Below are the official 2021 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.
Kelley-Rex Division MVP
Alana Tavares, Taunton
Kelley-Rex Division All Stars
McKenzie Baker, Franklin
Kate O’Rourke, Franklin
Stella Regan, Franklin
Katie Jones, Franklin
Jackie O’Neill, Franklin
Julia Marsden, King Philip
Lily Brown, King Philip
Haley Izydorczak, King Philip
Margo Riley, King Philip
Melissa Shanteler, Mansfield
Ava Adams, Mansfield
Alana Tavares, Taunton
Emily Gannon, Taunton
Davenport Division MVP
Ella Waryas, Foxboro
Davenport Division All Stars
Allie McCabe, Canton
Devan Spinale, Canton
Lilly Vey, Foxboro
Ella Waryas, Foxboro
Paige Curran, Foxboro
Dylan Rappoli, Foxboro
Taylor McMath, North Attleboro
Emma Pereira, Oliver Ames
Liliana Lozano, Oliver Ames
Jenna Goldstein, Sharon
Tess Letendre, Sharon
Honorable Mentions
Isabella Salviati, Attleboro
Sierra Abbott, Canton
Meg Burke, Foxboro
Sydney Hawkins, Franklin
Morgan Cunningham, King Philip
Ann Marie McCoy, Mansfield
Aislinn Bennett, Milford
Aimee Baiungo, North Attleboro
Taylor McAndrew, Oliver Ames
Sally Brouhard, Sharon
Anastasia Lajoie, Taunton
Below are the official 2021 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league.
Franklin seniors Sydney Hawkins, Ali Socci, and Katie Jones and coach Kristin Igoe-Guarino with the MIAA D1 State Finalist trophy. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)
FRANKLIN, Mass. – As it had for almost all of Thursday night’s Div. 1 state championship game at a packed Pisini Stadium, the Franklin defense came through with another stop when it needed it most, forcing a turnover in a tie game with the clock racing to the final horn. Overtime seemed inevitable.
The Panthers tried to clear from behind the cage, but a slip in the pouring rain and a loose ball in front of an empty goal proved decisive. It was a moment that seemed to happen in slow motion.
Westwood sophomore Ava Connaughton scooped the ground ball and, while falling, found the back of the open goal with just 12.2 seconds on the clock. The Wolverines won the ensuing draw to secure a 6-5 victory and their ninth state championship. Franklin went toe-to-toe with the most successful program in state history, but came up just short in its first state title game appearance.
“I’m so proud of this group,” said Franklin coach Kristin Igoe Guarino. “We’ve been in that situation before and for them to battle back against a really, really good Westwood team was amazing. I thought our ‘D’ was amazing, Brigid, they just made one more play than us on the offensive end. It happens, but I’m really proud of the girls, they played amazing.”
In the opening minutes of the game, it didn’t look like a dramatic finish would be in the cards. Franklin looked nervous, making uncharacteristic turnovers and being tentative in front of goal. Kaitlyn Carney had the first chance of the game from the opening draw, but was denied on a dodge from the left side by Westwood goalie Anya Holland.
The Wolverines started strongly and took a quick 2-0 lead inside the opening 2-1/2 minutes. Ashley Mackin, Westwood’s star and a Johns Hopkins-commit, played provider, feeding first Lindsey Diomede and then Connaughton for goals.
Franklin’s defense, led by Sydney Hawkins, Anna Grasso, and Ali Socci, was soaking up endless pressure in the first, as the Wolverines seemed to have the ball for the vast majority of the opening quarter. The Panthers also got a big boost from junior goalie Brigid Earley (10 saves), who made a big kick save to deny a point-blank chance and then took one off the mask from Kella McGrail.
“This is her first year playing goalie and look where she brought us,” Igoe Guarino said of Earley, who started as a freshman attacker on JV and volunteered to step in between the posts to fill a need this season. “She’s incredible and she made some huge saves on some Div. I shooters and kept us in the game. I’m really proud of her. She learned quick and she led us to the state finals.”
Three minutes into the second, Westwood added a third and looked like it might be able to break the game open. Mackin was again the provider, finding Kate Deehan on the cut through the middle. After Earley made another big stop to deny Lillian Hancock after a free run through the heart of the defense, Mackin got her first of the night on a sidearm snipe.
Franklin needed to find something positive on the offensive side of the ball. After several missed opportunities from eight meters, Kate O’Rourke found a crucial breakthrough on a free position with 4:43 left in the half. The Panthers went into the break down 4-1, but still hanging in and still with a shot at the title.
The hosts picked up a big early goal in the third to build momentum. Stella Regan picked out Carney cutting through the middle and her lefty finish found the top corner.
Mackin got her fourth assist of the night, this time setting up Jane Gaffney in front to restore the three-goal lead, but the Panthers looked like they had more life than the opening half.
Earley helped out again, getting enough of a Mackin rip from distance to send the ball just over the bar. Three minutes later, Regan was able to drive into the middle from the right side and finish over the top of Holland to make it 5-3.
With the clock winding down in the third, Earley got a piece of yet another shot, which caromed out to Kenzie Baker. She snagged the ground ball, got it to Regan, who moved it on to Carney at midfield. The sophomore instantly attacked, splitting a pair of defenders, racing 50 yards, and then firing into the top far corner with just 17.4 to go.
It was a stunning goal at the perfect moment to send the Panthers into the fourth with all the momentum and ramp up the energy in the crowd. It was also the moment that the heavens opened and it started pouring.
Four minutes into the fourth quarter, the comeback was complete. Carney played provider this time, driving towards the cage from the right side and seeing Jamie Tanner at the back post. Tanner was able to make a nice catch in traffic, spun, and finished over Holland to tie the game at 5-5.
Westwood had its chances to go back in front, but Earley continued to play at another level. Mackin fed Deehan in front but Earley stayed tall to make the stop, then she denied Diomede from close range, and took one off the midriff after Mackin got open in the middle. Baker had the best chance down the stretch for Franklin, but Holland (four saves) came up with a big stop.
In the end, it took an unlucky bounce to separate the two teams. Franklin (18-1), which is only seven years removed from its first sectional title, showed just how far it has come as a program. The Panthers wanted to show that a title game appearance was no fluke and that they were on the same level as the best in the state.
“I’m just so proud for all the alumni who set the culture standards before and brought us inch-by-inch,” said Igoe Guarino. “We have a great youth program, the girls work incredibly hard not just in season but out of season, and I think they just left a legacy no matter the outcome of this game.
“For years to come, this is the standard for Franklin lacrosse,” she continued. “We lost to the best in the state by one, we’ll be back.”
Franklin celebrates at the final whistle. The Panthers beat Concord-Carlisle to secure their first East title since 2017. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
FRANKLIN, Mass. – Franklin found itself down 4-2 after one quarter in Friday afternoon’s Div. 1 East final at Pisini Stadium against Concord-Carlisle. It was the first time this season that the Panthers had trailed after a quarter, but it didn’t take them long to get back into a more familiar position.
With six of the next seven goals, Franklin turned the game around in the second quarter, grabbing a lead it wouldn’t relinquish. The Panthers limited Concord-Carlisle to just two goals in the second half and held on for a 12-9 victory, avenging semifinal losses to the Patriots in each of the last two seasons and winning the program’s first East title since 2017 (also against Concord-Carlisle).
“Just cause we were down didn’t mean we want to force,” said Franklin coach Kristin Igoe Guarino. “We knew we’d get our looks and I think their patience, their going for the right things, anyone can step up, that’s the whole thing, if anyone can score then you don’t need to force anything because there are always going to be options.”
Franklin senior defender Sydney Hawkins added, “We know every single girl on this team is capable of making that game-winning play and that’s what is going to take us all the way.”
It was the Patriots who seemed to have the edge early in the game. Concord-Carlisle won four of the first five draws and was able to get into the heart of the Franklin defense, drawing free position opportunities. Audrey Mirak opened the scoring from eight meters just a minute into the game.
Franklin answered back 45 seconds later when Kate O’Rourke dodged from the top of the crease, side-stepping her defender to get a good shooting angle. The Patriots came right back with two goals, one from Mirak from eight meters and the second from a Becca Dibble shot to the corner.
O’Rourke saw a free position chance get saved and Brigid Earley (five saves) was able to deny Sarah Creamer on the other end. With 5:29 left in the first, Katie Jones made a nice pass to the cutting Jackie O’Neil to cut the lead to one.
Concord-Carlisle came storming back. Earley made two huge saves, blocking Lily Hudner’s free position and then getting a piece of Dibble’s shot. The Patriots regained a two-goal lead with 2:21 left in the first, as Dibble squeezed a shot inside the post from a tight angle.
After struggling on the draw early, Igoe Guarino made a change, putting Stella Regan on the spot with O’Neil, Katie Peterson, Kenzie Baker, Jamie Tanner, and others charging after the ball on the wings. It seemed to work, as Franklin took control of the draws in the second quarter and grabbed momentum as well.
Igoe Guarino said, “We made a big adjustment on the draws, which I think was a big turning point. I said to them, whoever wins the draws is going to win the game. They’re just such gritty players and if you tell them they need to win this draw, then they’ll win it.”
O’Neil got her second goal of the game with a bouncing shot from a free position 90 seconds into the second quarter. Following a yellow card to the Patriots, Franklin took advantage of the extra player, as Kaitlyn Carney bullied her way to the cage to tie the game.
Dibble continued her strong game, scoring again to put the visitors on top, but Franklin got two goals in a minute to go ahead for the first time. Peterson got the first with a lefty shot on the run, bouncing it past the goalie. Tanner then put the Panthers in front, going with a high finish from eight meters.
Carney was a playmaker from behind the cage, as she picked out Peterson cutting down the middle for a 7-5 lead. After seeing her initial shot saved, Carney scooped the rebound and then hit Peterson again cutting through the heart of the Concord-Carlisle defense. Audrey Marik scored back-to-back goals to get back within one, but Carney got a crucial free position goal seconds before the break to make it 9-7 at halftime.
Things got much tighter in the second half. The Franklin defense, led by Ali Socci, Anna Grasso, and Hawkins, was able to contain the Patriots much better, limiting their chances to get the ball on goal.
“We were sending to the top dodge every time and that seemed to work really well and it was also just communication and all being on the same page,” Hawkins, an MIT-commit, explained. “That’s the great thing about defense is we all get to talk together out there and to really move as a unit.”
Franklin was creating fewer chances as well, as the Panthers started to focus on patience and possession. Carney had a chance early in the third only to be called for being in the crease and having a goal taken away. The Panthers pushed the lead to three with a pretty give-and-go goal. Regan passed to O’Neil on the edge of the crease and she gave it right back to Regan cutting down the middle for the finish.
The visitors were not going to go quietly. Mirak added another free position goal with 3:04 left in the quarter and Concord-Carlisle had another chance from eight meters right at the end of the third but the clock ran out before the teams could get lined up, which proved to be a critical missed opportunity.
O’Rourke had a good look a minute into the fourth, but it was saved. A minute later, Creamer scored from eight meters to make it a 10-9 game. O’Neil, who had little impact in the semifinal, picked the bottom corner from a free position for her third goal of the game, putting Franklin up two.
“Whoever is out there, it could be anybody’s night and they all have each other’s backs, which is awesome,” said Igoe Guarino. “It could be every single person on any given day, which is so powerful to have. You can’t face guard, you can’t do a game plan because everyone’s a threat.”
Off the ensuing draw, the Patriots had a break but Earley came up with a huge stop. The Franklin defense was making plays, collapsing quickly, and coming up with all the ground balls. With 4:52 to go, O’Rourke had another chance, this time finding the corner for her second goal, which put Franklin in control up by three goals.
With the lead and with an extra player after a yellow card, Igoe Guarino urged her team to ignore the goal and just hold the ball to run out the clock as the excitement built on the home sidelines.
“I feel like this has been a long time coming and the fact that it was C-C just makes it that many times greater,” said Hawkins. “They’ve got us the last two times, but I have a really good feeling about this team. I’m super excited.”
Franklin (17-0) will face the winner of the North sectional (No. 1 Masconomet or No. 2 Chelmsford) in the state semifinal on Tuesday.
Baseball
Canton, 6 @ Foxboro, 7 – Final – Foxboro used a trio of walks, a sacrifice bunt, and an infield hit to walk off with a win over Canton in a see-saw battle. Canton scored four runs in the top of the sixth to take a 5-3 lead but the Warriors answered by pushing three runs across in the bottom half. The Bulldogs scored again in the top of the seventh to knot the score but Cam Prescott and Jack Watts drew back-to-back walks, Ryan LeClair bunted everyone forward a base, Sean O’Leary walked to load the bases and an infield hit from Tom Marcucella brought the game-winning run. Marcucella and junior Mike LaVita (RBI) each had two hits in the win while Prescott, Mike O’Toole, and Dylan Quinn each drove in a run. Quinn also earned the win in relief, allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk, striking out one. Nate Hewit (home run) and Matt Chafin (RBI) each had two hits for Canton while Steven Burbank, Andrew Butler, and Zach Peters each were responsible for bringing a run home.
Milford, 1 @ Taunton, 4 – Final – Taunton senior Matthew Ferrara delivered a big performance on the mound for the Tigers, helping the hosts secure their 10th win of the season. Ferrara tossed a complete game with only one run allowed on four hits and three walks, striking out four to give Taunton a win over visiting Milford. Offensively, sophomore Ryan MacDougall reached base four times, recording a pair of hits and walks to go along with an RBI and a run scored while Colby DeCouta added a hit and an RBI in the win.
Softball
Foxboro, 5 @ Canton, 1 – Final
Stoughton, 4 @ Oliver Ames, 6 – Final – Oliver Ames had its four-run lead evaporate but rallied to take the lead right back and earned a season split with the visiting Black Knights. The Tigers had a great start, pushing across four runs in the first four innings but Stoughton struck for four runs in the top of the fifth to knot the score at 4-4. OA responded with the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fifth and tacked on a key insurance run in the sixth. Taylor Lake knocked in a pair of runs for the hosts while Katie Melendy and Katherine Farley (double) also had an RBI in the win. Maddie Homer (1-for-3) scored a pair of runs, Grace Simone (double) had a pair of hits and scored once, and Emma Varella had the other run for OA. Varella pitched 4.1 innings with just two hits allowed while Melendy tossed 2.2 innings in relief.
Boys Lacrosse
Franklin, 17 @ Attleboro, 1 – Final
Foxboro, 11 @ Canton, 6 – Final
Milford @ Mansfield, 5:00
Sharon @ North Attleboro, 3:45
Stoughton, 4 @ Oliver Ames, 9 – Final – Oliver Ames senior Remi Creighton notched the 100th point of his career to help the Tigers take down visiting Stoughton in the regular season finale for both squads. Creighton scored two goals and added two assists to hit the milestone while junior Wyatt Fritchman added two goals and an assist and sophomore Ben Reardon recorded a hat trick.
King Philip, 13 vs. Medway, 14 – Final
Girls Lacrosse
Attleboro, 0 @ Franklin, 20 – Final – Franklin celebrated its seniors with a big win at home, finishing the regular season at a perfect 14-0. Seniors Katie Jones scored four goals and had three assists in the win, Ali Socci netted a pair of goals and assists, and Sydney Hawkins tacked on a goal. Brigid Earley scored her first career goal in the win.
Canton, 6 @ Foxboro, 21 – Final
North Attleboro, 15 @ Sharon, 11 – Final
Mansfield @ Milford, 4:30
Taunton, 4 @ King Philip, 20 – Final – King Philip had 11 different plays find the back of the net as the Warriors celebrated Senior Night in style. Senior Peyton Mellman paced the offense with three goals while classmate Caroline Pasquantino found the back of the net once in the win. Senior Maddie Crowley earned the win in net, making three saves.
Boys Tennis
King Philip, 5 @ Taunton, 0 – Final – King Philip won all five matches in straight sets to earn its seventh straight victory of the season, finishing the year at 8-6. Nick Putney (first singles), Jon Cohen (third singles), and the team of Connor Sachleben and Adam Gousie (second doubles) all recored wins at 6-0, 6-0 for the Warriors. The first doubles team of Diego Nieto and Jackson Hom notched a 6-1, 6-0 win while Brady Jannell (second singles) took home a 6-1, 6-0 win at second singles.
Mansfield vs. West Bridgewater, 3:15
Stoughton, 4 @ Oliver Ames, 1 – Final – Stoughton earned its second straight 4-1 win over Oliver Ames to sweep the season series against the neighboring Tigers. Stoughton senior Waseem Sablon completed an undefeated season, taking a 6-0, 6-0 decision at first singles to move to 14-0. Sophomore Rayan Sablon added a 6-3, 7-5 win at second singles, the team of senior Jonah Hochberg and freshman Evan Khang rallied for a 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 win at first doubles, and the team of senior Nikhil Khond and sophomore Jake Berry recorded a 6-3, 6-0 win at second doubles. OA freshman Nick Westerbeke grabbed a 6-0, 6-1 win at third singles.
North Attleboro, 1 @ Sharon, 4 – Final – Sharon earned its second 4-1 win over North Attleboro this week and finished a perfect 10-0 against division foes, finishing the year as Davenport champions. Freshman Mehul Bhattacharyya didn’t drop a game in a 6-0, 6-0 win at first singles while junior Max Chen secured a 6-1, 6-1 victory at third singles. Sharon swept doubles action with sophomore Rithvik Neti and freshman Matthew Lally earning a 6-0, 6-0 win at first doubles while junior Mitch Weiss teamed with freshman Alex Budovalcev for a 6-2, 6-0 win at second doubles.
Girls Tennis
Taunton, 1 @ King Philip, 4 – Final
Mansfield, 4 @ West Bridgewater, 0 – Final
Canton, 0 @ Foxboro, 5 – Final – Foxboro completed its undefeated regular season with its second sweep of Canton this week. For the second time this week, both Pam Nelson (second singles) and Sarah Prag (third singles) rolled to 6-0, 6-0 wins while freshman Athena Li battled to a 6-4, 6-3 win at first singles. Maggie McAuliffe partnered with Abby Costa to earn a 6-2, 6-1 win at first doubles while Foxboro’s second doubles squad of Juliana Preston and Alyssa Cloherty picked up a 6-3, 3-6, 10-5 win for the Warriors.
Oliver Ames, 1 @ Stoughton, 4 – Final – Stoughton used a sweep in singles action to get its second win over Oliver Ames this week, earning a season sweep of the Tigers. Ally Lada earned a straight set win at first singles, 6-0, 6-1, Lena Allie added a 6-4, 6-2 win at second singles, and Brooke Bulger bounced back with a 6-2, 6-3 win at third singles for the Black Knights. The team of Nadia Prokopiuk and Emilia Lada added a 6-0, 6-1 win at second doubles for Stoughton. Oliver Ames’ first double team of Grace Houser and Kate McLaughlan earned a 6-0, 6-3 win for the Tigers.
Attleboro, 2 @ Franklin, 3 – Final – A day after falling to Attleboro, the Panthers flipped the script and defended home court with a 3-2 win of their own. Franklin swept singles action to pick up its three points in the victory. Junior Vedika Vinayak battled to a 7-6 (4), 6-2 win at first singles, junior Sarah Schiavo added a 6-2, 6-4 win at second singles, and junior Jessica Pingeton earned a 6-1, 6-1 win at third singles. Attleboro took both doubles matches with juniors Saharla Yusuf and Tina Lam earned a 1-6, 6-2, 6-2 decision at first doubles, and the team of freshmen Maddie Fuscaldo and Kyra Johnson grabbed a 6-0, 6-1 win at second doubles.
Wrestling
Franklin, 40 @ Oliver Ames, 15 – Final
North Attleboro, 37 @ Foxboro, 36 – Final
Sharon @ Milford, 7:00
Boys Volleyball
Taunton, 3 @ Dighton-Rehoboth, 0 – Final – Taunton bounced back from its first loss of the season with a dominating 3-0 sweep (25-7, 25-13, 25-23) on the road over Dighton-Rehoboth. Colin MacDougall had five kills and three blocks, Mattia Casagrande added four kills, and four aces, Daniel Medina recorded 17 assists in the win, and Travis Nunes finished with six digs. Tyler Stewart had 15 kills and three blocks in the win.
Baseball
Taunton, 13 @ King Philip, 2 – Final (5 inn.) – A day after a 1-0 win in 11 innings, Taunton’s offense exploded for 13 runs in a big win on the road over King Philip. Sophomore Braden Sullivan had three hits in the win while classmates Ryan MacDougall and Shawn Cali each had two to help the Tigers win. Ty Cali, Dawson Bryce, and Colby Decouta all had two hits as well. Senior Danny MacDougall tossed a five-inning complete game, allowing two earned runes on three hits and one walk, striking out six for the win.
Sharon, 6 @ North Attleboro, 11 – Final – North Attleboro set the tone early with a five-run second inning and went on to score in four other innings to knock off Sharon, clinching at least a share of the Davenport division title. Sophomore Aidan Conrad (four hits, three RBI) smashed a solo home run in the third but Sharon rallied to make it a two-run game at 6-4 through three innings. The Rocketeers used a double and a pair of singles in the fourth for a run and then tacked on three more runs on three walks and two hits in the sixth inning. North added one more run in the seventh, off a pair of walks and a pair of hits. Danny Curran struck out four in four innings of work for the win while both Joe Hartnett and Anthony Wescott pitched well in relief.
Softball
Taunton, 18 @ Milford, 0 – Final – Taunton belted out 21 hits on offense while Sam Lincoln and Olyvia Mendonca combined for a one-hit shutout in the Tigers’ big win. Senior Hanna Aldrich went 4-for-4 and hit her 12th home run of the season, finishing with two RBI and three runs, Lianna Oliveira added three hits and three RBI, and Tayah DaCosta and McKenzie McAloon each hit a home run in the win. Lincoln struck out eight in three scoreless innings while Mendonca had one hit allowed and one strikeout in two innings.
North Attleboro, 10 @ Sharon, 11 – Final – Sharon came out with a one-goal win in a hard fought battle from both teams in the heat. Drew Litner notched six assists to go along with a pair of goals to set the Eagles up for the win. Brady Daylor netted a hat trick and had one assist, Ben Shocket (14-for-19 faceoffs) added a pair of goals and one assist, Dylan Cummings scored twice, and Ryan Zunenshine found the back of the net once. Adam Rabb played well in net with 16 saves.
Oliver Ames @ Stoughton, 3:45
Milford, 7 @ Bellingham, 6 – Final
Girls Lacrosse
Franklin, 23 @ Attleboro, 3 – Final – Franklin stayed undefeated on the season with a strong defensive effort, allowing just three goals agaisnt in a win on the road over Attleboro. Anna Grasso, Sydney Hawkins, Ali Socci and Emma Sousa all played well defensively in the Panthers’ win. Maura Cogavin netted a hat trick in the win, Kate O’Rourke and Katie Peterson each scored twice and had three assists, and Kaitlin Carney scored four times.
Foxboro, 16 @ Canton, 2 – Final – Foxboro’s Lilly Vey scored a team-high five goals, including the 100th of her career, to help the Warriors earn a big win on the road. Mya Waryas added four goals and an assist, Ella Waryas and Mary Collins each had a pair of goals and one helper, Dylan Rappoli and Paige Curran both recorded two assists and a goal, Kate Collins found the back of the net once, and Val Beigel had two assists in the win.
Sharon, 14 @ North Attleboro, 20 – Final – The Eagles rallied in the fourth quarter but North Attleboro was able to hold them off and grab the win. Jenna Goldstein had a big game for Sharon, scoring seven goals and assisting on another, while also grabbing three draws. Cass Barbera and Molly McAlevey each scored twice with Barbera adding a pair of helpers. Athena Merck, Vivian Pedicone, and Katelyn Galeota each scored once and Tess Letendre made nine saves in the loss. Amelia Scappaticci had six draw controls and McAlevey had four for Sharon.
King Philip, 18 @ Taunton, 2 – Final – King Philip picked up its sixth straight win, rolling to a big win on the road over Taunton. Julia Marsden led the charge offensively with five goals and one assist while Peyton Mellman, Haley Izydorczak (two assists), and Lily Brown (three assists) each scored a hat trick in the win. Margo Riley had a great game defensively for the Warriors.
Boys Tennis
Taunton, 0 @ King Philip, 5 – Final – Brady Jannell moved up to first singles and overcame a one-set deficit, rallying to win in a tiebreaker to help King Philip take a 5-0 win over visiting Taunton. Jannell dropped the first set in a tiebreaker but won the second set and prevailed in a third-set tiebreaker 6-7 (5), 6-3, 10-7. Jon Cohen (second singles), Jackson Hom (third singles), and the team of Adam Gousie and Noah Ihley (second doubles) all won by 6-0, 6-0 scores while the pairing of Connor Sachleben and Diego Nieto secured a 6-2, 6-0 decision at first doubles.
Sharon, 4 @ North Attleboro, 1 – Final – Sharon took a pair of wins from both singles and doubles to secure a 4-1 win over North Attleboro, clinching the Davenport division title outright. Freshman Mehul Bhattacharyya dropped just one game in a 6-1, 6-0 victory at first singles while junior Max Chen added a 6-0, 6-0 win at third singles for the Eagles. Sophomore Rithvik Neti and freshman Matthew Lally grabbed a 6-1, 6-0 decision at first doubles and the team of junior Mitch Weiss and freshman Alex Budovalcev prevailed 6-1, 6-2 at second doubles. North Attleboro senior Sam Gallagher was victorious with a 6-2, 6-2 result at second singles.
Baseball
Milford, 6 @ Canton, 8 – Final – Canton pushed across four runs in the bottom of the sixth for insurance and then held off a last inning rally from Milford to get the win. Holding a 4-3 lead going into the bottom of the sixth, Canton scored four runs to double their offensive output. Milford rallied for three runs in the top of the seventh to get within two but Nico Bonanno came in and got a strikeout for the final out to preserve the win. Sawyer Julier-Albert drove in three runs, Matt Quan had two RBI, and Steve Burbank and Jay Kelleher each had one RBI in the win.
Softball
Sharon, 1 @ King Philip, 14 – Final – Jordan Bennett and Emma Sheehan combined for a one-hitter with seven strikeouts to lead the Warriors to a win at home. Junior Meg Sherwood went 2-for-2 including a home run, driving in four total runs while freshman Maddie Paschke was 3-for-3 wit a three-run home run. Sophomore Charlotte Raymond added a pair of hits, including a triple, for the Warriors. Trinity Payne hit a solo home run for the Eagles.
Boys Lacrosse
Canton, 8 @ Sharon, 5 – Final
King Philip, 6 @ Franklin, 14 – Final – Franklin dominated the first half to the tune of 11 goals and that was enough for the Panthers at home against visiting King Philip. Senior Matt Lazzaro and sophomore Jayden Consigli each scored four goals and added four assists to pace the Panther’s offense. Luke Davis added three goals and one helper, Joe Consigli scored once and had three assists, and Justin Abely and Cody DiMatteo both finished with one goal and one assist.
North Attleboro @ Stoughton, 3:45
Girls Lacrosse
Franklin, 19 @ King Philip, 3 – Final – Nine different Franklin players found the back of the net as the Panthers swept the season series with King Philip. Kaitlyn Carney led the way with five goals and one assist, Kate O’Rourke added three goals and one assists, and Jackie O’Neil (assist) and Stella Regan (two assists) each scored once. Head coach Kristin Guarino praised the defensive leadership of Sydney Hawkins and Ali Socci.
Taunton, 6 @ Mansfield, 10 – Final – For Taunton, senior Alana Tavares scored a hat trick which including her 250th career goal.
Boys Tennis
Sharon, 4 @ King Philip, 1 – Final
Girls Tennis
King Philip, 4 @ Sharon, 1 – Final
Boys Volleyball
King Philip @ Millis, 6:00
Dighton-Rehoboth, 0 @ Taunton, 3 – Final
Wrestling
Taunton @ Canton, 4:30
North Attleboro @ Mansfield, 5:00
Foxboro @ Milford, 7:00
EDITOR’S NOTE: Only teams that responded to HockomockSports.com with information regarding their team and the upcoming season are listed in this year’s preview.
A program that is still developing, Attleboro will be looking for its first league win since 2018 when things get started this spring and the Bombardiers are looking to combine returning players with exciting newcomers to compete with the teams in the Kelley-Rex.
2021 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse Preview
Senior Hannah Webster and Isabella Salviati are the most experienced attackers on the roster and the Bombardiers will hope that the addition of sophomore Jordan Mooney and freshman Molly Moore will add a different dimension to the offense. Mooney and Moore have already scored half the team’s goals this season. Defensively, senior Carlie Jamieson and juniors Avery Vieira and Ally Haigh are the returning players who give Attleboro a good foundation. Sophomore Ella Stromfors is a newcomer that will give Attleboro depth in defense. Senior Maggie Porecca is back between the pipes this spring and has been busy in the early going with 35 saves in the opening three games.
“We have a lot of potential that we need to work hard to build on this season,” said Attleboro coach Chrissy Quinn. “It is very important that we set our own goals as a team, rather than worry so much about the score at the end of the game. The most important thing is that we continue to stay healthy, remain positive, and celebrate small victories!”
Canton struggled in 2019, missing out on the postseason, but it was a season of transition with a lot of young players getting their first taste of varsity action. Although they’ve had to wait two years to use that experience, those players are now the core of a Bulldogs team that is looking to make a push up the standings under first-year head coach Dani Aquino.
2021 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse Preview
Junior midfielder Allie McCabe is a leader on both ends of the field and will be a key part of Canton’s transition game. Junior Tess Khoury will step into a bigger role in the defensive unit with sophomore Erin Beatty making her debut as the starting goalie. Juniors Fay (attack) and Sydney Gallery (defense) will also play more prominent roles this spring with sophomore Emily McCabe stepping in to add energy in the midfield. Senior Kayla Albert is a versatile attacker, who can take advantage of her size to give defenders issues near the cage, and junior Carly Fitzgerald can create scoring chances with her athleticism and tenacity. Sophomore Ella Yeaton and freshman Devan Spinale are exciting additions to the midfield, adding extra speed and creativity in the attack.
“Our outlook this season is to be competitive,” said Aquino. “I want to put up a fight for those crossover Kelly-Rex teams that we play, while taking away necessary lessons and walk off the field better than we walked on. My focus as a coach with this program to conquer the basics and ‘Master the things we can control.’”
The defending Div. 2 East champions have a lot of new faces, including on the bench where former Medfield coach Kathleen McCullough has taken over from (new Mansfield coach) Brittany Sherry, but the expectations don’t change for a program that has dominated the Davenport division, winning the league title in each of the past eight seasons. While the Warriors get to know each other and their new coach, they will still be looking to keep the run of title going this season.
2021 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse Preview
Foxboro is going to lean on several returning players who had key roles in winning the program’s first sectional title two years ago. Senior midfielder Ella Waryas can control things on both ends of the field and senior attacker Lilly Vey had a breakout sophomore season and is the team’s top returning scorer. Junior Kate Collins joins Vey and Waryas as captains this season and can play as either a midfielder or defender. The Warriors are reloading with a strong sophomore class as well. There are seven sophomores on the roster this season (and also four freshmen), including Paige Curran, Mia Dinunzio, Jenny Gallagher, Maddie Maher, Dylan Rappoli, Grace Riley, and Mya Waryas.
“We are going in with a clean slate and looking at each team as a new team and opportunity to grow and learn,” said McCullough. “We will focus on our game and daily improvement. I look forward to working with this group and having a great season.”
It may have been two years since Franklin last took the field, but the Panthers will have a lot of familiar names on the roster this season and the same set of expectations. Franklin has not lost a league game since 2012 and won the last eight Kelley-Rex division titles (sharing the title with King Philip in 2012). Heading into this spring, even with only three seniors on the roster, the Panthers will be favorites to bring home the league crown yet again.
After missing a lot of 2019 with an injury, senior Katie Jones is ready to lead the attack, while classmate Sydney Hawkins will be the leader in the defensive zone. Junior midfielders Kenzie Baker, Kate O’Rourke, Jackie O’Neil, and Stella Regan were all part of an impressive freshman group that stepped right into the lineup two years ago and are part of a dynamic group that could score a lot of goals this season. Newcomers include sophomores Kaitlyn Carney, Katie Peterson, Lindsay Atkinson, and Jamie Tanner, who just add to the abundance of attacking and midfield options that Franklin boasts. Junior Brigid Earley has taken over in goal and impressed with her athleticism.
“Once we start meshing, I think we will be a very strong team,” said Franklin coach Kristin Igo Guarino. “Offensively, any group of seven players who is in has the potential to be a threat, either as a dodger, feeder or cutter. This group is very dynamic in their stick skill and game sense. Defensively, we are athletic and have some solid leadership.”
King Philip is the last team other than Franklin to win a Kelley-Rex division title and the Warriors enter this spring hoping to end the seven-year reign for the Panthers. After two years off, KP returns an experienced group, especially on the defensive side, as it gets ready to challenge for a league championship.
Seniors Peyton Mellman and Caroline Pasquantonio will provide leadership for the Warriors this season and will be counting on a strong junior class to live up to the potential it showed in 2019. Julia Marsden, Lily Brown, Haley Izydorczak, and Colleen Crowther all saw ample playing time as freshmen and will now be expected to take the step up to be regular contributors. Head coach Kourtnie Wilder is hoping that the experience in the defensive end will make the Warriors tough to score against and has three goalies vying for the starting role. On offense, Wilder thinks the Warriors will be “crafty and aggressive.”
Wilder said, “We are excited to be back out on the field and finally playing together again. We have a great group of hard-working student-athletes that are dedicated and eager to get the season started.”
2019 Record: 11-8 2019 Finish: Reached Div. 1 East First Round Coach: Brittany Sherry
Former Foxboro coach Brittany Sherry will finally get her first season on the sideline at Mansfield and will be getting her first chance to work with a Hornets roster that saw a lot of turnover from two years ago. A couple of exciting newcomers and experience along the back line have Sherry confident that the Hornets can get back to the level that saw them win 11 games in 2019.
2021 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse Preview
The defensive side will be bolstered by senior Melissa Shanteler, who adds aggression to the back line. Juniors Gabriella Geminiani, Grace Bertolino, and Kayla Doherty will provide depth in defense, while sophomore Caitlin Zajac will get the start in goal in her first varsity season. Seniors Grace Danehy and AnnMarie McCoy provide size on the draws and versatility in the attack. A couple of newcomers will give Mansfield an added boost of playmaking, as sophomore attacker Ava Adam and freshman midfielder Lola Varrichione have the potential to create a lot of goals this spring.
“We’re definitely rusty but the girls are putting in the work to get back to where they were two years ago,” said Sherry.
Milford is making the move to the Kelley-Rex division this spring and the Hawks will be hoping that its returning players will be up to the challenge of a new season. There were positive signs in the opening game of the spring, as the Hawks were right in the game with Sharon.
Defense has the potential to be a strength for the Hawks this year with an experienced and athletic group coming back from the 2019 season. Seniors Jillian Michelson, Eva Parsons, and Katie Maietta will lead the team from the back and push the team into the transition as well. Junior midfielder Aislinn Bennett got playing time as a freshman two years ago and now she is looking to step into a bigger role on both ends of the field. Sophomore midfielders Emily Croteau and Carly Haley are newcomers to the varsity roster and will give an added boost of energy and creativity in the attack.
“Our team is growing stronger and stronger every day and it is a truly wonderful thing to witness as their coach,” said Milford coach Nicole Culhane. “I have so much faith in them and I know they are capable of surprising themselves with how much they can accomplish.”
2019 Record: 5-13 2019 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Gen Rogan
Oliver Ames is making the move to the Davenport division this season and will be looking to jump right into the mix and be competitive with the top teams. The Tigers will hope to make a leap under first-year head coach Gen Rogan, who is very familiar with the league and the competition having been an all-star at Foxboro.
2021 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse Preview
The Tigers enter the season with nine seniors and six juniors on the roster, so experience shouldn’t be an issue. Seniors Emilee Nuss and Liliana Lozano will be the leaders on the defensive end, locking the opposition down in front of senior Emma O’Donnell or junior Jess Widdop, two vocal and quick goalies that OA can count on. Senior Emma Pereira will patrol the midfield, helping out on the defensive side and then pushing the Tigers forward into the attack. Freshman Taylor McAndrew is a newcomer who could make an instant impact this spring and provide a scoring boost. Versatility and balance will be important as Rogan is hoping that a lot of players will be able to chip in and add to the OA attack.
“I think this season will be a good test to our ability to stay tough and fight through some hard battles,” Rogan said. “We play in a very competitive league, but I have no doubt that this team is up to the challenge and will be exciting to watch this season.”
2019 Record: 12-9 2019 Finish: Reached Div. 1 East First Round Coach: Shara Ginthwain
Sharon has developed into a program that consistently gets into playoff contention, battling for the second spot in the Davenport division and looking to take the next step to put pressure on perennial league power Foxboro. The Eagles will a few seasoned veterans coming back this spring, but also a lot of newcomers and building that connection on the field will be a key early in this shortened season.
Senior Jenna Goldstein has been a standout in each of her first two seasons on varsity and will have a much bigger role this year, as the team’s primary playmaker. Senior Cass Barbera will lead the attacking unit and her combination with Goldstein will be a key to Sharon’s offensive output. Junior Athena Merck and freshman Anna Hertzel are newcomers that will add a different dimension to the attack. Senior Molly McAlevey is moving into the midfield this season to provide extra speed and athleticism. At the back, seniors Abby Hoffman, Amelia Scappaticci, and Carly Romanow give Sharon an experienced defensive unit in front of new goalie sophomore Tess Letendre.
“We are so excited to have the opportunity to play together this season,” said Sharon coach Shara Ginthwain. “We really look forward to developing team chemistry as the season progresses, as this is the first time many of these girls have played together at this level.”
Taunton was on the brink of a playoff spot in 2019, coming up just one win shy of qualifying for the postseason and have several players returning, especially in the midfield, to compete with the top teams in the Kelley-Rex division.
Senior Alana Tavares is the centerpiece of the Taunton midfield. The reigning league MVP and HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year has put up big numbers in her first three seasons and the Marist-commit will be counted on to produce a lot of offense again this spring. Senior Anastasia Lajoie joins Tavares in the midfield. Committed to the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Lajoie is another dynamic attacker who gives the Tigers a lot of energy at both ends of the field. Other seniors returning this season include Madison Vigliotti, Rosemary McGrath, Rebecca Berry, and Tori DaRosa. Junior Emily Gannon is back in goal and will be a vocal presence on the defensive side of the ball.
“We are very excited to be back out on the lacrosse field,” said Taunton coach Kerry Northup. “However successful we are with our record this year, we are just happy to be able to get out there again and play the game we love.”
Baseball
North Attleboro, 5 @ Oliver Ames, 1 – Final – North Attleboro senior Dennis Colleran tossed a complete game one-hitter to help the Rocketeers earn a split with the Tigers on the season. Colleran allowed a total of three baserunners with a walk and one batter hit by a pitch but struck out 11 in the win. North scored one run in each the first and second innings, OA halved the deficit with a run in the third, but the Rocketeers scored twice in the fifth and added another insurance run in the seventh. Sophomore Derek Maceda had three hits, including a triple that he eventually scored on a single by Tyler Bannon in the seventh. Evan Vigorito knocked in three runs, driving in two of those with a triple in the fifth while Aidan Weir had an RBI single in the second.
Mansfield, 4 @ King Philip, 7 – Final – Mansfield took the lead with a run in the top of the third but King Philip responded in a big way, plating six runs in the bottom half and never looked back to earn head coach Jeff Plympton his first career win. Senior Conor Cooke collected two of his three RBI in the third with a base hit, adding another with a sacrifice fly in the fourth. Sophomore Tommy Martarano also drove in two runs in the big third inning while Mikey Malatesta and Nick Viscusi each had one RBI. Sophomore Rudy Gately earned the win, allowing just one run through six innings before Mansfield tried to mount a last-inning comeback. Jack Mullen came in and struck out two to close the door. Luke Urban (RBI) and Eric Sullivan (two RBI, run) each registered a pair of hits for Mansfield.
Softball
Franklin, 16 @ Milford, 3 – Final – Franklin’s offense stayed hot and got contributions throughout the lineup in a win on the road at Milford. Senior Gabby Colace had three hits, including a home run, while driving in three runs and scoring four times to pace the Panthers. Freshman Carly Johnson-Pellegri (two hits) also had a home run with three RBI, Georgia Harvey drove in four runs on three hits, and Lauren Cote had two hits and three RBI for Franklin. Aislinn Lavery, who added two hits and an RBI, struck out five in six innings of work.
Boys Lacrosse
Canton, 16 @ Stoughton, 0 – Final
Foxboro, 14 @ Sharon, 8 – Final – Foxboro had a strong first half, outscoring the Eagles 7-0 and never looked back to get the win in the first meeting of the two teams. For the Eagles, Drew Litner, Jace Neatler, and Brady Daylor each scored a pair of goals while Ben Shocket won 18-of-26 faceoffs. Adam Rabb made 12 saves in net for Sharon.
Franklin, 19 @ Milford, 0 – Final
King Philip @ Mansfield, 3:45
Oliver Ames, 3 @ North Attleboro, 13 – Final – For Oliver Ames, sophomore Ben Reardon had a goal and two helpers, Ben Cohen scored his first career goal, and Wes Tower found the back of the net once.
Girls Lacrosse
Taunton, 11 @ Attleboro, 7 – Final – Taunton senior Alana Tavares found the back of the net eight times to help the Tigers score a win on the road. In their second win over the Bombardiers this week, Taunton also got two goals from Tasia Lajoie (one assist) and one from freshman Cali Melo. Emily Gannon made eight saves in net for Taunton.
Sharon, 4 @ Foxboro, 19 – Final – Tess Letendre had a great game in goal for the Eagles, making 15 saves. Jenna Goldstein scored three of Sharon’s four goals. Athena Merck had the fourth, assisted by Molly McAlevey.
Milford, 3 @ Franklin, 20 – Final – Sydney Hawkins and Riley Cross each registered their first goals of the season for the Panthers while Brigid Earley made six saves in net.
Mansfield, 1 @ King Philip, 12 – Final – King Philip raced out to an 8-0 lead by halftime and never looked back in a win over visiting Mansfield. Julia Marsden and Haley Izydorczak each scored a hat trick to pace the Warriors’ offense, Peyton Mellman and Lily Brown each scored twice, and Ally Donovan and Morgan Cunningham (assist) each found the back of the net once. Emily Campbell turned aside eight shots to get the win in net for KP.
North Attleboro, 11 @ Oliver Ames, 12 – Final – Oliver Ames scored twice in the final 30 seconds to steal a win away from North Attleboro. Emma Pereira set up both goals, coming up with a loose ball in her own half before finding Emma Sharkansky, who quickly dished off to Catie Wilson for a goal with 12 seconds left to make it 11-11. Pereira won the ensuing draw for the Tigers, sprinted up the field and passed to Sharkansky who ripped a quick shot in for the game-winner with three seconds to go. Head coach Gen Rogan praised the defensive work of Taylor McAndrew, Emilee Nuss, and goalie Emma O’Donnell.
Boys Volleyball
Taunton, 3 @ Quincy, 0 – Final – Taunton continued its unbeaten start to the season with a 3-0 sweep (25-21, 25-16, 26-17) on the road at Quincy. Daniel Medina had a strong game distributing the ball offensively, dishing out 33 assists to go along with three aces. Jakob Thorpe put down 10 kills for the Tigers while Tyler Stewart had another strong all around game with 18 kills, nine digs, and a pair of blocks. Mattia Casagrande (nine digs) and Travis Nunes (seven digs) both played well defensively and in serve receive for the Tigers.
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 Boys Record: 1-5 2019 Girls Record: 0-6 Coach: Martin Tighe
The Attleboro boys cross country team has one of its best group of returners, perhaps one of the strongest teams in quite some time. And on the girls side, head coach Martin Tighe has one of the best runners in the league in senior Kelly Neuendorf, a top finisher at last year’s Hockomock League Championship meet. The Bombardiers host opponents at the Highland Park Cross Country Course, which was designed by Tighe and Bishop Feehan coach Bob L’Homme.
Senior Nathan Seybert will be in the mix for one of the fastest runners in the Hockomock League this season. In six dual meets last season, Seybert finished in the top three each time, taking first against both Feehan and Taunton. Tighe notes that Seybert will run around 16:10 or better this season. Attleboro also had Ethan Sylvia, Neil Bowie, Shane Cataloni, and Zachary Stromfors have strong finishes at the league championship meet last year.
On the girls side, Neuendorf is fresh off a top 10 finish at the league championships, clocking in at 20:28.32. She was first in the dual meet against league champion Franklin and finished no worse than third in the six dual meets. Other top runners from the league championship meet last season included Kimberly Esteban, Jazlyn Miller-Villanueva, and Diana Blouin.
“I’m looking forward to the X-C season as are many athletes and coaches,” Tighe said.
2019 Boys Record: 2-4 2019 Girls Record: 1-5 Coach: David Hiltz
Both the Canton girls and boys have spots to fill in their starting lineup but both squads have top runners back on the course this season. The Bulldogs call Pequitside Farm home, a 3.01 mile course that is mixed with trails, grass, and hills that make it one of the more challenging courses in the Davenport.
The boys squad graduated four of the top seven from last season but bring back its three captains in senior Jack Hernon, senior Elias Jabbour, and junior Kyle Downing. Downing was Canton’s top runner throughout last season, culminating in team-best finish at the league championship meet. After the top three of Downing, Hernon, and Jabbour, the Dogs have four spots in the lineup up for grabs. Sophomore Matt Hart, who had a solid freshman season, is a candidate for a breakout year.
“The boys have a good mix of returners with some new faces who have joined,” said head coach David Hiltz. “If we can build some depth with our four and five, run consistently, and stay healthy we should compete within each meet and strive for that third dual meet win (after a 2-3 finish last year).”
The girls have a strong core of three returners, led by senior captains Marie Messinger and Jesse Hart. Messinger was Canton’s top runner at Hocks in 2019 while Hart had strong showings against both Foxboro and Stoughton a year ago. Sophomore Johanna Bouwmeester had a breakout season as a freshman a year ago, including 41st place at Hocks. With four spots in the lineup open, it’s been a mix of other returners as well as some first time runners and freshmen competing for the openings.
“Although graduating senior leadership, there is a good mix of youth and experience that will make the top seven,” Hiltz said. “Similar to the boys, building depth in the four and five spots will determine how successful the team is this fall, with those spots going to some younger runners. A goal of the team is to increase the dual meet wins, and this year with three home meets and strong senior leadership should help in that process. Staying consistent and healthy will be key to their success this season.”
2019 Boys Record: 1-4 2019 Girls Record: 3-2 Coach: Wayne Relleva
With Joe Cusack taking over as athletic director this past school year, Wayne Relleva takes over as head coach for the Warriors’ cross country teams. Relleva will have a pair of young squads with just four seniors on the boys team and just one on the girls side.
Hosting teams at the Payson Road Fields, the Warriors are hoping home course advantage can lead to a strong start to the season as Foxboro hosts its first two meets. The boys squad features 19 total runners with senior captain Liam Cody leading the way. Relleva is also looking for junior Nicolas Olson and sophomore Brooks Stone to play big roles for the Warriors this season.
“For the season, I’m hoping to be highly competitive, improve, and win some races,” Rellava said. “Being as young as we are we have lots of room to grow over our five race season.”
Captain Amy Conley is the lone senior on the girls team and will lead the way for 10 sophomores and a freshman. Half of those sophomores are returners from a season ago, including Aine Fitzpatrick, who could be a major factor in the lineup this season. Relleva is also looking for sophomores Emilia Lacy, Mabel Linck, and Sophia Sougaris to factor into the scoring this year.
“I’m excited to see how this young team grows and comes together over our season, it should be fun to watch,” Relleva said.
2019 Boys Record: 5-0 2019 Girls Record: 4-1 Coach: Nick Bailey & Paul Trovato
Both of Franklin’s cross country squads are coming off league titles and will be looking to replicate that success in 2020. The boys team has won three straight Kelley-Rex titles and have a strong group of runners back this year to try and make it four straight. The girls bring back a pair of Hock all stars from last year’s squad that finished second at Hocks.
“With a strong senior and junior class the 2020 Franklin Boys XC team is looking forward to some tough competition once the races get underway,” said boys head coach Nick Bailey. “This team has put in the hard work necessary to be competitive in the Hockomock League and they have adapted well to social distancing guidelines we are all part of.”
Franklin will be hosting opponents on a course around the high school instead of Dacey Field. The course is a relatively fast course with a mixture of roads and fields that is 3.1 miles long. Senior Nicholas Calitri will be one of the top runners in the entire Hockomock League, fresh off a third place finish at the league meet a year ago. He will be joined by senior Declan Walmsley, who factored into the scoring in the dual meets last season and took 12th overall at the league meet, senior Josh Anderson (54th at Hocks), and junior Griffin Sieckiewicz (33rd at Hocks).
“Quite a few athletes on the team have made some great improvements since their last races all the way back in February and March and have adapted well to the new challenges that have come with the Fall 2020 season,” Bailey said. “One way or another, this will be a memorable year for our cross country team”
All-Hock selections Sydney Brady (10th at Hocks) and Caitlin Casey (18th) lead the way for the Panthers, who shared the division title with OA last year. Brady is a captain along with classmates Sydney Hawkins (who took 10th at Hocks) and Liz Petit. Juniors Charlene Peng and Liliana Duffy will bolster the Panthers lineup following successful sophomore campaigns, both finishing inside the top 30 at Hocks. RuthAnn Mulvey, a sophomore, and Angelina Perez, a senior, make the Panthers one of the deepest squads in the league.
“Last season the team finished second at the Hockomock Championship Meet. This team has a strong group of dedicated runners who are working hard and should be competitive in the Kelley-Rex Division,” said head coach Paul Trovato.
2019 Boys Record: 3-2 2019 Girls Record: 3-2 Coach: Scott Kramer & Lauren Farkash
The King Philip boys and girls cross country teams are in different situations heading into the 2020 season. The girls return their top three runners from last year’s Hockomock Championship race; all three finishing in the top 30. The boys team, however, graduated four of its top five runners from the same meet, including the Gatorade Runner of the Year Mike Griffin and Michael Norberg, who was fourth at Hocks.
But neither team is paying much attention to the past with the focus on the five-race season ahead. Senior Jovan Joseph will pace the pack for the boys, gaining plenty of valuable experience from last year’s group. Joseph is coming off a strong junior campaign that finished with a top 20 finish at the league meet. Head coach Scott Kramer is looking for a combination of juniors and sophomores to fill out the rest of the lineup. Liam Noke, Andrew Noke, Brandon Berdos, Ryan Andrews, and Matt DiFiore will all compete to be in the scoring for KP.
“The returning guys had a great summer of training,” Kramer said. “Captains Jovan Joseph and Sam Evans really ran a great program and it will be tough for any newcomers to get in the pack for us.”
KP has moved the finish line of its 5K course at the Rice Complex in Wrentham but the distance hasn’t changed. The King Philip girls squad, coming off a fourth place finish as a team at Hocks, has its top three runners back in juniors Maya Evans and Meg Sherwood as well as senior Ava Pisani. All three had strong seasons in 2019 with Evans emerging as one of the top competitors in the Hock as seen by her fourth place finish in 19:51.50 at Hocks. With some open spots in the lineup, head coach Lauren Farkash has been happy with the depth so far in training. Leah Burke and Kat Precobb are returners from last year while freshman Bridget Swezey could make an immediate impact.
“My goal this year is to just provide the girls a sense of normalcy during these unusual times,” Farkash said. “Our focus is creating good memories, strong bodies and minds, and having fun! We are not worrying about PRs or win/loss records, their enjoyment of the sport and their physical and mental health is most important!”
2019 Boys Record: 2-3 2019 Girls Record: 3-3 Coach: Ian Flanagan & Carolina DiBiase
Both the Mansfield boys and girls team are aiming to get back atop the Kelley-Rex division this season. After a 14-year run as league champs, Mansfield has been on the outside looking in over the past three seasons and will be relying on some new faces to lead the way this year. On the girls side, the Hornets have a handful of top runners back from last season to try and challenge for the division title. Mansfield will host teams at the Plymouth Street Soccer Fields (5K).
The Hornets lost their top three runners from the Hockomock Championship meet to graduation so head coach Ian Flanagan will be looking for new faces to step up. Mansfield is loaded with upperclassmen who had strong offseasons and run similar times. Junior Collin Stevens finished at 17:43.61 to take 31st overall and will be one of the top runners for the Hornets this season. Seniors Tim Corkery, Ryan Rispoli, and Trevor Flint, as well as junior Chris Leonard, will help round out a well-balanced lineup.
“We have some big shoes to fill from last year losing three of our better runners but the guys on this team are hard workers who are up for the challenge,” Flanagan said. “We also have some promising young guys who will really benefit from this season and will impact some meets this year.”
The girls are under new leadership this season as Carolina DiBiase, who has coached at MHS in the past, takes over for longtime coach Derek Ellis. DiBiase has one of the top runners returning this season in senior captain Tessa Lancaster, who crossed the finish line sixth at the league championships last year. Senior Emma Lamson is the other captain on the team and one of the top runners on the team (22nd at Hocks) as well. Senior Abby Greenberg and junior Cassidy Rice will be runners to watch this season while juniors Sophia Allen and Alanna Conley and freshmen Jen Mullert will help push the pack. Senior Anne Riley and sophomores Alexis DiVasta and Devin Anderson return as starters from last season.
“I am looking forward to seeing what they can do this season,” DiBiase said. “I have taken a break and have really enjoyed getting back into things. The girls look strong and they are ready to run and improve each week.”
2019 Boys Record: 4-1 2019 Girls Record: 3-2 Coach: Dan Gordon & Glenn O’Connor
Expectations are sky high for the Milford girls cross country team as the Hawks are aiming to soar above the competition in the Kelley-Rex division. Meanwhile, the boys might have a small squad but it includes some strong runners eager to make some noise against new competition.
The Milford girls have good reason for such high expectations with a strong group of top runners from the Hockomock League leading the pack. Senior Emma Lawrence will be among the top runners in the region after a strong offseason. In her first season running cross country, Lawrence had a remarkable year that included a 5th place finish at Hocks. She will be joined by sophomore Sydney Kalil (48th at Hocks) and a pair of indoor track league champions in Sarah Flanagan and Kerry O’Connor. Flanagan won the 300M race and O’Connor, who clocked in at 22:38.00 at last year’s league championship meet, was the Hock champ in the 600M. Maren Halpen, Haley Jansons, Eva Parsons, Kate Pease, Fiona Jordan, Stephanie Goulet, and senior captain Brittany Silverman will make the Hawks one of the deepest teams in the league.
“We’re so glad we have a season,” said Milford head coach Glenn O’Connor. “Nobody is going to happy to see the Lady Scarlet Hawks on their XC schedule.”
Dan Gordon takes over as head coach for the boys team, which has reason for optimism after some strong preseason times. Junior James Comisky is back after a strong sophomore campaign and will pace the pack for the Hawks this season. In a preseason 5K scrimmage against Mansfield, Comisky was the top finisher. Sophomore Mark Butters has grown a lot as a runner from his debut season last year and will be a key piece for Milford this season. Captain Jack Jansons will be one of the leaders for the Hawks this year.
“I am looking forward to having a safe, fun, and competitive season,” Gordon said. “My goals are that everyone leaves faster and more knowledgeable about how to race well when it matters most.”
2019 Boys Record: 3-2 2019 Girls Record: 3-2 Coach: Anne Marie McGrail
North Attleboro could be set for a breakout season for both the boys and girls teams this season. Five of the seven Rocketeer boys who scored at the league meet last season were either juniors or sophomores while only two seniors scored on the girls side, meaning North Attleboro should have a deep squad for the 2020 season.
Juniors Christopher Galligan and Griffin Goueck placed 39th and 53rd, respectively, at the league meet last season while junior Mark Carlson, junior Casey Poirier, and senior Jack McLaughlin all clocked in under 19 minutes.
On the girls side, Natalie Kaiser (32nd at Hocks) and Olivia Forbes were lost to graduation but the other six to factor into the scoring were juniors, sophomores or freshmen. Senior Melissa Sapini had North’s top placement for the girls last year when she clocked in at 21:11.52.
2019 Boys Record: 5-1 2019 Girls Record: 5-1 Coach: Kyle Sousa
The Kelley-Rex division could run through Easton this season, for both the girls and the boys. The girls split the division title with Franklin last year but bring back two of the best runners in the league and are poised for a repeat. The boys didn’t win the division but had a stellar showing at Hocks and took first place as a team with five runners in the top 20.
Of those five, the boys have three runners back – senior Kyle Sarney, junior Owen McMorrow, and senior Nathan Reservitz. Sarney will look to build on his fifth place finish at Hocks and be in the mix for one of the fastest runners in the Hock. McMorrow (13th) and Reservitz (17th) weren’t far behind so the Tigers will have a strong nucleus to lead the pack. Head coach Kyle Sousa described the boys team as a seasoned group with a lot of competitive experience.
Catherine O’Donnell and Meghan Reardon highlight a strong girls team for the Tigers. The duo finished in succession at the league meet with O’Donnell clocking in at 20:05.32 for seventh place and Reardon just a couple of seconds behind for eighth overall. Sousa is hoping that a very deep squad will translate to some dual meet wins in the quest for a second straight division title.
“Everyone around the Hockomock League and the state at large knows that the 2020 Season is going to look different than any season before it,” Sousa said. “Now more than ever, we are training through unpredictable adversity, and adapting in real time to the daily curveballs that some with a global pandemic. Never have I been so impressed by the commitment of the young men and women of Oliver Ames Cross Country. Their focus is unwavering — their commitment resolute. We are so grateful to be able to compete this fall. The Hockomock League is one of the premiere cross country leagues in the state, and we are hungry to cut our teeth on the exceptional competition in front of us. It is going to be a tough and gritty season in the Hock and we hope to be right in the thick of it.”
2019 Boys Record: 5-0 2019 Girls Record: 5-0 Coach: Tim Cimeno & Katelyn Decknick
There will be a big hole on the sidelines this season as the Eagles are set to start the 2020 season without coach Alan Conway, who passed away at the beginning of September. Conway was incredibly well-liked around the Hockomock League by runners and his peers.
On the course, the Eagles will be looking to defend their Davenport division titles as both the boys and girls earned a banner during the 2019 season. The girls will rely on a mix of veterans and new faces as they navigate a competitive field. It will start with junior Daphne Theiler, who was second overall at the league championship meet last season (19:41.21). Theiler will be joined by seniors Margaret Li and Berta Faktorovich, two runners are placed in the top 35 at Hocks. The Eagles also have some great new first year runners including sophomores Hannah Li and Grace Hu, as well as freshman Eva Olszewski.
“The girls team is hard working and there is great team spirit,” said head coach Katelyn Decknick. “As defending Hock Champs, we look strong. The team has a nice blend of well established talent and new runners hungry to race.”
The boys squad is returning five of their top seven runners while there are plenty of new faces (60 total on the team) eager to battle for a spot in the lineup. Seniors Sid Reddy (25th at Hocks), Mark Starovoytov (26th), Bradley Weiss (34th), and Jordan Saks, plus junior Balint Mihajlovits will lead a balanced and deep group of runners. New faces to watch include Matthew Lally, Ashmith Yeruva, and Jack Bates. Sharon will host home meets at Deborah Sampson Park (2.83), a flat and fast course.
2019 Boys Record: 0-5 2019 Girls Record: 0-5 Coach: Dave Barbato & Alexis Van Voorhis
There is a lot of potential when it comes to the Stoughton boys and girls cross country teams. The Black Knights made big strides as the season progressed a year ago and head coaches Dave Barbato and Alexis Van Voorhis are hoping that trend continues in 2020.
The girls lost their top runner in Rebecca Lally to graduation so the Black Knights will be relying on Elaine McCarty and Danielle Lawrence to pace the pack this season. Van Voorhis said both runners have looked strong in the two weeks of workouts and is expecting McCarty and Lawrence to work together throughout each race. Stoughton has a deep roster this year than last season and will be looking for Avrie Martin and freshman Lilly Branco to translate their track skills to the cross country course. Junior captain Jessica Maddalena is a key piece but will miss the season due to injury.
“If I were to use one word to describe this team and our season, it would be potential,” Van Voorhis said. “I have hope for every single girl on this team, that if we put in the work, this team could potentially emerge stronger and more determined than when we started. They are all fantastic people, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone’s improvement throughout the rest of the season.”
The boys team is hoping a year of experience will translate into better times as the Black Knights host opponents on a new course this season. The new course goes around the grounds of the new high school; it’s mostly flat (5K) and should be fast. The squad features four returning runners including captain Bob Currier, Colin Ozturk, Mike Henriques, and Aiden Castillo.
“The strength of their team lies with these juniors,” Barbato said. “If they can be tough, if they think they can be good and if they learn they belong up near the best from other teams Stoughton could win more than they lose.”
2019 Boys Record: 0-5 2019 Girls Record: 2-3 Coach: Jessica Ouellette & Mike Kelley
With a mix of top runners and a deep roster, the Taunton girls team enters the season with high hopes. And there is equal optimism on the boys side with a large group of talent back for the 2020 season.
The girls team features some of the top returning runners in the Hockomock League and a deep roster is providing head coach Mike Kelley with a range of options in his lineup. Senior captain Lily Valcovic and junior Nia Mainer-Smith have emerged as the top two runners for the Tigers this season while senior captains Livvy Weber and Olivia Dias give Taunton plenty of depth of experienced runners. Kelley’s roster got a big boost with a large eighth grade class, including Emersyn DePonte and Colby Dunham, who have quickly established themselves in the top five on the team.
“We’re much deeper than last year, to the point where we’ll be trying to displace other team’s fourth and fifth runners with our sixth and seventh,” Kelley said. “Being able to run in larger packs also takes pressure off individuals. The veterans have been terrific setting the example. We have four eighth graders in our varsity top ten, so the future is bright.”
On the boys side, the Tigers only lost two of their top 10 so there will be plenty of competition in-house and head coach Jessica Ouellette is hoping that translates to some success in the dual meets. Senior captains Ty Cali and Nolan Tavares return as the top two runners, as well as junior Ryan Strawbridge and sophomore Jack Pawlowski, who have put in some serious training over the summer. The Tigers have two runners to watch this year in freshmen Brayden and Andrew Cali, whose PRs last year are 17:39, and 17:50, as eighth graders.
“This is one of the stronger teams Taunton Boys XC has seen,” Ouellette said. “I’m hopeful that we can have our number three runner make a jump to sub-17 to solidify a fast 1-2-3. We have some promising younger talent as well as strong seniority up front. We have a great group of guys, who are motivated to work hard and work together to win.”
