By HockomockSports.com Staff
Player are listed alphabetically
Anna Beck, Senior – Attleboro
Attleboro senior Anna Beck has drawn the bulk of the attention from opposing defenses for the past few seasons, but they have largely failed because Beck remains among the league’s top scorers. Last season, she scored 13 goals, which was fifth-best in the Hock, and also added seven assists. Her total of 20 points was in the top 10 in the league and her leadership, vision, and stick-handling ability has been critical to keeping the Bombardiers competitive with the top teams in the league. Heading into her senior season, Attleboro will be hoping Beck has what it takes to push the Bombardiers into playoff contention this fall.
Kaitlyn Goyetch, Senior – Canton
Canton senior Kaitlyn Goyetch has been one of the league’s top playmakers for the past two seasons, helping the Bulldogs grab the 2017 Davenport division title and finish second in the division by just a single point last fall. Goyetch scored four goals last year and added a team-high 13 assists, but the 2017 HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year’s game extends to the defense as well, as she regularly tracks back and helps on the other side of the ball. For the Bulldogs to challenge for another league title and make a third straight tournament run, Goyetch’s vision in the middle of the field and her ability to set up the attackers will be critical, especially after the graduation of leading scorer Maggie Malloy. Canton is typically in the mix for the Davenport crown and with Goyetch leading from the midfield, the Bulldogs will expect to be in the running again this year.
Kayla Hunter, Senior – Mansfield
The Hockomock League looks loaded with talent again this season so having experience in key positions will be vital as teams battle for bragging rights. Mansfield will have an edge in the goalie department as the Hornets returning starting keeper Kayla Hunter. Hunter will be tasked with keeping the defense organized against tough competition. She had 156 saves last season, which was second-most in the league, and posted five shutouts with an impressive 1.89 goals against average. Hunter has quick reactions and isn’t afraid to come off the line and disrupt the play. Having a player like Hunter that has a lot of confidence in such an important position such as goal will certainly give Mansfield a boost this season.
Maeve Ledwith, Senior – Franklin
Franklin senior Maeve Ledwith has become one of the top defensive players in the Hock and she leads a strong defensive unit that was just minutes away from upsetting Walpole in last year’s South semifinal and is poised to make a run at this year’s Kelley-Rex division title. Ledwith is a vocal leader at the back and her speed and stick skills make her tough to get by and also tough to take the ball off of once she gets it. Ledwith also showed off her vision to start Franklin transitions. The Panthers return a strong core from the team that was so close to making the South final last year and Ledwith’s leadership as a three-year starter gives the Franklin defense an edge that will make them tough to score against.
Amanda Lewandowski, Junior – Franklin
During last year’s state tournament, Amanda Lewandowski emerged as one of the team’s most dynamic attacking threats, scoring five goals as Franklin made a run to the South semifinal and nearly pulled off an upset of Walpole to reach the final. Lewandowski scored five of her 13 goals during the tournament, stepping up when the Panthers needed her the most, to spark that playoff push. Lewandowski also added 13 assists and her 26 points for the season was among the best in the league. Although Franklin will have to manage the graduation of do-everything midfielder Cassi Ronan, Lewandowski leads a still relatively young forward group that is capable of firing in the goals and firing the Panthers back into contention for the Kelley-Rex title. If she can carry over the momentum from last year’s tournament, Lewandowski may find herself at the top of the league scoring charts this fall.
Haley Nelson, Junior – Stoughton
The strength of the 2019 Black Knights looks like it will be the offense as Stoughton returns a good amount of experienced players between the midfield and forward groups. One of those forwards is junior Haley Nelson, who had a breakout campaign in the attacking end of the field for Stoughton in 2018. Nelson emerged as a go-to option, scoring a team-high 10 goals while adding three assists. Nelson does a nice job of getting her stick to the ball and finishing off chances in front of goal. She is the type of player that can give her team a boost with her energy and will team up with the likes of Brittni Paul and Sarah McGrath to give Stoughton a strong attacking core.
Jaime Notarangelo, Senior – Foxboro
The defending Davenport division champions may have graduated a lot of firepower from last year’s team, but with senior midfielder Jaime Notarangelo coming back expectations will remain high for Foxboro this fall. A prototypical do-everything midfielder, Notarangelo provided the Warriors with solid play all over the field, from making a defensive stand on one end to popping up with a goal or assist on the other end. She scored 14 times last season and added six assists, but it was her energy and seemingly tireless running that made Notarangelo stand out. The graduation of players like Sophia DiCenso and Lily Daly certainly leaves a hole up front, but Foxboro still has its sparkplug to drive the team forward and give the Warriors hope for a second straight league title.
Sammy Robison, Senior – King Philip
King Philip has been the class of the league for the past two seasons and its goal-scoring has drawn most of the attention but the Warriors’ defense has been critical to its back-to-back league titles. Senior Sammy Robison has been the leader of a defensive unit that allowed only 15 goals in 21 games last season and made a run to a second straight South semifinal. KP had 12 shutouts last year and remarkably allowed more than one goal in a game only three times. Robison uses her strength to control the space in front of goal and her reading of the game to make crucial interceptions and spark the counterattack. With the graduation of league MVP Alli Meehan, KP’s offense will have a hard time achieving the same goal totals but new head coach Lisa Cropper still has a strong defense that she can lean on as the Warriors search for a three-peat in the division.
Hannah Stryke, Junior – Oliver Ames
A lot of teams learned quickly last year just how tough it was to defend Oliver Ames’ Hannah Stryke. During her sophomore season, Stryke showcased her speed to get in behind defenses and set the table for the Tigers’ offense. Her ability to carry possession up the field and then make herself available in the circle helped her emerged as a top attacking threat in the league. She is also a key piece on corners, helping create and finish chances. OA will certainly be looking to get back to the state tournament again this year and Stryke will be an important part of the Tigers’ offense.
Alana Tavares, Junior – Taunton
Taunton junior Alana Tavares is already heading into her fourth season on varsity and continues to take on bigger roles for the Tigers, taking on the playmaking role from midfield and adding much-needed scoring punch. Tavares, a standout in field hockey and lacrosse, led the Tigers with nine goals and five assists last fall, but it was her composure on the ball and ability to break through pressure that made her vital to Taunton’s transition game. Now, as a veteran on the team, Tavares will be expected to add leadership for the younger players and will be counted on to perform despite the attention of opposing defenses. If Taunton hopes to make a run at a postseason berth this fall then Tavares will be a key player in all aspects of the game and all over the field.