By HockomockSports.com Staff
2022 Hockomock League Field Hockey Preview
Attleboro
2021 Record: 11-6-2
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Round of 32
Coach: Jessica Pink
Attleboro has been a team on the rise for the past few seasons with a couple of tournament appearances and wins over some of the league’s perennial powers. New head coach Jessica Pink takes over a roster that sees a lot of turnover from 2021, but one that she believes is filled with players ready to step in and take their chances in the lineup.
Speed will be the main strength of the Attleboro attack, which will look to transform any turnover into a quick transition. Junior Siobhan Landers returns to the midfield and will be one of the team’s top playmakers and senior Marley Young will be a focal point on the front line. Their combination of stick skills and leadership will help the younger players adapt to the varsity level. Senior Jordan Mooney will play in midfield with Landers and will help set the tone with her energy to keep the Bombardiers on the front foot.
The back line will have a lot of inexperience, but senior Megan Ferreira is a returning starter and she is going to need to keep communication strong and provide cover in the center of the field. Attleboro is working hard to build more familiarity in the defensive unit this preseason. Sophomore goalie Siany Ortiz will be the new starter this season and, despite being an underclassman, has been very vocal in organizing the defense and keeping things solid.
“We have strong, decisive playmakers who haven’t had a chance in past years to make a name for themselves that are ready to compete,” said Pink. “This team is hungry. Coming in this year to take over the program, I have been impressed every day with the attitude and hard work of my players. I know this season will be a lot of growth for the girls coming up from JV this year, but we are ready to show the Hockomock League what we have in store. “
Canton
2021 Record: 16-4-0 (Davenport champion)
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 16
Coach: Chrissy O’Connor
Expectations remain high in Canton as the defending Davenport division champions are ready to defend their crown and make another run in the state tournament.
The Bulldogs went 16-4 a year ago before dropping a second-round matchup on the road to Reading in triple overtime. They’ll have to find production to replace all three of their all stats from a year ago, but there is still plenty of key pieces all over the field that puts Canton in a prime position to repeat.
It starts in goal with senior Carolyn Durand, who had a breakout junior campaign and earned HockomockSports Second Team honors. She will have a familiar face defending the cage in front of her with Laura Valkanas back at sweeper. In the midfield, the Dogs have Maggie McCready back in the mix. Freshman Carolyn Schiavo and Izzy Cusack have impressed in preseason so far.
Up top, Canton has its leading scorer back in Assumption-commit Ellie Bohane, who scored 13 goals along with nine assists in the regular season and earned HockomocokSports First Team honors. She will be one of the most dangerous players in the attacking half this season.
“Ellie comes into her senior season with experience and confidence,” said Canton head coach Chrissy O’Connor. “We will look to her for her goal scoring ability and overall leadership on the field.”
Foxboro
2021 Record: 15-6-0
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 3 Round of 16
Coach: Melissa Bordieri
Foxboro came up just two games back in the hunt for the Davenport division title a season ago, and with the majority of the team back this year, the Warriors look poised to challenge for the crown this go around.
The Warriors have two of their biggest offensive threats back in the mix led by 2021 HockomockSports Underclassman of the Year Mary Collins, who scored 15 goals and added 18 assists. Foxboro will also feature Mya Waryas up front, who was second on the team with nine goals and eight assists in the regular season. Val Beigel and Mia Dinunzio will be key pieces in the midfield again this year.
Defensively, there are more familiar faces with Katherine Ferguson back in the cage and Catherine Cotter returning to a defensive unit that gave up just over a goal a game last year. Freshman Kathleen Staruski will push for minutes in net as well.
“The Hockomock League is historically a very competitive and experienced group of teams and I believe one of the best leagues in the state for our sport,” said Foxboro head coach Melissa Bordieri. “This year will be no different…so we have our work cut out for us, no doubt, but this group has been working hard this offseason and now in preseason. They are a gritty and determined group, so I am very optimistic about how we will perform as a team.”
Franklin
2021 Record: 20-2-0 (Kelley-Rex champion)
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Final Four
Coach: Michelle Hess
Franklin had one of the most dynamic offenses last season, not only in the Hockomock League where they went 16-0, but also one of the best in the entire state as they reached the Division 1 state semifinals.
What’s good news for Franklin is bad news for everyone else: the Panthers have nearly their entire attacking group back ready to make another run at a state title. The offense will be anchored by Kaitlyn Carney, the 2021 HockomockSports Player of the Year, who scored a league-best 37 goals and added 18 assists. Franklin also has dynamic forward Shaw Downing back fresh off a 20-goal, nine-assist season a year ago. The attack will also feature junior Sophia Cuneo, sophomore Haley Wernig, and sophomore Raena Campbell.
One area that will have some new faces is the defensive unit after the Panthers lose two of the best defenders in the league in Kendall Jones and Kate O’Rourke. Head coach Michelle Hess is looking for Ella Mahoney to anchor the group after starting last year while freshman Devon Barry joins Megan Sullivan and Chloe Strassner as the goalies on the roster.
“After graduating five seniors and winning the Kelley-Rex Division, we are looking forward to defending our three-year title and working hard towards being four-peat champions,” Hess said.
King Philip
2021 Record: 12-5-2
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Round of 32
Coach: Kaitlyn Wilder
There are a lot of new faces on the roster for King Philip this season, as the Warriors make a push to unseat Franklin from the top of the Kelley-Rex division and win the league title for the first time since 2018. First-year head coach Kaitlyn Wilder, who takes over for Lisa Cropper, will still have plenty of experience to call on with 18 seniors in this year’s squad.
Offensively, KP will once again lean on junior midfielder Kelly Holmes to set the tone. The team’s leading second-leading scorer in 2021 was instrumental in pushing the Warriors into the attack. Junior Mara Boldy (12 goals and eight assists last year) will join up with Holmes to give KP a potent forward line and classmate Nicole McDonald is poised for a bigger role in the attack. Junior Bridget King will be a key player in transition and sophomore Abby MacDonald could be ready for a breakout year in the midfield.
The Warriors were strong on the defensive side of the ball last season, allowing only 17 goals in 19 games, but that was a senior-laden group and new players will be counted on to step in this fall. Seniors Lauren Barriero and Charlotte Raymond will give the relatively inexperienced group valuable leadership and provide much-needed communication on that end of the field. Goalie should be a position of strength for KP this year with seniors Haley Bright and Samantha Sweetman both back between the pipes.
“Preseason has been great so far, we have a big roster with talented, hardworking field hockey players,” Wilder explained. “Looking to use our big roster to our advantage, utilize our senior leadership to help them, and the underclassmen to excel this season.”
Mansfield
2021 Record: 4-13-2
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 32
Coach: Theresa Nyhan
Mansfield has battled through back-to-back difficult seasons, and even though the Hornets qualified for the state tournament based on the new statewide rating system a year ago, the Hornets are looking to have a big bounce-back campaign in 2022.
Behind a renewed enthusiasm, a youthful energy boost, and strong team speed, the Hornets look ready to challenge for the division title, this season in the Davenport division. The team is led by seven seniors that bring experience to each layer of the field. It starts with senior Lily Danehy, a three-year starter in goal for the Hornets. One of the most experienced netminders in the Hock will be the backbone of the defense while classmates Fadila Krieche and Audrey Murphy are returners on defense.
Senior Danni Cuzzi and junior Lola Varricchione both bring speed and experience to the Hornets’ midfield unit. Up front, Mansfield will look to improve its scoring output and will turn to Rose Maher, Ava Adams, and Kristin Kipp to apply pressure on opposing defenses.
“The team intends on turning things around this year,” said head coach Theresa Nyhan. “The Hornet squad is young, fast, and enthusiastic!”
Milford
2021 Record: 1-17-0
2021 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Jenna Casello
Milford has a new head coach this season in Jenna Casello and she’s hoping to push the program in a positive direction as they navigate a daunting Hockomock League schedule.
The Scarlet Hawks have 10 seniors on the roster this season and will lean on their leadership and guidance, both on and off the field. Casello will look to her three captains — Hailey Beagle, Jordan Douglas, and Ashlynn Ringo — to lead the way. Ringo will be a player to watch this season as she patrols the midfield, playing a crucial role in helping the Milford back line while also organizing and orchestrating the Hawks’ offense.
Up front, senior Kay Wheelock is set to provide pressure on opposing defenses. Although new to the center forward spot, Casello has liked what she’s seen so far and the team will be looking to target Wheelock up front.
“Being a new coach this year, I am hopeful that I will have a positive impact on the team and lead them in the right direction this season,” Casello said. “We will have a fresh new start and are ready to show off our skills in the Hock. One strength for us this year will be using the entire field. Throughout our preseason we have been working on not only stretching the field vertically but horizontally as well. Our midfielders are constantly scanning the field and looking to transition the ball as needed.”
North Attleboro
2021 Record: 7-9-3
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 32
Coach: Karen Folan
With the majority of the roster intact from a season ago, North Attleboro is looking to take a big step forward and make some noise in their first season back in the Kelley-Rex division.
The Rocketeers are loaded with experience all over the field, especially in the attacking half. Senior center forward Julia Puccio starts her fourth year on varsity and emerged as one of the most dangerous scorers a season ago. She was third in the Hock with 23 goals last season and earned HockomockSports First Team honors. She’ll be joined on the left wing by classmate Caroline Folan (nine goals, five assists), a three-year member of the team that is often the catalyst of the attack with her strong passing.
North has a lot of veterans in the midfield with seniors Ava Spencer and Caitlin Vacher along with juniors Kelsey Thompson and Emily Burnham – all four saw valuable minutes last season and will help North both defensively and offensively. In the defensive half, junior Gracie Leary had a breakout season in net and had a great offseason preparing for this year. In front of her are returning varsity members and seniors Rory McGinley, Maddie Bailey, Ava McKeon, and Ella Luistro.
“This group has played together for some time and they have developed strong skills throughout their careers,” said head coach Karen Folan. “The chemistry and camaraderie they have off the field, shows on the field, with cohesive passes and strong communication.”
Oliver Ames
2021 Record: 11-7-2
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 16
Coach:
With key returners spread out all over the field, new head coach Alex Sylvia is looking to continue the momentum that the Tigers have had the past couple of seasons.
The Tigers won the Davenport division two seasons ago and had a thrilling overtime playoff win last year before bowing out in the second round to top-seeded Masconomet. Sylvia, who played collegiately locally at Stonehill College, will have contributors from all four classes, including senior Julia Maclaine. Maclaine is a seasoned veteran that plays the full length of the field, a key piece of the defense as well as a dangerous attacker with the ball. She’ll be joined by junior Megan Crabtree in the midfield, both of which are returners.
Up top, junior Erin Cottam is one of the top scoring returners from last year after scoring 14 goals and registering seven assists. She will be one of the main options for OA up front and freshman Kayla Kenney has impressed so far in the preseason and will be a key new addition to the attack. Defensively, OA has some veterans on the back line with senior captains Olivia Stevens and Abby Welz. They have a lot of varsity experience and will anchor the defense in front of junior goalie Olivia O’Rourke.
“I am excited for the season as the head coach this year,” Sylvia said. “During tryouts, I witnessed amazing talent, and now our team is strong and ready to work for this entire season. Each player understands their role and is ready to work toward their goals.”
Stoughton
2021 Record: 4-13-0
2021 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Caitlin Jamiel
For the first time in over 40 years, Stoughton field hockey will have a new head coach on the sidelines. Caitlin Jamiel takes over for the legendary Dan Mark and she will be leaning heavily on the returning players.
After moving to goalie for the first time last year, Stephanie Costerio (109 saves last year) is back in the cage for the Black Knights with much more experience under her belt, and she will be the backbone of the defense.
Jamiel will also look for guidance from her four captains: Kerry Driscoll, Andrea Khouzami, Carly Sanda, and Katherine Giroux. Driscoll was a key piece of the defense last season, Khouzami patrolled the midfield, and both Giroux and Sanda were a part of the Stoughton offense.
“We will be relying heavily on our returning captains to show their maturity on the field, and lead our young team through difficult moments,” Jamiel said. “We have a lot of energy coming into our program this season, and we are so looking forward to building our program into a competitive one.”
Taunton
2021 Record: 5-11-2
2021 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Liz Hathaway
With a blend of experience and new faces, Taunton is hoping to compete in a very deep Kelley-Rex division and push for a spot in the postseason.
Senior Kaysie DeMoura is fresh off a super season with the state champion softball team and is looking to carry some of that success onto the turf with the field hockey team. She burst onto the scene last year as one of the top box-to-box players in the Hock and finished as the team’s leading scorer with four goals and six assists. She’ll look to work with senior forward Caelyn O’Leary (six goals, one assist) to give the Tigers a dynamic 1-2 punch offensively. Sophomore Caroline Vallarelli has impressed with a strong skillset in the midfield so far this preseason.
There will be some familiar faces on the defensive end, but some changes as well. Junior Jasmine Lucier, who previously started on defense for the Tigers, will make the transition to goalie this year. Head coach Liz Hathaway notes that Lucier has worked very hard during the offseason and has established herself in between the pipes. Taunton will lean heavily on Thal Nogueira, a smart defender that has been the anchor of the defense for the past few seasons. They are a great ball tackler with a great sense for defensive position.
“We are a young team, we graduated seven starters from last season,” Hathaway said. “We have a strong returning defense and a young forward line that have stepped up during the preseason. Our younger players are really looking to make a name for themselves and working hard. Our team has worked hard and is looking forward to the season ahead.”