Baseball
Foxboro, 7 @ Canton, 5 – Final – Foxboro bounced back from a loss on Wednesday with a 7-5 verdict on the road at Canton on Thursday, pounding out 12 hits in the process. Sophomore Ryan O’Leary led the way offensive with three hits, driving in one run and scoring once while also pitching well in relief for the Warriors (2.2 IP, 1H, 1ER, 0BB, 2K). Sophomore Ben Angelini (two runs) and senior Mat Sullivan (two RBI) each had added two hits while Tyler Prescott, Ryan LeClair, Sean O’Leary (RBI), Louis Carangelo, and Mike Marcucella each chipped in with one hit. Sullivan earned the win on the mound, scattering four hits and two walks for four runs (two earned) allowed in 3.1 innings, striking out four. Sean O’Leary returned to the mound with a scoreless seventh inning, working around a leadoff walk to get the save. Matt Chafin had two hits, two RBI, and a run scored for the Bulldogs while Hayden Rose, Matt Hart, and Nick Gillis each added an RBI.
North Attleboro, 0 @ King Philip, 5 – Final – King Philip sophomore Nate Pennini had another stellar start on the mound, tossing a complete game shutout to lead the Warriors past visiting North Attleboro. Pennini surrendered just two hits — a leadoff single in the fourth and a one out single in the sixth — and one walk (one-out in the seventh) while striking out five in seven scoreless innings to get the win. KP scored three runs between the first two innings and added some key insurance with two more in the sixth inning. Pennini helped his own cause at the dish, driving in two runs including a squeeze bunt in the second and RBI single in the sixth. Rudy Gately went 2-for-2 with a walk and scored two runs, Brendan Sencaj had an RBI single to score Max Robison (RBI, run, walk), and Matt Kelley drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Jordan Paradis pitched well for North, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and five walks, recording three strikeouts in five innings, and also had one of North’s two hits.
Milford, 4 @ Mansfield, 18 – Final – Mansfield bounced back from a loss to KP from earlier in the week with a convincing win at home over Milford. Nico Smith didn’t lose a faceoff to set the tone for the Hornets and Drew Sacco, Cody Gordon, and Tommy Smith led the offensive attack. Ryan DeGirolamo and Dillon Butler split the win in the cage and the Hornets got strong defense from Liam Barry, Thomas Gormley, Nolan Bordieri, and James DeGirolamo.
North Attleboro, 11 @ Oliver Ames, 6 – Final – For Oliver Ames, Ben Reardon found the back of the net twice to reach 100 goals for his career while Shaun Teehan added two goals, and Ryan Jaco and Victor Romeiro each had one.
Sharon @ Taunton, 3:45
King Philip, 13 vs. Wakefield, 7 – Final
Foxboro, 13 @ Medway, 2 – Final – Foxboro closed out a very successful week with a dominating win on the road at Medway. Conor Noone spearheaded the attack with four goals and two assists and Jon Sacchetti also recorded six points with a hat trick and three helpers. Tony Sulham also had three goals and Ryan Cotter chipped in with two for the Warriors. Adam Addeche made seven saves in the win.
Girls Lacrosse
Canton, 16 @ Attleboro, 4 – Final – Seven different Bulldogs found the back of the net to secure a big win on the road at Attleboro. Ella Yeaton and Emily McCabe (six assists) both shined in the game, scoring five goals apiece to pace Canton’s offense. Ashley Balunas made seven saves in the cage to get the win.
Stoughton, 2 @ Foxboro, 18 – Final – Foxboro celebrated a pair of milestones in their first ever matchup with Stoughton, which was an 18-2 win. Mya Waryas had six points with three goals and three assists, scoring her 100th career goal in the process while Mary Collins had two assists, reaching the 100-point milestone in the process. Cate Noone (two assists) and Val Beigel (one assist) also had two goals for the Warriors, while Paige Curran (two goals, three assists) finished with five points. Grace Riley (three assists), Addie Riley, Jenny Gallagher, Hannah Higgins, Macy Quinn, and Kaelin Connors also scored for Foxboro.
Mansfield, 11 @ Milford, 12 – Final – After picking up its first ever win over North Attleboro last week, Milford pulled out its first ever win over Mansfield by holding off a late rally. After a back-and-forth first half, the Scarlet Hawks opened the second half on a 6-1 run to stake a 12-6 lead in the game. Mansfield rallied with five straight to cut the deficit down to one and had a free position chance late but Milford goalie Caitlyn Bangert (10 saves) made the stop and ran out the rest of the clock to secure the win. Emily Croteau led a balance offensive approach from the guests with three goals and three assists, Carly Haley, Jordan Douglas, and Yasmin Martinez each chipped in with two goals, Erin Michelson had one goal and two helpers, and TJ Downing and Alexa Landry each scored once. For the Hornets, Ava Adams and Ella Palanza each recorded hat tricks, while Brooke Butler and Lola Varricchione each scored twice. Maeve Anastasia had a goal and Carys Colby had an assist in the loss. Lana DiSangro made 10 saves for Mansfield.
Taunton, 5 @ Sharon, 9 – Final – Sharon broke into the win column on the season, taking down visiting Taunton with a 9-5 verdict. Anna Hertzel led the Eagles’ offense with a hat trick, Keira Lydeard and Bailey Garte each added a pair of goals, and Megan Porcaro and Audrey Widland each scored once. Cali Melo had a game-high four goals (and one assist) for the Tigers, who also got a goal from Caroline Vallarelli and assists from Raquel Azevedo and Maddi Szala. Charisma Bourque made 13 saves in net for the Tigers.
Boys Tennis
Canton @ Foxboro – Postponed to TBD.
King Philip, 2 @ North Attleboro, 3 – Final – Both of North Attleboro’s doubles team erased a one-set deficit to prevail in three sets and secure a 3-2 decision over visiting King Philip. Senior Brody Gaulin and junior Carson Dameron overcame a loss in the first set to lose just three games the rest of the way to get a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 win at first doubles while juniors Arnav Raghuvanshi and Aaryan Anjna battled through a hard-fought match at second doubles for a 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 win. Senior Brody Carter had North’s lone win from singles play, taking a 6-2, 6-3 first singles victory. KP’s Luke Bailor grabbed a 6-3, 6-1 win at second singles and Arjun Kollu picked up a 6-1, 6-4 win at third singles for the Warriors.
Girls Tennis
Foxboro @ Canton – Postponed to TBD.
North Attleboro, 2 @ King Philip, 3 – Final – A sweep of both doubles matches and one win from singles helped King Philip hand North Attleboro its first loss of the season on Thursday. Shea Mellman came through clutch for the Warriors with a win at second singles. Mellman was tied 2-2 in the second set before taking the next four to secure a 6-2, 6-2 win for KP’s lone singles win. The team of Carlie Burns and Priya Riar continued to play well at the net and dropped just two games in a 6-2, 6-0 win at first doubles while Lauren Casper and Jaelyn Dang played consistent in a 6-2, 6-0 win at second doubles. North Attleboro’s Lauren Hunt only lost one game in a 6-0, 6-1 win at first singles and Grace Noreck rolled at third singles, 6-0, 6-0.
Baseball
Canton, 6 vs. St. Paul Diocesan, 21- Final (6 inn.)
Foxboro, 13 vs. Concord-Carlisle, 1 – Final (5 Inn.) – Foxboro snapped a two-game skid with a dominant win over Concord-Carlisle. After the teams traded runs in the second inning, Foxboro’s offense came to life with four runs in the third, five in the fourth, and three more in the fifth inning. Louis Carangelo had a big day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, driving in a team-high four runs and scoring twice along with a pair of stolen bases. Sean O’Leary (two RBI, run) and Ryan O’Leary (two RBI, run) each added two hits for the Warriors, who totaled 13 hits on the day. Alex Stern and Ben Angelini each contributed with a pair of RBI. Mat Sullivan had a strong performance on the bump, allowing just one run on three hits and one walk in four innings. Ryan O’Leary tossed a scoreless inning in relief with two strikeouts.
Taunton, 11 vs. Durfee, 4 – Final – For the second game in a row, and fourth time in six games this season, Taunton’s offense scored double-digit runs, this time in a win over visiting Durfee. After the Hilltoppers took the lead in the top of the first, the Tigers plated two in the bottom half and never trailed again. Taunton had a six-run third inning and scored single runs in each of the three following innings. Braden Sullivan had a big day at the dish by going 3-for-3 with a double, three RBI, and two runs scored while Dwayne Burgo continued his strong stretch with three hits, two RBI, and two runs scored. Ryan MacDougall drove in two runs while Dawson Bryce, AJ Lewis (two hits), and Jesse Chaves each drove in a run. Sean Murphy earned the win, allowing a pair of runs on three hits and two walks, striking out three in 3.2 innings of work. Peter Moor allowed an unearned run on one hit and one walk in 1.1 innings of relief while Brady Boucher struck out two in a scoreless inning.
Softball
King Philip, 11 vs. Bridgewater-Raynham, 5 – Final – King Philip wasted little time erasing an early three-run deficit and its offense stayed hot in a win over Bridgewater-Raynham on Thursday afternoon at the PAL Athletic Complex. The visiting Trojans jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the second but Liv Petrillo led off with a solo shot to left and Ava Kelley drilled a two-run homer to left in the bottom half to bring the Warriors level quickly. KP went on to score four more runs in the fourth, twice in the fifth, and twice more in the sixth on a two-run bomb from senior Libby Walsh. Kelley finished with two hits and three RBI, freshman Ali Gill dropped in a two-run double, and Ava Lanza and Sarah Cullen each had an RBI. Freshman McCoy Walsh earned the win in relief, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks, striking out eight in 5.1 innings of work.
Oliver Ames, 1 @ Walpole, 11 – Final (5 Inn.) – Oliver Ames took the lead in the top of the first inning but Walpole’s offense proved to be too much. Katie Melendy drove in Maddie Homer (two hits) in the first inning. Devon Morris also had a hit for OA.
Taunton, 11 vs. Newton North, 2 – Final – With two runs in the top of the fourth, visiting Newton North cut the deficit down to one run but Taunton responded with the unanswered runs over the next three innings to run away with a big win. Eighth grader Bella Bourque smashed her first career home run and RBIs from Kaysie DeMoura (triple) and Hayley Krockta (single) gave Taunton a 3-0 lead but Newton North used a walk and a hit by pitch to eventually push two runs across to get back in the game. A squeeze bunt from Kyleah Plumb scored Mia Torres, and Ava Venturelli launched a two-run homer to restore Taunton’s lead. Sam Lincoln earned the win, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit and a walk, striking out 15 in a complete game performance.
Milford, 5 vs. Framingham, 6 – Final – Milford took a lead into the final inning but Framingham’s seventh inning rally stole a win against the Scarlet Hawks. Milford scored once in the first and second, and then doubled its advantage with two runs in the fifth. The Flyers cut into the lead with two runs in the sixth and took the lead for good with four runs in the seventh. Cae Pellegrini had a big day offensively for the Hawks, going 3-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. Ava Baglione, Maeve Driscoll, and Jianna Fernandes each had an RBI in the win.
Boys Lacrosse
Canton, 12 @ Nipmuc, 11 – Final (OT) – Canton erased a four-goal deficit at halftime and freshman Oisin Brogan potted the game-winning goal in overtime to hand the Bulldogs an impressive in on the road. Nipmuc scored eight goals in the first half but Pat Drury’s epic performance in net (19 saves) helped Canton claw back into the game. Migs Thomas led the offense with four goals while Jeff Chaput scored three goals and added three assists in the win. Senior AJ Thomas cleared the ball himself and fed Brogan in the crease for the game-winner in overtime.
Mansfield, 10 vs. Scituate, 8 – Final – Mansfield senior Ryan DeGirolamo shined in net and the Hornets landed a key 10-8 win over Scituate. DeGirolamo recorded an impressive 22 saves to help the Hornets hold off the Sailors. Drew Sacco led the balanced offensive attack with three goals, Andrew Burnham (assist) and Tommy Vallett each scored scored a pair of goals, and Andrew DeGirolamo (assist), Cody Gordon (assist), and Tommy Smith each scored once.
Girls Lacrosse
Canton, 5 vs. Quincy, 6 – Final – Canton came up just short in a tight battle against visiting Quincy. Nora Giannacopoulos and Ella Yeaton each scored twice to lead the Bulldogs while Emily McCabe scored once. Ashley Balunas made nine saves to keep the Bulldogs in the game.
King Philip, 6 vs. Walpole, 14 – Final – King Philip trailed by just a goal at halftime but the visiting Timberwolves pulled away with a big second half to get the win. Nikki McDonald led the charge offensively with three goals, Sammy Cloutier added a pair of goals, and Makenzie McDevitt scored once for the Warriors. Kaitlyn Parish played well in net for KP, recording 10 saves.
Oliver Ames, 14 @ Nipmuc, 17 – Final
Milford, 11 @ North Attleboro, 8 – Final – In a rescheduled matchup, Milford returned home with a hard-fought win over North Attleboro. Milford senior Caitlyn Bangert had an outstanding game in net for the Scarlet Hawks as she turned away 15 shots to keep the visitors ahead. Seniors Emily Croteau (four goals, one assist) and Carly Haley (two goals, three assists) led the offensive charge with five points apiece while senior Jordan Douglas scored a hat trick in the win. Yasmine Martinez and Erin Michelson each had a goal and an assist, and Ava Lebel and Kaitlin Landry each recorded one helper. Molly Hartman, Dani Guzman, Haley Jansons, and Khatrina Leger all played well defensively in the win for Milford.
Baseball
Canton, 14 @ Norwell, 11 – Final – The Bulldogs scored in double digits for the third straight game to start the season and picked up their third win. Canton’s offense was on fire from the start, as the visitors scored five in the first and went into the bottom of the fifth leading 12-1. Norwell made it interesting with three in the fifth and then six runs in the sixth. The Clippers added a seventh run in the final inning but Canton had done enough to improve to 3-0. Owen Lane was 0-for-2 in the leadoff spot, but he drew three walks and scored three runs. Lane also pitched the first four innings and allowed just one earned run. Matt Chafin was 2-for-2 with a walk and four runs scored. Jack Digirolamo was 3-for-4 with a double and four RBI. Hayden Rose also drove in four runs, while Nick (two RBI) and Andrew Gillis (two runs) each had two hits. Digirolamo closed out the game, throwing the final 1-1/3 innings, striking out three and allowing one run.
Mansfield, 1 vs. Bishop Feehan, 9 – Final
Softball
Canton, 10 @ Rockland, 3 – Final – Shaelyn Murphy went the distance, striking out 13 batters to win her second game in as many days. Murphy also helped herself with two hits and two RBI. Olivia Mackwell powered the Canton offense with four hits and four RBI. Kailyn Durham had three hits and made a great defensive play in center. Jess Wright and Chloe Guerschuny added two hits apiece for the Bulldogs.
Boys Lacrosse
Attleboro, 5 @ Oliver Ames, 6 – Final – Oliver Ames overcame a two-goal deficit midway through the fourth quarter to pull out a win against visiting Attleboro. Ryan Jaco scored the game-winning goal with 30 seconds left to cap the comeback and complete a hat trick. Jason Zalis, Landon Grothe, Liam Dunlap and Lawrence Dear all played well on defense for the Tigers while Noah Isleib recorded 12 saves in net.
Canton, 5 @ Mansfield, 14 – Final – Click here for a photo gallery of this game – Mansfield junior Tommy Smith and freshman Nico Smith each scored four goals to lead the Hornets to a win over Davenport rival Canton. Both Tommy Smith and Nico Smith, along with Drew Sacco (two goals), scored early to give Mansfield a three-goal lead and the Hornets never relinquished that advantage. Cody Gordon added two goals an an assist, Andrew DeGirolamo had a goal and two assists, and Grady Sullivan had one goal and one assist. Senior Jeff Chaput and freshman Ethan Keleher each scored twice for Canton, AJ Thomas scored once, and Brendan Tourgee had three assists. Ryan DeGirolamo made 12 saves in net for Mansfield while Thomas Gormley had a strong game defensively. Canton’s Pat Drury had nine saves.
Foxboro, 18 @ Taunton, 1 – Final – Foxboro won for the second straight game to start the season. Michael McCabe had a goal and an assist in the win, while Michael DeBarros, Josiah Lewis, and Evan Vieira also found the back of the net for the Warriors, each recording their first varsity points. Freshman Cam Deleskey added two goals in the win.
North Attleboro, 8 @ King Philip, 11 – Final – King Philip raced out to a three-goal lead in the first quarter and stayed ahead of the visiting Rocketeers the rest of the way for an 11-8 win. Donovan DeVellis led the offensive charge for the hosts with a team-high seven points, scoring a hat trick and adding four assists for the Warriors, who held a 7-5 advantage at half. Hayden Schmitz also had a hat trick for KP and added two assists, Noah Minkwitz notched a pair of goals and a pair of helpers while Mason Thompson (two assists), Alex Viscusi, and Aiden McCarthy each scored once. Henry LeClair added an assist while senior goalie James Boldy had a strong game in net, turning away a handful of point blank chances from North.
Milford, 1 @ Sharon, 14 – Final
Girls Lacrosse
Oliver Ames, 13 @ Attleboro, 11 – Final – The Tigers erased a six-goal halftime deficit to stun the Bombardiers on the road. Attleboro had a terrific first half as Addy Papagolos’ six draw controls led the Bombardiers to a 9-3 lead at the break. OA opened the second half with four straight goals to get back into it and used that momentum, outscoring the hots 6-1 down the stretch. Catie Wilson and Erin Cottam paced OA with four goals apiece while Leanna Hudson added three and Kayla Magit had two goals and four assists. Attleboro’s Bella Cavallini and Amelia Collins each had three goals, Molly Moore found the back of the net twice, and Papagolos, Makenah Stokes, and Gigi Sprovieri each had one. Jordan Mooney chipped in with a pair of assists for Attleboro.
Mansfield, 6 @ Canton, 13 – Final – Emily McCabe scored six times and dished out three assists to lead Canton to an important division win over Mansfield. McCabe scored the 100th goal of her career in the win. Ella Yeaton added a hat trick and Devan Spinale had two goals and two assists for the Bulldogs, who got eight saves from goalie Ashley Balunas. Canton led by two at halftime but turned it on in the second half with a 6-1 run. Mansfield got goals from Tessa Johnson, Lola Varricchione, Maeve Anastasia, Rose Maher (two assists), Ella Palanza, and Stella Moore. Caitlyn Zajac made 10 saves to keep the Hornets in it.
Taunton, 1 @ Foxboro, 19 – Final – Seven different players found the back of the net for the Warriors, who wrapped up a perfect 3-0 opening week of the season. Paige Curran sparked Foxboro’s attack with five goals an three assists and Cate Noone added four tallies and a pair of helpers. Mya Waryas had a hat trick and two assists, while Val Beigel, Mary Collins (three assists), and Grace Riley (two assists) each scored twice. Addie Riley added a goal for Foxboro. Audrey Campbell made three stops and Sofia Lucente had one save to get the win.
Franklin, 19 @ Stoughton, 1 – Final – Fifteen Panthers scored on Thursday, as the perennial Hock power took on the first-year program. Vera Hansen, Maeve Grasso, Norah MacCallum, Raena Crandall, Erin Peterson, Ella Griffin, Morgan Lovell, Abby O’Rourke, and Juliana Owen all scored their first career goals for the Panthers. Ella Mahoney and Maise Streeseman both played well in goal to secure the win.
King Philip, 17 @ North Attleboro, 3 – Final – King Philip secured its third win of the young season, this time with a big win over North Attleboro on the road. Makenzie McDevitt (two assists), Abby MacDonald (assist), and Nikki McDonald (assist) paced the offense with four goals apiece while Sammy Cloutier added a goal and three helpers. Sierra King had a great defensive effort for KP with three caused turnovers and three ground balls while Kelly Holmes had a strong game in the midfield, commanding the draw.
Sharon, 9 @ Milford, 16 – Final – Buoyed by a big start, Milford earned its first win of the season with a 16-9 decision against visiting Sharon. The Scarlet Hawks raced out to an 8-0 lead and never looked back. The Eagles did make a game of it by going on a 4-1 run to cut the deficit to 9-4 but a three-goal spurt from the hosts just before halftime restored the big lead. Sophomore TJ Downing had a team-high four goals to pace the offense, sophomore Yasmin Martinez added three goals, and sophomore Alexa Landry notched one goal and two assists. Seniors Jordan Douglas (three goals, two assists), Carly Haley (two goals, two assists), Emily Croteau (one goal, two assists), and Ava Lebel (one goal) all played well for Milford. Caitlyn Banger made five saves in the win, Erin Michelson chipped in with a goal and an assist and senior Cailyn Paccico chipped in with one assist. Milford’s Bailey Garte had a team-high four goals while Keira Lydeard finished with a hat trick and one assist.
Boys Tennis
King Philip, 0 @ Xaverian, 5 – Final
North Attleboro vs. Dartmouth – Postponed.
Sharon, 1 vs. Brookline, 4 – Final – Junior Alex Budovalcev was the lone winner for the Eagles, rally from a one-set deficit to win in a third-set super tiebreaker, 4-6, 6-4, 10-8.
Taunton, 5 vs. Durfee, 0 – Final – Taunton won all five matches in straight sets to take down visiting Durfee. Mike Kimmer had the closest match of the day, prevailing from a hard-fought first single match with a 6-4, 7-5 win. Martin Frankimet added a 6-3, 6-0 win at second singles and Heitor Sens completed the singles sweep with a 6-3, 6-3 decision. The team of Collin Lofgren and Derek Desseault only dropped two games, winning 6-0, 6-2 at first doubles while Kenny Dias paired with Rowan Kimmer to secure a 6-2, 6-4 win at second doubles.
Girls Tennis
Milford, 3 vs. Whitinsville Christian, 2 – Final – Milford swept both doubles matches and added one more win in singles action to break into the win column with a 3-2 decision over Whitinsville Christine. The team of Ava Merrill and Lily Bogonis secured the win for the Hawks, prevailing victorious in a three-set thriller at first doubles (6-3, 3-6, 6-2). Milford’s second doubles team of Audrey Brannigan and Paige Caldon earned a 6-1, 6-2 win while Kaylee Whitney earned a 6-3, 6-0 win at second singles.
North Attleboro @ Dartmouth – Postponed.
Taunton, 2 @ Durfee, 3 – Final
Boys Volleyball
King Philip vs. Bellingham, 4:45
Milford, 3 @ Lincoln-Sudbury, 2 – Final
Taunton, 3 vs. Quincy, 0 – Final – Taunton improved to 3-0 to start the season, landing a sweep over visiting Quincy (25-22, 25-18, 25-17). The Tigers’ two setters both continued to play well as Ty Ekstrom dished out eight assists and have four digs while Daniel Freitas had 14 assists and three digs. Matt Freitas and Antonios Dimakis each had five kills, Owen Kelley and Josh Duncan both had four kills, and Bradley Hylander continued to anchor the defense with nine digs and a strong serve receive.
North Attleboro and Mansfield are looking to return to the playoffs this spring. Read full team-by-team breakdowns of the Hockomock League boys lacrosse teams. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com) By HockomockSports.com Staff
2022 Record: 6-11 2022 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Kevin Patton
Attleboro took a step in the right direction last season as it improved its win total and had one of its best offensive seasons in its program’s young history. Head coach Kevin Patton is hoping the upward trajectory continues this season.
2023 Hockomock League Boys Lacrosse Preview
After a big increase in offensive production, expectations remain high for a similar output as the Bombardiers have its top two scorers back from a year ago in seniors Carter Shelton and Cole McKenna. Shelton will return to the attack after finishing inside the top 10 in the Hockomock League in points, tying for ninth with 47 goals and tying for eighth best in the league with 37 assists. A lot of those assists went to McKenna, an end-to-end midfielder that really sets the tone on both ends. McKenna had 25 goals and 12 assists a year ago. Senior Jack DiLiddo and sophomore Nathan Conroy are also back in the mix in the attack, giving the Bombardiers an experienced group up front.
As the Bombardiers strive to make the state tournament, another positive is the experience on the defensive end. Junior Harry Wheaton is back in the net for the third straight year and is among the most experienced goalies in the league after turning away 237 shots last year. He has a veteran group in front of him as well led by senior Bobby Sawyer, juniors John Wheaton and Ethan Lyons, and sophomore Matt Silva — all returning varsity players. Meanwhile, McKenna will be joined in the midfield by fellow returners and classmates Spencer Sherck and Patrick McAvoy. Junior Tyler Graney and freshman Landon Vieira will also be in the mix for meaningful minutes in the midfield.
“With a solid returning core with varsity experience, we will be relying on these guys to provide leadership and hard work to help us achieve our goals,” Patton said.
2022 Record: 5-12 2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 32 Coach: Tommy Galvin
Former Canton standout Tommy Galvin, who was the interim coach during the 2021 season when the Bulldogs won a share of their third-ever Davenport division title, takes over as head coach this season and will be looking to get his squad back into content for the league crown.
There isn’t much experience on this year’s squad so Galvin will be leaning heavily on the handful of veterans he does have on the squad. The offense will face the task of replacing the production of last year’s leading scorer Sam Carlino, who had over 150 points between the past two seasons. Senior Jeff Chaput will lead the charge offensively as one of the few returners in the attack, coming off a season with 21 goals and 17 assists. Junior Brendan Tourgee anchors the midfield unit and had a terrific sophomore campaign, adding to the offense with 22 goals and 26 assists. Freshmen Ethan Keleher and Michael Thomas could make an immediate impact right away.
There are only a handful of seniors on the team so there is plenty of opportunity for new faces to step in and find a spot in the lineup. Galvin will be looking to find the right combination of players in order to find the recipe for success this season. Defensively, junior Colin Blake is back in the mix and will be a leader on that end of the field. Galvin believes the Bulldogs have a smart and tough defensive core that will play in front of a competitive group of goalies.
“I am very excited to begin my head coaching career with this group of kids,” Galvin said. “They come to practice every day ready to learn and always give 100%. We have some new faces but also a lot of two and three-year starters who we will lean on, especially at the start of the season. I expect to be competitive in every game and am looking forward to the season starting this week.”
2022 Record: 14-7 2022 Finish: Reached Div. 3 Quarterfinal Coach: Matt Noone
Foxboro has always been in the picture in the Davenport division title hunt, having won four in the past six seasons, and with nine returners back it looks like the Warriors will be in the mix once again this year.
There’s no doubt that the Warriors will have one of the best attacks in the division, and in the entire league, with the talent they have back up front. Senior Conor Noone has been scoring goals and making plays for the Warriors since his sophomore season, finding the back of the net 23 times during the regular season last year and added a team-high 31 assists. Sophomore Jon Sacchetti is coming off an impressive freshman season and will look to take the next step this spring, and sophomore Aidan Waller rounds out the Warriors’ attack group. Senior Finn Stapleton is another seasoned veteran and his presence on both ends will be vital for Foxboro’s success this year.
Stapleton will be joined in the midfield by a trio of talented juniors in Ryan Cotter, Luis Sulham, and Ian Foley — all multi-sport athletes that can get up and down the field and make plays on both ends. Sophomore Ian Williamson and freshmen Cam Delesky and Michael McCabe will provide depth in the midfield. Defensively, it starts in the cage with junior Adam Addeche, who begins his third campaign as the starting goalie. He will have a familiar face out in front with junior Jack Sullivan returning to anchor the defensive unit while sophomores Jaiden Jean and James Dee Gaffney will look to fill out the defense.
2022 Record: 15-6 2022 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Quarterfinal (Kelley-Rex champion) Coach: Lou Verrochi
Every spring, Hockomock teams start the new season hoping this will be the year that Franklin loosens its grip on the Kelley-Rex division and each time the Panthers return with the talent to not only win state titles but to compete with the best programs in the state. In fact, longtime coach Lou Verrochi believes this might be as good a team as he has ever had.
Franklin’s attack will be among the best in the state. Senior Luke Davis is already a two-time All-American, senior Jayden Consigli was an All-American last year, and senior Tyler Sacchetti joined his attacking partners by recording more than 100 points in 2022. All three are Div. I commits. The Panthers have loads of depth in the midfield with senior Ravin Chaudhury providing box-to-box work and classmate John Walshe a standout defensive midfielder. Juniors Eddie O’Brien, Ryan Grasso, and Drew Hansen can all jump into the attack and produce, while seniors Chris Drake and Brian Leonard will provide cover in the defensive half.
The defense has more experience this season. Senior Ben Harvey will be the anchor of a strong group of poles. Senior Braeden Leonard has battled injuries but is finally healthy and ready to step into a big role and sophomore Drew McCarthy will be the third starter. Senior Connor Sullivan and sophomore Flynn Baker will split time between LSM and close defense. Junior Matt Corvi and senior Mike Galvin give Franklin two strong shot-stoppers in goal and senior Justin Alexander is one of the best FOGOs in the state.
“We also have many players waiting in the wings that can really play,” Verrochi said. “I’m very excited for this season.”
2022 Record: 13-5 2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 32 Coach: Hal Bean
King Philip has been chasing Franklin at the top of the Kelley-Rex division since the team shared the title in 2014. The Warriors are hoping to finally unseat the Panthers this spring but also to put together a tournament run after last season’s postseason came to an abrupt end at the hands of rival Mansfield. After graduating 16 seniors from last year’s roster, KP will have to quickly incorporate a lot of new faces to make that title challenge.
The attack will be led by junior Donovan DeVellis. He scored 30 goals last year and was second on the team in scoring. This spring, he’ll lead the line. Also helping out in attack will be Pat Weiblen, Justin Kosh, Aiden McCarthy, and freshman Mason Thompson. Senior Alex Viscusi and Noah Minkwitz will take charge of an athletic midfield. They will be joined by Hayden Schmitz, Cullen McCarthy, Brandon Berdos, Thomas Kilroy, Henry Leclair, Nick Longobardi, and Jake Booth.
Defense has been a consistent strength for the Warriors. They allowed a league-low 122 goals in 18 games last season. Senior goalie James Boldy will be the leader of the defensive unit and will have a lot of depth in front of him. Juniors Tyler Douglas and Jack Berthiaume will be helped out by freshman defenseman Brodie McDonald, whose potential makes him one to watch. The defense will also see contributions from Luke Stehley, Averi Dangelo, Drew Bowen, Jackson Fornash, and backup goalie Finn Cunningham.
The King Philip boys varsity lacrosse team finds ourselves in familiar territory playing in competitive games against teams in and out of the Hockomock League and working towards improving previous years’ standings,” said KP coach Hal Bean. “This year’s captains James Boldy, Alex Viscusi, and Donovan DeVellis are great individuals and a joy to coach. I am very fortunate to have them leading this program.”
2022 Record: 8-12 2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Sweet Sixteen Coach: Tim Frias
Mansfield’s defense came up strong in the closing stretch of the 2022 season, holding three of its final five opponents to five goals or fewer, including rival King Philip in the opening round of the playoffs. The Hornets have an experienced group at both ends of the field hoping to carry that momentum into the new year and put together a title challenge in their first year in the Davenport.
Up top, the Hornets return a talented group of attackers. Senior Drew Sacco will be the leader of that group, but he will have plenty of help from juniors Tommy Smith and Will Riley. Freshman Andrew DeGirolamo will give Mansfield a strong four-man rotation hoping to set the ton near the opposition cage. The midfield will be led by seniors Aiden Steele, Cody Gordon, Grady Sullivan, and junior Andrew Burnham, all of whom are strong two-way players. Juniors Sam Oliveira, Logan Pereira, and Ben Grella and freshmen Nico Smith, Tommy Vallett, and Donovan Minton will give Mansfield enviable strength in numbers.
The defense will also have a lot of depth this season. Senior Liam Barry, juniors Nolan Bordieri and James DeGirolamo, and sophomore Thomas Gormley will lock things down at close defense. Senior Stephen Mullert, junior Dylan Sansone, and freshmen Ben Hoopis and KJ Mahoney will provide extra help at LSM. Senior goalie Ryan DeGirolamo will be back in the cage this season to give the Hornets extra leadership in defense.
2022 Record: 1-15 2022 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Austin Costa
Milford coach Austin Costa, who has played for the Portuguese national team, is excited that the Hawks could be poised for a step forward as a program this spring. With all but one starter returning from last season, more than 20 underclassmen adding depth to the roster, and enough players in the program to have a JV team for the first time in seven years, Milford has the depth to make a mark.
The attack will be loaded with experience, as all three starters are back. Senior Jacob Ligor is the team’s top scorer and the AIC commit will again be counted on to lead the line alongside classmate Eric Farrell. Sophomore Jayden Martins could be poised for a breakout season. The midfield is loaded with young talent including freshman Henry Baldic, who will also try to be a contributor on face-offs. Freshmen Jason Stokes and Ricky Nashawaty and sophomores Anthony Maietta, Robbie DeGasperis, and Matthew Lioce will all be contributors this season.
Senior Nick Casilli is the leader of the defensive unit and senior goalie Alex McGuire will help keep things organized at the back. Junior Oliver McKee is a newcomer that will add strength in defense and freshman Dylan Burns is expected to have an instant impact with his speed. Freshman Ethan Charczenko will be a defensive midfielder who should see immediate playing time.
Costa said, “I think this is going to be another great step for Milford in our goal of growing the lacrosse program and competing in the Hockomock. With a great balance of senior leadership and talented underclassmen, I cannot think of a better group to reset the expectations and reach new goals for Milford lacrosse. The excitement, the numbers, and the energy are back for Milford lacrosse.”
2022 Record: 18-3 2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Quarterfinal (Davenport champion) Coach: Ryan Izzo
North Attleboro won 18 games and the Davenport division title in 2022, but the Rocketeers graduated 12 seniors and will have a new coaching staff this season. Former Walpole, UMass, and MLL standout Ryan Izzo takes over after a couple of seasons coaching Norton and he inherits a young roster that will be looking to gain valuable experience.
Senior goalie JT Gallagher is back in the cage this season and will be an important leader for the defensive unit. Classmate Julian House and junior Connor Rajotte return on close defense and will be counted on to mark some of the opposition’s best attackers. Senior Jack Regan will be the leader of an attacking group that graduated a lot of production from last year. Sophomore Brady Backner is the team’s top returning scorer but has an injury to start the season.
“Young squad with great senior leadership,” Izzo said about his roster. “Will be a good test this year in regards to understanding the speed at this level and the skill set from those really well-rounded teams. We will look to compete at a high-level day in and day out. With a lot of first-year players on the squad, we may be inexperienced on paper, but what’s lacking in skill, will be made up with toughness and outworking our opponents. Looking forward to a great season for North.”
2022 Record: 7-11 2022 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Ben Devlin
Even after graduating a 50-goal scorer, Oliver Ames has plenty of scoring punch back from last year’s team. Defensively, the Tigers will have only one returning starter so will be counting on several new faces to step into bigger roles this spring and have instant impacts as they try to get into the playoff mix.
Senior Ben Reardon is coming off a 55-goal, 29-assist season and will be the leader of the attacking group, while junior Alex McAndrew and sophomore Shawn Teehan will join him up front. Teehan stepped into a starting role by the end of his freshman season. Junior Ryan Jaco provided 23 goals from midfield last year and he’ll be joined by his twin brother Evan, who is moving forward from his defensive midfield role. Senior Jake Manthous will handle face-offs and get more time on offense this season, while senior Victor Romeiro and junior Owen Bourne will both see playing time.
The defense will be relatively inexperienced, but junior Landon Grothe is a three-year starter. Senior Jason Zalis saw plenty of action as a sophomore but missed his junior season and junior Liam Dunlap, sophomore Bryce Deibel, and freshman Lawrence Dear will compete to be the third pole. Junior Jack Corey takes over at LSM after being converted from attack. Senior Noah Isleib, a St. Michael’s commit, is back for his third year as the starting goalie and he will be backed up by junior Ethan St. Jean.
“We continue to try to rebuild and compete in a very difficult Hockomock League,” said OA coach Ben Devlin. “We look for several returning, younger players to pick up some of that lost production. We are hoping that our defense is improved over last year with some increased depth and experience from several key players. As always, our toughest games are within the league. Every Hock team is talented and well-coached, but our goal as always is to try to win enough games to make the tourney.”
2022 Record: 9-10 2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 32 Coach: Jon Shocket
Sharon continues to build experience with a relatively young roster. The Eagles have only one senior on the roster this season, but they will still be looking to get back into the state tournament and stay in the mix in the Davenport division.
The defense will continue to learn on the job. Sophomores Ben Goldberg and Zack Berstein will be back at the poles with classmate Matt Powers in the cage. On the other end of the field, the attack features junior Sam Rothbaum and Jake Kaufman with newcomer Dylan Cummings getting the chance to contribute right away.
The midfield will be athletic and is probably the team’s most experienced group. Ryan Brown will give the team energy on both ends of the field and Ronan Widland will be back at LSM. Gabe Korn and Jordan Weisman will add depth and production in the midfield.
“We will have some growing to do,” said Sharon coach Jon Shocket. “We have only one senior on the squad so this year and next will be super exciting!”
2022 Record: n/a 2022 Finish: n/a Coach: Brendan Chambers
Taunton is playing varsity boys lacrosse for the first time since 2018, but the Tigers are hoping that the experience and cohesiveness of the roster will carry the team through the season. Although it hasn’t been at the varsity level, many of the seniors have been playing together since eighth grade and the Tigers have a host of underclassmen that could step in and play big roles.
The defense will be led by senior Ethan Fitzsimmons, whose game IQ will be crucial against some of the top attackers in the Hock. Senior Jake Leonard will also play close defense. Freshman Riley Mellin will be in the mix on defense as sophomore Landen Rodrigues works his way back from an injury. Freshman Oren Cullins will be in the cage after a strong JV season that saw him go 10-4 and allow five goals per game. Senior Dylan McCaughey will be at LSM.
Offensively, the Tigers will be relying on three seniors. Last year’s leading scorer Israel Cruz has a nose for goal and will be the focal point of the attack. Thomas Murphy and Colton Scheralis will also get the chance up top and bring different facets in front of goal. Senior Tommy Selfridge is dropping back from attack into the midfield to balance the lineup and initiate the offense from the top of the cage. Seniors Colt Kennedy and Connor McGrath are capable dodgers and add more experience to the top midfield line. Eighth-grader Jameson Vallarelli has made a positive impression in the preseason and also looks ready to make an immediate impact.
“With a senior-heavy, determined squad, many of whom have been playing together since eighth grade, we are looking to fit the pieces together to have a competitive season in the Hock,” said Taunton coach Brendan Chambers.
Girls Basketball
Franklin, 38 vs. Walpole, 52 – Final
Oliver Ames, 58 vs. Dartmouth, 51 – Final – The game was tied at 39 apiece after three quarters but Avery Gamble came through with a pair of threes and 12 of her team-high 25 points in the final frame to lift the Tigers to a win in the opening round of the St. Mary’s tournament. With the win, OA has clinched a return to the postseason. On a quick turnaround from Friday night’s game against Foxboro, the Tigers got off to a strong start on Saturday, winning the first quarter 16-11. Gamble had a quick six points and Kamryn and Kaydance Derba combined for nine in the opening eight minutes. The Tigers tacked another point onto their lead in the second, as Kamryn Derba and Maddie Homer scored four apiece to make it 30-24 at the break. In the third quarter, Dartmouth’s star sophomore Kat Cheesbro caught fire, burying a pair of threes and scoring 11 of her team’s 15 points to help the Indians tie things up. Cheesbro would finish with a game-high 27. In the fourth, it was Gamble’s turn to respond. The freshman hit a pair from beyond and three shots from inside the arc. Kaydance Derba chipped in with three more and Katherine Farley and Annie Reilly each added a bucket to help the Tigers pull out a crucial win. Kamryn Derba scored 10 in the game, while Kaydance added seven. Maddie Homer and Farley each finished with six points. OA will face Malden Catholic in the tournament finale on Monday at 5:15.
Boys Hockey
Attleboro, 4 @ Bellingham, 1 – Final – Locked in a 1-1 tie, Attleboro erupted for three goals in the third period earn a win over Bellingham. The hosts took a lead less than two minutes into the game but Attleboro pulled level on a goal from Colin Flynn (from Bryan Capone) at 11:40 of the second period. Eighth grader Cameron Harrison provided a highlight reel goal to put the Bombardiers ahead, carrying the puck from his own end past the defense and flipped one short side on the goalie to make it 2-1. Michael Lachance added a goal four minutes later and Beckett Stone buried an insurance goal with just over six minutes to play. Sophomore Austin Bessette and eighth grader Drew Bessette both had strong performances in the win. Julien Horton had the win in net for Attleboro.
Franklin, 1 @ Canton, 2 – Final (OT) – Franklin scored early in the third period to tie the game and eventually force overtime but Canton senior Griffin Hughes delivered the game-winner in overtime as the Bulldogs and Panthers split the season series one win apiece. Junior Colin Blake gave the Bulldogs the lead, burying a rebound in the first period but Franklin junior Anthony Lampasona finished off a pass from classmate Ben Paterson just a minute into the third period to tie it.
King Philip, 3 @ Walpole, 3 – Final
Mansfield, 5 vs. North Attleboro, 6 – Final – North Attleboro used a big third period to skate past Hock rival Mansfield in a non-league clash at Rodman Arena. Mark Ayvazyan, Kaden Burns, and Joe Quinn each scored a pair of goals to pace the offense. Ayvazyan also registered a pair of assists for a four-point performance, Brody Gaulin and Jake Santucci also had two helpers apiece, and Jack Julio and Jacob Conley each have one assist. Nate Kelly made 26 saves in the win. For Mansfield, Thomas Gormley scored twice and James Warren, Ryan DiGirolamo, and Cody Gordon each scored once.
Oliver Ames, 3 vs. Plymouth South, 2 – Final – Dan Paul, Jack Perron, and Matt Lawson each scored as Oliver Ames picked up an impressive win over Plymouth South, a top 10 ranked team in Division 2. Sean Kearns notched a pair of assists while Brendan Teehan, Bryce Deibel, and Perron each had one.
Stoughton/Brockton, 3 vs. Middleboro, 4 – Final (OT) – Anthony DeSousa, Charlie Caputo and Sean Farley each scored once for the Black Knights but Middleboro prevailed in overtime.
Girls Hockey
King Philip, 4 @ Braintree, 3 – Final – King Philip went on the road and scored a key 4-3 win over Braintree, who entered the game five spots ahead of the Warriors in the latest MIAA rankings. Kelly Holmes paced the offense with a pair of goals and one assists while Mara Boldy and Katie McGann each found the back of the net once. Ella Morgan added an assist while Mallory Johnston turned aside 23 shots in the win.
2021-2022 Record: 0-15-0 2021-2022 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Gary Warren
Last season is not one to remember for Attleboro. The Bombardiers finished winless and had only eight goals in 18 games. New head coach Gary Warren will hope to find more firepower in front of goal and more depth with three forward lines and three defensive pairings as Attleboro tries to get back into the mix for a tournament berth.
Seniors Owen Parker and Colin Flynn will be the leaders on the top line with eighth grader Bryan Capone getting his first taste of varsity hockey. Sophomore Nathan Conroy will center the second line with senior Mike Lachance and junior Nick Fernandes on the wings. Eighth-grader Andrew Bessette will center the third line for the Bombardiers, joining up with sophomores Austin Bessette and Jack Moran.
Defensively, Attleboro will also lean on youth. Sophomores Alex Jarousky and Brody Shaw will partner on one line, eighth graders Beckett Stone and Cam Harrison will be a second partnership, and sophomore Lucas Devonis teaming up with senior Luke Logan. Junior Bradley Lehtonen and freshman Joey Santos will also see time on the blue line this season. After graduating four-year starter Nick Piazza, Attleboro will turn to junior Julien Horton and eighth grader Jacob Westwater between the pipes.
“Our success this season will hinge on good senior leadership, along with our younger players building confidence in their game,” Warren said. “We are a young, inexperienced team that hopefully will get better game after game.”
2021-2022 Record: 22-3-1 (D2 State Finalists) 2021-2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Final Coach: Brian Shuman
Only one team has ever won the Davenport division boys hockey title and, despite graduating 14 seniors off last year’s roster, Canton looks well-positioned to extend that run for another winter. After reaching the Div. 2 state title game for the third straight season, the Bulldogs will be incorporating a lot of new faces and young players (five freshmen and three sophomores) into this year’s roster to try and stay among the top teams in the state.
While there are several new players that will be getting time this year, Canton does return its top two scorers from last year. Senior AJ Thomas had a great playoff run to help the Bulldogs get back to the TD Garden and junior Brendan Tourgee was a standout as a sophomore with his combination of stick skills and strength. Juniors Pat Drury, Colin Blake, and Brian Middleton also saw plenty of ice time as sophomores and came through with some big goals during the season, while senior Jack Digirolamo adds some physicality in the attacking zone.
Canton always gets attention for its scoring punch, but its strength on the blue line has been one of the main reasons for its sustained success. Senior Leo Owens will start the season on the sidelines with an injury, so other players are going to need to step in while he gets healthy. Senior James Young and junior Matt Anderson, who scored the overtime winner in the season opener, will get plenty of ice time. Sophomore Colin Davis should provide the defense with plenty of confidence after a stellar rookie campaign between the pipes. He looked unflappable during Canton’s run to the final and senior Carson Eagles is a more than dependable backup in goal.
“As always, strong team defense and the depth to play four lines and six defense pairs will determine whether or not we can make a run for the league title and/or the playoffs this year,” said Canton coach Brian Shuman.
2021-2022 Record: 10-11-0 2021-2022 Finish: Reached Div. 3 Round of 32 Coach: Eric Galanti
Foxboro has a new head coach this season but it’s a familiar face as Eric Galanti steps in after five years on the bench as an assistant coach for the program. After graduating nine seniors from last year that accounted for a lot of production and ice time, the Warriors are looking for some new names to step up.
Albeit young, Foxboro has a strong core of returners from last year’s squad that had 10 wins and scored 70 goals. Senior Henry Diamond, who plays on the right wing, spearheads a relatively young forward group that includes returners Connor Hayers (left wing) and Luigi Muttart (left wing), both juniors, as well as sophomores Ryan Wood, Dan Jacobs — both centers — and, Finlay Campbell. Senior Jake DeMaino and sophomores Brendan LaCroix, Will Groves, and Connor Reardon bolster the offense. Freshman Michael Ruo and Owen McAuliffe are looking to make an impact right away.
Defense and goaltending will be a strength for Galanti and the Warriors this season. Senior Alex Coviello is a seasoned veteran that will anchor the blue line for Foxboro, joined by junior Tommy Devlin and a handful of sophomores who already have varsity experience including Tom Watts, Evan Paluzzi, Leo Campbell, and Connor Reardon. In net, Galanti has some veteran options with senior Peter Souaiden and junior Trevor Marder as options.
“We have a solid defense and great net minding that will allow a sophomore-heavy team to work toward an offense to match,” Galanti said.
2021-2022 Record: 14-9-0 (Kelley-Rex division champions) 2021-2022 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Sweet 16 Coach: Chris Spillane
A very familiar face has made his return to the bench for Franklin this season, as longtime coach Chris Spillane, who stepped away in 2019, is back in charge of the program. The Panthers have won 11 straight league titles and been a fixture in the Div. 1 state tournament and they boast a strong attacking lineup this season that will be looking to continue its control of the Kelley-Rex division.
Up front, Franklin will be boosted by the return of seniors Ben Jarosz and Ryan Sicchio, who combined for 15 goals and 23 assists last year. Classmate Tommy Balducci will join them on the top line. Last year’s sophomore class was prolific in front of goal and, with a year of valuable experience, looks ready to be even more dynamic this season. Juniors Anthony Lampasona (six goals and 13 assists) and Ben Paterson (10 goals and 14 assists) will lead the way along with classmates Dylan McEvoy and Dan Daley. Sophomore Carter Balducci is a newcomer to look out for in attack.
Four players return on the blue line to give Franklin solid experience in the defensive zone. Seniors Liam O’Rielly, Aiden Kuykendall, and Lucas Sheehan will be joined by junior Dylan Marchand, who had an impressive sophomore season in defense. Sophomore Vinnie Pasquarosa should also see time on the back end. Goalie depth will be a strength for the Panthers this year, with sophomore Jack O’Connor returning, sophomore Joe Torraco making the jump from JV, and junior Colby Wagner coming back to the program after playing last year with the Northeast Generals.
“Offensively we will run three lines who all have the ability to score goals,” Spillane said. “The Panthers’ success will depend on our team defense, and how quickly we can understand our defensive systems.”
2021-2022 Record: 10-9-3 2021-2022 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Round of 32 Coach: Toby Carlow
King Philip is two years removed from taking a share of the Kelley-Rex division title (joining only the 2011 Mansfield team to win at least a piece of the division crown) and last year the Warriors showed off their potential by giving eventual state champion St. John’s Prep a battle in the opening round of the playoffs. Former Medfield coach Toby Carlow, who won a state title with those Warriors in 2016, take over this season with the intention of elevating these Warriors into one of the state’s top programs.
Carlow will be introducing new systems on both ends of the ice, relying on team speed and structure in the defensive zone to get back into the tournament. One challenge for KP will be replacing standout Brad Guden, who moved to Tabor Academy this season. In the defensive zone, junior Cam Lehan-Allen along with senior Sam Naggar will need to step up to provide leadership at the blue line. Senior Kyle Abbott will help out at the back, as he returns in goal after allowing fewer than two goals per game as a junior.
In addition to Guden, who had 17 points from defense last year, KP also graduated its three top goal scorers from last season, so the forward line will need new faces to step up and consistently find the back of the net. Senior James Boldy is the team’s top returning scorer with seven goals and 10 assists and junior Max Robison adds speed on the wing. Juniors Nate Gartska and Rowan Boulger also saw time as sophomores and provide depth in the forward lines.
“Our goal this year is to establish ourselves as a good solid team in Division 1,” Carlow said. “It’s time for King Philip to step into the upper level of Massachusetts hockey.”
2021-2022 Record: 7-12-1 2021-2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 32 Coach: Mark O’Brien
Mansfield has a lot of turnover to contend with this season, as the Hornets open their first season of Davenport division play. Former assistant Mark O’Brien has taken over as head coach and he takes over a team that will lean on underclassmen to try and find the attacking threat to keep the Hornets in the league title mix and to stay in the tournament mix.
After graduating its top six forwards from last season, Mansfield will be hoping that a host of freshmen and sophomores can step up to the challenge of leading the line this winter. Seniors Cody Gordon, Connor Davey, and Brendan Flynn will provide much-needed leadership in the attacking zone. Sophomores Brendan Vokey, Matthew Tourigney, Matthew Cromack, and Kevin O’Brien and freshmen James Warren, Matt Kelly, Matthew Rabinovich, Liam Wells, and Cody Silva give the Hornets a lot of depth up front but also a lot of untested talent.
The blue line is a very different story. Mansfield’s defense should be a strength this season. Seniors Ryan DeGirolamo and Patrick Gormley return to anchor that end of the ice along with junior Will Cameron and sophomore Declan Foley. Sophomore Thomas Gormley is a newcomer to watch for the Hornets in defense. Freshman Aidan Shea and sophomore Luke McGuire are versatile players who could see time at forward or defense. In goal, Mansfield will have plenty of experience to call upon with senior Chris O’Brien and junior Josh Hussey.
“We have a tremendous group this season and they are committed to the team concept and giving their best effort for each other,” said O’Brien. “We are excited about our talented younger players and confident that our strong nucleus of upperclassmen will lead the way with a focus on team defense.”
2021-2022 Record: 10-11-1 2021-2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Sweet 16 Coach: Kyle Heagney
North Attleboro head coach Kyle Heagney begins his second year in charge of the Rocketeers and they are looking to improve on last year’s 10-win season as they join the Kelley-Rex division for the second time in program history.
The Big Red will have to look for some new players to step up as they try to fill the void left by the graduation of a talented senior group, including Nik Kojoian, who led the Hockomock League in scoring with 11 goals and 24 assists last season, and Nick Longa, who was second in the league with 17 goals and tied for fifth overall in points with 26 points. The good news is that Heagney and the Rocketeers have one of the top returning forwards in the league in Mark Ayvazyan, who produced 13 goals and 12 assists in the regular season last year.
North will also look for seniors Brody Gaulin and Jack Dluhy to take on increased roles after netting five goals and two assists last season as well as junior Kaden Burns, who had five goals and one helper last season. Junior Kyle Gruber is back between the pipes after impressing last season.
2021-2022 Record: 6-11-1 2021-2022 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Jimmy Tierney
Oliver Ames begins a new chapter in program history as they welcome a familiar face as new head coach in Jimmy Tierney, a former player and assistant coach. Tierney was the inaugural HockomockSports Goalie of the Year in 2013 and was a two-team First Team selection during his stellar career with the Tigers.
Now Tierney will look to guide this year’s team back to the success they experienced during his playing days when they reached the South sectional semifinals and finals during his sophomore and junior years. The Tigers have nearly their entire roster back from last year after graduating just two seniors, including senior center Sean McCarthy, who was second on the team with 10 goals and nine assists, and junior Andrew Livingstone, who earned HockomockSports All-Underclassmen Team honors after leading OA with 12 goals and eight assists. The offense will have plenty of depth with seniors Matt Lawson (15 points), Jack Corey (15 points), Daniel Paul, and Jack Perron, who is a team captain for the second year along with McCarthy.
Sophomore Patrick DeLoughrey and freshman Brenden Teehan will look to make an immediate impact on the offensive end. Along the blue line, junior Sean Kearns (three goals, 11 assists) will look to build upon a solid campaign last year when he earned honorable mention for league all star. He’ll be joined by classmates Landon Grothe and Andy Poulos in the defensive group. The Tigers have experience in the net with senior Brandon Burke back between the pipes after playing in 17 games last year.
“Our biggest strength this season will be the team-first mentality our players have,” Tierney said. “The players care a lot about each other and will do what it takes to put the team first. This along with the hard work they are putting in is what will make us successful.”
2021-2022 Record: 11-11-2 2021-2022 Finish: Reached Div. 3 Round of 32 Coach: Dan Mark
The Stoughton/Brockton co-op team is coming off its most successful season together, and the Black Knights’ best campaign in over a decade after winning 11 games, including a preliminary game in the Division 3 state tournament.
The Black Knights won’t be competing in the Hockomock League again this season as they team up with the Boxers to try and replicate the success from last year. In order to do so, they’ll blend a mix of veteran and younger players as they navigate through their schedule, which will feature games against Hockomock League teams Attleboro, Foxboro, Oliver Ames, and Taunton. Offensively, Stoughton/Brockton returns a strong core led by last year’s leading scorer senior Charlie Caputo, who netted 13 goals along with 14 helpers. Senior Sean Farley added a team-high 16 goals as well as nine assists, while junior Colby Strunk is coming off a 21-point season as a sophomore.
Defensively, longtime head coach Dan Mark will turn to junior Ryan Summers to anchor a relatively inexperienced group. Summers had five goals and seven assists but the Knights lost three defensemen to graduation. In net, juniors Sean McGowan and Dmytro Yakovenko are battling for the starting job.
2021-2022 Record: 7-10-4 2021-2022 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Kris Metea
Taunton comes into the new season with definitely the youngest roster in the league and one of the youngest rosters in program history. Head coach Kris Metea has 35 players in the system this season and 26 of them are sophomores or younger. There is plenty of energy on the ice and plenty of potential, but there may be some growing pains for players getting their first taste of varsity action.
There are a few seniors on the team to provide the Tigers with much-needed experience and leadership. One of those seniors is Colton Scheralis, who will move up from the blue line to the attack at the start of the season. He recorded 13 points as a defenseman last year and should be able to bring his creativity and stick skills to the forward line. Senior Connor McGrath will also give Taunton a scoring punch, after his 13-goal, 13-assist junior campaign. Junior Conner Goranson scored 14 points last year as a sophomore and will be on the top line.
Experience is in short supply in the defensive zone, especially with Scheralis moving forward at the start. Sophomores Travis Cashman and Jon McGrath both saw time as freshmen and will look to build on that first season on the blue line. Sophomore Cam Tomaszycki is back in goal for the Tigers. He was a standout as a freshman, allowing a little more than three goals per game and saving nearly 90 percent of the shots he faced.
“We have a great group of players,” Metea said. “They are excited to go to the rink every day. They love each other and are willing to fight for one another. They make going to the rink a pleasure every day for our coaching staff.”
Following a first South final appearance, Franklin returns a strong group to go after a state title. Find full previews for all teams below. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com) By HockomockSports.com Staff
2021 Record: 3-11 2021 Finish: Reached Div. 1 South Preliminary Round Coach: Kevin Patton
Attleboro had some growing pains during the 2021 campaign, but has a good chunk of the roster back in the fold for 2022 and will try to take the next step forward as a program.
The Bombardiers will have a strong foundation on the defensive end of the field. Captain Fred Wheaton is back for another year to anchor the defense and he’s joined by fellow returners Bobby Sawyer and John Wheaton to give Attleboro a solid veteran nucleus to try and shut down some of the top offenses in the league. Attleboro also has sophomore Harry Wheaton back in net after gaining valuable experience in the cage in 2021.
Having last year’s top scorer in Carter Shelton back in the fold will give the Bombardiers a good start in the attack. Shelton scored 30 goals and had 15 assists, finishing 12th in the Hock in scoring. Captain Keigan Conley is also back to bolster the attack, coming off a 22 goal, 10 assist campaign a year ago. Freshman Nathan Conroy is also in the mix already in the attack.
Attleboro’s midfield will be anchored by captain Ryan Betts along with Chad Beaupin and Seth LaPlace. The Bombardiers also expect contributions from Cole McKenna, Patrick McAvoy, and Spencer Scherck.
“We have a lot of returning guys that picked up valuable varsity experience last season,” said Attleboro head coach Kevin Patton. “We are looking forward to a strong season in 2022.”
2021 Record: 14-2 2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 South Semifinal Coach: Ryan Quinn
Canton split its two games with Foxboro to win a share of the Davenport title in 2021, just the third league title in program history and were an overtime goal away from reaching the Div. 2 South final. The Bulldogs have a lot of experience in the attack and the midfield this season with the goal of putting in another challenge for the league crown and putting together another state tournament push.
The Bulldogs had a dynamic attack last spring and the league’s leading scorer Sam Carlino headlines a strong group this season as well. Junior Jeff Chaput joins Carlino in the attack and the midfield group is filled with experience from last season. Sophomore Brendan Tourgee, juniors AJ Thomas and Chris Hamilton, senior Eddie Gillis, and Charlie Vaughn will all give Canton playmaking at the middie position.
Defensively, Canton will definitely miss graduated goalie Dylan Coyne but the Bulldogs have a talented group of poles that should be tough to score against this season. Senior Sean Connolly will lead that defensive group alongside sophomores Luke Darling and Colin Blake.
“I am really excited about this upcoming season,” said second-year coach Ryan Quinn. “Our student-athletes have been working hard to build on our success from last season, but are very aware that everything we achieve is based upon the work we put in this year, every day. We are led by a small, but strong senior class, and have depth across all four grades levels. This group is a very coachable group and we are very excited to begin”
2021 Record: 11-4 2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Central/East Quarterfinal Coach: Matt Noone
After graduating just two seniors from last year’s team, Foxboro is back with a strong lineup that will look to reclaim the Davenport title that it shared with Canton in 2021. The Warriors will have depth up and down the field with the goal of not only returning to the top of the division but also being ready for a deep run in the statewide tournament.
Foxboro’s attack is all back from last season. The Warriors finished third in goals scored in the league in 2021 and a year’s worth of experience should make them even more dynamic. Junior Conor Noone was the league’s third-leading scorer last season and he will lead the line again alongside sophomore Lincoln Moore, coming off a breakout rookie campaign, and senior Jack Avery. Senior Tommy Sharkey was an all-star middie last season and he will be joined by junior Finn Stapleton and sophomore Tony Sulham, another player who made a strong varsity debut as a freshman.
Depth should be a strength for the Warriors, who return their second midfield group as well, including sophomores Sully Kenneally, Ryan Cotter, and Ian Foley. Foxboro’s defense is returning as a group too. Seniors Dylan Kerrigan and Ben Ricketts are the leaders at the back and will be joined by classmate Mark Jansen. Senior Matt Grace will start at LSM with sophomore Jack Sullivan backing him up. Sophomore Adam Addeche is back in goal, backed up by classmate Nate Urman, and freshman midfielder John Sacchetti and defender James Dee Gaffney are newcomers with potential.
“The Warriors graduated two seniors and return the core of their team,” said Foxboro coach Matt Noone. “Everyone is a year older with varsity experience which will help us in our 2022 push.”
2021 Record: 18-1 2021 Finish: Reached Div. 1 South Final Coach: Lou Verrochi
After reaching the program’s first sectional final in 2021, Franklin brings a typically strong lineup of experienced players who will be aiming to make a run in the new statewide tournament. The Panthers have loaded up their regular season schedule to prepare for the rigors of the tournament with state powers Medfield, Lincoln-Sudbury, and St. John’s Prep among the teams that Franklin will challenge itself against to be ready to shoot for silverware this spring.
Franklin’s attack scored more than 300 goals in 19 games last season and should be just as dynamic this year with junior All-American Luke Davis joined by classmate Jayden Consigli, who were both in the top five in scoring in the league in 2021. Junior Tyler Sacchetti will be the third member of the attacking crew. Sophomore Drew Hansen and Ed O’Brien and junior John Walshe will make up the first midfield. Junior Justin Alexander was one of the best face-off middies in the state last year and the Panthers will be counting on him to control possessions again this season.
Senior Kyle Palmieri will lead the defensive group, which should once again be a challenge for the opposition to score against. Junior Ben Harvey and senior Billy Gardner will also be key players at close defense. Sophomore goalie Matt Corvi will step into the cage this spring and has the potential to be a standout.
2022 Hockomock Boys Lacrosse Preview
“Once again, we will have a very competitive team this spring with a very tough schedule,” said Franklin coach Lou Verrochi.
2021 Record: 9-5 2021 Finish: Reached Div. 1 South First Round Coach: Hal Bean
With more than a dozen players back in the fold from last year, King Philip is looking to take another step forward after posting a 9-5 record last year.
The Warriors have key pieces in the lineup all over the field, starting with senior goalie James Boldy. Boldy had a great campaign a season ago and will be among the top goalies in the league this year. He will work with fellow senior captain Will Weiblen and senior Shaun Fitzpatrick as the anchors of the King Philip defense.
There is a strong core of midfielders back in the mix this year, starting with returning faceoff specialist Thomas Brewster. He will be joined by a very experienced group that features seniors Ben Riggs, Sean McCarthy, Andrew Longobardi, Nolan Feyler,
Brayden Thompson, John Campbell, and Ian Hill, along with sophomore standout Noah Minkwitz. Riggs (31 points last year) will be one of the most dangerous two-way players in the league but KP has a lot of depth in the position.
Offensively, King Philip has Sean Crowther back in the fold, who was just one of six Hock players to reach the 40-goal mark on the season. He’s joined by Kip Bishop and Colin Lightbody, who both registered 19 points a year ago, as well as Colin Gillis and sophomore Donovan DeVellis.
“King Philip boys lacrosse expects to compete in every game and anticipates a productive season and playoff run,” said KP head coach Hal Bean “We all are looking forward to a fun season!”
2021 Record: 6-8 2021 Finish: Reached Div. 1 South First Round Coach: Tim Frias
With a handful of young faces fighting for spots in the lineup, Mansfield is hoping to pick up valuable experience early and make a late charge for a spot in the state tournament.
The Hornets do have some experience on the defensive side of the ball with Ryan DeGirolamo starting in the cage and senior captains Zander Holmes and Mark DiGirolamo patrolling the space in front of him. Mansfield has a handful of young poles that will be in the mix including Liam Barry, Patrick Gormley, Nolan Bordieri, and James DeGirolamo.
The group of upperclassmen will make up the majority of the field with senior Dash Munson joining a trio of talented juniors in Grady Sullivan, Drew Sacco, and Cody Gordon. The Hornets have a lot of young players looking to find spots in the midfield and lineup and general, and new names that could contribute early on include Aidan Steele, Jake Feinberg, and Liam Steele.
2022 Hockomock Boys Lacrosse Preview
In the attack, senior Jack Roberts will be accompanied by a pair of sophomores in Tommy Smith and Andrew Burnham.
2021 Record: 2-11 2021 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Austin Costa
Under the guidance of new head coach Austin Costa, the Scarlet Hawks are aiming to show improvement throughout the season and set the program on an upward trajectory.
There is a strong mix of veteran leadership and new faces eager to find a spot in the lineup for Costa and the Scarlet Hawks this season. Senior captain Eric Landry is set to be the leader on the defensive end, and his experience will be key as Milford tries to fend off some lethal offenses. Landry will be joined by Brian Goncalves and junior Nick Casilli, both returners for the Scarlet Hawks. Defensive experience will be key as the Hawks turn to Alex McGuire for his varsity debut in the cage.
Offensively, look for veterans Jacob Ligor and Eric Farrell to be major contributors for the Scarlet Hawks. Both have a good amount of experience playing at this level and know what it takes to compete in the Hockomock League. Other returners for Milford include Kyle Donelan, Shawn O’Donnell, and Ronn Swineford while freshmen Alex Maietta and Jayden Martins have impressed early on and could be key contributors right away.
2021 Record: 7-8 2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Central/East Quarterfinal Coach: Kevin Young
North Attleboro finished in a tie for third in the Davenport division last year and had an impressive playoff win over Belmont before being beaten by sectional finalist Medfield. The Rocketeers only graduated two players from last season’s team, so Big Red comes into the spring with big expectations of competing for a first league title since 2017 and being a threat in the state tournament.
The North attack should be an area of strength this season with seniors Matt Antonetti, Connor Ruppert, and Clayton Billingkoff all back up top. Antonetti led the team with 57 points in 2021. Juniors Jack Regan and Luke Ward have both had strong preseasons, while freshmen Ethan Gustafson and Brady Brackner could be poised for breakout debuts. Senior Jared Vacher will do his best to get as many possessions as possible for the North attack by winning draws.
North’s defense has plenty of experience as well. Senior Max Hobbs, Anthony Ferro, and James Brennan will get plenty of help from sophomore Connor Rajotte and junior LSM Julian House. The Rocketeers can also count on two experienced goalies with senior Ethan McGrath and junior JT Gallagher both back in the cage this spring.
“We know the Hockomock will be strong this year,” said North coach Kevin Young. “I am excited to watch this group compete and grow as a team.”
2021 Record: 3-11 2021 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Ben Devlin
Oliver Ames coach Ben Devlin stepped down after last season, but he was convinced to come back this spring to lead a young Tigers team. Twenty-four of the 34 players in the program this year are either freshmen or sophomores, so OA will be counting on younger players to step up across the field and Devlin is excited about the promise he sees during the preseason.
Senior midfielder Wyatt Fritchman and junior attacker Ben Reardon will be the leaders on offense. Fritchman was second on the team in scoring last year and Reardon went on a run of nine goals in the final three games of his sophomore season. Senior Wes Tower is back to run things in the midfield and sophomores Ryan Jaco and Alex McAndrew have the potential to find the back of the net.
On the other end of the field, senior Cam Tower has been converted to LSM this season. The other poles will be led by junior Jake Manthous, who also was in charge of the face-offs last year, and sophomore Landon Grothe. Junior Noah Isleib returns in goal to keep things organized on defense and sophomore Ethan St. Jean will be his backup.
“Despite being much younger, we are looking to improve on last year’s results and continue building the program,” said Devlin. “We expect to have some growing pains early in the season, but look to improve as the younger players get experience and develop their game during the season. It’s never easy to rebuild in a talented league like the Hock. There aren’t any easy games as every team is talented and well-coached…but we are setting our sights on winning enough games to reach the postseason.”
2021 Record: 9-6 2021 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Jon Shocket
Sharon has a solid core back from last year’s nine-win team but without any juniors on the squad, there will be a lot of young players in the lineup with most getting their first taste of varsity lacrosse.
With over a half dozen seniors on the roster, head coach Jon Shocket will lean heavily on their veteran leadership and experience as the new players get integrated into the lineup and acclimated with the speed of the high school game. The senior trio of Ben Shocket, Brady Daylor, and Ryan Zunenshine are this year’s captains.
The other seniors on the team include Jace Nestler, Matt Mahoney, James Lillenfeld, and Chance Hanah, and all four will be vital as the Eagles make a push for the postseason. There are four freshmen already in the lineup including Matt Powers in net, Jordan Burke at attack, and Zach Bernstein and Ben Goldberg at defense. Sophomores Gabe Korn, Ryan Brown, Jacob Kaufman, and Ronin Widland will also be in the mix for the Eagles.
“I hope to get a lot of growth from our team as we get more experience,” Shocket said.
Softball
Milford, 3 @ Stoughton, 9 – Final – Stoughton improved to 3-1 on the season with a win over visiting Milford on Friday. Nicole Baker picked up the win in the circle for the Knights, allowing six hits and striking out eight in a complete game effort. Mel Casna drove in a pair of runs on two hits, Cat Leal added two hits, including a double, and had an RBI, and freshmen Alyssa Edwards and Julie Powers each recorded two hits.
Boys Lacrosse
Stoughton, 4 @ Canton, 16 – Final
Sharon @ Foxboro, 4:00
Milford @ Franklin, 3:45
Mansfield, 10 @ King Philip, 16 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this game. In a game littered with penalties, Sam Mattson scored seven goals to power KP to its second win over the Hornets in three days. Jake Quirk opened the game with the first of his team-high four goals, but Mattson scored three straight (one man-down and two man-up) to grab the lead. Cody Gordon answered but Sean Crowther was credited with a goal that went off a Mansfield defender for a 4-2 lead after one. Goals by Colin Lightbody and Mattson extended the lead to four but Mansfield responded with three straight to get back into the game. Tommy Smith finished a give-and-go, Quirk scored man-up, and Nico Holmes scored a nice solo goal to make it 6-5. Again, KP had the answer. Mattson took a big hit to score in front and Crowther added a man-up score before the break. Mattson and Quirk traded goals to start the third and then Holmes got his second to make it 9-7. KP went on an 8-0 run to take control. Crowther scored a pair, Mattson got another, and then Benjamin Riggs added his first to put KP up 13-7 at the end of the quarter. Lightbody and Riggs kept the run going early in the fourth, before Holmes completed his hat trick. John Dwyer got one for KP and the Hornets closed out the game with goals from Grady Sullivan and Quirk. KP goalie James Boldy had a big game to keep the Hornets at arm’s length.
Girls Lacrosse
Franklin, 3 @ Milford, 20 – Final – Franklin continued its unbeaten start to the season with a big win on the road over the Scarlet Hawks. Kate O’Rourke led the offensive charge with four goals and one assist, Jamie Tanner added two goals and two assists, and Kaitlyn Carney added three goals and one assist. Anna Grasso had a strong game defensively for the Panthers.
King Philip, 17 @ Mansfield, 3 – Final – The Warriors pushed their undefeated start to four games with a big win on the road over Mansfield. Julia Marsden found the back of the net six times along with two assists to lead the KP offense. Lily Brown added three goals and two assists, Morgan Cunningham (assist) and Haley Izydorczak each scored a hat trick, and Ally Peterson and Nikki McDonald each scored once. Emily Campbell (three saves) and Maddie Crowley (one save) split the win in net.
Boys Volleyball
Milford vs. Norton, 5:00
King Philip, 3 @ Bellingham, 0 – Final – King Philip went on the road and earned a 3-0 sweep (25-10, 25-21, 25-15) over host Bellingham. “The team played really well together we are starting to work out the kinks and work cohesively which is really great to see,” said KP head coach Emily Diiulis. Senior Thomas Beck and junior Carson Mitteness each had key service runs during the match. Senior Joshua Saintilus had a strong showing for the Warrior with some strong swings from the outside.
