Canton, 146 – Final – Canton junior Will Gefteas fired a one-over round of 35 to pace the Bulldogs to a key division win at home over visiting North Attleboro. Thomas Singleton, Owen Donovan, and Andrew Middleton all shot 37 in the win. North Attleboro’s Sam Gallagher had a team-low round of 37, Jordan Paradis added a 39, Jake Gaskin carded a 41, and Dillon Harding finish with a 42.
Franklin, 161 @ Taunton, 198 – Final – Franklin went on the road and picked up a win over Taunton at Segregansett Country Club. Jack Paterson and Nolan Norton led the way for the Panthers, each carding a low-round of 39. Sean Connelly added a 41 and CJ Steel chipped in with a 42 for Franklin. Spencer Andrews had a team-low round of 44 for the Tigers.
Milford, 178 @ King Philip, 168 – Final
Stoughton, 185 @ Foxboro, 152 – Final
Boys Cross Country
Mansfield @ Attleboro, 3:45
North Attleboro, 24 @ Canton, 31 – Final
Foxboro @ Stoughton, 3:45
King Philip @ Milford, 3:45
Oliver Ames @ Sharon, 3:45
Franklin, 27 @ Taunton, 28 – Final – Franklin had five of the top nine runners, edging out a one-point win over host Taunton. Nicholas Calitri was the race’s winner, clocking in with a first-place time of 16:55. Declan Walmsley secured key points for the Panthers with a fourth-place finish (17:29). Griffin Sieczkiewicz (6th – 17:37), Josh Anderson (7th – 17:38), and Clancy Golden (9th – 18:07) rounded out Franklin’s scoring.
Girls Cross Country
Mansfield @ Attleboro, 3:45
North Attleboro, 24 @ Canton, 31 – Final
Foxboro @ Stoughton, 3:45
King Philip, 28 @ Milford, 28 – Final – The teams were tied at 28-28 through five scorers but King Philip won the tiebreaker with its sixth runner coming in before the Hawks’ sixth runner to give the Warriors the win. Milford’s Emma Lawrence won her third consecutive race, clocking in at 20:01 on her home course. Sophomore Sydney Kalil was second at 20:55 but KP had the next three runners, plus seventh and ninth overall.
Oliver Ames @ Sharon, 3:45
Franklin, 19 @ Taunton, 42 – Final – Franklin took the top three spots on its way to a win on the road at Taunton. Senior Angelina Perez crossed the finish line at 21:10 to win the race while freshman Angelina Batla was right behind (21:13) to take second overall. Senior Sydney Hawkins took third place for the Panthers (21:26). Taunton senior Lily Valcovic (21:45) was the top runner for the Tigers, taking fourth overall, while eighth grader Colby Dunham (22:04) was fifth overall.
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.”
Field Hockey
Canton, 7 @ Stoughton, 1 – Final – Canton’s Maria Femia recorded a hat trick as the Bulldogs opened with a big win on the road at neighboring Stoughton. Meghan LaBelle added a pair of goals to go along with Femia’s three tallies while Erin Lane and Sarah Cunningham each scored once in the win. Haley Nelson scored for Stoughton on an assist from Zofia Bangs.
Foxboro, 5 @ Sharon, 0 – Final
Franklin, 10 @ Milford, 0 – Final – Franklin scored four goals in the opening quarter and never looked back in a win on the road over Milford. The Panthers tacked on three more in the second quarter to build a 7-0 lead. Junior Kaitlyn Carney scored a hat trick and had three assists while Stephanie Bell also scored three times for the Panthers.
King Philip, 3 @ Mansfield, 2 – Final – King Philip senior Makenzie Manning shined in goal, turning away breakaway after breakaway to help the Warriors open the season with a tightly contested win over Mansfield. The Warriors held a 1-0 lead at halftime but each team found the back of the net twice in the second half. Senior Isabelle Crocker used her speed to get in behind the defense and scored twice for KP while senior Abby Nixon scored the opening goal of the game. Jenn Daniels and Lauren Barreiro played well in the win for KP. Abby Varicchione scored (on an assist from Grace Danehy) and registered an assist on a goal from Stori Rounds. Lily Danehy made 12 saves in goal for the Hornets.
Oliver Ames, 5 @ North Attleboro, 1 – Final – Click here for a photo gallery from this game – Georgia Costello and Julia Maclaine each scored twice and had an assist as Oliver Ames earned its first win of the season. Lexi Gennis added a goal while Haley Gilman registering an assist. Elleny Bau scored for North Attleboro.
Golf
Stoughton, 146 @ Canton, 189 – Final – Canton’s Thomas Singleton and Mike Leonetti shared medalist honors, each shooting a low-round of 36 to pace the Bulldogs at home over Stoughton. Will Gefteas and Owen Donovan rounded out the scoring, each carding a round of 37 for Canton. Stoughton’s Jake Curtis shot a team-low round of 43, Joe Mark added a 48, and both Max Huminik and Jonah Hochberg shot a 49.
Mansfield, 160 @ King Philip, 171 – Final – Mansfield senior Brian See was the match medalist for the third straight time, helping the Hornets pick up a win on the road against KP and improve to 3-0. See shot a 39 while Ava Haggis and Cian Goulet were right behind at 40. Joe Gormley and Jason See each shot a 41 for the Hornets.
Oliver Ames, 161 @ North Attleboro, 165 – Final – It came down to the final group but Oliver Ames was able to pull out a key win on the road. The Tigers trailed by four strokes with one group to go before junior Jake Kaplan, who shot one-over on the last seven holes, came in with a team-low 39 and senior Will Gianni carded a 40 to help Oliver Ames earn the win. Junior Carter Allbritton (41) added birdies on two of the first three holes and sophomore Daniel Paul (41) had a birdie on five. North Attleboro’s Dillon Harding was the match medalist with a round of 38, sophomore Jake Gaskin carded a round of 39, Tyler DeMattio added a 43, and both Aidan Weir and Sam Gallagher shot 45 on the middle course at Heather Hill.
Foxboro, 167 @ Sharon, 180 – Final – Junior Jack Watts was the lone golfer to score under 40, earning match medalist honors and helping Foxboro knock off Sharon. Watts carded a round of 39 on the front nine at Foxboro Country Club with Jack Rounds (42), Dylan Quinn (43), and Luke Davies (43) also scoring for the Warriors. Eric Carter led Sharon with a team-best round of 43 while Nathan Daley and Owen Kevorkian each shot a 45 for the Eagles.
Boys Cross Country
Stoughton, 35 @ Canton, 20 – Final – The Bulldogs had the top three placements to open the season with a win at home over Stoughton. Junior Kyle Downing picked up where he left off, winning the race in 18:34. Downing was followed by senior captain Jack Hernon (19:08) and senior captain Elias Jabbour (19:41). Sophomore Matt Hart (20:59) and freshman Luke Darling (21:44) also scored for Canton.
Sharon, 15 @ Foxboro, 50 – Final – Nicolas Olson (19:11), Liam Cody (19:26), and Brooks Stone (19:50) had the top performances for Foxboro.
Milford, 44 @ Franklin, 19 – Final – Franklin showed off its depth, taking first overall in the race and five of the top six spots overall in a win over Milford. Franklin’s Nicholas Calitri was the fastest on the day, taking first in a time of 16:01 on the 3.05 mile course. Josh Anderson (16:22), Griffin Sieczkiewicz (17:09), Clancy Golden (17:22), and Declan Walmsley (17:28) rounded out the scoring for the Panthers.
Mansfield, 20 @ King Philip, 35 – Final
North Attleboro @ Oliver Ames, 3:45
Girls Cross Country
Stoughton, 50 @ Canton, 15 – Final – It was a clean sweep for the Bulldogs, taking the top five spots in the race to get a win at home over Stoughton. Senior captain Marie Messinger was first overall with a time of 21:52. Junior newcomer Kiara Cerruti was second (23:53), senior Amanda Duffin crossed third (24:22), sophomore Johanna Bouwmeester took fourth (24:42), and junior Corinne Campbell was fifth (25:34).
Sharon, 26 @ Foxboro, 31 – Final – Foxboro had a trio of runners in the top five but Sharon was able to squeak out a victory on the road. Aine Fitzpatrick took second overall (22:52) to pace Foxboro with Emilia Lacy (third, 23:11) and Mabel Linck (fifth, 23:12) following shortly after.
Milford, 27 @ Franklin, 30 – Final – Milford swept the top three spots to earn a close win over the defending Kelley-Rex division champions. Junior Emma Lawrence ran away with the win in 19:17, sophomore Sydney Kalil took second in 20:08, and senior Kerry O’Connor rounded out the top three by clocking in a 20:32. Sarah Flanagan (21:19) and Eva Parson (23:35) rounded out the scoring for the Hawks.
Mansfield, 25 @ King Philip, 31 – Final – Mansfield took the top three spots in the race to earn a close win over King Philip. Senior Tessa Lancaster led the way for the Hornets, clocking in at 20:53.4 to take first place overall. Classmates Abigail Greenberg (21:35.6) and Emma Lamson (22:09.0) rounded out the top three for the Hornets. King Philip had the next four runners cross the finish line, led by senior Ava Pisani (22:50). Meg Sherwood (22:55), Katarina Precobb (23:32), and junior Maya Evans (23:41) followed suit for fifth, sixth, and seventh, respectively.
#20 Attleboro, 2 @ #4 Westwood, 6 – Final – Attleboro scored the first two goals of the game but the Wolverines responded with six unanswered goals to get the win. Sophomore Madison Ellis scored back-to-back goals to put the Bombardiers ahead before Westwood answered with four goals before the break to seize a 4-2 lead by halftime. The Wolverines added two more goals in the second half.
#15 Mansfield, 3 @ #2 New Bedford, 1 – Final – Mansfield’s Abby Varricchione recorded three assists to help the Hornets land an upset of #2 New Bedford, who had just one loss all season. Stori Rounds scored a pair of goals while Kelly Doherty added one in the win. Mansfield advances to the D1 South Quarterfinal to take on #7 Notre Dame on Monday at 4:00.
#17 King Philip, 0 @ #1 Somerset-Berkley, 6 – Final – King Philip kept the top-seeded Raiders scoreless for the opening 15 minutes but a three-goal burst over the final 15 minutes gave the hosts the lead for good. Makenzie Manning had 22 saves and Grace May added three saves for the Warriors.
Football
Stoughton, 51 @ Sharon, 6 – Final – Click here for a photo gallery of this game. 1st Quarter: (St) Christian Ais 10-yard rush, Anthony Girolamo XP good; (St) Christopher Ais 17-yard rush, A. Girolamo XP good.
2nd Quarter: (St) Clayton Rahaman 15-yard pass to Christopher Ais, XP no good; (St) Christopher Ais 20-yard rush, A. Girolamo XP good; John Burke 22-yard pass to Jonah Ly, A. Girolamo XP good; (St) Christian Georges 30-yard rush, A. Girolamo XP good; (St) Jake Queeney 50-yard interception return, A. Girolamo XP good.
3rd Quarter: No scoring.
4th Quarter: (St) A. Girolamo 21-yard field goal; (Sh) Ike Ogbonnanze 67-yard rush, XP no good.
Boys Soccer
Mansfield, 1 @ Stoughton, 2 – Final – Mansfield took a 1-0 lead into halftime but Stoughton came out and scored a pair of second half goals to earn two points. Sagar Koul put the visitors ahead in the first half, finishing off a through ball from Cam Eddy. Mason Eschleman scored the game-winning goal for Stoughton.
Field Hockey
Attleboro, 2 @ Sharon, 0 – Final – Madison Ellis and Emma Briggs each scored once to lead Attleboro to a win on the road at Sharon.
Taunton, 0 @ Canton, 2 – Final – Canton scored once in each half to grab a win over visiting Taunton. Freshman Ellie Bohane scored the game-winner in the first half while senior Kaitlyn Goyetch added an insurance tally in the second half for the Bulldogs.
North Attleboro, 0 @ King Philip, 1 – Final – King Philip scored the lone goal of the game midway through the first half and goalie Makenzie Manning and the Warriors’ defense posted a shutout to beat North Attleboro. Junior Abby Nixon converted at 14:32 on a feed from Sammy Robison for the lone goal of the game. Manning made four saves for the shutout while senior Raegan Simeone and junior Christina Gifun both played well in the midfield for KP.
Mansfield, 2 @ Stoughton, 0 – Final – Stori Rounds and Paige Peterson each scored once to lead Mansfield to a win on the road at Stoughton.
Oliver Ames @ Milford, 4:00
Volleyball
Attleboro @ Sharon, 5:00
Taunton, 0 @ Canton, 3 – Final – Canton defended home court by earning a clean 3-0 sweep (25-13, 25-11, 25-17) of visiting Taunton. Jackie Morrissey ran the Bulldogs’ offense with 16 assists and six digs while Claire Quinn, Taylor Harris, and Liz Bickett combined for 20 kills. The Nikki DesJardins, Stephanie Trendell and Emily Morrison played well defensively for Canton. For Taunton, Ella Dunderdale had 10 kills and two aces, Hailey Sullivan added 10 digs, and Jaelyn Fernandez dished out 18 assists.
Franklin, 3 @ Foxboro, 0 – Final – Franklin went on the road and won 3-0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-19) over a gritty Foxboro side. Allyson Bonnet-Eymard led the way with 14 kills and nine digs while Bridget Jackson added seven kills and Jill Benoit chipped in with 12 digs. Sophomore Cailyn Mackintosh put the offense in motion with 26 assists.
King Philip, 3 @ North Attleboro, 0 – Final – King Philip earned its second win over North Attleboro, this time in a league match, taking a 3-0 (25-6, 25-8, 25-23) decision. Kristen Masse (four aces) and Emma Brooks (three, seven digs) had strong showings at the service line while Nicole Coughlan (12 kills, three aces) and Catherine Waldeck (seven kills, four blocks) continued to shine at the net for KP.
Mansfield, 3 @ Stoughton, 0 – Final – Mansfield got back into the win column with a 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-7) sweep on the road at the new Stoughton High School. Sam Sternburg paced the Hornets with 14 service points and six digs while Julia Kelly also played well with 13 service points and seven kills.
Golf
Foxboro, 166 @ Sharon, 173 – Final – Foxboro’s depth played a big role in a win on the road over Sharon on Thursday afternoon. Luke Davies was the match medalist, firing a match-low round of 40 while Dylan Quinn, Matt Lathrop, and Noah Hicks all finished at 42 to help the Warriors earn a close win. Ethan Skelly led Sharon with a round of 41.
Franklin, 164 @ Oliver Ames, 157 – Final – Oliver Ames defended its home course, knocking off the visiting Panthers to avenge a loss from earlier in the season. Senior captain Brad Powers was the medalist for the match with a round of 37. JoJo Gaultier added a 39 for the Tigers and Sam Becker chipped in with a round of 40. Franklin’s Jack Paterson had a team-low round of 38.
King Philip, 169 @ Mansfield, 160 – Final – Mansfield’s Ava Haggis earned match medalist honors to help the Hornets knock off KP and clinch at least a share of the division title. Haggis finished with a 39 while Ryan Dow and Cian Goulet each shot 40 for the Hornets. Brian See and Jason See each shot 41 in the win.
North Attleboro, 178 @ Taunton, 194 – Final – North Attleboro’s Jillian Barend fired a 40 to earn match medalist honors, helping the Rocketeers earn a win on the road at Taunton.
Stoughton, 184 @ Canton, 142 – Final – Canton’s Thomas Singleton fired off an even-par round of 34 to earn medalist honors and lead the Bulldogs to a win over Stoughton. The Bulldogs clinched at least a share of the Davenport division title with the win. Will Gefteas finished at one-over at 35 while Mike Leonetti (36) and Nate MacDonald (37) also played well for Canton. Stoughton’s Patrick Smith finished with a team-low round of 40.
Boys Cross Country
Franklin, 21 @ Taunton, 37 – Final – Franklin had the top two runners and four of the top six spots to earn a win on the road over Taunton. Tyler Brogan took first place for the Panthers, crossing the finish line in 16:10.
Results: 1. Tyler Brogan, Frank (16:10) 2. Nicholas Calitri, Frank (16:22) 5. Declan Walmsley, Frank (17:19) 6. Joseph Zerice, Frank (17:24) 7. Griffin Sieczkiewicz, Frank (17:27) 9. Clancy Golden, Frank (17:33)
Girls Cross Country
Franklin, 15 @ Taunton, 43 – Final – Franklin had the top five finishers in the race on the 3.1 mile course on the campus of Taunton High School. Sydney Hawkins led the way for the Panthers, taking first in 20:43. Taunton sophomore Nia Mainer-Smith took sixth overall in 21:12.
Canton, 1 @ Franklin, 3 – Final – Franklin took the lead just over 10 minutes into the game and added a pair of insurance goals in the final 12 minutes of the game to beat visiting Canton. Freshman Kaitlyn Carney put the Panthers ahead with an unassisted tally in the 11th minute. Carney took a feed from Stephanie Bell and finished, making it 2-0 with just over 10 minutes to go. Amanda Lewandowski gave the Panthers breathing room, scoring with less than eight minutes to go on assists from Carney and Leila Frankina. Canton freshman Ellie Bohane got the Bulldogs on the board with just over two minutes to play. Neilee Hess made three saves in net for the Panthers while Riley O’Connor turned away seven shots for Canton.
Foxboro, 1 @ Taunton, 0 – Final – Jaime Notarangelo scored the lone of the goal to give the Warriors the win, the 200th victory for head coach Melissa Bordieri.
Milford, 0 @ King Philip, 4 – Final – King Philip senior captain Raegan Simeone opened the scoring just over 12 minutes into the game while teammates Sammy Robison and Abby Nixon each recorded two points in the Warriors’ win over Milford. Robison scored twice while Nixon had a goal and an assist in the win. KP coach Lisa Cropper said Charlotte Colella played an outstanding game in her debut at center back. Milford goalie Paige Reisman made 18 saves for the Scarlet Hawks.
Sharon, 0 @ Mansfield, 6 – Final – Mansfield’s Abby Varricchione and Fiona Katz each scored a pair of goals to lead the Hornets to a big win at home over visiting Sharon. Stori Rounds and Lindsay Devine also scored for Mansfield in the win.
Foxboro, 3 @ Taunton, 0 – Final – Foxboro picked up its first road win of the year with a 3-0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-22) win at Taunton. The Warriors had an impressive day at the service line as Grace Fortune (seven digs) had 17 service points and six aces and Sara Addeche finished with 12 service points and four aces. Maddie O’Brien dished out 12 assists, Grace Boudreau (11 kills) and Emma Keefe (four kills) paced the offense, and Pam Nelson (eight digs) had a strong day defensively.
Milford, 0 @ King Philip, 3 – Final – King Philip defended home court against Milford with a 3-0 (25-17, 26-24, 25-22) win. Nicole Coughlan (two blocks) and Catherine Waldeck (block) paced the Warriors’ offense with 10 kills apiece while Emma Brooks (seven digs) had a terrific day serving with 10 aces.
Sharon, 0 @ Mansfield, 3 – Final – Mansfield picked up its third win in as many tries with a 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-12) win over the visiting Eagles of Sharon High. Olivia McGrath (11 service points, four kills) and Julia Buiser (12 service points) both had strong showings at the service line while Alina Nowakowski finished with six kills.
North Attleboro, 0 @ Oliver Ames, 3 – Final – Oliver Ames opened its home schedule with a clean sweep of the visiting Rocketeers, winning 3-0 (25-12, 25-18, 25-14). Junior Caroline Flynn had a strong day offensively with 12 kills, senior Alison Barth had 33 digs and a pair of aces, and senior Allison Kemp dished out 26 assists to go along with five aces.
Golf
Foxboro, 158 @ Stoughton, 182 – Final – Foxboro won its fifth straight match to start the season with a win over Stoughton at Easton Country Club. Dylan Quinn, Matt Lathrop, and Noah Hicks split medalist honors, each shooting 39 for the Warriors. Anthony Hearn led Stoughton with a low round of 43 while Max Huminik carded a 44.
Milford, 172 @ Oliver Ames, 143 – Final – Oliver Ames’ Tate Hadges shot nine pars to finish at an even 34 to lead the Tigers to a win over visiting Milford. Justin Shapiro also had a strong showing for OA with a round of 35.
Sharon, 196 @ Mansfield, 150 – Final – Mansfield’s Ryan Dow earned medalist honors for the second straight match, this time carding a low round of 36 to pace the Hornets at home. Brian See shot a one-over 37, Jason See followed right behind with a 38, and Ava Haggis had a strong day with a 39 for Mansfield.
Taunton, 202 @ Franklin, 158 – Final – Franklin captain Jack Paterson had his best round of the season, earning medalist honors with an even par 35 to lead the Panthers past Taunton. Nolan Norton followed with a 40, Pat Dolan added a 41, and Brian Sandham finished with a 42.
Football
Milford, 27 @ Franklin, 34 – Final – Click here for a recap and photo gallery from this game. 1st Quarter: (F) Thomas Gasbarro 38 yard pass to Jake Davis, Parker Cheuvront XP good; (M) Luke Rosa 15 yard rush, CJ Cerrella XP good.
2nd Quarter: (F) T. Gasbarro 23 yard pass to Jack Nally, P. Cheuvront XP good.
3rd Quarter: (F) T. Gasbarro 23 yard pass to J. Davis, XP failed; (M) Colby Pires 56 yard pass to Dan Farrell, XP failed; (F) Cole Lakatos 73 yard kick return, P. Cheuvront XP good.
4th Quarter: (M) C. Pires 26 yard pass to Carter Scudo, C. Carrella XP good; (F) Mack Gulla 4 yard rush, P. Cheuvront XP good; (M) C. Pires 22 yard pass to Matt Varteresian, C. Cerrella XP good.
Stoughton, 35 vs. Framingham, 16 – Final – Click here for a recap and photo gallery from this game. 1st Quarter: (S) Christian Georges 84 yard rush, XP failed; (S) C. Georges 11 yard rush, Christopher Ais 2pt rush good.
2nd Quarter: (F) Akye Boston 2 yard rush, Jack Beverly 2pt pass to Sam Stubbs good.
3rd Quarter: (S) John Burke 8 yard pass to Christopher Ais, Anthony Girolamo XP good; (S) Clayton Rahaman 19 yard rush, A. Girolamo XP good.
4th Quarter: (S) J. Burke 2 yard rush, A. Girolamo XP good; (F) A. Boston 53 yard rush; J. Beverly 2pt pass to Antonio Rivera good.
Boys Soccer
Canton, 0 @ Marshfield, 0 – Final – Canton senior goalie Alejandro Correal made 11 saves to help the Bulldogs earn a point on the road in the season opener for both squads.
King Philip, 4 @ Sharon, 0 – Final – King Philip scored twice in the final five minutes of the first half and then twice more in the final 10 minutes of the game to earn a win on the road over Sharon. Wes Orzell scored the game-winner, putting KP ahead 1-0 with an unassisted strike in the 39th minute. Three minutes later, Orzell set up senior Brian McCarthy to make it 2-0 just before half. In the 71st, Cam Lawrence deposited a free kick (earned by Evan McEvoy) into the net for a 3-0 advantage. Stephen Griffin added a fourth (assisted by McEvoy) in the final minute. Aidan Lindmark and Grant Orzell combined for the shutout in net for KP.
Field Hockey
Attleboro, 0 @ Canton, 3 – Final – Locked in a one-goal game, Canton freshman Ellie Bohane scored her first two varsity goals inside the final five minutes to secure the win for the Bulldogs. Meg Aldrich put Canton up 1-0 off a corner with 10 minutes left in the first half but the Bulldogs couldn’t solve Attleboro goalie Ava Haggerty (22 saves) until Bohane’s tally with four minutes to go.
Mansfield, 1 @ Foxboro, 1 – Final – Click here for a photo gallery from this game – Foxboro sophomore Kate Collins scored with five seconds left in the game to salvage a point for the Warriors in their season opener against Mansfield. Collins scored off a corner with Molly McElhinney and Ella Waryas factoring in before Collins got the final touch. Stori Rounds put Mansfield up with just under five minutes to play in the first half while Kayla Hunter made six saves for the Hornets.
Franklin, 13 @ Milford, 0 – Final – Amanda Lewandowski and Leila Frankina each scored twice in the first half as Franklin rolled to a win to start the season. Lewandowski finished with three points, including an assist on Elizabeth Clark’s first varsity goal. Neilee Hess earned the shutout for Franklin. Paige Reisman had 20 saves in net for the Hawks.
King Philip, 3 @ Sharon, 1 – Final
Oliver Ames, 6 @ Stoughton, 1 – Final – After a scoreless first half, Oliver Ames scored five minutes into the second half and tacked on five more to record a win on the road at Stoughton. Cassie Gennis and Georgia Costello (assist) each scored twice for the Tigers while Sofia Anestam and Hannah Stryke (assist) each found the back of the net once for the Tigers. Haley Nelson scored for Stoughton while Kayla Laboy had an outstanding game in net, making 10 saves.
Taunton, 3 @ North Attleboro, 1 – Final – Taunton went on the road and picked up a win in the season opener at North Attleboro. Kennedy Thielker scored twice for the Tigers, both assisted by Kat Robinson, while Alana Tavares added an unassisted tally. Emily Gannon made five saves in net for the win. Jocelyn Pagliuca and Kathryn Baptiste also had strong games for Taunton.
Volleyball
Attleboro, 0 @ Canton, 3 – Final – Canton opened the season with a 3-0 sweep (25-16, 25-19, 25-16) to give head coach Pat Cawley her 200th victory with the Bulldogs. Senior Taylor Harris led the offense with 15 kills while adding 12 digs and three aces in the win. Angie Elias also had a strong day with seven digs, six kills, and a pair of aces, Liz Bickett added four kills and 11 digs and Nikki Desjardins had a solid defensive showing. Attleboro junior Ana Leonardo dished out 11 assists and sophomore Delia Barthel had three kills and two blocks.
Mansfield, 3 @ Foxboro, 1 – Final – Mansfield started the 2019 campaign with a 3-1 (25-11, 25-22, 23-25, 25-21) win on the road over Foxboro. Sam Sternburg paced the Hornets’ defense with 20 digs and added 12 service points while Olivia McGrath had 11 kills and Emily Dardinski added seven kills. Foxboro had a strong defensive game to keep the match close, with Pam Nelson (10 digs), Grace Fortune (nine digs), Sara Addeche (nine digs) and Kelsey Treweek (six digs) leading the way.
Franklin, 1 @ Milford, 3 – Final – Milford bounced back from dropping the first set to secure a 3-1 (24-26, 26-24, 25-20, 25-21) win at home against Franklin. Julia Riordan paced the Hawks offense, dishing out 28 assists. Lauren Corsini had a strong game in the middle with 11 kills and six blocks, Alyssa Williamson added six kills, and Sarah Brogioli anchored the defense with 15 digs.
King Philip, 3 @ Sharon, 0 – Final – King Philip went on the road and picked up a win in its first game of the season, 3-0 (25-13, 25-12, 25-13) over Sharon. Middles Catherine Waldeck (nine kills, three blocks) and Nicole Coughlan (nine kills, two aces) both had strong games for the Warriors, Kristen Masse added four kills, four digs, and three aces, and Emma Brooks chipped in with six digs and four aces.
Taunton, 0 @ North Attleboro, 3 – Final – North Attleboro defended home court with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-18) win over visiting Taunton. Haley Gaskin dished out 22 assists to pace the Rocketeers with Kylie Melanson (six kills) and Joanna Collins-Bilyeu (five kills) leading the offense. Alyssa Turcotte had five kills and a block for the Tigers while Sonya Fernandez added four kills and a pair of aces.
Oliver Ames, 3 @ Stoughton, 0 – Final – Oliver Ames senior Allie Kemp dished out 27 assists to lead the Tigers to a 3-0 (25-12, 25-21, 25-16) win over Stoughton. Kemp moved within two assists of the 1,000 mark. Junior Caroline Flynn added 10 kills while senior Ryley McNeeley added eight kills and five aces. OA senior Alison Barth had a strong game defensively with 21 digs, 23 serve receptions, and a pair of aces.
Golf
Oliver Ames, 151 @ Attleboro, 164 – Final – Oliver Ames bounced back with a win on the road over Attleboro at Stone-E-Lea. Sam Becker paced the Tigers with a medalist round of 35 while Brad Powers (38), Justin Shapiro (39), and Jo Jo Gaultier (39) all shot under 40 for Oliver Ames.
Stoughton, 194 @ North Attleboro, 156 – Final – North Attleboro’s Jillian Barend shot a one-under round of 34 at the middle course at Heather Hill to pace the Rocketeers to a win. Jake Gaskin added a round of 39, Aidan Weir carded a 40, and Brett Dusel and Sam Gallagher each finished at 43. Max Huminik led Stoughton with a round of 46.
Franklin, 158 vs. Nipmuc, 173 – Final – Jack Paterson led the way for the Panthers with a team-low round of 38 while Quinten Faro was right behind him with a round of 39.
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.”
