12/18/2015

The Campus Report: Recap of Fall 2015

North Attleboro's Alex Jette (7) had a career year for Brown. (Photo: Brown Athletics) — North Attleboro’s Alex Jette (7) had a career year for Brown. (Photo: Brown Athletics)

Football

The New England Football Conference First Team Defense had a Hockomock flavor this year. Craig Anderson of Franklin led Endicott’s defensive line this year and earned all NEFC First Team honors. Anderson found the quarterback nine times this year along with 44 total tackles. He was also named to the 2015 Capital One Academic All-America Division III football first team with a 3.86 GPA as a criminal justice major.
Oliver Ames alum Dean Soucie led Western New England’s defense in his final season with the Golden Bears, totaling 83 tackles en route to a NEFC Conference Championship and was named to the NEFC First Team Defense. In just his second season with the Bison, Brett McEvoy of King Philip led the Nichols college defense with 96 tackles and two interceptions en route to an NEFC First Team selection.
Several former Hockomock athletes contributed to Bridgewater State’s success this season. The Williamson brothers of Oliver Ames were a dynamic duo once again as Carlton Williamson rushed for over 800 yards averaging 5.2 yards per carry while brother Cameron Williamson shined at the safety position with 37 tackles and 2 interceptions. Senior wideout Michael Viola of King Philip played a major role in the passing game, totaling 35 receptions for 550 yards and six touchdowns this season for the Bears.
Alex Jette of North Attleboro had a standout year for Brown University this season as a wideout and return specialist. Earning All-Ivy League honors, Jette was tops in the league with 136.60 yards per game. Jette led the Bears in receptions with 68 grabs for 928 yards and four touchdowns.
The Castleton State Spartans were led this year by senior Quarterback George Busharis who totaled 2,183 passing yards along with 14 TDs while boasting a 62.6% completion percentage.
The MASCAC also had a lot of Hockomock influence on its conference awards. Stoughton’s Joe Wilder, an offensive lineman for Framingham State, was named to the MASCAC First Team along with Taunton’s Asante Easter. Easter, a standout for Fitchburg Stated, finished off his football career for the Falcons contributing 44 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery.
Senior defensive lineman Anthony LaRose of Canton led the UMass Dartmouth defensive line this season with 45 tackles, including seven sacks. He was named to the MASCAC Second Team Defense.
Fitchburg State’s Ty Spencer (Foxboro) shined in his senior season with the Falcons and was named to the MASCAC Second Team Offense. . Spencer caught 55 balls for 688 yards and six TDs. For his career, Spencer finished with the program’s all time marks in receptions (163), receiving yards (2,270) and touchdown catches (21) and was named the 70th annual Nils V. “Swede” Nelson Award winner for Division III for his athletic and academic (3.89 GPA) accomplishments.
Brandon Alves of Stoughton finished up a strong career in Springfield this season with 14 tackles including a sack and a forced fumble.
A pair of former Hockomock standouts were honored with All-Northeast 10 honors for the 2015 season. North Attleboro’s Eric Beckwith and King Philip grad Sam McDonald, both members of the Bentley football team, were named to the All-NE-10 second team. Beckwith, who was also on the second team last season, was an anchor on the offensive line for the Falcons. He started in eight games and had 10 appearances at guard. McDonald had a conference-high seven takeaways with five interceptions and two fumble recoveries. It’s the third straight year that the junior led the Falcons in takeaways. North Attleboro’s Paul Norris was selected to the CoSIDA Division II Academic All-America team. Norris is the sixth Academic All-America in Bentley football and just the third first-team selection after earning a 3.60 grade point average as a finance major with minors in both Spanish and natural and applied sciences.
Paul McCarthy of North Attleboro finished his last season at Trinity College with 30 tackles to go along with five interceptions. The former Rocketeer was named to the NESCAC All-Conference First Team Defense.
Mansfield graduates Dylan Finerty and Aurian Dawkins both had strong seasons for Worcester State this fall. Finerty notched 27 tackles while Dawkins had 35 tackles to go along with one interception.
A Hockomock trio dominated the passing game this season at WPI. Quarterback Dan Eckler of Stoughton threw for 2045 yards and 15 TDs with help from his top two targets, Franklin’s Brandon Eccher and Stoughton’s Marcus Middleton. Eccher led the charge with 41 receptions for 644 yards and seven touchdowns including a 96 yard catch and run against Worcester State. Middleton also contributed heavily as Eckler’s other go to target compiling 27 catches for 305 yards and two touchdowns.

Men’s Soccer

Scott Levy of Canton finished up a successful career with the Bentley Falcons this Fall as he earned NE-10 All-League honors and earned a spot on the first team for the second time in his four year career. Levy tied for the team lead in assists with six and also added added goals this season. In his four years Levy started 52 games for the Falcons contributing 46 points with 19 goals and eight assists.
North Attleboro junior midfielder Josh Ocel led the Brandeis Judges into the third round of the NCAA tournament after being named to the UAA Conference First Team. Ocel was selected as a second team All-American leading his squad with four goals and 10 assists, combining for 18 points on the season. Josh Ocel follows his brother Sam Ocel (2013) who was selected as a third team All American. Josh and Sam Ocel are just the second sibling pair in all of Brandies athletics to both get All American recognition.
David MacKinnon of Oliver Ames started 16 games in net for the Hartford Hawks this season. MacKinnon earned a spot on the America East All Academic Team for the third time in his career. MacKinnon had a 1.19 goals against average, including three shutouts and has a 3.93 GPA as an accounting major.
Foxboro alum Sawyer Fleck concluded with Bridgewater State by helping the Bears win the MASCAC Championship game. The Bears qualified for the NCAA tournament but were knocked out by MIT. Fleck played in 20 games and had six assists.
Senior captain Taylor Sjoberg of Mansfield finished up a successful career at Mass Maritime this season. Sjoberg was a rock in the backline for the Bucs over his four years, starting every game this season, and also attributed two goals and an assist in his time as a Buccaneer.
Chris Murray of Canton shined in his final season with WPI this fall. Murray tallied seven goals and 18 points which were both tops on the squad. Murray earned a spot on the NEWMAC All Second Team through his efforts this season.
Former North Attleboro player Justin Freitas broke the Dean College record for goals (24) in a season and for points in a season (58) and was named to an NJCAA DI Third Team All American.

Women’s Soccer

Kristi Kirshe of Franklin led Williams College in scoring this season as the team won the Division III National Title. Kirshe finished the year with 33 points (12 goals and 9 assists) earning second team All-Region.
After transferring to Boston College, Lauren Berman of Canton had an impressive first campaign with the Eagles. Berman finished fourth on the team in scoring with three goals and four assists.
Mikayla Williams of Stoughton played her last games on the back line for Coastal Carolina this Fall..Williams has been a consistent player for the Chanticleers logging over a 1000 minutes a season for the past three seasons and also contributing two goals and four assists.
Another former Black Knight had a standout year at Massasoit. Shelby Sprague was named an NJCAA Second Team All American after scoring 25 goals and picking up 54 total points. Sprague was the first Warrior to get All American since 1991.
Junior forward Victoria Floeck of Taunton led the charge up front this year for the Fitchburg State Falcons. Floeck had two goals and three assists totaling to seven points on the season putting atop the Falcons scoring sheet.
With 27 points (11 goals and five assists) senior Alicia Macomber of Stoughton was electrifying for Worcester State in her final season. Macomber was named the MASCAC Player of the Year for the second straight year after another strong season.

Field Hockey

Senior Abigail Tepper of Foxboro will be missed in a big way next fall. Tepper led the team with 68 points (30 goals, 8 assists). Her outstanding senior campaign landed her on the First Team All-Region squad and was named Player of the Year for the Commonwealth Coast Conference.
Franklin’s Allison Burke had a solid year between the posts for UMass Dartmouth this Fall. She finished the year with 1.62 GAA including two shutouts.
Mansfield’s Janet Maher helped lead the back line for Bridgewater State this year. In her only her second season as a Bear, she was named to the Little East Conference All-Second Team.
Earning a spot on the Coaches Association All New England East Region All-Star Team Katie Notarangelo of Foxboro led the midfield for MIT this past season. Notarangelo also contributed two goals and an assist this season.
Sammy Rondeau of Franklin proved consistent this season for Simmons College as she averaged just over a point a game for the Sharks. Rondeau finished the year with 23 points (nine goals, five assists).
Fellow Panther alumni Elizabeth Alie found her stride this fall at Saint Anselm College. Alie led the backline for the Hawks as the team boasted their boasted GAA in program history. Alie earned NE-10 All Conference First Team honors along with second team All-American honors.

Volleyball

It was a banner year for Babson volleyball and Franklin graduate Alicia Wilde played a vital role. Wilde had 273 kills, third on the team, for the Beavers who tied the program record for wins in a season. Playing for coach Eric Neely (brother of current Franklin boys basketball coach CJ Neely), Wilde finished her career with 944 kills and 569 digs.
Former North Attleboro star Kelsey Weymouth concluded a strong four-year career for Stonehill. The two-time Hockomock League MVP finished her career with 707 kills (224 coming her senior year) and 839 digs.
It was another year of Hockomock alums playing a big role for WPI volleyball. King Philip graduate Melissa Daigle was second on the team in kills with 250 (just one kill behind the team-leader) while also adding 148 digs. Franklin’s Shay Feeley was the team leader in assists with 441 and added 166 digs and 12 kills while Oliver Ames’ Caroline Meyer had 42 assists.

10/29/2015

The Campus Report: Fall Season Starts Winding Down

Taunton graduates Mollie McCaffrey and Alisha Silva had their respective programs go head to head this past weekend. (Courtesy photo)

Below is an update on former Hockomock League athletes currently competing in collegiate sports. If you would like to submit an update, please e-mail RyanLanigan@HockomockSports.com.
A pair of former Taunton teammates saw their teams go head to head in the Little East Conference’s Women’s Tennis Championship. Mollie McCaffrey and the UMass Dartmouth Corsairs were able to get the 5-4 win over Alisha Silva and Bridgewater State. McCaffrey lost at fifth singles but finished the Fall season at 14-3 overall in singles play and teamed up with Kristen Rose to win at third doubles. Silva lost at second singles but paired with Hayley Anderson to win at first doubles. Silva finished with nine wins with Anderson in doubles play this Fall and the duo was selected to the LEC Second Team.
Foxboro’s Ty Spencer became Fitchburg State’s all time leader receiving leader this past weekend. Spencer hauled in six catches for 176 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons’ loss. He now has 137 career catches, which is five more than the previous record.
Taunton’s Dan Belair continues to be a workhorse for AIC, a team that shutout New Haven and limited Stonehill to just one goal last week. Belair has played defense in all 16 games so far this season, with 15 starts, as the Yellow Jackets have allowed 1.63 goals per game on average. The junior is just one of three players on the team to have logged over 1400 minutes this season.
Alex Jette continues to have a standout junior campaign for Brown University’s football team. This past weekend, in a 44-24 win over Cornell, Jette hauled in a game-high nine passes for a game high 157 yards. Jette caught a 59 yard touchdown just 36 seconds into the game to give the Bears the lead.
North Attleboro graduate Kelsey Weymouth continues to have success in Easton for Stonehill this year. The former Rocketeer has a team-high 197 kills for the Skyhawks (10-12). Weymouth had nine kills in a 3-0 sweep over Assumption on Tuesday and had a season-high 19 kills against St. Anselm’s back in September.
Former Oliver Ames league all star John Cerce netted his first collegiate goal in WPI’s 6-0 rout of Anna Maria. Cerce took a pass from Frank Ciliberto and fired a shot from 25 yards out to find the back of the net just over a half hour into the game. Cerce has appeared in five games this season for WPI while Canton grad Chris Murray currently leads the team in scoring with six goals and four assists.
Former Franklin field hockey goalie Allison Burke is having a strong year in net for UMass Dartmouth. Burke has started in 16 games this season with an 11-5 record and has a pair of shutouts. Burke has made 85 saves and has a 1.61 goals against average. Taunton’s Katelin Morrissey has three goals and two assists and Attleboro’s Allie Kane has one goal for the Corsairs.
Oliver Ames graduate Kristina Simonson has helped to anchor Babson’s defense, which closed the regular season out on a good streak. Simonson appeared in all 18 of the Beavers’ games this year and had four assists. To close out the regular season, Babson (12-3-3) allowed just five goals in the final eight games and had five shutouts in the span.
Stoughton’s Mikayla Williams closed out the regular season with Coastal Carolina (11-6-1) and finished with two goals for her senior campaign. Williams scored her second goal of the year in a big league match against Winthrop earlier in October. While the Chants prepare for the postseason, Williams has two goals and three assists in her three years at CCU.
Brenden Massey, a former standout for Attleboro football, caught his first career touchdown for Nichols over the weekend. Massey had a pair of catches in the game including a 17 yard touchdown catch in the first quarter. Massey has eight catches for 85 yards so far during his rookie campaign. KP’s Brett McEvoy had 11 tackles for the Bison against Salve Regina.
Taunton’s Victoria Floeck has picked up three points since the calendar turned to October for Fitchburg State. The Falcons are having a tough year but Floeck scored her second goal of the season against Rhode Island College and then had her first assist of the year in a 3-0 win over Mass. Maritime, a win that snapped a long winless streak for Fitchburg.
WPI volleyball has had a very strong year, posting a 19-7 record with one regular season match left. Leading the way are sophomore outside hitter Melissa Daigle, a KP alum with 231 kills, which ranks second on the team. Daigle also has 22 blocks this year. Franklin alum Shay Feeley has been WPI’s top setter with a team-best 409 assists (4.7 per set) and also had 159 digs on the season. OA graduate Caroline Meyer is third on the team in assists.
Another King Philip alum, Brigid Murray, is second in assists for Westfield State. The Owls are 12-14 on the season and Murray has 274 assists this year. Murray also has 47 digs and eight aces this year.
Former HockomockSports.com Boys Soccer Davenport Player of the Year David MacKinnon picked up his third shutout of the season just over a week ago when Hartford battled Binghamton to a scoreless draw. MacKinnon made two saves in the Hawks’ 2-2 draw on the road at Syracuse and made four saves in a 1-0 loss to SBU.
Oliver Ames’ Molly Cunha scored the lone goal in the 61st minute to lift LIU Post to a win over Northeast-10 Conference opponent Southern Connecticut State just over a week ago. Cunha scored on a scrum in front of goal with less then 10 minutes to play. Cunha has three goals so far in her freshman year for LIU Post, which has been ranked nationally throughout the season.

09/22/2015

The Campus Report: Hock Alums Go Head to Head

Below is an update on former Hockomock League athletes currently competing in collegiate sports. If you would like to submit an update, please e-mail RyanLanigan@HockomockSports.com.

Football

Bridgewater State started off their league schedule with a big Worcester State and there were Hockomock ties all over the field. In the Bears’ 34-28 win, King Philip alum Michael Viola hauled in three passes for 104 yards and a pair of touchdowns and OA grad Carlton Williamson had nine carries for 48 yards and three catches for 61 yards for a team-high 125 all purpose yards. Defensively, Cameron Williamson was third on the team with seven tackles, three of which were for a loss, and also forced a fumble. Stoughton grad Manny Chery and KP’s Christian Flaherty each had a tackle for BSU and OA’s Nick Cidado had six punts for 213 yards (35.5 average) and locked the Lancers inside the 20 once. For Worcester State, Mansfield’s Dylan Finerty finished with eight tackles (second on the team), Milford’s Eric Nunez had three tackles, including one for loss and Sharon’s Adrian Lingo had a 35-yard field goal, an extra point and a pair of tackles.
Former Oliver Ames standout St. Clair Ryan had his best game of the season for Anna Maria. In a 23-16 setback to Curry, Ryan had 33 yards on the ground on 10 carries and also had a 10 yard kickoff return. In the win, King Philip alum Christian Vellante had three tackles.
Former North Attleboro star Paul Norris had a big game for Bentley over the weekend. Norris, a captain for the Falcons, had five tackles including an 11-yard sack. Norris forced a fumble and also had a fumble recovery. Attleboro’s Chris Walsh had four receptions for 20 yards and also got a pair of rushes.
Brown opened up its season with a 20-16 setback to Bryant over the weekend but a former Hockomock League All Star still made an impact. North Attleboro’s Alex Jette hauled in a team-high seven receptions for 84 yards, including a 23 yard reception. Jette also had a rush for 10 yards.
Salve Regina picked up a 32-14 home win over Castleton over the weekend and there were former Hockomock players on both sides. For Salve, Franklin’s Dan McDermott picked up a tackle and also had a rush. Franklin’s Robert Dellorco also saw time in the game for Salve. For Castleton, Mansfield’s George Busharis went 18-29 for a 165 yards and also had a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
In game that involved over a dozen former Hockomock stars, Attleboro’s Tommy Burns came up with his biggest game yet for Framingham State in the Rams’ 34-21 win over Fitchburg. Burns had two interceptions in the game and also had four tackles. Foxboro’s Derek Gilreath recorded a tackle while King Philip alum Brian Donahue and Stoughton’s Joe Wilder also saw time for the Rams. For Fitchburg, Taunton’s Asante Easter had a pair of tackles, Canton’s Sterlin Garvin notched one tackle while Foxboro alums Gerard Darcy and Ty Spencer both played.
Springfield picked up a dominant road win at Mount Ida on Saturday afternoon. There was plenty of impact on the defensive side of the ball from Hockomock alum with OA’s Colin Lozzi leading the way with four tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. Taunton’s Nick Ruiz had three tackles and a half a sack and Stoughton’s Brandon Alves also had a half a sack. For Mount Ida, Manfield’s James Comer had five tackles and a forced fumble.
Former Hockomock League All Star Brett McEvoy was named to the New England Football Conference Honor Roll. An alum of King Philip, McEvoy led the Bison with 12 tackles (seven solo), including three tackles for loss (TFL) and 1.5 sacks, in a loss on Friday night. McEvoy leads Nichols in both tackles (31) and TFL (6.0) this season.

Boys Soccer

Former Taunton standout Dan Belair is one of just three players for AIC that has played all 462 minutes this season for the Yellow Jackets. AIC is off to a 3-2 start and Belair is apart of a defense that has picked up two shutouts so far this year.
North Attleboro’s Luke Albertini is just one of six players who has started every single game this year for Central Connecticut State University. Albertini, a sophomore, has patrolled the midfield for the Blue Devils and has a shot on goal this season. Albertini spent the majority of his high school career playing for the New England Revolution Academy.
Adam Borberly has started in all eight of Colby-Sawyer’s games this season and has played 525 minutes, which is third most on the squad. Borberly plays in the midfield as the Chargers have picked up three wins so far this season.
Another former Tiger from Oliver Ames is having yet another stellar season this Fall. David MacKinnon has started in net for all seven of Hartford’s games this season and has picked up 22 saves. He’s notched two shutouts and has allowed 1.17 goals on average.
Freshman Matt Rodrigues is just one of two first year players that has started all six of UMass Dartmouth’s games so far this year. The former Hockomock League All Star at Attleboro has helped the the Corsairs to a 4-1 start this Fall.

Girls Soccer

Stoughton’s own Mikayla Williams has been one of the mainstays on the field for Coastal Carolina this Fall. Williams has started in six of CCSU’s eight games and has logged 609 minutes, which is second on the team. She’s also netted one of the team’s 13 goals.
Former Taunton standout Victoria Floeck is one of seven players for Fitchburg State that has been in the starting lineup for all six games this season. Floeck also has netted one of the team’s three goals as the Falcon are 2-4 this season.
A pair of former Hockomock All Stars and rivals turned teammates have played big roles in Providence’s 7-3 start. OA graduate Kendall Andrew has started in nine of the Friars’ 10 games and has an assists on the season. Canton’s Hailee Duserick, a freshman with the program, has started in six games and appeared in all 10.
Hailee’s older sister Brianna Duserick has started in all seven of Stonehill’s games so far this year. The Skyhawk are off to a 2-4-1 start and Duserick has seen time in the midfield and in the back. She has one assist this season with two shots on target.
A former Sharon star and former Hockomock League All Star is just one of five players who have made the University of Vermont’s starting line up every game this season. Meg James has started in all eight games for the Catamounts as they are off to a 3-4-1 start. James, who is in her sophomore year, started in all 17 games during her freshman season last year.

Volleyball

Bridgewater State isn’t having the strongest of starts but Mansfield’s Alyssa Kelly has been a bright spot during her freshman year. Kelley has 74 digs so far, which is fourth on the team, in 38 sets played. Kelley has appeared in 11 of the Bears 12 games so far this season.
Former King Philip star Brigid Murray continues to set Westfield State up for success this season. The Owls are 4-6 this season and Murray leads the team with 132 assists. Murray also has six aces and a kill in 29 sets played.
Canton graduate Julia Murphy continues to be a rock for UMass Boston despite the Beacons slow start to the season. Murphy is second on the team in kills with 86 and also has 25 digs. Murphy has reached double-digit kills in each of the last three games for UMass Boston.

Golf

Oliver Ames graduate Nick Carter has been one of St. Anselm’s top golfers so far this Fall. In the Queen City Challenge, Carter shot an 80 to place 10th. In the Bowdoin Invitational, Carter carded a 156 over two days to get 17th and at the Dowling Shootout, he shot 157 over two days for 38th overall. He’s the only golfer for the Hawks to place in all three events.