04/04/202304/05/2023

2023 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse Preview

By HockomockSports.com Staff

2023 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse Preview

Attleboro

2022 Record: 3-14
2022 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Shane Collins
It has been a few years since Attleboro challenged for a playoff spot, but the Bombardiers are hoping that the program is taking steps to get back to that level. First-year coach Shane Collins inherits a group with some varsity experience and a little more depth in the roster to try and exceed the three wins from 2022.

Attleboro’s attack will be led by senior Jordan Mooney, a three-year starter, and classmate Stella Krawiec, whose speed adds a different dimension on offense. Sophomore Isabella Cavallini gained a lot of experience as a freshman and could have a breakout year. Junior Molly Moore and freshman Amelia Collins will also get chances to contribute in attack.

Junior Addison Papagolos will be a key player in midfield, making an impact at both ends of the field. Senior Gabriela Sprovieri will also chip in. Senior Ella Stromfors is a three-year starter in defense and her leadership will be invaluable for the Bombardiers alongside juniors Kristin Vasquez-Trudeau and Leandra Lennon. Sophomore Peyton McAuliffe is in goal after seeing some action in the cage as a freshman.

“There’s nothing but upside for this team,” said Collins. “Most of these girls have at least a season of varsity lacrosse under their belts. I feel we have some depth in the midfield, attackers improving on getting to the cage, and a defense and keeper who are communicating extremely well leading up to the start of the season. Our success this season truly hinges on everyone’s commitment to the team-first mentality.”

2023 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse Preview

Canton

2022 Record: 14-4
2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 32
Coach: Casey Bradley
Under first-year coach (and former player) Casey Bradley, Canton saw a resurgence in 2022. The Bulldogs battled Foxboro for the league title all the way to the final game of the regular season and returned to the state tournament. This season, Canton returns loads of talent to make another title challenge and try to add a playoff victory.

Midfield is going to be a strength for the Bulldogs. Junior Devan Spinale is a talented, speedy player with a great finishing touch. Senior Emily McCabe provides the team with endless energy at both ends of the field and was the team’s leading scorer last year. Freshman Nora Giannacopoulos has been impressive in the preseason and there is a lot of potential for her to make an instant impact.

The attack is spearheaded by senior Ella Yeaton, another quick, skillful player who can break down opposition defenses. Canton’s strength last year was its defense and the Bulldogs will be leaning on a couple of experienced players to keep that solidity going into the new season. Juniors Tori Carr and Ava Gilmore are vocal leaders who will maintain the organization in front of goal.

“I am very excited to work with this talented group and continue to build on the foundation from last year,” Bradley said. “We have a ton of returners who will lead the way for the younger girls. The girls are super happy to be back and love working with each other every day.”

2023 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse Preview

Foxboro

2022 Record: 14-6
2022 Finish: Reached Div. 3 Quarterfinal (Davenport champion)
Coach: Kathleen McCullough
Foxboro came within a goal of reaching the Div. 3 Final Four last year and the Warriors bring back a strong core that should be among the contenders for the D3 title again this spring. The 10-time defending Davenport division champions have experience all over the field, return their top two scorers from last year, and are focused on making another tournament run.

The Warriors were the second-highest scoring team in the Hock last year and should be right there again, as seniors Paige Curran, the reigning league MVP and HockomockSports.com Player of the Year, and Mya Waryas spearhead a deep, talented group of attackers. Senior Grace Riley and sophomore Cate Noone and junior midfielders Val Beigel and Mary Collins will add even more offensive punch.

Senior Jenney Gallagher is a vocal leader in the defense and she’s not afraid to rush forward and cause problems for the opposition on the other end of the field as well. Junior Ella Campbell is an experienced defender who can disrupt opposing attacks. Sophomore Audrey Campbell gained confidence from a strong freshman season, including a couple of impressive displays in the playoffs, and will be a leader in goal.

“I am thrilled to get back to work with this group of girls,” said Foxboro coach Kathleen McCullough. “They are extremely hardworking and motivated to make a playoff run this year. Right now, we are focusing on team chemistry and game strategies as we approach a schedule that poses some tough opponents and challenges.”

2023 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse Preview

Franklin

2022 Record: 18-3
2022 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Quarterfinal (Kelley-Rex champion)
Coach: Kristin Igoe Guarino
Franklin has been untouchable in the Hockomock League for a decade. Last spring, the Panthers extended their league winning streak to more than 90 games and they come into this season as the heavy favorites to bring home another Kelley-Rex title. Expectations remain sky-high for a program that only seems to reload, not rebuild, and the Panthers will continue to have aspirations to challenge the best programs in the state and compete for a first state title.

The experience in the midfield will be key to Franklin’s season. Senior Kaitlyn Carney led the team with 50 goals in the regular season in 2022 and classmate Katie Peterson was right behind her with 65 points. Seniors Jamie Tanner and Lindsay Atkinson will also return in what should be a dynamic attacking unit. What makes Franklin so difficult to play against is that all of those midfielders also contribute on the other end as well. Senior Payten Crandall will be back in the heart of the defense, giving the team needed leadership in front of its own goal.

As always, when players graduate, Franklin has new players ready to step into the lineup. Junior Katie Ryan will add to the attacking firepower up front, while sophomore Sophia Sacchetti will add to the midfield. Both were on varsity last season but will have bigger roles to play this spring. Freshman midfielder Vera Hansen, the lone rookie on the roster, will also get the chance to show off her speed. Junior Keira Kucich will join Crandall in defense in front of sophomore goalie Ella Mahoney, who’s had a strong start to the season.

“I am really looking forward to the 2023 season,” said Franklin coach Kristin Igoe Guarino. “We have a good mix of upperclassmen leaders and new players who are ready to step up. Every player has an important role on this team, and if we play together we can go far!”

King Philip

2022 Record: 14-6
2022 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Sweet Sixteen
Coach: Kourtnie Wilder
King Philip is coming off another strong season. The Warriors lost only once in the league, to Franklin, and went on the road to beat Needham in the opening round of the state tournament. KP returns 12 players from last year’s team and will lean on its experienced defenders to keep the team in the hunt for a first league title since 2012.

Senior goalie Emily Campbell will be back in the cage this season and her leadership and shot-stopping will be important for the Warriors. Junior Lily McNulty can play in defense or midfield and is another experienced player who can limit the opposition

In attack, the Warriors will have some new faces stepping in and familiar faces who will have much bigger roles. Sophomore Makenzie McDevitt is coming off a breakout freshman season and could be pivotal as either an attacker or a midfielder. Juniors Alyssa Legere and Nicole McDonald will also be counted on to fire in the goals and junior midfielder Sarah Brown can help at both ends of the field.

“We are looking forward to working with this new group,” said KP coach Kourtnie Wilder. “The team has worked hard so far and put in work in the offseason. A lot of our players are multi-sport athletes, and play other sports together and have great chemistry. We as a coaching staff are excited to see what this group can do this spring.”

Mansfield

2022 Record: 9-6
2022 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Preliminary Round
Coach: Mary Kiley
After a tough start to 2022, Mansfield went on a six-game win streak to close out the regular season (four of those wins by three goals or fewer) and earned a trip to Westford Academy in the first round of the playoffs. The Hornets will be hoping that the momentum from that late-season run will carry over to 2023 and that they can make a title challenge in their first spring in the Davenport division.

Offensively, the team will lean on senior Ava Adams. The team’s leading scorer from last season is a dynamic playmaker and she can open up chances for the entire attack. On defense, experience will be key for the Hornets. Senior goalie Caitlin Zajac returns to be the backstop for the defensive group and classmate Audrey Murphy gives the Hornets much-needed leadership at the back.

Mansfield is counting on the experience gained last year to build depth throughout the roster. Senior Brooke Butler, juniors Keira Fitzpatrick and Lola Varricchione, and sophomore Ella Palanza will play big roles in the midfield, supporting the attack but also dropping in and bolstering the defense.

“We’re having a great start to the season – focusing on fundamentals like our fitness and stickwork, but also elevating our play with high-intensity drills that are super competitive as well as team building,” said Mansfield coach Mary Kiley. “We have a large, talented team and are looking to strategize by using quicker, line-type subbing (like hockey) that will allow us to always have fresh legs on the field. Overall, the team is confident, hard-working, and ready to bring it in our new division!”

2023 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse Preview

Milford

2022 Record: 11-9
2022 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Preliminary Round
Coach: Kacey Young
Milford is coming off one of the best seasons in program history. Under first-year coach Kacey Young, the Hawks won 11 games and reached the postseason for the first time in nearly a decade. Now the challenge is building off that success and trying to continue the momentum that has been created around the program.

The Hawks return 15 seniors from last year’s team, so there will be plenty of experience on the field, even with the graduation of leading scorer Aislinn Bennett. Offensively, several players will be counted on to step up and provide scoring punch, including senior midfielders Emily Croteau and Carly Haley. Senior Jordan Douglas and junior Erin Michelson will add to the attack along with a talented group of sophomore newcomers: TJ Downing, Yas Martinez, Alexa Landry, and Kaitlin Landry.

Experience will be a strength of Milford’s defense. Senior Caitlyn Bangert had an impressive 2022 in goal and will be back in the cage to provide vocal leadership and organization. In front of Bangert, seniors Tessa Scrimgeour, Sophia Soares, and Molly Hartman form a cohesive group to try and keep opposing attackers at bay.

“Our focus this year is to continue to work together as a team, celebrate the successes and growth, learn from our mistakes, and have fun,” Young explained. “With 15 seniors on the team, their leadership is spread across the field in all positions. Every player will be a contributor on this team and I look forward to seeing them all play together this season.”

North Attleboro

2022 Record: 7-12
2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 32
Coach: Amanda Welch
After reaching the playoffs in 2022, North Attleboro returns to the Kelley-Rex division this spring with a roster that is significantly younger. The Rocketeers graduated nearly all of its starting lineup, so the opportunity is there for a lot of players to make instant contributions.

Midfield is where most of North’s experience will be, including its two returning starters. Seniors Ava McKeon and Caroline Folan are the top two scorers coming back for North but also give the Rocketeers athleticism, energy, and leadership all over the field.

As expected from a team that graduated so much of its lineup, there will be a lot of newcomers that will get valuable varsity experience this year. North has a talented sophomore group that could be poised for big seasons. Lily Ramm and Ellie Regan will be in the attack and Carleigh Swenson will step into the defense.

“For our 2023 season we are looking up,” said North coach Amanda Welch. “Despite losing 90% of our starting lineup of seniors, we have really put in the work in the offseason and it’s showing. We have a bright future for this team as we recruited young talent that will help fill the gaps of those seniors. The girls have come to play this year and we will be a team to look out for.”

2023 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse Preview

Oliver Ames

2022 Record: 11-8
2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 32
Coach: Marisol Henderson
Oliver Ames reached the state tournament a year ago and the Tigers are looking to make another playoff run this spring under first-year coach Marisol Henderson. With only one senior on the roster, OA is going to lean heavily on younger players to step into big roles, but there is a lot of excitement about the potential on the roster.

Senior Catie Wilson is the team’s top returning scorer and she’ll lead the team from the front. Juniors Leanna Hudson and Kayla Magit add to OA’s attacking strength. Junior Olivia O’Rourke will be the key to the midfield. The St. Anselm commit provides energy on both ends of the field. Junior Hailey Goldman and sophomore Summer Silverman have been aggressive through preseason and junior Erin Cottam has the potential for a breakout season.

Junior goalie Claire O’Rourke will bring vocal leadership to the defensive group. Juniors Taylor McAndrew and Gennie Fulford have a lot of skill at cutting off opposition attacks. Freshman Molly Nager has already shown how her speed could be a threat on the break and has the potential to be an instant contributor.

“I have been really impressed by the positive energy and hard work that the team has shown,” Henderson said. “It has also been great to see how well they support each other. They are coming into another season with a new coach, and it can be tough to not have consistency from one year to the next, but they aren’t letting that get to them and they are eager to learn. We have a lot of potential and I am looking forward to seeing improvements every game.”

2023 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse Preview

Sharon

2022 Record: 0-20
2022 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Ali Bowery
Sharon is coming off a difficult 2022 season. The Eagles were unable to find a win last year, although they did have two losses by just a single goal, and are in the midst of a rebuild under first-year coach Ali Bowery. She is leaning on her experienced seniors to get the team ready to compete this spring.

One of the seniors who the Eagles will count on this season is goalie Tess Letendre, who has been a solid shot-stopper for each of the past three years. Senior Carly Buckman will also provide much-needed vocal leadership. Juniors Anna Hertzel and Keira Lydeard have been named captains and give the Eagles energy on both ends of the field.

Underclassmen to watch out for this season include sophomore Bailey Garte, who is a three-sport varsity athlete, and classmate Megan Porcaro. Bowery has been impressed with the pair’s stick work and speed in the preseason. Overall, Bowery is expecting Sharon’s attack to be more potent this season.

“I have a great group of girls that all mesh well with each other,” Bowery said. “They have been working hard during practice improving their shots and ball movement. I am looking forward to the start of the season. I am rebuilding the program and this group of girls will take it to the next level!”

Stoughton

2022 Record: n/a
2022 Finish: n/a
Coach: Kelly Fahey
Stoughton is making its varsity debut this spring and head coach Kelly Fahey is looking forward to seeing how the Black Knights can bring the chemistry built over the past few seasons to fully compete in the Hockomock League.

A pair of sisters will be important players for Stoughton as it makes the jump into varsity. Junior attacker Morgan Groppi and freshman midfielder Casey Groppi and junior midfielder Nicole Reid and freshman attacker Amanda Reid bring versatility and lacrosse experience to the field. That foursome will be counted on to create opportunities for themselves and their teammates, while also helping out in other areas of the game.

Junior Mia Rivera is moving up from defense to attack and her aggression and defensive instincts will be helpful at that end of the field. Sophomore Lily Nourse is a versatile newcomer who can play on either end.

“We have a lot of girls who are not afraid to take shots and create opportunities,” Fahey said. “The girls have been playing together for a few years and have solid team chemistry. This is our first year as a varsity program and we are excited to compete.”

2023 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse Preview

Taunton

2022 Record: 2-14
2022 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Adilson Galvao
After graduating the program’s all-time leading scorer, Taunton was bound to have a rebuilding season in 2022. The Tigers had a pair of one-goal wins against Sharon, but with only 68 goals scored Taunton struggled to pick up any other results. Second-year coach Adilson Galvao is hoping that a year of experience will be a boost for the young Tigers and see a big improvement this spring.

Some of the players who seem ready for a big step up this season include senior midfielders Kayla Bayanilla and Hailey Tanguay, both of whom can contribute on both ends of the field. Senior Raquel Azevedo and sophomore Madison Szala will lead the way on the attacking end, while junior Cali Melo brings her athleticism into the midfield.

Newcomers who have made instant impacts during preseason play are freshmen Taryn Campbell and Lillian Bonneau. Galvao is excited about the connections that are already building between his attacking players. Senior Melissa Jesus will be an important leader for the Tigers this year, as she returns in the goal to keep things organized at the back.

“The team has a mix of new, young, and returning faces that are all determined to become a better player for themselves and towards the team,” Galvoa said. “This year’s season will show the maximum potential and ambition these girls have towards the game of lacrosse.”

2023 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse Preview

03/19/2023

Canton Can’t Overcome Tough Start in Finals Defeat

Canton girls hockey — Canton plays celebrate Audrey Koen’s third period power play goal against Duxbury. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

BOSTON, Mass. – Even when you’ve played at the TD Garden before, the experience of skating on the biggest stage with the chance to win a state championship can be daunting. In the first period of Sunday morning’s Div. 2 final, Canton (19-3-4) struggled to find its footing against No. 2 seed Duxbury.

The Dragons were flying from the start, held Canton to just one shot on goal in the first, and jumped out to a two-goal lead. Despite twice battling back within one, the Bulldogs were never able to overcome that tough start to the game. Duxbury skated to a 5-2 victory and its first state title since 2014.

It was the fifth state final appearance for the Bulldogs in the past seven seasons, but Canton is still looking for that first win at the TD Garden.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

“The nerves and the stage and they did to us what we wanted to do to them, just get a consistent flow, heavy forecheck, over the red line, and get it deep and we were just struggling to do that,” said Canton coach Nikki Petrich about her team’s difficulties in the opening period.

She added, “They’re nervous too, but they’re applying more pressure. So, once we started to relax a little bit, as you saw in the second period, and really get into our game plan we had several scoring opportunities.”

Duxbury wasted no time creating chances. Samantha Norton circled the net and teed up Addyson Harrington for a quick shot that hit the outside of the post. Izzy Cusack worked hard on the forecheck to earn Canton a scoring opportunity, but Devan Spinale’s shot from the point went wide on the blocker side.

Zoey Madigan then fired a pass to Megan Carney for a chance from close range and Maya Battista had to be in the right spot to block. Seconds later, the Dragons went on the first power play. It took only eight seconds for them to convert. Madeleine Greenwood’s slap shot from the edge of the right wing circle snuck through a crowd and past Carolyn Durand’s pad.

Play continued to be almost exclusively in the Canton zone. Carney forced a blocker save from Durand, who then had to react quickly to smother the rebound attempt from Harrington.

With 1:43 left in the first, Duxbury doubled the lead on a stellar solo goal. McKenna Colella picked up the puck behind her own net, skated the length of the ice weaving through Canton players, and then slipped a backhand shot under the pads of Durand to make it 2-0.

Canton came out with more energy to start the second, although Colella nearly added a third after forcing a turnover, but she flicked her shot wide. Ellie Bohane worked hard to force a turnover on the other end and had a good look blocked by Lucia Rose.

Midway through the period, Canton got back into the game. Tori Carr collected the puck at the right point and fired a shot through bodies in front and past Duxbury goalie Anna McGinty.

“That’s kind of been the beauty of our postseason run,” Petrich said about Carr providing the score. “We’ve had several different scorers every single game and that’s what we really needed. It was great that she scored that goal to really get us going.”

The goal was a momentum builder for the Bulldogs, who were inches away from tying the game. On the power play, Kayleigh Koen shot one from the high slot that just missed the stick of her sister Audrey, who was stationed on the post. Battista got room in the right wing circle for a wrister, but put it just wide.

Cusack would get the best chances of the period when she connected with a pass across the crease from Audrey Koen, but could only tip it wide. Seconds later, they tried it again and this time it was on target only for McGinty to flash a pad and keep it out.

The save turned out to be huge because Duxbury would add a third against the run of play. Colella fired a shot from the point and Greenwood was able to get a telling touch to lift it over Durand with a minute left in the period.

Petrich explained, “When another team is doing what we want to do and you can’t get your shots through, they’re incredible with blocking shots, and it was just another kind of punch in the face. Every time we were able to punch, they were able to punch us back twice as hard.”

Although the swallowed up any of the momentum that the Bulldogs had built in the second period, Canton continued to push in the third to try and get back into the contest. Durand (11 saves) was called into action again early in the period, stopping a backhand try from Harrington.

Kayleigh Koen had a shot from the point stopped by McGinty (10 saves) and the rebound popped out to fellow freshman defenseman Georgia Campbell. She fired the puck back on net but classmate Abby Stock’s tip was wide.

The chance to make it a game was presented with six minutes to go when the Bulldogs went on the power play. Canton took the chance. Cusack got it started with a good forecheck on the side of the net, winning possession and dropping a pass back to Battista, who was pinching in from the right point. The senior threaded the needle with an angled pass to the back post and Audrey Koen was in right spot to tap in.

It was game on again with 5:19 to play, but it was Duxbury that responded better. Durand had to stay strong to deny a point-blank tip from Greenwood, but the Dragons just kept coming. Carney set up Harrington in the slot for a one-timer that made it 4-2 with 2:30 to go. Just a minute later, Greenwood nearly completed her hat trick with a power move that Durand stopped only for Parker Metzler to follow up and put the game away.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

“Just a phenomenal feeling,” Petrich said, reflecting on taking Canton to the Garden in her first season in charge. “We got here extremely early and to see the ice, to see no one in the stands and to see their faces, to be able to take those pictures on the bench, and to kind of visualize and understand the moment that they’re in was really, really special.

“I just really enjoyed seeing them. It’s why hockey is so awesome because we get to play here.”

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

03/12/2023

Late Koen Winner Sends Canton Back to the TD Garden

BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. – It was at that stage of a tied hockey game when every shot towards goal was met with triumphant cheers from one end of the stands and a collective intake of breath from the other. Time was winding down and it felt like one goal would either end a team’s season or give it the chance to play for a state title.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

With 2:38 left to play in Saturday night’s Div. 2 state semifinal at the Gallo Ice Arena, Canton seniors Audrey Koen and Ellie Bohane went flying into the Archbishop Williams zone. The Bulldogs pride themselves on their aggressive forecheck and the two senior forwards set the tone.

After forcing the puck to the end boards, Koen won the battle for possession and skated behind the Archies goal. She popped out on the other side and slid a backhand shot into the skates of the goalie, squeezing her shot through the five-hole and across the line.

That would be enough to lift Canton to a 1-0 win over the top seed and send the Bulldogs to the final at the TD Garden for the fifth time in six seasons.

Canton coach Nikki Petrich said, “Before the game, I saw [Audrey] briefly in between watching our boys team, she was literally over there in the corner, had her headphones on, and was just in her zone. I said, I guarantee she scores today. It just shows the work that she puts in and her senior leadership as a captain really taking on that responsibility of relentless effort and commitment to make her team better.”

Senior goalie Carolyn Durand said, “It’s amazing. It’s a different experience every single time because we have a new group of girls and it’s just so awesome because we get to go with the boys (who beat Duxbury in the game before). The whole town goes to the Garden. It’s just everybody’s dream come true. I’m so excited.”

Canton won the regular season meeting with the Bishops by a single goal, so it was expected to be another tight, hard-fought encounter. A physical first period played out as expected, with neither team able to create much in the attacking zone.

Bohane had one chance coming down the slot that was saved by Archies freshman goalie Evelyn Lacey (22 saves). Tori Carr had a shot from the point that Bohane tipped in front but Lacey kicked aside. The best chance for the Bishops in the first came in the final minute of the period, as Abigail Dunn fed Caroline Batchelder for a shot from the right wing circle, but Durand (18 saves) was equal to it.

After a period with very few notable scoring chances, both goalies were called into action early in the second.

Anna Lehan made a nice play at the blue line to get free on a shorthanded breakaway and tested Lacey with a slap shot from the right wing circle. A minute later, Grace Mottau teed up Dunn in the slot, but Durand held her ground and made the stop and then quickly recovered to block Mottau’s rebound effort as well.

Lacey needed to be on her toes again just seconds later when Koen found Bohane on the edge of the crease. Kate O’Toole would get two chances to try and beat Durand from about five feet away, but both of her shots were smothered by the Hockomock League MVP. Late in the second, Georgia Campbell threw the puck to the front of the net and Lehan whacked it just wide of the post.

Canton came out of the locker room intent on finding the breakthrough. Just 30 seconds into the third, Koen forced a pad stop with a backhand shot and Carr fired one from the point that Lacey was able to spot through a crowd of bodies.

A minute into the period, Bohane, who seemed to be everywhere on Saturday, was an inch away from the opener. She got free in the slot and ripped a shot off the inside of the top corner and back out. A couple of Canton players, and the Canton bench, raised their arms thinking that the puck had gone in.

Petrich said, “Ellie is almost underrated, sneaky fast. When she really goes after it, she flies and throughout the season you could really see some of her field hockey stick-handling skills come into play on the ice. There were a couple of great moves where she slid it through the D’s stick and cut to the middle.”

The chances kept coming for the Bulldogs. Freshman Izzy Cusack gained the zone and dropped a pass off to Bohane, who forced a blocker save. Soon after it was Koen that flew down the right wing and dropped a pass back to Cusack for another shot on target. Freshman Christina Curran dragged the puck out of the corner on her backhand and nearly found the corner.

With three minutes to go, Archies had its best chance of the third. Maggie Lynch played a nice give-and-go with Mottau and got free to fire a shot from the circle that Durand was able to glove and hold.

Just 30 seconds later, Koen found a way to get the puck through and put the Bulldogs in front. Archies started pressing, but a major penalty meant that the Bishops finished the game down a player. Durand was called into action once in the final minute, but calmly pushed the shot aside.

When the final horn sounded, the bench exploded onto the ice. The Bulldogs were back in the final.

“I don’t think I’ve ever yelled so loud in my life,” Durand said about the moment she saw Koen’s shot went in. “Normally I don’t really celebrate, but I was just like, ‘Oh my gosh, we only have two minutes left, we’ve got this, it’s over.’ It’s awesome.”

Although this is her first year on the Canton bench, Petrich is no stranger to state title games at the Garden. She was part of the coaching staff last winter at Austin Prep, which won the D1 championship.

“I was joking with them, we both went there last year, I know how it feels to win and I want you to experience that too,” Petrich said. “That feeling we just had today, now imagine that on the Garden ice. You’re going to remember that for the rest of your life. It’s really something special that we have here.”

Canton (19-2-4) will face No. 2 seed Duxbury in the championship game at the TD Garden next Sunday, at a time to be determined.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

03/02/202303/02/2023

Canton Starts Playoff Run By Beating Westwood

CANTON, Mass. – When the current crop of Canton seniors were freshmen, they were part of a tournament run that ended with a berth in the final and being named the Div. 2 co-champions. After yet another run to the TD Garden last winter, the program’s third title game in five seasons, the senior class brings plenty of playoff nous to the ice each game.

Of course, adding a new group of talented freshmen ready to step into the spotlight that comes with trying to continue the recent playoff success certainly helps.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

Canton’s blend of senior savvy and youthful energy was on full display on Wednesday night at the Metropolis Rink. With two goals from seniors and two more from freshmen, the Bulldogs beat Westwood 4-1 to reach the Sweet Sixteen.

“They have the experience from playoffs and from the regular season this year,” said Canton coach Nikki Petrich. “Several games we’ve been up [and the other team came back]. It’s a long hockey game. We know we’re going to score, they’re going to score, but it’s who’s going to finish the battle to the end.”

The game could have been a much bigger win, but Westwood goalie Marissa Poma finished with 37 saves, many of them spectacular.

Canton came out flying in the first period, nearly finding the back of the net inside the opening two minutes when freshman Kayleigh Koen slipped a pass across the crease to Izzy Crugnale, only for Poma to somehow stretch and get a pad on the shot. Tori Carr had a shot from the point saved and Poma was able to cover up when Lilah Spinelli crashed the net to get on the rebound.

The breakthrough came on the power play. Senior Maya Battista collected the puck on the right point, picked her spot, and flung a shot towards the far post. Canton had plenty of bodies in front and the puck flew past Poma and inside the post.

“February was tough for us,” said Petrich, referencing Canton’s strong schedule, “but we didn’t start the games as hard, fast, and strong as I wanted us to, so that was the emphasis here starting playoffs was to really get after it, but their goalie just played phenomenal. All the credit to her. I tried to give her a hug because she played phenomenal.”

Westwood finally got going after falling behind, although Canton would finish the first with a 15-4 edge in shots on goal. Four minutes after allowing the opener, the visitors leveled the score. Freshman Livvy Hicks sent a knuckling puck through a crowd and over the shoulder of goalie Carolyn Durand to make it 1-1.

Audrey Koen nearly restored the lead with a nice wraparound attempt on her backhand, but Poma made the save. With less than 30 seconds left in the first, freshman Izzy Cusack stole the puck in the offensive zone and got the puck into the slot to Koen, who partially fanned on the shot but managed to put it on frame only for Ava Krouson to block the shot on the line.

Durand was called into action early in the second, making a nice glove save on a Kate Sullivan effort. Cusack nearly put the Bulldogs in front, but her chipped shot from close range clipped the bar on its way across the net.

With 9:33 to go in the second, Kayleigh Koen scored what turned out to be the game-winner. She pinched in from the blue line, blocking a chip up the boards and keeping possession. Koen pushed up the left wing boards and cut towards goal, forcing a pad stop from Poma. The puck squirted out in front and Koen was able, on the second attempt, to redirect it into the open net.

“No longer a freshman and no stranger to big moments,” Petrich said about Koen. “Big players step up in big moments and that’s what she does for us every time. Her ability to skate with the puck as a defenseman, she’s so offensive-minded but so strong and solid on the blue line you almost don’t expect it.”

Poma continued to excel, keeping Canton from extending the lead on the power play. Battista had another good look from the point and Ellie Bohane pounced on the rebound, but the goalie stuffed the point-blank chance. Battista then tried to follow up with a quick wrister, but Poma recovered in time to glove it.

Canton started the third period on the kill, but it didn’t stop the Bulldogs from continuing to pepper the Westwood goal. Cusack had a good chance almost directly from the face-off, and Poma also had to be alert to stop the rebound as well. Bohane would come close after good work by Audrey Koen down the wing and a nifty behind-the-back-pass into the slot, but the shot went either off Poma’s glove or the post and stayed out.

Another dominant start to a period finally paid off with a goal. Freshman Georgia-Ann Penders, who was injured to start the season, made a perfect pass across the crease to classmate Abby Stock. Stock was able to pick the five-hole and give the Bulldogs a two-goal cushion.

With 4:34 to go, Canton wrapped up the win. This time, it was the seniors who got on the score sheet. Bohane raced out on a two-on-one, drew the defender, and saucered a pass to Koen on her right. Koen ripped a shot into the top corner to book Canton’s place in the next round.

“The message from me is always to play the right way, which is passing the puck,” Petrich explained. “Several times we came out of the corner right here and we missed the net, and it’s a breakout. I said, listen, play hockey the right way, smarter hockey, move the puck. I said, stop playing hero hockey and start playing smarter hockey.”

Canton (16-2-4) will face the winner of No. 13 Milton and No. 20 Framingham on Saturday night at the Canton Ice House. The time is to be determined.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

02/05/202302/06/2023

Monday’s Schedule & Scoreboard – 02/06/23

Today’s games are listed below.

Boys Hockey
Attleboro, 1 @ Diman, 3 – Final – Attleboro scored midway through the second period to get within a goal but Diman tacked on an insurance goal in the third for the win. Colin Flynn scored at the eight minute mark of the second off an assist from Mike Lachance. Jake Westwater made 24 saves in net for the Bombardiers.

Foxboro, 0 @ Stoughton/Brockton, 2 – Final – Sean Farley and Owen Dupont each scored once for the Black Knights and Sean McGowan notched his first career shutout as Stoughton/Brockton avenged a loss to the Warriors from earlier in the season. McGowan recorded 25 saves to blank the Warriors and earn the win.

King Philip, 3 vs. Norwood, 3 – Final

North Attleboro, 6 @ Medway, 1 – Final

Girls Hockey
Canton, 2 vs. Archbishop Williams, 1 – Final – Audrey Koen scored with six minutes left in the third period to break the 1-1 tie and secure Canton a win over a fellow Div. 2 state title contender. The Bulldogs took the lead in the first period when Tori Carr’s initial shot was saved and Ellie Bohane pounced on the rebound to knock it in. After Archies, which was the top-ranked team in D2 before this weekend’s loss to No. 2-ranked Duxbury, tied the game in the second, but then Koen collected the puck in the neutral zone, drove at the goal, and fired a wrister that proved to be the winner.

King Philip, 6 vs. Arlington Catholic, 1 – Final – Kelly Holmes, who over the weekend hit the 100-point mark for her career, scored four goals to lead the Warriors to a big win. Mara Boldy added a goal and an assist and Katie McGann found the back of the net once. Nicole McDonald, Grace Lehan-Allen, and Katarina Precobb each recorded an assist. Mallory Johnston and Haley Bright combined for 22 saves in the win.

02/01/202302/02/2023

Canton Beats KP to Secure Fourth Straight Hock Title

FOXBORO, Mass. – Since the Hockomock League introduced girls hockey six years ago, the games have always been competitive but Canton has stood above the others as the team to beat each winter. King Philip went into Wednesday night’s showdown at the Foxboro Sports Center looking to knock Canton off its perch and bring home its first league title in the process.

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Canton’s title-winning experience proved to be too much to overcome. Behind an Audrey Koen hat trick, the Bulldogs pulled out a 5-2 victory, winning their fourth straight Hock championship and fifth in the past six years.

“Experience is everything and unfortunately the only way to get it is to get it and to go through it, so I couldn’t have asked for a better balance,” first-year Canton coach Nikki Petrich said about her roster’s blend of youth and experience.

She continued, “Having a more tenured player maybe working with some of the younger girls and walking them through, you’re going to feel this way, you’re going to feel that way, but remember what we do in practice, remember to listen for our voices. It’s been great to have their leadership and experience because big players step up in big games.”

The Bulldogs outshot KP 11-5 in the opening period (and 36-15 for the game), but each Warriors shot was a quality scoring chance.

Nicole McDonald had the first look when she reacted to a loose puck after a face-off and was stopped from close range by Canton goalie Carolyn Durand. McDonald also forced a turnover in the attacking zone and played a pass across the crease to Katarina Precobb, but Durand somehow got across to the far post to make the point-blank pad stop and keep the game scoreless.

“I was like okay it’s 1-0,” Petrich said, thinking about that moment. “Carolyn makes the save and we go down, and to me it’s always transition hockey, but a huge save like that really lifted our team and the momentum to fight some more. Every single game she makes a save like that and we’re able to get energy from it.”

Kelly Holmes would have another good chance for KP after keeping the puck in at the blue line, but Durand got her blocker to it. On the other end, Tori Carr had one of Canton’s best early chances with a steal in the neutral zone and hard shot that KP goalie Mallory Johnston knocked aside. Abby Stock also had a chance from the high slot that forced a glove save.

Things felt even in the early going, but Canton got the game’s first power play and made sure to take advantage of the opportunity. Maya Battista collected the puck just outside the right wing circle and played a diagonal pass across the zone to the back post. Koen was pinching in from the boards and collected the puck, despite a slight deflection, before roofing a shot over Johnston’s glove side from a tight angle.

With the lead, Canton came out of the intermission full of energy. Koen almost doubled the lead after two minutes when she won the puck on the left wing boards, cut hard towards the net, and forced Johnston into a good save.

About 30 seconds later and the Bulldogs did make it 2-0. Freshman Izzy Cusack had her shot from the slot saved. The rebound kicked out in front of Johnston, who attempted to dive out and cover the loose puck, but Cusack stayed with it and was able to slide it past the goalie. KP argued that the whistle had gone to blow the play dead, but the goal stood.

KP continued to create chances. Mara Boldy slipped a pass between a pair of defenders and Holmes was able to slam the puck towards goal, but Durand got the pads down to make sure of the save.

With 9:10 left in the period, KP was back in the game. Holmes intercepted an outlet pass at the blue line and skated in alone on Durand before flicking a shot into the top corner. About a minute later, Canton was back in control. Koen flew down the right wing and rifled a shot just under the bar to make it 3-1 and steal back all the momentum from the hosts.

“I always tell them hockey ebbs and flows like life,” Petrich explained. “I don’t like to say we need another goal, it’s always one shot. To me, when you say a goal, it’s so much pressure. Never get too low, never get too high, so when you come out next shift clear your mind, clear your head, and go after it. For her to score that fast, I couldn’t have written it better.”

The goal sparked the Bulldogs back into life and they dominated the rest of the period, creating a 14-5 edge in shots on goal. Ellie Bohane had a good two tries to extend the lead when she drove towards goal and forced Johnston into a stop and then fired the rebound on net only for the KP goalie to flash a pad out and make the save.

Canton opened up a three-goal cushion with 3:46 left in the second. Anna Lehan came from the right wing and attempted a wrap around that was saved, but the loose puck came right out into the middle where Stock was charging towards goal and the freshman buried the chance.

KP’s hopes of a comeback in the third period were blunted by starting on the penalty kill and Canton wasted no time putting the game away. Koen completed her hat trick just 13 seconds in, whipping a wrister into the bottom left corner and making it 5-1.

The next several minutes were played almost exclusively in the KP zone. The Warriors finally got some chances down the other end of the ice with less than five minutes to play. While falling down, Holmes was able to slide a pass across the crease to McDonald, but Durand made the save. About 30 seconds later, Holmes again drove towards goal and got the puck in front and this time McDonald was able to squeeze it home.

Canton finished with a flourish, getting scoring chances from Cusack and Kayleigh Koen, but the work had already been done. The Bulldogs swarmed Durand at the final horn, having retained their Hock title once again.

“That was more pressure on me, I couldn’t let them down,” Petrich joked when asked about how it felt to bring home a fourth title in a row. “It feels amazing to accomplish that with them in our first year. As I’ve said all year, we’re continually learning from each other. The girls that have been here on the team who know the players and the teams and (assistant coach) Kevin [Cleary] and I and our knowledge of hockey and the teams we’ve played. It’s coming together.”

Canton (11-2-2) will be off until Monday when it faces Archbishop Williams, currently the top-ranked team in Div. 2, and then follows that with a trip to Duxbury, the No. 2-ranked team in the division. King Philip (7-9) will host Arlington Catholic on Monday night.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

03/21/202203/21/2022

Canton Falls In Overtime in Return to D2 Title Game

BOSTON, Mass. – For the first six minutes of overtime in Saturday afternoon’s Div. 2 state title game at the TD Garden, Canton had dominated. The Bulldogs had five shots on goal in the extra period and had a flurry of chances while on the power play, but they couldn’t find the winner.

Algonquin had one chance in OT, but that was all it took for the Titans to end Canton’s reign atop the division.

Sophomore Mallory Farrell raced up the right wing, got a step on the Canton defense, and cut straight towards the goal. She dragged the puck through the crease and just past the stick of Canton goalie Carolyn Durand before depositing the title winner into the open side of the net. The 2-1 come from behind win clinched Algonquin’s first state championship and ended a seven-game postseason win streak for the Bulldogs.

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“It came down to a really outstanding power move by Mallory,” Canton coach Dennis Aldrich said. “That was a top-notch move. She had a little more in the tank than our forecheckers anticipated on that, we took our angle, and it was just a little bit off. I’m glad it ended like that, if it had to end against us, a great move like that rather than a trickler or something like that.”

The game started in Canton’s typical style, with the Bulldogs making sure to get the puck deep, aggressively forechecking, and staying compact in the defensive zone. It took the Titans 13 minutes to register their first shot on goal.

Payton McDonough created the first opportunity for Canton, forcing a save with a shot from the slot. Thirty seconds later, Ellie Bohane picked the pocket of an Algonquin defenseman behind the net and played it front to Maggie Dailey, but the shot went just wide. Allie McCabe then went on a long rush from the defensive zone and teed up McDonough for another shot that was stopped by Algonquin’s Lana Pacific.

Canton grabbed the lead after nearly 10 minutes. Maya Battista was able to knock down a puck at the blue line and found tons of space open in front of her. The junior defenseman skated into the slot and then sniped a wrister high to the stick side to make it 1-0.

“She just has a knack of getting pucks through,” Aldrich said of Battista. “That was a really nice shot. I’ve gotten used to seeing that nine or 10 times this year. She does a really good job, she shoots with her head up, she shoots strong, and there was a good screen on that too.”

Algonquin tried to respond and tested Durand with a shot by Lauren O’Malley from the point that was comfortably gloved. McCabe then went on another long rush through all three zones before firing a shot from the right-wing circle that Pacific kicked aside.

Searching for a second goal, Canton continued to put pressure on the Algonquin defense. Tori Carr’s shot forced Pacific into a pad save and Bohane hustled to collect the rebound but the Titans goalie stayed tall to block the backhand effort. McCabe hit Tess Khoury with a long, angled pass that gave the forward to try a slap shot, which was gloved.

The Titans were struggling to get looks at goal but nearly took advantage of a bounce off the boards behind the net to tie the game. A shot ricocheted straight back and into the crease where Alexandria Davies pounced only to have Durand react quickly to smother the shot.

Canton’s best chance of the second came with four minutes left in the period. Battista threw another testing shot on net from the blue line and the rebound fell to Anna Lehan, but she flipped her backhand shot just wide of the top corner. Durand needed to be awake to glove a shot from Farrell in the closing seconds of the period to keep it 1-0.

There were plenty of chances for Canton to give itself a cushion early in the third. McCabe had a shot from the point saved and Algonquin just about managed to clear the rebound before it was squeezed over the line. The puck came out to Devan Spinale and she also forced Pacific into a pad stop. Battista’s shot was tipped in front by Lehan but again the Algonquin goalie was equal to it.

“Especially in the third period, there were a couple of tips and there was one that was tipped off her shoulder,” Aldrich said. “I think both teams are totally tapped out, they left everything out there. It was a great high school hockey game. It was kind of what both coaches anticipated.”

The Titans made Canton pay for not taking its chances. Farrell cut in from the left wing boards, dragging the puck past two Bulldogs before forcing a save with a backhand shot. Durand wasn’t able to secure it and the Bryn Domolky was in the right place to tip it home just before Canton’s defense could clear.

After tying the game, Algonquin had a good stretch where it looked like it might grab the lead. Emily Johns set up Farrell for a one-timer that fizzed wide, Davies got free after a slip at the blue line but sent a shot high, and Durand made a stop on Farrell as she cut across the zone.

With weary legs from the big ice at the Garden, the game was slowing down but Canton had enough in the tank to nearly win the game in regulation. Battista hit Audrey Koen with an angled outlet pass. At first Koen struggled to bring it under control, but she chased after the puck, beat the defense, and flicked a near-post backhander that somehow slipped past the post.

Aldrich said, “It was anyone’s game. I thought we had it in the third. We’ve had a lot of puck luck up to this point and they ended up having a little bit more today.”

Ninety seconds into the overtime, Canton had a power play opportunity, the first for either team in the game. The Bulldogs took advantage of the extra skater to put the pressure on Pacific. Battista had a shot saved from the point, McCabe had another chance in the right wing circle knocked aside, and Carr cut inside from the left wing boards and forced a blocker save with a rising shot.

The power play and the aggressive attack may have just taken that little extra out of the Canton defense and Farrell exploited it, speeding down the wing, and not stopping until she was in the arms of her teammates streaming off the bench.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

Canton (18-7-0) was playing in its fourth state title game in the last five seasons (not counting the shortened 2021 season). The Bulldogs saw a trip to the Garden taken away in 2020, had a season halved by the pandemic, have battled with illnesses, and early season injuries, but through it all still managed to be there at the end, playing on the final day.

“A lot of them were young when we were able to last play a tournament game,” Aldrich explained, “but to have them play back in 2020 and not be able to get here, no one on either team had been here before. I was smiling as soon as the whistle went in the Natick game, knowing that the girls were finally going to get experience it.

“It’s always tough, you tell the kids, you’re always going to look at this as like a crash ending but so much that these kids have done to get here to this point is just incredible. They were here and they stuck together.”

03/13/202203/13/2022

Canton Upsets Top Seed Duxbury, Returns to State Semi

DUXBURY, Mass. – Some teams just seem to have that knack for finding a way to grind out a win. Every game is a little bit different, but in the end the result is the same. Canton has definitely developed into one of those teams.

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Despite being on the road, despite facing the top seed, and despite having to wait almost an hour after the scheduled face-off for the game to begin, Canton seemed unfazed heading into Saturday night’s Div. 2 quarterfinal against Duxbury at The Bog. After all, the Bulldogs have been here before.

Allie McCabe opened the scoring, Tess Khoury scored twice in the third period (including an empty netter), and Carolyn Durand came through with big saves down the stretch, as Canton earned a 3-0 win. It was the second time that the Bulldogs had beaten (and shutout) the Dragons this season and it seals Canton’s fourth state semifinal appearance in the past five seasons (not counting last winter where there were no playoffs).

“Our girls play so many tight games, it doesn’t really bother them,” said Canton coach Dennis Aldrich. “We expect that’s how it’s going to be because all year it’s been like that. That’s probably why we were a nine-seed, we didn’t beat people by three goals, we beat people by one, but we won.”

When asked about Canton’s ability to find ways to win this time of year, McCabe, who will be going to the third state semifinal of her career, replied, “It’s definitely our teamwork. We’re basically a family, we do everything together. At practice, we sprint a lot, it’s tiring but it helps us. We’re always prepared and I guess we’re always there for each other when we’re nervous. We are always there to help each other out.”

After a lengthy wait to get on the ice, Canton got a power play opportunity just 26 seconds into the game. McCabe had a good look on goal from outside the right wing circle that Duxbury goalie Anna McGinty fought off. McCabe would later make a nice rush up ice and have a shot partially blocked on its way to goal. Those were the only two shots on target for Canton in the first.

Duxbury was hardly peppering the goal on the other end. Right at the end of the power play, Megan Carney came out of the box and got behind the Canton defense for a breakaway, but Durand (16 saves) stayed tall, stayed with the puck, and made the stop. She also came up with a big pad stop late in the period, but Duxbury, which had the lion’s share of zone time, only managed four shots on goal in the first.

The Dragons came out for the second intent on creating more chances and a minute in Ayla Abben forced Durand into a pad save with a shot from the slot. It was one of only three shots the hosts would put on goal in period.

Canton controlled play in the second, turning the tables and putting pressure on Duxbury’s defense. Audrey Koen flipped a clearance up ice from her own blue line that found Payton McDonough coming off the bench, leading to a backhander that McGinty needed to stop. Two minutes later, Ellie Bohane (who scored the OT winner in the previous round) broke into the zone and dropped a pass to Anna Lehane, who’s shot was partially blocked but on target.

A power play opportunity midway through the second helped Canton solidify its control. Maya Battista was floating from the blue line to behind the net and she teed up McDonough for a tip in front that was just wide. The pair combined again seconds later for a shot from the slot and again it was just wide.

The pressure continued and it felt like a goal was coming for the visitors. With 11 seconds remaining on the power play, McCabe, the Hockomock League MVP, got the puck in the high slot and was given time and space to move closer to goal before firing a wrister into the top corner past McGinty to put the Bulldogs in front.

“That was crucial,” McCabe said of getting the first goal. “We beat them last time and we knew we could do it but a bunch of people were like, no it’s just a fluke game, you weren’t supposed to beat them. Once we got that [goal] it was like, okay let’s go, we can keep going.”

If the crowd was stunned to see Duxbury fall behind, then it was about to be floored by what happened next. Just two minutes into the third and with the first shot for either team in the period, Canton doubled its lead. McDonough again proved to be a massive presence in the attacking zone, blocking a clearance on the left wing boards and driving towards net. The puck squirted loose and right to Khoury on the edge of the crease. She roofed her shot and made it 2-0.

“It was awesome,” McCabe said of the second goal. “I was not expecting that. We knew it was going to be a tough game but when we saw that I was like, okay, take a little breath. Obviously there was a lot of time left, but it was awesome.”

Down by two goals, the Dragons found another gear and started to dominate play. Maddie Greenwood had a pair of big chances at the near post that Durand blocked with her pad and then her glove. Flynn Bridgett let loose with a pair of slap shots from the point that found their way through traffic, but both were turned aside by Durand.

Aldrich said, “I’ve heard other coaches talk about their goalie being the best in the state, show me one who is better than her.”

The chances kept coming. Abban raced into the zone on the right wing, cut across the middle and ripped a shot that Durand coolly gloved as it was heading under the bar. Carney had a chance on a two-on-one with three minutes to play but she shot wide of the far post and Greenwood came closest to scoring when her quick-release rocket went off the post, behind Durand, and out the other side.

Canton’s defense, including McCabe, Battista, Tori Carr, and Devan Spinale, was doing what it needed to crowd the middle, not allow chances on the edge of the crease, and clearing pucks out to the neutral zone. With help from the forwards, Canton kept the Dragons at bay.

With the clock winding down, Khoury was able to get the puck past the Duxbury defenseman on the blue line and everyone watched as it meandered down ice and settled into the back of the net. The empty net goal clinched yet another hard-fought playoff victory for the Bulldogs.

“To be able to hold them in two games to zero goals, our girls buy into what we do here,” said Aldrich. “We work hard and it’s paying off. When your best player, Allie McCabe, is leading the team in blocked shots, as a coach it’s a pretty easy thing to bring the other guys along.”

McCabe explained, “We all worked together. Carolyn played awesome, she blocked a ton of shots at the end. Our players blocked shots, we were just there for each other, and helped us get through it.”

Canton (17-6-0) will face No. 5 seed Natick in the semifinal on Monday at Gallo Arena at 7:15. The Bulldogs won each of the last three semifinal appearances and reached the final at the TD Garden.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

03/02/202203/03/2022

Thursday’s Schedule & Scoreboard – 03/03/22

Today’s games are listed below.

Girls Basketball
Division 1
#20 North Andover, 53 @ #13 Attleboro, 46 – Final – Click here for a Recap and Photo Gallery from this game.

Boys Hockey
Division 1
#33 King Philip, 1 @ #1 St. John’s Prep, 3 – Final

Division 2
#27 Mansfield, 4 @ #6 Walpole, 9 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this game.

#25 North Attleboro, 3 @ #8 Newton South, 1 – Final – Junior Mark Ayvazyan scored the game-winning goal with under two minutes to go as the Rocketeers pulled off the upset on the road over Newton South. North led 1-0 just minutes into the game on a goal from Nick Longa. South tied it with a goal in the second, and it stayed tied until the final moments of the game. Nik Kojoian tacked on an empty net goal to ice the win. Sophomore Kyle Gruber had a strong game in net with 26 saves.

Division 3
#26 Taunton, 0 @ #7 Nashoba, 6 – Final

Girls Hockey
Division 2
#24 Watertown, 2 @ #9 Canton, 4 – Final – Canton erased a pair of one-goal deficits in a 4-2 win over visiting Watertown. The Bulldogs fell behind 1-0 after a period on a power play goal before Ellie Bohane tied it up in the second. Maya Battista scored her first of the game in the same period to bring Canton level again at 2-2. Tori Carr put the Bulldogs ahead 3-2 and Battista added her second to make it 4-2. Carolyn Durand played well in net for Canton with 15 saves, including some timely stops.

02/21/202202/22/2022

Tuesday’s Schedule & Scoreboard – 02/22/22

Today’s games are listed below.

Boys Basketball
Foxboro, 83 vs. Middleboro, 52 – Final – Foxboro’s offense was nearly unstoppable in the third quarter as the Warriors used a 26-point frame to blow the game wide open in a win over Middleboro, claiming the Warrior Classic Championship. Senior Dylan Gordon made half of his 12 field goals in the third quarter alone and had 14 of his team-high 28 points as Foxboro turned a 10-point halftime lead (35-25) into a 61-36 advantage going into the fourth. Junior Alex Penders added 16 points on eight makes from the floor and Sam Golub sank four threes, finishing with 13 points.

King Philip, 56 vs. Hanover, 65 – Final – King Philip cut the deficit down to three going into the final quarter but the Warriors couldn’t keep pace with Hanover over the final eight minutes. KP used a 24-point third quarter, getting a pair of threes from Charlie Grant (11 points), seven points from Braeden Sottile (13 points) and six from Will Laplante (15 points) to make it 45-42 going into the fourth but Hanover pulled away with the win over the final eight minutes.

North Attleboro, 27 vs. Randolph, 51 – Final – North Attleboro trailed by just six at halftime and played good defense throughout, but couldn’t keep pace with the Blue Devils in the second half. Casey Poirier scored half of his eight points in the first and Givany Carney had four as the Rocketeers established a 10-6 lead after eight minutes. Randolph took control with a 19-point second quarter, taking a 25-19 advantage into the break. Brody Rosenberg added six points for North.

Stoughton, 66 vs. Southeastern, 44 – Final – Stoughton held Southeastern scoreless for over seven minutes in the third quarter, turning a tie game at halftime in a blowout win. The Knights were deadlocked at 32-32 at the break but came out and dominated the Hawks in the third, opening on a 15-0 run before Southeastern got on the board with under a minute to go. Stoughton put the game away with a 9-2 burst to open the fourth quarter. Connor Andrews scored 11 points in the pivotal third quarter and finished with a game-high 25 points while junior Rayan Sablon connected on five threes and finished with 20 points. Konrad Rogers chipped in with a career-best 11 points.

Girls Basketball
Foxboro, 53 vs. Walpole, 62 – Final – Despite three players in double digits, Foxboro fell to visiting Walpole in the final of the Warrior Classic. Kailey Sullivan led the way with 17 points and was named to the all-tournament team. Hannah Blake and Camryn Collins each finished with 13 points.

Oliver Ames, 46 vs. Medfield, 64 – Final – Oliver Ames entered halftime trailing by just two (29-27) but a big third quarter from Medfield created the separation the Warriors needed to get the win. Caroline Peper had a team-high 15 points, Jasmyn Cooper added 14 points, and Sarah Hilliard chipped in with 10 points for The Tigers, who will host Medfield in a rematch on Thursday.

King Philip, 58 @ Shrewsbury, 29 – Final – KP won for the second time in as many days and clinched a spot in the state tournament. The Warriors held Shrewsbury to just two points in the first quarter and 10 points in the opening half to build a double-digit lead. Coming out of the break, KP scored 22 points in the third quarter to break the game open and then secured the win by holding Shrewsbury to only five points over the final eight minutes. Emily Sawyer had a big day in the middle for the Warriors, nearly matching Shrewsbury on her own by scoring 24 points. Julia Marsden and Elizabeth Molla each scored 10 points in the in win and Jackie Bonner returned from an injury to knock down a pair of threes and score eight points.

Stoughton, 52 @ Waltham, 61 – Final – Stoughton put up a great fight but fell on the road in its final game of the season. Senior Vanessa Phelimond led Stoughton with 11 points while senior Kate Bulger chipped in with nine points.

Boys Hockey
Attleboro, 0 @ Foxboro, 9 – Final – Foxboro had an offensive explosion on Tuesday afternoon, netting a pair of shorthanded goals in a win over Attleboro. The Warriors put 54 shots on net with Jack Watts pacing the offense with a hat trick and one assist. Ben Ricketts added two goals and Matt Grace finished with three assists.

Canton, 6 vs. Boston Latin, 2 – Final

Stoughton, 2 @ Taunton, 2 – Final

Girls Hockey
Canton, 2 @ Franklin, 1 – Final – Canton got a pair of second period goals from its defense to come from behind and beat Franklin. With the win, the Bulldogs sweep the season series with the Panthers and complete an undefeated league campaign. Franklin took the lead in the first when Molly Hurley redirected a pass from Lindsay Dennett. Canton answered back in the second, as Tori Carr and Maya Battista both found the back of the net. The Bulldogs were able to fend off pressure from the Panthers in the third to pick up the win.