“We had four great games in a row and today we didn’t play our best, but that’s life and that’s soccer,” said longtime Oliver Ames head coach Britt Sellmayer. “You have to tip your hat to them. Everyone talks about Shea Kelleher, and how great she is, and she was today, but I think what gets overlooked is how great their back four is. Our front three is pretty good and their back four won the day, both halves. We generated some corner kicks but we didn’t generate any crosses into the area. They had some great players in the back that really shut us down.”
The Tigers rolled to a 4-0 win over Ludlow to start the postseason run and followed with a 3-0 decision over league rival Stoughton. After edging out Duxbury in the quarterfinals, the Tigers had a thrilling double overtime win over Grafton to reach the state championship game.
But this time out, Oliver Ames just couldn’t find its footing in the attack. They were limited on their through balls as Silver Lake’s center back combo did well to clear everything. The Tigers couldn’t get much going on the outside either. OA has had success getting down the wings and finding a target in the middle, but didn’t create many of those opportunities either.
“We also had an off day but that’s life,” Sellmayer said. “It’s a learning experience for our team. We’re young and we have a lot of players coming back, a lot to look forward to. Hanging around for 28 years, you keep things in perspective. Would it have been great to win? Yeah, but it was also great to be here. There’s a lot of teams that want to be here and we were.”
OA’s best two chances in the opening half were on corner kicks, but both of them were dealt with by Silver Lake keeper Abbey Cook.
It was more of the same in the second half as Silver Lake continued to dictate play, but couldn’t get much through the back four, and when they did, Matier was there off her line. Senior Mary Cross also had a strong game in center mid, thwarting a handful of chances up the middle of the pitch.
“Sophia Byron and Taylor deVos did an outstanding job, Catie Wilson had a great game and has come a long way, and Molly Capece too,” Sellmayer said. “We made one mistake. I always talk about a great soccer game being 2-1…we didn’t get our two but they got their one.”
The Lakers finally broke the deadlock just past the midway point of the second half. Julia Lawrence connected with Grace Flaherty, and she played it wide for Cassidy Conroy. A service into the area dropped between the defense and the keeper, and Silver Lake freshman Avery DePaul raced to the ball first, touching around the keeper and firing a shot into the far post.
OA tried to mount a comeback in the final minutes with Lucinda Li Cotter, Emma Gavin, Jenna Gilman, and Carly Gibson all trying to find a shot but the Tigers couldn’t register a final chance at an equalizer.
“This was a great season and it’s all about keeping in perspective,” Sellmayer said. “We beat some very good teams in the playoffs and we only gave up one goal in a five-game run, we just gave it up in the wrong game.”
Oliver Ames girls soccer finishes the season at 16-4-1.
Emma Gavin scored six minutes into the second overtime to beat Grafton 1-0 and advance Oliver Ames to the state title game for the first time since 2007. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
MANSFIELD, Mass. – As the game stayed scoreless into the second overtime, every ball into the box, every set piece, even the most low-percentage shot took on an extra edge of anxiety. Add in the cold and it was important that a goalie stay prepared because you never know when they might be called upon.
Sophomore goalie Janiya Matier’s moment came in the 93rd minute. Grafton’s Olivia Campbell cut across the top of the box and hit a right-footed shot that was slicing into the upper 90. Somehow, Matier (six saves) got all the way across and managed to get to hands up into the top corner to push the shot to safety.
Three minutes after Matier saved the day for Oliver Ames, classmate Emma Gavin won it. Senior Jenna Gilman, who scored the winning goal in the first round and the quarterfinal, made a burst down the left wing and, for one of the first times in the match, was able to get all the way to the end line. She cut it back to Gavin racing into the box for a first-time finish and a 1-0 win in Tuesday night’s Div. 2 semifinal at Mansfield’s Alumni Field.
The goal secured OA’s first trip to the state title game since the Tigers won it all in 2007.
“I was so distracted by that save and then we go down and I looked and we scored and I was just like, oh my goodness,” Matier said after the game. “Hard work just pays off and we’ve been working very hard this whole season and we’ve definitely earned this and deserve it.”
When asked how she managed to stay ready to make that big stop when called upon, Matier explained, “Always making sure I’m paying attention in practice and just being myself. I’m so happy to be here and that was really crazy. I didn’t expect to get it! You have to keep on practicing and never giving up.”
This was the fourth clean sheet in four tournament games and OA coach Britt Sellmayer was full of praise for his defense after the game.
“My back four held on,” he said. “Molly Capece, Catie Wilson, they’re not year-round soccer players, they’re kids that show up in August, and they did a great job on the outside. Sophia Byron and Taylor deVos, our center backs, they just did enough. They’re super, super players.”
About the game-wining goal, Sellmayer added, “Emma ‘Big Game’ Gavin. This girl runs from 18-to-18, she does everything for us in the middle of the field.”
Grafton, which came into Tuesday’s match unbeaten, gave OA its biggest test of the tournament so far. The Gators, especially Bridget Kennedy and Elie Bristol, managed to keep OA from getting the ball out to the wings and bottled up every Tigers attack. Up front, Caity Tyldesley was causing OA problems by finding space in front of the back line to create.
Just five minutes into the game, Matier was called into action to prevent an early goal. Sophia Kling slid a through ball behind the OA defense to Campbell, but the OA keeper was off her line quickly and had no hesitation diving at the feet of the attacker to make the save.
Matier also made a good save on a long shot by Tyldesley and cut out a nice diagonal ball across the box that nearly found the feet of Gina DeBaradinis.
The first half hour belonged to the Gators, but OA started to find a foothold in the final 10 minutes of the half and got the ball to its front three of Lucinda Li Cotter, Jolie Diaz, and Gilman.
It was Cotter that would create the first look at goal by springing Gilman down the left. Her looped cross into the middle was headed wide by Gavin. A couple minutes before the break, Gilman again managed to find space on the left side and she picked out Cotter all alone inside the six, but Cotter was only able to get a flick on the header and it went wide.
“Let’s be honest, Janiya hard four or five big saves today and their goalie didn’t have a lot to do,” Sellmayer said about OA’s struggles in attack. “This Grafton team is a very, very good team, they move the ball very well.”
He continued, “It was one of those games, I just kind of had a feeling if we hung around something good was going to happen.”
Kling would get a chance to test Matier in the 50th minute when she latched onto a loose ball from the edge of the box. deVos would put a couple of long-range free kicks into the hands of Grafton keeper Shyla Kulesza, but it was increasingly difficult to create good scoring chances on either end of the field. Diaz would cause problems for the Grafton back line throughout the second half, but the final ball into the box wasn’t finding a black jersey.
OA’s best chance at a winner in regulation came with nine minutes to play. Diaz was on the left wing and cut the ball back to Cotter in the box. Cotter took a touch, turned, and laid a pass off for Gavin to run onto, but the shot went over the bar.
In the first overtime, the only chance of note was a long shot by Kennedy that Matier held onto comfortably. Gavin would take a chance from distance early in the second OT but that was similarly easy for Kulesza to hold.
Grafton seemed to have its spot in the final secured when Campbell let fly, but Matier’s brilliant save denied them. It was a match-saving moment that was soon followed by Gavin’s match-winning one. OA entered the season not quite knowing how good they could be, but three months later will have the opportunity to play for the D2 title.
“No clue,” Sellmayer said. “We lost our first game to Franklin then we won a couple games and I said, ‘Hey we could be pretty good.’ I came to practice every day, ‘Are we pretenders or are we contenders?’ We’re contenders.”
Oliver Ames (16-3-1) will face No. 10 Silver Lake in the title game on Saturday at 3:15 at Walpole High.
Oliver Ames beat Duxbury 1-0 behind Jenna Gilman’s goal late in the first half and another strong defensive performance to book a spot in the D2 Final Four. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
NORTH EASTON, Mass. – When the ball was cleared out of the Oliver Ames defense, it looked harmless. As the ball landed in between the last Duxbury defender and the goal keeper, everything seemed to be under control. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Jenna Gilman came flying into the picture.
The defender had a 10-yard head start, but Gilman flew past her, forcing the goalie to quickly retreat into the box. It looked like a long touch might allow the keeper to come up with the ball, but Gilman managed to keep it alive and keep her composure. The senior forward pulled the ball to the edge of the box and dispatched a left-footed shot into the now vacant goal.
Gilman’s third goal in as many games would prove decisive, as the OA defense held Duxbury scoreless on Saturday afternoon at Muscato Stadium and the Tigers pulled out a 1-0 win to reach the Div. 2 Final Four for the first time in the new format.
“It was really hard to sit on the bench last year and watch,” said Gilman who missed out on last year’s postseason run with an injury, “but I’m just so happy to keep going this year and see how much further we can get.”
OA has made a habit of starting quickly in the playoffs. Seven of the team’s eight postseason goals have come in the first half. After scoring in the opening minute in the last round against Stoughton, the Tigers nearly repeated the trick on Saturday.
A slip in the midfield allowed Emma Gavin to win possession and she played the ball infield to Lucinda Li Cotter, who in turn sprung Jolie Diaz on the right wing. Diaz was clean through on the keeper but her shot from just inside the box would be right at the goalie.
“The trick to the game is to score right away because then you’re so confident and you can just hold them off,” Gilman explained. “We try to make plays all the time and have while doing it.”
Just a minute later, Sophia Byron had the chance to swing in her first corner of the match and caused havoc inside the Duxbury box. The ball landed inside the six and Gilman, Cotter, Taylor deVos, and Gavin all had chances to take a swing at it but each time the Dragons were able to get a block before finally clearing.
“That something that our coaching staff drive in,” said senior midfielder Mary Cross. “We always say the first five minutes, then when the first five minutes goes by we say the next five. We always go five minutes at a time.”
The front line of Gilman, Cotter, and Diaz has been terrorizing defenders all season and it continued against Duxbury. In the 23rd minute, Cotter picked up the ball in front of the Duxbury defense, turned and ran at her marker before forcing a save with a left-footed shot. Three minutes later, right back Catie Wilson sent a high ball into the box that Gilman did really well to bring under control before snatching at her shot and sending it wide.
In the 29th minute, Diaz looped a ball over the top of the defense. Gilman did well to win the battle for possession and get to the end line, but her low cross into Cotter was cut out just before it got to her strike partner.
“Our chemistry is great,” Gilman said of her partnership with Diaz and Cotter. “We love each other. We really do see each other as little sisters, it’s amazing.”
The Dragons were struggling to get anything going at the other end. OA keeper Janiya Matier was finally given something to worry about when Morgan Cheverie dangerously lined a 25-yard free kick diagonally through the box without a touch.
With the half winding down, OA continued to press for the opening goal. Rhiya Fisher won the ball in midfield and quickly got it forward to Cotter, who played Gilman in behind the Duxbury right back. Gilman’s deep cross picked out Diaz on the far side and she in turn crossed to Gavin in the middle. The ball was allowed to bounce and Gilman latched onto it but sent it just wide.
After controlling play throughout the half, it looked like OA would have to settle for a goalless draw at half, until Gilman’s speed and finishing turned the game on its head.
Duxbury came out for the second half determined to get back into the game and had its best spell of pressure in the match. Cheverie cut across the box on her right foot and forced Matier into her first save. A minute later, Megan Carney showed off her footwork in the box to elude deVos. Byron slid in to make an important tackle and Matier was bravely off her line to smother the loose ball.
Chances were coming at both ends of the field. Cotter hit a ball across the face of goal that was kneed over the bar for a corner. The resulting kick was parried by the keeper into the path of Carly Gibson, but her shot went just wide. After a mishit clearance on a back pass, Elizabeth Yucius had a wide open goal to aim for but put her shot the wrong side of the post.
In the 63rd minute, Diaz had a chance to wrap it up. Cotter again picked up the ball in space in the middle and fired a pass out to the left wing. The freshman forward ran at her marker, cutting inside onto her right foot and curling a shot towards the bottom corner only to unluckily see it come back off the post.
Duxbury was pushing, increasingly desperate to find an equalizer with each minute that ticked off the clock. But, the OA defense, which has yet to allow a goal in the playoffs, continued to hold strong and keep everything well outside the penalty area. Cheverie had one last shot but it was again from distance and easily held by Matier.
“We came a long way,” Byron said about the OA defense. “At the beginning of the season, we made some adjustments and from there we’ve kind of known what to do going forward. It’s all about keeping our composure and talking because we don’t want to get lost.”
She added, “Me and Taylor have done a really good job working together. We communicate non-stop and I don’t think a minute goes by where I’m not telling her where to go or what to do and same thing for her.”
The top seed was moving on and will get the chance to play in the state semifinal.
“It’s amazing,” Gilman said. “Being a senior, going this far this last year, it’s awesome. Being with this group of girls has been a great experience.”
Cross added, “Words can’t describe it. We’ve worked so hard and we’re so happy to be here.”
Oliver Ames (15-3-1) will face No. 5 seed Grafton in the Final Four at a date, time, and location to be determined.
OA senior Jenna Gilman celebrates after scoring the second goal in a 3-0 win over Stoughton in the D2 Sweet Sixteen. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
NORTH EASTON, Mass. – When you’re the underdog, the team that is new to the playoff experience, the team on the road facing the top seed and league champion, you want to make sure to stay close early in the game. You want to keep within touching distance to build confidence and let the favorite start to fell the pressure.
Stoughton went into Wednesday afternoon’s visit to Muscato Stadium with that game plan, but it last all of 40 seconds before Oliver Ames opened the scoring. The Tigers would add two more within a minute and then kept the Black Knights at arm’s length for the final 70 minutes to secure a 3-0 victory and a place in the Div. 2 quarterfinal.
“They came out gunning for us,” said Stoughton coach Jon Grant. “They came out very fast. They came out very clean and they capitalized on every moment. I tip my hat to them, they’re a phenomenal team. They basically punched us in the mouth the first 10 minutes and then we battled and battled and battled. It’s hard to comeback from a three-goal deficit.
Before the crowd had even gotten settled into the bleachers on a chilly night, OA was on top. Emma Gavin picked up the ball in space in the midfield and slid a pass out to the right wing for freshman Jolie Diaz to run onto. Diaz carried the ball to the end line and then cut the ball back to Gavin, who was making a late run into the box and smacked it past Stoughton keeper Katrina Varnum (seven saves) with a first-time shot.
Eight minutes later, OA doubled its lead on a very similar goal. This time it was Lucinda Li Cotter on the right wing and she dribbled her way to the end line and fired a low cross to the edge of the six-yard box where Jenna Gilman was waiting to power her shot inside the post.
Less than a minute was off the clock before OA had put daylight between itself and the visitors. Diaz again provided the assist with a hard-hit cross into a mass of bodies in the box. Varnum made a diving parry on the pass, but only managed to knock it to the feet of Carly Gibson, who made no mistake with another unerring finish.
“We had senior night here and it was 0-0 and we spent the whole night in their half, but they’re so hard to break down,” said OA coach Britt Sellmayer. “You have to get to the end line and get the ball across because you’re not going to beat [Katrina] high. The first two goals were low and Carly’s was just a bullet through a crowd.”
Holding onto a 3-0 lead took some of the impetus away from the Tigers, who were content to hold the ball and continue looking for its dangerous front three of Cotter, Gilman, and Diaz.
The rest of OA’s chances in the first half came from set pieces. Taylor deVos forced Varnum into a save with a 35-yard free kick. Another deVos delivery, this time from a better angle, went straight across the box to Gavin at the far post, but the sophomore midfielder could only find the side-netting.
Stoughton was struggling to create anything going forward, which wasn’t helped by an injury to sophomore Emma Tran midway through the half. OA keeper Janiya Matier was forced into only one save, on a ball that ricocheted off the knee of Makenzie O’Connor. The Black Knights almost forced an opening in the final minute when Morgan Cook slid a pass into Shayla Ford, but Matier was off her line quickly to collect on the slide.
Coming out of the break, OA nearly added to its lead. A ball in behind the Stoughton defense let Gavin have a chance from close-range, but Varnum was able to smother it. Seconds later, the ball was recycled out to Gibson, who forced the Stoughton keeper into a nice diving stop to her right.
Stoughton had more possession and more of the territorial advantage than it did in the first half, but the Black Knights still struggled to create any chances of note. The OA back line of deVos, Sophia Byron, Catie Wilson, and Molly Capece was impenetrable.
“First half we had to basically stop the bleeding, we had to stop them from scoring,” Grant explained. “In the second half, it was okay lets see if we can get some offense going. We were able to get a little more forward in the second half, but their counterattack, they dump and they’re fast and they’re good. They capitalize on any mistake.”
In the end, OA managed the second half well, making sure to keep the game from getting dramatic in the closing minutes. After a loss at this stage last year, the Tigers were determined to get to the next round.
“We talked about that,” Sellmayer admitted. “Having Jenna gives us an edge and having Jolie gives us pace up front.” When asked about managing the lead late in the game, he added, “It wasn’t as efficient in terms of containing the ball, but we didn’t give them any corners kicks, they had a couple scary chances. They’re a real physical team and we wanted to match it but didn’t want to foul.”
For Stoughton (8-8-4), this season marked the first playoff appearance in 14 years and has the potential to be a jumping off point for a talented sophomore class that makes up a good chunk of the team’s starting lineup.
“Phenomenal,” said Grant. “Absolutely night and day from last year. The work ethic has been phenomenal, the leadership from the seniors has been phenomenal, they’re going to be missed. We do have a young crew coming up and hopefully they can match the leadership that’s been there, but this has been a good building block for the next two years.”
Oliver Ames (14-3-1) will host the winner of Canton and Duxbury, who meet on Thursday, in the quarterfinal on Saturday at a time to be determined.
Girls Soccer Division 2
#32 Ludlow, 0 @ #1 Oliver Ames, 4 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this game. Lucinda Li Cotter had a goal and an assist and OA had a convincing first round win over visiting Ludlow. The Tigers hit the post twice in the opening 90 seconds of the match, setting the tone for a first half that they dominated. Jenna Gilman, who missed the end of last season with an injury, got the hosts off to a strong start when her cross from the left went off a defender’s leg for the opening goal. The Tigers doubled the lead in the 16th minute. Laney Carroll was able to bring down a clearance from the Ludlow defense, took a touch, and fired a 25-yard shot just under the bar. Cotter would make it 3-0 when she stooped to meet a low cross from Taylor deVos and guided it inside the near post. She would then set up the fourth goal just a minute after the break. Cotter made a run down the left side, getting all the way to the end line, and then cutting it back for Emma Gavin’s powerful first-time hit. While OA had the majority of possession and chances, Janiya Matier was called upon to make a couple of first half saves, including one nice catch on a free kick that looked like it was headed for the corner. OA will face the winner of #16 Stoughton/#17 Marblehead in the next round.
Division 3
#23 Foxboro, 1 @ #10 Dedham, 2 – Final (2 OT) – Dedham scored late in the second half and then scored on a free kick late in double overtime to pull out a win in a thrilling rematch of last year’s Div. 3 state semifinal. Chloe Ostis put the Warriors in front in the first half, finishing off an assist from Erin Foley. Foxboro would hold onto that lead until the final 12 minutes of regulation. Allie Tuohey, Jaclyn Vecchione, Maddy Luck, and Lindsey Resnick played well in defense to limit the chances for the Marauders to test keeper Allie Sougaris. Sougaris did come up with several great saves when called upon. Foley, Grace Riley, Neve Taylor, and Shea Dorney patrolled the midfield for the Warriors, while Ostis and Lauren Miley worked up front to create scoring chances.
Field Hockey Division 2
#19 Plymouth North, 1 @ #14 Oliver Ames, 2 – Final (OT)
Division 3
#28 Stoneham, 0 @ #5 Foxboro, 5 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this game. Ella Campbell’s hat trick led the way for the Warriors in a dominating performance to kick off the postseason. Foxboro took a while to get going against the visiting Spartans, but Campbell scored twice in the second quarter to finally give the Warriors a lead that their pressure deserved. A well-worked corner would give Foxboro a 3-0 lead. Mia DiNunzio passed it to Mary Collins at the top of the circle. She moved the ball to her right to Mya Waryas, who let fly with a hard shot through traffic. Kaelin Connors settled it on the end line and played a quick pass across the goal to DiNunzio for the tap in. Foxboro sealed the win in the fourth quarter. Stoneham goalie Gabby Stamps made nearly 20 saves to keep her team in it, but Campbell pounced on a rebound for her third and her team’s fourth. With two minutes to play, a rebound popped out to Collins, who was at the heart of everything for Foxboro, and she coolly slotted a shot into the bottom corner.
Boys Soccer
King Philip, 1 @ Foxboro, 0 – Final – Click here for a photo gallery of this game – King Philip junior Will Bowen scored the winner in the final minutes of the match to give the Warriors two points on the road over Foxboro. Moments after having his one-on-one bid with the keeper denied, Bowen ran onto a service over the top from senior Matt Crago and smashed a shot from in close that Foxboro keeper Ryan Cotter (12 saves) got a piece of but found its way under the bar and in. King Philip’s back line of Thomas Meader, Patrick Sullivan, Ethan Jack Hancock, and Tommy Lomuscio denied the hosts of creating many scoring chances, while Foxboro’s back four of Jack Sullivan, Marco Pacini, Andrew Linnehan, and Alex Penders, as well as defensive center mid John Hollis, all played well. Cotter was strong in net, including a key double save in the 21st minute — diving to his right to save a blast from Meader off a corner, and leaping the opposite way seconds later to deny Crago.
Attleboro, 0 @ Oliver Ames, 2 – Final – Oliver Ames scored a pair of second half goals to secure a key two points against Attleboro in a battle of the top two ranked teams in the Hockomock League. After a scoreless opening 40 minutes, a pair of sophomores linked up to open the scoring for the hosts. Casey Milliken notched his team-leading seventh assist with a through ball to classmate Andrew Martins to give OA a 1-0 lead less than three minutes into the second half. Senior Diego Rivera set up OA’s next goal with a long ball that was deflected in behind the defense with junior Ryan Linhares running onto it. Linhares smashed a terrific one-time shot from just inside the area to double the hosts’ lead. Sophomore Drew Hall recorded his second career shutout while OA head coach John Barata praised senior Hector Bucio and Jake Williams for anchoring the back line. Barata also noted the strong play of sophomores Jackson Mercieri, Luke Churchill, Craig Churchill, and senior Jason Zalis.
Franklin, 3 @ Sharon, 0 – Final – After staking a one-goal lead at halftime, Franklin put away two more in the second to earn an impressive 3-0 decision on the road at Sharon. Sophomore Garrett Scagliarini put the visitors ahead with a goal in the opening half, finishing off an assist from Hansy Jacques. Jacques then got one of his own in the second half to double the Panthers’ advantage, linking up with Andrew O’Neill to make it 2-0. Will Kryzak then recorded an assist for the third straight game, setting up Wyatt Herndon for his first career goal.
Taunton, 3 @ Mansfield, 2 – Final – After earning points in back-to-back games with a pair of draws, Taunton broke into the win column with a 3-2 decision on the road at Mansfield. Junior Javonte Fernandes had a hand in all three goals for the Tigers, assisting on the opening goal and the game-winner, sandwiched around a goal of his own. Senior Az-Anael St. Marc opened Taunton’s scoring off an assist from Fernandes, who then scored himself off an assist from Conal Scully for the Tigers’ second goal. Fernandes returned the favor, hooking up with Scully for the game-winner. Riley Rebello, Ian Robicheau, Quincy Jones-Sylvia, Xavier Mercardo, and Aidden Fitting all had solid play the entire game for the Tigers while goalie Sebastian Darosa had some key saves throughout the match.
North Attleboro, 2 @ Stoughton, 1 – Final – North Attleboro scored a pair of second half goals and held off a late push from the hosts to grab two points with a 2-1 win against the Black Knights. Carson Dameron orchestrated the attack with two assists on the day, first setting up Kaden Burns for the opener. Burns took a pass from Dameron and found the far corner to put the Rocketeers ahead 1-0 in the 46th minute. Just over 15 minutes later, a long free kick from Brody Carter was headed by Dameron onto Zach Smahi and he finished for a 2-0 lead. Stoughton scored with just under 10 minutes to go on a free kick goal from Matheus Groberio.
Milford, 3 @ Canton, 2 – Final – Canton came back from a two-goal deficit two pull level with a half hour left in the game, but Milford regained the lead and held on for an important two points on the road at Canton. Andre Baiano smashed a thunderous volley off a pass from Eduardo Santana to give the Hawks the lead, and Nick Ribeiro doubled the advantage with his second free kick goal in as many games. The free kick was earned after some great work from freshman Danny Da Silva. Canton came back and leveled the match with two goals in a seven-minute span. First, freshman Vlad Francoeur squeezed one in past the keeper to cut the deficit in half and Carson Eagles buried a rebound chance from in close to make it 2-2. Milford found the winner with 10 minutes to go as Ribeiro played Santana through and he finished past the keeper to make it 3-2.
Girls Soccer
Oliver Ames, 2 @ Attleboro, 0 – Final – For the second straight game, Oliver Ames scored once in each half and earned a shutout win. Jolie Diaz opened the scoring for the visitors, intercepting a ball at midfield and going on to convert a breakaway chance, beating the keeper on the near side for a 1-0 lead. OA doubled its lead late in the second half as Emma Gavin volleyed a second chance off a restart with 12 minutes left with the assist going to Sophia Byron. Mary Cross had a great game in the midfield for the Tigers while Janiya Matier made four saves for the shutout.
Canton, 6 @ Milford, 1 – Final – Canton scored three times in the opening 25 minutes of the game to take control and keep its unbeaten start to the season alive. Lauren Shatkin, Emma Cahill, and Emily McCabe each scored in the first half. For McCabe, it was her league-leading 10th goal of the season. Caira McKinney, Gisella Berardi, and Mekhala Costello added second half goals for the Bulldogs, who tried not to let the tempo slip despite being in a busy stretch of the season. Georgia Campbell, Cahill, McCabe, Costello, and Shatkin each had an assist. Dani Atherton scored Milford’s lone goal.
Foxboro, 1 @ King Philip, 4 – Final – The game was scoreless at the half, but Ella Pisani scored four times after the break to lead King Philip to a big win. Pisani opened the scoring off a corner just a minute into the second half, assisted by an Addisyn Lamothe-Vaughn corner. Four minutes later, Pisani again finished off a corner, this time with Danielle Gresham picking up the assist. She completed her hat trick by finishing off a pass from Ailish McGowen. With 13 minutes to play, Pisani got behind the defense and capped off her night by lifting a shot over the keeper. Makayla Thompson had the assist on the final goal. Erin Foley had the Foxboro goal that cut the lead to 3-1.
Sharon, 0 @ Franklin, 5 – Final – Olivia Costa scored a pair of goals to lift Franklin to a home win that moves the Panthers a half-game ahead in the division. Kelly O’Connor and Tori Carmignani each scored once and each assisted on another goal. Norah Anderson’s header capped the scoring for the Panthers, who also got a pair of assists from Anya Zub and an assist from Katie Ewald. Sharon faced the Kelley-Rex leaders without a pair of starters and struggled to get the attack going against Franklin’s defense. Jordanna Morris and Sally Brouhard both had strong games in defense for the Eagles.
Mansfield, 4 @ Taunton, 0 – Final – Mansfield scored four times in the opening half to take home an away win against the Tigers. Freshmen Alexandra and Maddie Fernandes each scored their first varsity goals. Bridget Hanley and Meghan McCann also found the back of the net for Mansfield. Alexis O’Keefe had a pair of assists, while freshmen Lauren Signoriello and Olivia Dunham each had one helper. Olivia Salisbury picked up the clean sheet. Eighth-grader Ashlyn Herbert had another good performance in net for the Tigers, making nine saves. Mia Torres, Jenna Pereira, and Christina Da Costa also played well in the loss.
Stoughton, 0 @ North Attleboro, 1 – Final – Sydney O’Connor headed in a Kaitlyn Joyce cross with five minutes to go before halftime and that was enough for North to pull out its first league win of the season.
Volleyball
Sharon, 0 @ Franklin, 3 – Final – Franklin continued to roll against league opponents, this time with an impressive 3-0 sweep (25-14, 25-14, 25-11) of visiting Sharon. Juniors Grace Lacerda and Taylor Lacerda (five aces) paced the offense with 12 kills apiece.
Golf
Attleboro, 156 @ North Attleboro, 143 – Final – North Attleboro’s Jake Gaskin had a great day on the links, carding a two-under-par round of 33 that included an eagle, to lead the Rocketeers to a win over rival Attleboro on the middle course at Heather Hill. Gaskin finished with a 33, sinking an eagle putt on the third hole. Tyson Laviano came in one-over at 36 while Dillon Harding, Ishan Kohli, and Zach Corsetti all shot a 37 on the day. Leo Lombardo fired an even par round of 35 to lead the Bombardiers, Ryan hill added a 38, Bradley Lehtonen finished at 41, and Bradley Martin rounded out Attleboro’s scoring with a 42.
Milford, 165 @ Foxboro, 175 – Final – Milford junior Anthony LaPierre continued his strong week, shooting a match medalist round to lead the Scarlet Hawks to victory over the Warriors at Foxboro Country Club. LaPierre was the lone golfer to break 40 on the day, recording a medalist round of 37. Nate Lawrence added a 40 in the win while both Zach Hipolito and Jacob Hipolito shot 44 for the day. Louis Carangelo, who had a birdie, led Foxboro with a 42, Patrick Callahan (three pars) added a 43, and both Zac Georgantas and Reese Curreri came into the clubhouse with a 45.
Franklin, 149 @ Sharon, 172 – Final
Stoughton, 186 @ Canton, 156 – Final – Canton sophomore Huck McCready fired a medalist round of 35 to help the Bulldogs bring down Stoughton at Blue Hill Country Club, snapping a four-match skid. Brendan Tourgee added a 38 in the win, Joey Ryan shot a 41, and both Charlie Vaughan and Teddy Shuman finished at 42 for the day. For Stoughton, Mason Page had a team-low round of 42.
Boys Soccer
King Philip, 1 @ Attleboro, 2 – Final – Attleboro junior Alex Vecchioli converted a penalty kick in the second half to put the Bombardiers ahead and junior Tyler Rocchio saved a KP pen with 10 minutes to go to preserve the win for the hosts. King Philip took the lead in the first half as Matt Crago finished off a pass from Oliver Blackburn but Richard Ferreira set up Vecchioli for a goal right before half to make it 1-1. Vecchioli was fouled inside the area early in the second half and converted the pen himself to give the hosts their first lead of the game at 2-1. KP had a chance to pull level late in the game but Rocchio denied the shot from the spot. Attleboro’s Lucas Marques had a standout performance at defensive mid.
Canton, 2 @ Stoughton, 0 – Final – Canton freshman Vlad Francoeur scored his first two career goals to lead the Bulldogs to a rivalry win over neighboring Stoughton.
Sharon, 1 @ Foxboro, 0 – Final – After a scoreless first half, Sharon found the winner just past the midway point of the second half to take two points home. In the 64th minute, freshman Diego Martinez played a ball behind the defense that senior Miguel Vasconcelos ran onto his and fired a cross into the area. The ball deflected off a Foxboro defender and down to sophomore James Jennings, who took a touch before turning and blasting a shot in at the near post for the winner. Matt Baur played well in net for his second shutout of the season. Foxboro’s best chance came in the final moments of the first half as a long throw from Pradyu Gubbala was bounced around in the area before sophomore Jackson Maling latched on but his bid hit off the inside of the post and bounced back to Baur for the save.
North Attleboro, 2 @ Milford, 1 – Final – North Attleboro scored twice in the final 15 minutes, including the game-winner with just under five minutes to play to stun the Scarlet Hawks at home. The hosts took the lead in the 33rd minute off a set piece as Arthur Tome touched a free kick from just outside the box in play and Nick Ribeiro smashed a shot off the far post upper 90 and in. Milford carried that lead until the 66th minute when North pulled level with a quick attack. Zach Smahi played Quinn Conley in behind the defense and he slide a low shot past the keeper that eluded the Hawks’ defense and was smashed home a step out by Kaden Burns to make it 1-1. In the 75th minute, a long throw from Jeremy Carter was flicked on by Bryce Newth and deflected off a Milford defender right to Carson Dameron, who calmly cut the ball onto his left foot and slide a shot to the far post for the winner.
Taunton, 2 @ Franklin, 2 – Final – Franklin twice took the lead but Taunton answered each time and the two squads split the points in a 2-2 draw. Franklin junior Bradley Herndon opened the scoring for the hosts off a feed from Matt Honekamp but Taunton came back with the equalizer by the midway point of the first half on a goal from Javonte Fernandes on an assist from Az-Anael St. Marc. The Panthers pulled ahead early in the second half as Will Kryzak set up sophomore Garrett Scagliarini for his first career goal. But once again, the visitors answered as Aidden Fitting hooked up with Ian Robicheau for the equalizer.
Girls Soccer
Attleboro @ King Philip – Postponed to a date and time TBD.
Stoughton, 1 @ Canton, 2 – Final
Foxboro, 1 @ Sharon, 3 – Final – Sofia Goclowski had a goal and an assist to help the Eagles win their third straight game and move into second place alone in the Davenport division. Following a scoreless first half, Olivia Landstein finished off an assist from Goclowski to break the deadlock. Jessica Li latched onto Olivia Soby’s pass to double the lead. Erin Foley got Foxboro back into the game, but Sharon was able to seal the points with two minutes to play when Goclowski capitalized off an Olivia Soby corner.
Franklin, 4 @ Taunton, 0 – Final – Anya Zub’s brace helped Franklin bounce back from its first loss of the season with a convincing win at Taunton. Zub opened the scoring late in the first half and then the Panthers scored three times in just eight minutes of the second half to put the game away. Kelly O’Connor doubled the lead in the 58th minute. Six minutes later, Zub got her second to make it 3-0 and less than two minutes after that Hailey Baima found the back of the net off a Katie Ewald assist. Alli Powderly added an assist as well. Franklin had a sizable advantage in shots but Taunton keeper Hailey Porter had a big night, making 22 saves. Taunton coach Dan Borges also praised sophomore Ava Uhl and eighth grader Maddison Crowley for their defensive effort.
Mansfield, 0 @ Oliver Ames, 2 – Final – Behind a goal in each half, Oliver Ames secured two key points at home against Davenport rival Mansfield. Jolie Diaz gave the Tigers the lead in the first half, heading in a cross from Emma Gavin. Midway through the second half, Lucinda Li Cotter finished off a pass from Rhiya Fisher to double the advantage. Janiya Matier had a strong game in net for OA, making some key saves in the second half to earn the shutout.
Milford, 3 @ North Attleboro, 2 – Final – In a back-and-forth battle, Milford prevailed with the win after a late winner from junior Erin Michelson. The Scarlet Hawks took the lead early in the first half on an unassisted strike from Dani Atherton only for North to equalize less than 10 minutes later as Jess Hennessey set up Emma Pratt in the 18th minute. The same happened again in the second half with the visitors going up 2-1 in the 50th minute when Atheron netted her second of the game but once again, North leveled the match in the 65th minute with Hennessey once again setting up Pratt. Atherton grabbed her third point of the game, this time assisting Michelson for the winner in the 78th minute.
Volleyball
Foxboro, 3 @ Walpole, 1 – Final – Foxboro found its way into the win column for the first time this season, taking down Walpole in a non-league clash, 3-1 (25-16, 25-19, 16-25, 25-18). Alyssa Cloherty set the offense in motion with 24 assists while adding seven digs, four aces, and three kills to lead the charge for the Warriors. Juliana Pettigrew added seven digs and six kills while Sami Sloan recorded eight kills and four aces in the win.
Oliver Ames, 2 vs. Dartmouth, 3 – Final – In a great match, Oliver Ames came up just short against visiting Dartmouth, falling 3-2 (23-25, 25-22, 25-22, 24-26, 15-13). Senior Maddie Homer continued to shine defensively for the Tigers with 41 digs, sophomore Clare Kavoulis notched 36 assists, and juniors Sarah Hilliard (21) and Claire O’Rourke (17) combined for 38 kills.
Taunton, 1 @ Durfee, 3 – Final – Taunton rallied to stay alive with a win in the third set, but Durfee closed it out with a competitive fourth set win, 3-1 (25-22, 25-17, 24-26, 25-23). Hayley Krockta had a strong performance for the Tigers with seven kills and four aces while Courtney Martin (four aces) played well in the back row.
Canton, 3 @ Notre Dame Academy, 2 – Final
Franklin, 0 @ Lincoln-Sudbury, 3 – Final
Golf
Stoughton @ Attleboro, 2:20 – Postponed to a date and time TBD.
Franklin, 155 @ Mansfield, 159 – Final – Franklin went on the road and secured a key non-league win at Norton Country Club, taking down former division rival Mansfield. Liam Lewandowski had a birdie on the second hole and finished with a medalist round of 37 to lead the way for the Panthers. Jack Hagerty and Jack Nelson each added a 39 in the win and CJ Steel finished with a 40 for Franklin. Mansfield’s Drew Urban was a co-medalist with a 37, Brendan Vokey chipped in with a 40, and both Cody Nieratko and Nate McClean finished at 41 for the day.
North Attleboro, 157 @ King Philip, 149 – Final – King Philip was on fire on Monday with six golfers shooting 40 or better in a key division win over North Attleboro. Evan Regan shot a team-low round of 36 to share medalist honors while North’s Tyson Laviano also came in with a 36 on the back nine at Wentworth Hills.
Taunton, 100 @ New Bedford, 42 – Final (Stableford) – Taunton’s Sean Murphy and Jesse Chaves each shot a 44 to earn 19 points apiece to help the Tigers earn a win over New Bedford (stableford rules). Logan Letourneau added a 45 for 18 points, Alex Dias added a 47 for 16 points, and Noah Faidell shot a 48 for 15 points.
Boys Soccer
Stoughton, 0 @ Attleboro, 4 – Final – For the second straight game, Attleboro exploded offensively in the second half to run away with a big win. Alex Vecchioli took down a deflection off a throw from Luke Hagopian and somehow kept possession between a pair of defenders and ripped a shot to the far post to give the Bombardiers a lead right before halftime. In the second half. Vecchioli grabbed his second of the game early in the second half, tracking down a pass from Lucas Marques before cutting it back onto his left for a shot from just outside the box that was tipped by the keeper and in. Late in the second half, Vecchioli linked up with Kyle Neuendorf, who played a perfectly weighted through ball in behind the defense that was smashed home by Billy Badger to make it 3-0. In the final minutes, senior Steve Etienne tracked down a long punt from keeper Tyler Rocchio and hit a low shot into the back of the net from inside the area.
Foxboro, 0 @ Franklin, 3 – Final – Franklin junior Hansy Jacques scored for the third straight game and the Panthers picked up two points in a 3-0 blanking of visiting Foxboro. Junior Michael Fernandez-Martin opened his varsity account, finishing off a pass from sophomore Matt Honekamp to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead. Jacques doubled the lead before halftime after an assist from Will Kryzak. In the second half, Trey Lovell buried a penalty kick to cap off the scoring for the Panthers.
Mansfield, 2 @ North Attleboro, 0 – Final – After a scoreless first half, Mansfield tallied twice inside a 15-minute span in the second half to pick up two key points on the road at North Attleboro. Aidan Lopes set up Tyler Znoj for a blast from 25 yards out to put the Hornets ahead, 1-0, in the 53rd minute. Mansfield doubled the lead in the 65th minute as Aiden Steele’s header off a corner from Dan Checkoway ended up at the feet of Sean Higgins, who dropped in a shot from just outside the box. Liam Doyle recorded his second straight shutout for Mansfield, making six saves. Derek McGrath anchored another strong Mansfield defensive effort with a great individual performance.
Sharon, 1 @ Milford, 1 – Final – Each team converted off a set piece in a 1-1 draw at Milford. Visiting Sharon took the lead in the 18th minute as Adam Eastman buried a free kick from 25 yards out to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead. Milford pulled level in the 61st minute as Eduardo Santana buried a penalty kick, a call he earned himself, to bring the Scarlet Hawks level. Sharon goalie Matt Baur had a terrific performance in net.
Canton, 2 @ Taunton, 2 – Final – A late goal from Canton helped the Bulldogs pull even and earn a point in a 2-2 draw on the road at Taunton. Carson Eagles scored a late goal to help the Bulldogs erase a one-goal deficit and pull level at 2-2. Jake McCabe scored Canton’s first goal while Taunton’s Javonte Fernandes (first half) and Devin Poe (second half) scored for the Tigers.
Girls Soccer
Attleboro, 1 @ Stoughton, 2 – Final – Morgan Cook’s goal just before halftime proved to be the winner, as Stoughton picked up its first victory of the season and its first under new coach Jon Grant. Shayla Ford opened the scoring in the third minute, running onto a Sabrina Rodrigues through ball behind the Attleboro defense. Jamie Davies leveled the match for the Bombardiers from the penalty spot in the 17th minute. Stoughton regained the lead in the 40th. Emma Byrne played a ball forward to Cook, who was able to get a telling touch on it and find the back of the net. Stoughton was able to limit Attleboro’s chances for a tying goal in the second half with a strong defensive effort. Katrina Varnum finished with 10 saves to help the Black Knights come out on top.
Taunton, 0 @ Canton, 2 – Final – Canton scored late in each half to earn its third win in as many games and move alone into first in the Davenport division. Emily McCabe scored both goals for the Bulldogs, her sixth and seventh of the season, the first assisted by Caira McKinney and the second by Gisella Berardi. While Canton held a sizable (17-4) edge in shots on goal and hit three posts, Taunton continued to fight and remained in the game until the final 90 seconds. Taunton coach Dan Borges praised the play of midfielders Juliana Matos and Emily Calderon for helping the Tigers compete to the end.
Franklin, 2 @ Foxboro, 0 – Final – Franklin scored a pair of second half goals to maintain its perfect start to the season and hand Foxboro its first loss. Olivia Costa opened the scoring off a Norah Anderson assist and Costa then provided the assist for Selene Hammad’s goal that wrapped up the points for the Panthers. Franklin keeper Rachel Welch finished with six saves, while Foxboro’s Allie Sougaris made nine stops.
King Philip, 1 @ Oliver Ames, 2 – Final – Oliver Ames sophomore Taylor deVos scored a pair of goals to lead the Tigers to a win over visiting King Philip. deVos converted a free kick opportunity in the first half to give the Tigers the lead. King Philip’s goal was scored by Heidi Lawrence, finishing a Rihanna Mason corner five minutes into the second half to bring the game level. Shortly after that, deVos buried another shot, which proved to be the game-winner. Catie Wilson, Rhiya Fisher, and Lucinda Li Cotter all had strong games for OA. Janiya Matier made six saves in net for the Tigers.
North Attleboro, 1 @ Mansfield, 1 – Final – Mansfield and North each scored in the opening 20 minutes of the game and split a point apiece. Meghan McCann scored her first varsity goal four minutes into the game, off an assist from freshman Alexandra Fernandes. Emma Pratt equalized for North 15 minutes later, finishing off a corner to make it 1-1.
Milford, 0 @ Sharon, 4 – Final – Sofia Goclowski and Autumn Simon each scored a brace to lift Sharon to its second win of the season, already matching its league win total from 2021. Taylor Standring and Jessica Li each recorded assists for the Eagles and Kate Goloboy earned the clean sheet in goal.
Golf
Milford, 151 @ Attleboro, 157 – Final – After back-to-back close losses, Milford got back into the win column with its second win over the Bombardiers this season. Junior Anthony LaPierre was the match medalist, firing a low-round of 35 at Stone-E-Lea. Nate Lawrence added a 36 and David Fleming came in with a 39 for the Scarlet Hawks. Carter Shelton paced the Bombardiers with a 38 while Leo Lombardo chipped in with a 39.
North Attleboro, 155 @ Stoughton, 190 – Final – Tyson Laviano and Dillon Harding shared medalist honors to pace North Attleboro to a win over Stoughton at Easton Country Club. Laviano and Harding each fired a 38 in the win. Paul Medeiros had a team-low round of 45 for the Black Knights.
Foxboro, 172 @ Franklin, 149 – Final – Franklin junior CJ Steel fired a 35 to lead the Panthers to a win in their home opener at Franklin Country Club over visiting Foxboro. Steel, who had one birdie on the day, earned match medalist honors while Jack Hagerty added a 37, Tyler O’Brien shot a 38, and Brendan Collins finished with a 39. Mat Sullivan had a team-low round of 40 for the Warriors.
Mansfield, 162 @ Canton, 165 – Final – Mansfield had a trio of golfers all come in with a 40 to help the Hornets land a rare win for the visiting team at Blue Hill Country Club. Brendan Vokey, Jason Friedman, and Nate McClean each shot 40 in the win while Drew Urban chipped in with a 42. For Canton, Huck McCready earned match medalist honors after carding a 37 on the day. Brian Middleton added a 41, Brendan Tourgee chipped in with a 43, and both Joey Ryan and Teddy Shuman finished with a 44.
Franklin senior Norah Anderson makes a tackle in the penalty area, denying Oliver Ames a scoring opportunity in the season opener. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
FRANKLIN, Mass. – When Franklin head coach Tom Geysen left practice on Thursday evening, he didn’t know what to expect from his team when it lined up to face Oliver Ames in the season opener. Once things kicked off for real though, the Panthers eased their coach’s fears and welcomed him back to the sidelines with a win.
Franklin scored twice in the opening half and used its typically stout defense to earn a 2-0 victory over a young Tigers team, winning Friday afternoon’s battle of defending league champions at Pisini Field.
“I knew what was going to happen in the second half because that’s how they play and I told these kids ahead of time, they’re going to play long ball, they’re going to push to the wings, and that’s what they did,” said Geysen, who was forced to miss last season because of health issues. “I thought defensively, the kids in the back played really well.”
Despite the loss, OA coach Britt Sellmayer was upbeat about his team’s play, particularly in the second half, and the way it battled against another of the league’s elite.
“Usually after a 2-0 loss I’m not too happy,” he explained, “but the way we played from where we’re starting and where we’re going that was a good game.”
The home team had the game’s first chance after just two minutes when Olivia Costa had a look from the right corner of the box that flashed wide of the far post. Freshman Jolie Davis started brightly for OA on her debut and she had a low cross to Jenna Gilman at the back post cut out by Franklin keeper Rachel Welch.
Franklin started to get its forward line in sync as the first half wore on. Kelly O’Connor tracked back to make a steal in the defensive half and played a one-two with Anya Zub, but after a long run her shot was easily held by OA keeper Janiya Matier.
A minute later, Maddie Horton played a ball out wide to left back Katie Ewald who advanced and found O’Connor on the wing. The sophomore played a ball into the middle where Zub got a toe on it but could only direct it over the bar.
In the 24th minute, Franklin got the breakthrough. Center back Norah Anderson played a long ball over the top of the OA defense. Zub wouldn’t give up on the bouncing ball and her pressure caused some confusion in the back line. The ball ricocheted off the defender and slid past Matier, who was rushing out to collect.
There may have been an element of fortune about Franklin’s opener, but there was nothing lucky about the second goal five minutes later. Tori Carmignani found a little pocket of space on the right side and played a ball to the edge of the box. O’Connor had cut in from the left wing and with her first touch split a pair of OA defenders. Her next touch was a cool finish lifted over the keeper.
“Kelly wanted to keep going left, left, left and I said no, if you go left then you’re going to sit down,” Geysen said. “You go right because that’s where they’re not expecting you to go and and you can use your right foot. Those three kids up in the front will be tough once we get a little more experience together.”
OA nearly halved the deficit right before the whistle. Mary Cross laid a perfect through ball behind the Franklin defense for Davis to run onto. The freshman was clean through on goal but her shot went just wide and left her slamming the turf in frustration.
The Tigers seemed to gather some momentum from that chance and from the move of Taylor deVos into the midfield, as they had a much better second half. OA created a number of set piece opportunities, although Franklin’s defense, especially Anderson, always seemed to be in the right place to clear.
Chances were at a premium after halftime, but Lucinda Li Cotter nearly created a goal for OA by charging down an Anderson clearance in the box. The ball caromed to the far side but Welch was quickly off her line to snag the loose ball at the feet of Gilman.
Three minutes later, deVos created a chance with an interception near midfield. She carried the ball to the edge of the Franklin penalty area before the ball kicked to Cotter on the left side of the box. The OA forward showed quick feet to fashion room for a shot but Horton was able to get across with a crucial block. OA kept pressing and again came close when Cross collected a loose ball and hit the post.
Franklin finished with a flurry. O’Connor connected with Zub, who laid off a pass to freshman Mia Eglintine, but her shot was over the bar from 25 yards out. Seconds later, a turnover led to a chance for Costa at the back post but she couldn’t bundle it home and Zub wasn’t able to get a clean strike on the rebound, which rolled into the grateful arms of Matier.
“The first goal was a sophomore-sophomore conversation in the back, first varsity start for a couple of players, so it happens,” Sellmayer said. “I thought we played a lot better in the second half. They worked hard. I’m pleased.”
Franklin (1-0-0) will host division rival King Philip (1-0-1) on Tuesday. Oliver Ames (0-1-0) will be on the road again on Monday to face Stoughton (0-1-0)
2021 Record: 10-8-2 2021 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Round of 32 Coach: Steve Santos
Attleboro ended its long wait for a return to the postseason in 2021 and head coach Steve Santos is hoping that success will breed more winning for the program. The Bombardiers will have a strong foundation this season because of a big senior class and experience across the pitch. If Attleboro can overcome some early season injuries and illnesses, they could be in the mix for another postseason spot.
With 34 goals as a team last year, Attleboro wasn’t one of the league’s most prolific attacking groups, but the Bombardiers have talented players who can make an impact in the final third. Junior Jamie Davies had a breakout sophomore year with nine goals and two assists and will be expected to lead the line this fall. Senior midfielder Kahlan Gray, who is dealing with an injury, can add to the attack either in the center of the field or out on the wing and freshman Tatum O’Brien is a newcomer to the lineup that has a good soccer IQ and will provide playmaking from the center of the pitch. Sophomore Tatum Leahy will give the team a boost after a year on JV.
The Bombardiers are going to be experimenting with defensive groups early in the season. Senior Emily Dunlea is a versatile player who can impact play no matter where she slots in and could be used in the defense at the start. Senior Ella Stromfors is battling illness but will give the team good experience and aggressiveness in the back line and junior Bethany Alves had an impressive sophomore season at the back and can also step into midfield. Junior Presley Biller will also add depth in the defensive unit. Senior Alexis Campbell is back in goal and her composure and vocal leadership will be important to keep things organized while the team gets healthy.
“We’ve had a good preseason,” Santos said. “We have a lot of seniors who are a good group of friends who all look out for each other. We had a good season and now they expect more this year. We want to not just get into the tournament, but win a couple of games.”
2021 Record: 6-7-5 2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 32 Coach: Idris Senyonjo
Canton battled through injuries for much of last season, but the Bulldogs were able to rally and made a playoff push. Entering his third season as coach, Idris Senyonjo has a roster filled with players that understand his style of play and he believes that the Bulldogs will be ready to push on and challenge the top teams in the division.
Senior midfielder Emily McCabe had a breakout season in 2021, becoming the team’s leading scorer and playmaker, and her leadership will be a key to the team’s success this fall. Senior Han Hong and sophomore Paige Sullivan add more experience in the center of the pitch. Up front, sophomores Emma Cahill and Caira McKinney (who missed last season with an injury) will be the top forward options.
Defensively, the Bulldogs graduated several starters, but seniors Kristine Keefe and Sarah Dempster are back and will provide the foundation for the back line. Junior Ava Gilmore is a versatile player who can help out in the midfield or drop into the defense, giving the Bulldogs options in the lineup. Junior Mekhala Costello took a year off to shine on the golf course, but she is back on the pitch this fall and is another dynamic player who can line up in multiple spots.
“Yes we have had multiple players graduate over the past couple of years but this is the first time in my tenure that most of the players from last year will be returning and my hope is that it brings a sense of continuity going into this season,” said Senyonjo. “The best we can do now is prepare to the best of our ability and we will be taking it game by game.”
2021 Record: 16-2-4 2021 Finish: Reached Div. 3 Final Four Coach: Jen Lippolis
Despite an injury to All-American Kailee McCabe, Foxboro made a historic run to the Div. 3 state semifinal last fall, and the Warriors will try to use that experience to put together another tournament run this season. In addition to the graduation of McCabe, who set a program record with 32 goals in 2021, the Warriors will also be making a change on the sideline with assistant Jen Lippolis taking over for Katie Stalcup.
Foxboro will be young this season but many of those players got valuable experience last fall. Seniors Lauren Miley and Jaclyn Vecchione will be back in the middle of the pitch this season, as junior Erin Foley will be moved further forward to try and bolster the attack. Sophomore Neve Taylor had a strong rookie campaign and will step into a bigger midfield role this year, while senior Grace Riley will give the Warriors a boost when she returns from a preseason injury.
The Warriors were known as an attack-minded team last season, but the defense was excellent, allowing only 20 goals in 22 games and recording three clean sheets in the tournament. Junior sweeper Lindsey Resnick will be back in the heart of the defense and sophomore Sophia Auclair is coming off an impressive freshman season. Sophomore Maddy Luck is another young defender who should be ready for a big step up in responsibility this season. Foxboro should be strong in goal with senior Maddie Maher joined by junior Allie Sougaris, fresh off her playoff heroics.
“We’re excited to be back on the soccer field,” Lippolis said. “We are a young team this year. With the leadership of our returning varsity players, we’re excited for a fun, competitive season.”
2021 Record: 14-2-2 (Kelley-Rex champion) 2021 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Round of 16 Coach: Tom Geysen
In 2021, under interim coach Jodi Klein, Franklin continued its success in the Kelley-Rex winning a second straight league title. Head coach Tom Geysen is back on the sidelines this fall and the Panthers have a lineup loaded with experience that looks ready to make a challenge for a three-peat.
Defense has long been a strength for the program and last year was no different. The Panthers allowed only 11 goals in 18 matches and bring back one of the league’s top center back pairings. Senior Norah Anderson is a four-year starter in defense and she will be partnered by junior Maddie Horton, who had a breakout sophomore campaign. Junior Rachel Welch will be back in goal behind them and has proven to be one of the league’s top shot-stoppers. Junior Lily Deforge is a versatile player who can also help out at the back.
The Franklin attack took a big step forward last year. Junior Anya Zub moved from the wing to center forward and the reigning HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year put together a 20-goal season. Sophomore Kelly O’Connor was a breakout star on the wing who could take over a game. There were a few graduations in the midfield, but seniors Bridget Leo and Avery Greco can control the game in the center of the pitch and create scoring chances for the forward group.
“They have worked incredibly hard all year and done all the things necessary for success,” Geysen said. “All that is left is putting it all together on the field.”
2021 Record: 12-7-1 2021 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Round of 16 Coach: Gary Pichel
Despite being very young in 2021, King Philip was in contention for the Kelley-Rex title until the final weeks of the regular season and took highly ranked Bishop Feehan to overtime in the Round of 16. With a more experienced roster this year, the Warriors will be looking to take the next step and get back on top of the division for the first time since 2019 and make a deep tournament run.
The Warriors were the third-highest scoring team in the league last year with 57 goals and offense should be a strength again with senior Ella Pisani back to run things in attack. The team’s leading scorer in 2021, Pisani had 19 goals and eight assists last fall and she will be the focal point on offense. KP has talent on the wings that can take advantage of any space defenses leave open. Junior Eilish McGowen and sophomores Danielle Lomuscio and Mikayla Thompson have the pace and skill to create scoring chances as well. The forward line is also boosted by the return of junior forward Heidi Lawrence and senior Danielle Gresham will shore up the midfield.
The defense has plenty of experience from last season. Senior Grace Lawler will be the leader of the back line and continues to be called upon to mark the opposition’s top attacker. Junior Rylie Wesley and sophomores Rihanna Mason and Addisyn Lamothe-Vaughn give KP a lot of athleticism in the defensive third of the field. There will be experience in net as well with the return of senior Lauren Casper and junior Makenna Norrman, who both saw action in 2021.
“I am really looking forward to competing this season with all the great Hockomock teams,” said KP coach Gary Pichel. “We were very young last year. With a year under our belt, we should see improvements across the board in every facet of our game.”
2021 Record: 12-5-1 2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 16 Coach: Kevin Smith
Mansfield was in the running for the Kelley-Rex title into the final weeks of the regular season and this year the Hornets will be hoping that their first fall in the Davenport will feature a similar title challenge. With a young roster that features four freshmen and four sophomores, the Hornets will be relying on the upperclassmen to keep the team heading in the right direction in what promises to be a very competitive division.
The Hornets are without their top three scorers from last season (Tarynn Smith, Katie Miller, and Gabby Smith) so there will be room for other players to step in and provide an attacking threat. Senior forward Olivia Homsi will lead the line and junior Carly Devine is a skilled forward who can play up top or just behind the strikers, while senior Abby Jean gives Mansfield speed on the wing. Senior Bridget Hanley is coming off a breakout season in a holding midfield role and could be asked to get forward a little more this season to help support the offense.
Defense was a significant strength for the Hornets last year, allowing only 17 goals in 18 games, including a shutout of Canton in the opening round of the playoffs. Junior Kara Santos is back for her third year in the heart of defense and, although she will have her third center back partner in three years, gives the Hornets a strong foundation. She is also the team’s top returning scorer with seven goals and is a threat on any set piece opportunity. Senior goalie Olivia Salisbury has become one of the league’s top shot-stoppers. They’ll provide vocal leadership for the younger players at the back.
“We have a very young team with many first-year varsity players,” said Mansfield coach Kevin Smith. “We will be leaning on our seniors and returning players to provide leadership as we grow as a team.”
Milford is coming off a three-win season in 2021, but the Hawks are hoping that an influx of young talent from a successful JV team will help them climb the league standings and make a playoff push. The Hawks have 10 seniors and have added seven freshmen who can contribute right away in their first varsity seasons.
The key for Milford this season will be the play of leading scorer Dani Atherton. The four-year starter has been the focal point of Milford’s attack since she jumped on the team and this year head coach Lou Colabello is counting on a move to outside midfield to give her more chances to get on the ball and run at defenders. Freshman Ava Baglione will step in up top and there is hope she can add firepower to the Hawks’ attack. Sophomore Paige Caldon had a good season in attack as a freshman and this year will drop back to help out in the center of the pitch.
Senior Serena Borges will be moved further up in midfield so that she can produce more in the attack, but classmate Brooke Ferreira will be pushed from midfield to the back line to cover for preseason injuries. Ferreira will be joined by senior Evalysse Pierce, who is coming back from an injury that kept her out of last season. Freshman Kayleigh Tourtellot is another rookie who should be ready for the physical test of the Hockomock League, while classmate Chloe Murdock will step between the pipes after a strong season as an eighth grader on JV.
“It’s a fun team,” Colabello said about the mix of veterans and talented newcomers. “There is a lot of talent there. We’re deeper than we were last year. We’ll hold our own. We’re hoping to get out of the blocks well and build some confidence.”
2021 Record: 8-10-2 2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 32 Coach: Geoff Burgess
North Attleboro is making the move back to the Kelley-Rex division this fall and the Rocketeers will be turning to a familiar face on the sidelines, as Geoff Burgess moves back to the girls’ program after coaching the boys for the past few seasons. After graduating 12 players, North will have a lot of new faces implementing a new style this season.
Up top, North will be counting on senior Emma Pratt. After scoring nine goals last year, Pratt is the team’s top returning scorer and will be counted on to give the Rocketeers the firepower to compete with the league’s best. Senior Caroline Ferrin will be one of the key playmakers in the center of the pitch and will help Burgess bring in a more possession-based approach.
The North boys have been known as a strong defensive team and Burgess will hope that solidity carries over to his work with the girls as well. Senior Haley Sinacola will be the team’s leader at the back. Sinacola was the team’s MVP last season and gives North a strong foundation in the defensive third, as well as a constant threat on set pieces. Senior Maddie Ferrin is back in goal for the Rocketeers and adds experience to the back line.
“Lots of changes to the team, the philosophy and the style of play,” said Burgess. “We are still learning about ourselves and who we can be this season. We are going to try and possess the ball and build attacks rather than kick and chase.”
2021 Record: 14-2-2 (Davenport champion) 2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 16 Coach: Britt Sellmayer
Even after graduating 10 players from last season, Oliver Ames looks prepared to defend its Davenport division title. Many of the younger players got experience on the pitch in 2021 and could be poised for big years as they step into larger roles.
OA was second in the league with 68 goals last year and the attack will continue to utilize the speedy wings that have become a signature of the Tigers’ style. Junior Lucinda Li Cotter and senior Jenna Gilman will continue to provide width and service into the box. Senior Carly Gibson will move into the forward line to give additional creativity in the final third.
The midfield will continue to be strong, physical, and direct. Senior Mary Cross will move forward from defense and give leadership in the middle of the field. Sophomore Emma Gavin impressed during her rookie season and gives another weapon in the midfield. Seniors Sophia Byron and Molly Capace will be leaders in a back line that allowed only 11 goals in 18 games last year. Sophomore Taylor deVos is a versatile player who can line up on the wing or at outside back. Sophomore Janiya Matier will be the team’s new keeper this season.
“Even graduating seven senior starters (10 total) we feel we have a competitive team returning this year,” said OA coach Britt Sellmayer. “The key will be returning taking on larger roles and new players having an impact for a successful season.”
2021 Record: 3-14-1 2021 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Catherine Sullivan
Sharon went through a tough 2021 season, with only three wins, but the Eagles are another team returning the bulk of its roster, and the experience that they have from back to front promises the potential for more positive results in 2022.
The key for Sharon will be senior Sofia Goclowski. The team’s top playmaker, Goclowski is a back-to-box midfielder who will contribute on both ends of the field and, as she continues to develop her finishing, could be ready to lead the Sharon attack. The Eagles will also lean on a pair of underclassmen in the forward line. Sophomore Autumn Simon, who also played in goal last season, makes good runs behind the back line and is one of the team’s top returning scorers. Freshman Jessica Li is an exciting newcomer that will add speed and athleticism on the wing.
Defense will be bolstered by the return of senior Sally Brouhard. After missing all of last season with an injury, Brouhard provides reliability in the back line and is a leader that will keep things organized. Senior Carly Pinnix is another technically proficient midfielder that gives Sharon composure in the midfield and can jump into the attack when she gets the chance.
“With so many returning varsity players, we have strength across every line this season and we have the potential to be very good,” said Sharon coach Catherine Sullivan. “We will need to stay focused and committed to continuous improvement if we are going to be competitive in the challenging Hockomock, but I am excited to see what this talented group can do together.”
2021 Record: 3-15-0 2021 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Jon Grant
Stoughton had three wins in 2021, but the Black Knights also displayed potential for a brighter future with a host of underclassmen that looked ready to start competing with the top teams. Former boys coach Jon Grant has taken over the girls’ program this season and he will be focusing on the defensive side of the ball, hoping to shore things up at the back to help secure more positive results.
The Black Knights should be dynamic in the final third this season. Senior Shayla Ford is back for her fourth varsity season and her speed and ability to find space make her a constant threat to the opposition defense. Sophomores Makenzie O’Connor and Bianca Casna both had strong freshman seasons and can cause problems with the ball at their feet. Sophomores Morgan Cook and Emma Tran showed good chemistry in the midfield last year and will help provide the killer pass to the forwards.
After allowing 86 goals last year, defense will be a priority for the Black Knights this year and there were several players who will be leaning on the valuable experience they got in 2021. Senior Sabrina Rodrigues will add a veteran presence, while junior Ally Lada and sophomore Lauren Mitchell will anchor the middle of the back line. Junior Katrina Varnum is a vocal leader in goal.
“This season we are focusing on team and individual defending,” said Grant. “I’m excited to watch this group grow throughout the season and compete in such an extremely competitive league. Everything I’ve thrown at them so far has been received positively. This group is very coachable and has such a passion to learn and get better.”
2021 Record: 2-15-1 2021 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Danny Borges
Taunton is coming off a difficult 2021 season, after just two wins, but there is optimism in the squad with many younger players gaining valuable experience last season. The Tigers will have a new face on the sideline this fall, with Dan Borges taking over. Although new to the Hockomock, Borges spent 34 years as the coach of the boy’s team at Coyle-Cassidy and he is excited about the progress the team has made in picking up his system in the preseason.
Goals were hard to come by at times last season, as Taunton scored only 14 overall and just eight in league play. Senior midfielder Emily Calderon returns to be the team’s primary playmaker and will be counted on to get the Tigers moving upfield into the attack. Junior forwards Jenna Pereira and Ava Alves will be the main targets up top, as Taunton is looking to add more firepower at that end of the field.
On the other side, the Tigers have a question mark in goal with several younger players looking to replace Izzy Anslow, who was impressive between the sticks for the past couple of seasons. Senior Christina Da Costa and junior Cali Melo will give Taunton athleticism and leadership in the back line to try and shore things up and limit the opposition.
“Our team spirit is high, the girls have been working very hard and adjusting to a new game model,” Borges said. “I believe we have a good mix of experience and youth, and we hope to be more competitive in the traditionally strong Hockomock League.”
