Boys Soccer Hockomock Cup
#KR2 Mansfield, 0 @ #D1 Oliver Ames, 3 – Final – Oliver Ames scored once in each of the first two quarters and tacked on a fourth quarter insurance goal to secure a 3-0 win over Mansfield and advance to the Hockomock Cup final. Matt Nikiciuk blasted a free kick through traffic in the first to put Oliver Ames ahead. Anthony DaCosta doubled the lead for the Tigers, running onto a perfectly weighted through ball from Kevin Louhis and one-timing a shot into the net. Mathias Taylor iced the game, running onto a long ball from Hector Bucio and using his speed to race past the defense and finish to the far post. Bucio, Nikiciuk, Brady deVos, Jimmy Keane, and Ben Cohen played strong defense for the Tigers to limit the Hornets. Oliver Ames will take on Kelley-Rex division champion Milford in the Hockomock Cup final.
#D2 Canton, 0 @ #KR1 Milford, 5 – Final – Reigning Hockomock League MVP Leo Coelho netted a first half hat trick to pace the unbeaten Scarlet Hawks past Canton and into the Hockomock Cup final. Lucas Da Silva (from Arthur Tome) and Coelho (from Da Silva) scored first quarter goals as the Hawks took a 2-0 lead through 20 minutes. Coelho converted a penalty kick, and then completed his hat trick on an another assist from Da Silva as Milford carried a 4-0 lead into halftime. Coelho then set up Eduardo Castro for a third quarter goal. Milford will take on Davenport division champion Oliver Ames in the Hockomock Cup final.
Consolation Rounds
North Attleboro, 1 @ Attleboro, 2 – Final – North Attleboro scored first but the hosts equalized less than a minute later and then found the winner in the fourth quarter to claim the Leach and Garner Cup. Connor Ward’s cross was tapped home by Eddy Mendoza to give North a first quarter lead but the Bombardiers equalized right off the kick off when Jackson Singer played Ben Fasoldt in behind the defense and the senior captain finished into the back of the net. In the fourth quarter, Justin Lurrsen laid off a pass for Emilio Ticas and the junior blasted a shot in the far corner for the game-winner in the 63rd minute.
Girls Soccer Hockomock Cup
#D4 North Attleboro, 0 @ #KR3 King Philip, 1 – Final – Jenny Montville scored six minutes into the third quarter and it proved to be enough for the Warriors to pull out the win. Montville ran onto a ball over the top by Ella Pisani and was able to lift it over the keeper for the game-winner.
Field Hockey Hockomock Cup
#KR3 Attleboro, 1 @ #KR1 Franklin, 6 – Final – Franklin scored four unanswered second half goals to pull away from the upset-minded Bombardiers to secure its spot in the Hockomock Cup final. The Panthers pounced early as Amanda Lewandowski scored twice, unassisted at 3:04 and from Kaitlyn Carney at 8:47, to take a 2-0 lead after one quarter of play but Attleboro’s Madison Ellis cut the deficit in halftime with a second quarter goal. In the third, Stephanie Bell scored back-to-back goals to push the Panthers’ lead to 4-1, and Sara Carney and Jill Fenerty added fourth quarter goals to seal the win. Neilee Hess made six saves in net for the win. Franklin will host King Philip in the Hockomock Cup final on Tuesday at 4:00.
#KR2 King Philip, 1 @ #D1 Oliver Ames, 0 – Final – King Philip scored the lone goal of the game midway through the fourth quarter to emerge victorious in a well-played game against Oliver Ames. A quick restart from Alli Beltramini found Grace Crocker, who was able to get past a defender and then raced from midfield, past an OA defender, and slid a low shot past the sliding keeper to put the Warriors in front. KP head coach Lisa Cropper praised Beltramini and Morgan Cunningham for their stellar defensive effort in front of Makenzie Manning (11 saves). King Philip will travel to Franklin in the Hockomock Cup final on Tuesday at 4:00.
Consolation Rounds
North Attleboro, 1 @ Canton, 2 – Final – Maria Femia and Audrey Koen each scored once as the Bulldogs finished the season with a 2-1 win over North Attleboro.
Franklin, 1 @ Taunton, 1 – Final – Franklin’s Ethan Cain scored for the second straight game as the Panthers earned a draw on the road at Taunton. Will Fox had the assist on Cain’s goal.
King Philip, 0 @ Milford, 1 – Final – After three quarters of scoreless action, Milford finally broke through with the lone goal of the match just before the midway point of the fourth quarter. On an indirect kick from just outside the box, senior Leo Coelho touched the ball to set up Lucas Da Silva for a shot that found the back of the net in the 67th minute.
Canton, 1 @ North Attleboro, 0 – Final – Elisa Diletizia scored with four minutes remaining to keep Canton’s perfect start to the season alive and handed North its first loss of the season. Annie Hoban had the assist on the game-winning goal. North nearly grabbed the lead for itself earlier in the fourth quarter but Steph McKenna’s shot was cleared off the line. North coach Bill Wallace said that Jordyn Sullivan, Summer Doherty, Katie Manning, and Clara Giuliano all played well defensively for the Rocketeers.
Stoughton, 0 @ Foxboro, 5 – Final – Jordyn Collins scored the 50th goal of her career, as Foxboro got back in the win column. Jordan Carman and Caroline Rongione had put the Warriors two goals ahead before Collins, who also had an assist, recorded her milestone goal. Kailee McCabe wrapped up the win with a pair of goals, the second goal assisted by Carman. Despite the loss, Stoughton coach Hermes Lima was happy with his team’s effort and how they played against Foxboro’s pressure. He said, “We kept everything in front of us and played well. Our center mids kept up good press and facilitating the ball as they should.”
Taunton, 0 @ Franklin, 7 – Final – Stella Regan and Tori Carmignani both scored twice, as Franklin rolled to its fifth win in five games this season. The Kelley-Rex leaders also got goals from Anya Zub, Sydney St. Marie, and Clare Bowen, while Zub, Riley Fitzpatrick, Bridgette Ginley, and Anna Grasson (two) had assists.
Milford, 1 @ King Philip, 4 – Final – Jenny Montville scored three times and assisted on the fourth goal to help the Warriors get back on track with a win against Milford. KP opened the scored five minutes into the second quarter when Montville teed up Ella Pisani for a finish inside the box. Dani Atherton brought Milford level just 30 seconds later, with her fifth goal in two games, beating a pair of defenders and knocking her shot in off the far post. The game was tied for five minutes before Montville restored the KP advantage off a Kiera Lindmark pass. Six minutes before the half, Pisani set up Montville to make it 3-1. Montville sealed her hat trick and the win when she finished off a left wing cross from Lindmark five minutes from full time. Emma Glaser made eight saves in the win. KP coach Gary Pichel said Ava Tormey, Jillian Anderson, Paige Varvarigos, and Brooke Mullins played well in the win.
Sharon, 0 @ Oliver Ames, 2 – Final – OA scored one early and one late in the game to earn its first win of the season and remain unbeaten. Alexa Lane scored off a cross from Madeleine Taylor to put the hosts ahead in the 5th minute. Camryn O’Connor doubled the lead with a goal in the 75th minute. Cass Barbera played well in goal, according to Sharon coach Catherine Sullivan, and midfielders Sofia Goclowski and Kate McLaughlin stood out for the Eagles.
Golf
Attleboro, 168 @ North Attleboro, 158 – Final – North Attleboro avenged a loss to its rival Attleboro from earlier in the season with a victory at home at Heather Hill Country Club. Sophomore Jake Gaskin shot a team-low round of 38, Dillon Harding came in with a 39, Sam Gallagher shot a 40, and Aidan Weir carded a 41 in the Rocketeers’ win. For Attleboro, Brendan Raymond was the match medalist with a low-round of 37. Leo Lombardo added a 43 for the Bombardiers while both Parker Sackett and Owen Dryjowicz each shot a 44.
Sharon, 166 @ Oliver Ames, 157 – Final – Oliver Ames defended its home turf, picking up a 157-166 win at Pine Oaks over visiting Sharon. Senior Kosta Spiliakos birdied each the first and second hole en route to a career-low match score of 38 to lead the Tigers to a win. Jake Kaplan added a 39 in the win while both senior Logan Domenico and freshman David Rogers shot 40. Nathan Daley was the match medalist, shooting a low-round of 36 with a birdie on the fifth hole for Sharon.
Foxboro, 160 @ Stoughton, 169 – Final – Jack Rounds and Jack Watts were medalists for Foxboro with a pair of 39’s. Anthony Hern led Stoughton with a 41 and Jonah Hochberg added a 42 for the Black Knights.
Franklin freshman Anya Zub (5) scored the second goal for the Panthers in a win at King Philip. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
WRENTHAM, Mass. – In a shortened season, jumping out to an early lead in the division standings could be critical and Wednesday afternoon’s meeting of Franklin and King Philip at Macktaz Field was the chance for one to grab the lead in the Kelley-Rex after both went undefeated in the first week of play.
Behind goals from senior Erin Quaile and freshman Anya Zub and a typically strong defensive performance, Franklin beat KP 2-0 and took a one-game edge in the standings with the second game of a home-and-home coming up on Friday.
Over the past year, Franklin has become synonymous with defense. The Panthers recorded clean sheets in 11 of their final 12 games of the 2019 regular season, then held Oliver Ames scoreless through regulation of the playoff game before the Tigers scored the winner in extra time. This season, Franklin has tossed shutouts in all three games, remaining stout and hard to break down even with the modified rules that discourage physicality.
“We lack experience with a lot of these kids,” said Franklin coach Tom Geysen. “If you don’t have that kind of experience right now then you want to speed up the other team’s play faster than they want to get rid of the ball. So, if we can pressure them and make them make earlier decision than they want to, you’ve got a better chance to win the ball. It kind of worked.”
It was clear from the opening whistle that Franklin was the aggressor on Wednesday. A long ball over the top to Ava Tormey gave the Warriors an early chance but pressure from Izzy Arnold gave goalie Julia Bertone time to slide out and grab the loose ball. It would be the last chance of note for KP in the first half.
Franklin’s best chance of the opening quarter came in the final two minutes with Riley Fitzpatrick playing a nicely weighted pass into the right channel for Zub to run onto. The freshman hit a shot from a tough angle and saw it go right through the box and just wide of the far post.
The visitors carried momentum into the second quarter and had two golden chances in the span of two minutes, only to be denied both times on goal line clearances by Taylor Thompson. The first chance came when Jamie Tanner got behind the defense and managed to bundle the ball by KP keeper Emma Glaser, but Thompson intervened at the last second. Two minutes later Quaile crossed it from the left to Tanner and again the ball was redirected towards the line but Thompson got there in time to clear.
With three minutes remaining in the half, Franklin’s pressure finally turned into a goal and from an unlikely source. Quaile collected the ball in midfield and found space for a 20-yard strike that sailed over Glaser’s hand and just under the bar for what turned out to be the game-winner.
Geysen said, “Erin I thought played really well on both sides of the ball today. She just does a lot of good things.”
“At halftime, I was telling them you had three days out of four off and you come back and you look like you’ve been working out for 10 days straight,” said KP coach Gary Pichel. “I told them, the team I put out on Friday will be very different than today because you didn’t work for it and you didn’t earn it.”
Ella Pisani had three goals in the first two games but the Franklin defense was able to keep her largely in check on Wednesday. She did manage to get a shot early in the third quarter but it sailed wide, as the Warriors reacted to Pichel’s halftime team talk with a spark of energy.
It didn’t take Franklin long to reassert control. Arnold’s long ball out of defense picked out Zub on the run, but Glaser was able to slide and make the stop. Almost immediately after, Bridgette Ginley had a chance from the right side and her shot was narrowly wide of the post.
Kiera Lindmark gave Franklin freshman keeper Rachel Welch a scare with a free kick late in the third, but it curled wide from 25 yards out. Lindmark nearly found the right pass to Jenny Montville at the start of the fourth but Montville couldn’t get a solid touch and Welch was able make the comfortable stop.
Eight minutes into the final quarter, Franklin doubled its lead and secured the two points. Zub and Fitzpatrick played a nice one-two on the edge of the box, springing Zub beyond the back line. She managed to hold off the defender on her back and fire a shot past Glaser to make it 2-0.
“Anya is a special player,” said Geysen. “She’s so freaking smart. She puts herself where she knows they’re going to play the ball and a lot of times I don’t have to tell her.”
The Panthers nearly added a third in the final minute with another piece of solid ball movement. Tanner started the play with a pass to Zub on the wing. Her low cross was just behind Tanner in the middle of the box and found Tory Carmignani at the back post, but her shot skimmed the bar on its way out of play.
Franklin (3-0-0) and King Philip (2-1-0) will do it all over again on Friday, with the Warriors looking to rebound and get back to even in the standings.
KP goalie Emma Glaser dives at the feet of Mansfield’s Tarynn Smith to make a save right before halftime of a 2-0 win. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
MANSFIELD, Mass. – As the clock wound down in the fourth quarter, the field felt titled towards the home team. It seemed only a matter of time until Mansfield was able to turn its domination into an equalizing goal and salvage a point. With five minutes to play and the Hornets pushing numbers forward, King Philip countered and sealed the win.
Ella Pisani’s second goal of the night, coming against the run of play, clinched a 2-0 victory for the Warriors and a sweep of the season series with Mansfield, setting up a battle of unbeaten league leaders next week against Franklin.
“Against these guys it’s always the same deal,” said KP coach Gary Pichel about playing Mansfield. “We’re always fighting neck-and-neck and there’s no blowouts or anything. I’m happy.”
The Hornets got off to a slow start, struggling to create scoring chances in the first quarter, but they grew into the game and their depth proved important as they seemed to have more energy in the final 20 minutes.
Cathryn Cooney had a good look from 20 yards but KP keeper Emma Glaser made the save down to her right. Four minutes later, Cooney’s free kick nearly picked out Tarynn Smith at the back post, but she was unable to bring it down cleanly and Glaser was off her line quick to secure the loose ball. The pressure was mounting on the KP back line, but Mansfield just couldn’t find the final ball.
KP sprung a counter with five minutes left. Pisani slid a ball down the left channel, playing Jenny Montville in behind the Mansfield right back and clean on goal. Montville’s chance was smothered by Hornets keeper Olivia Salisbury but the rebound popped out to Pisani. She took a touch and calmly curled a shot over the keeper to wrap up the win. It was her third goal of the young season.
“We also went three at the back and really two at the back as I was pushing everybody up, so what’s the difference between losing 1-0 or 2-0?” asked Mansfield coach Kevin Smith. “We’ve got to take the risks.”
Mansfield almost cut the lead in half with two minutes to go, but Isabella Lennon shot off an indirect free kick in the box was sent wide of the post.
Pichel praised his defense for holding onto the clean sheet, even with Grace Lawler sidelined with injury. He explained, “I used a freshman midfielder, Kylie Menendez, because she’s been playing so well in the mid and I said I’ve got to put her back there and see if works and she did a fantastic job with Paige [Varvarigos]. She held her own in a big game.”
The Warriors started well. Freshman Ellish McGowen had a shot from 20 yards in the first minute and forced Salisbury (five saves) into a diving stop. Montville nearly took advantage of a mix-up between a pair of Mansfield defenders but her shot from 25 yards was comfortable for the keeper.
“We were both a little slow,” Smith admitted. “If you watched Wednesday’s game (a 2-1 KP win), it was brilliant. Both teams played awesome. I think we were both just tired. Neither of has played two games in three days since February, so we’re all going to be rusty.”
In the final minute of the opening quarter, KP grabbed the lead. Kiera Lindmark was fouled when jumping for a cross from a corner kick and Pisani made no mistake from the spot.
“Ella took Avery [Snead]’s number (No. 9) on purpose because she adores Avery and wants to be like her,” said Pichel of Pisani picking up the scoring slack left by the Warriors graduating the program’s two all-time leading scorers. “She’s got some good moves and a good shot. She’s off to a good start.”
While it wasn’t the best start for Mansfield, the Hornets looked much better after the quick timeout. Maria Sevastos had a chance only three minutes into the second, getting free down the left wing, but her shot skimmed the bar on its way over. Anna Darlington then played Carly Devine down the right channel but she was unable to get the shot off under pressure from Varvarigos.
“I’m very happy with the girls,” said Smith. “They took that first quarter and put it in the back of their heads and got rid of it and switched back on and played well.”
KP could have doubled its lead with two minutes to go before halftime. When Mansfield tried to play out of its own penalty area, Paulina Baczkowski forced a turnover but her shot from a tight angle was pushed aside by Salisbury.
Kara Santos’ long free kick in the final minute of the second was on target and Glaser spilled the shot, but the keeper bravely dove at Smith’s feet to ensure there was no rebound opportunity for the Hornets forward and keep KP in front at the break.
King Philip (2-0) will e back home next week to host also unbeaten Franklin with first place in the Kelley-Rex on the line. Mansfield (0-2) will be back at Alumni Field on Wednesday to host Taunton in the season opener for the Tigers.
Boys Soccer
Canton, 1 @ Stoughton, 1 – Final
Foxboro, 2 @ Sharon, 2 – Final
Franklin, 0 @ Milford, 6 – Final
King Philip, 0 @ Mansfield, 1 – Final
Oliver Ames @ North Attleboro – Postponed to TBD.
Girls Soccer
Stoughton @ Canton, 6:00 – Postponed to Friday, 10/9 at 6:00.
Sharon, 1 @ Foxboro, 7 – Final – Kailee McCabe had a hat trick and Katelyn Mollica added a brace, as the Warriors got their second win of the week. Wendy Wooden got the first goal of the season for the Eagles, on an assist by Olivia Soby, to put the visitors in front, but Mollica equalized with a long-range shot. McCabe scored the next two, both assisted by Jordyn Collins, who started the second half with her third goal of the season (assisted by Alyssa Vandenboom). McCabe added an unassisted goal and Mollica scored on a free kick before Caroline Rongione wrapped up the scoring off an assist by Olivia Nicholson.
Milford, 0 @ Franklin, 5 – Final – The Panthers made it two wins from two to start the season as five different players found the back of the net. Riley Fitzpatrick, Anya Zub (first career goal), Erin Quaile, Stella Regan, and Rachel Hogan each tallied once in the win, while Zub, Clare Bowen, Izzy Arnold, and Jamie Tanner (two) had assists. Julia Bertone and Rachel Welch each made one save in goal for Franklin.
Mansfield, 1 @ King Philip, 2 – Final – King Philip rallied from a goal down to pull out a win in the season opener for both teams. All three goals were scored in the final seven minutes of the first half. Sarah Sacco gave the Hornets the lead with a shot from 10 yards out, but five minutes later KP equalized when Ella Pisani found the range from 12 yards, assisted by Ava Tormey. Just a minute later Jenny Montville took a pass from Pisani and hit a 25-yard shot off the crossbar and in for wat turned out to be the game-winner. Charlotte Majer, Kylie Menendez, and Paulina Baczkowski all played well for the Warriors to secure the two points.
North Attleboro @ Oliver Ames – Postponed to TBD.
Golf
Canton @ Stoughton, – Postponed to Thursday 10/8 at 3:30.
Franklin, 144 @ Milford, 175 – Final
The Hockomock League kicked off its girls soccer season and we have the team-by-team rundown of how everyone stacks up this year. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com) By HockomockSports.com Staff
2019 Record: 7-9-2 2019 Finish: Missed playoffs Coach: Steve Santos
Last year, Attleboro was just one win away from ending its playoff drought and while the Bombardiers aren’t going to have a tournament to look forward to this season they have plenty of experience and talent coming back to be in the mix in what should be a wide open Kelley-Rex division. The Bombardiers will also have an extra week to prepare after the first two games against Taunton were postponed.
Attleboro should be potent in front of goal this season. Senior forwards Isabella Salviati and Briley Harnois have been dynamic scoring threats for the past three years and have proved to be a tough combination for teams to handle. Senior Jessica Gates also returns to play provider and pull the strings from midfield.
Sophomore Emily Dunlea will pair up with Gates in the center of the midfield, while senior Cassondra Stuger and Meghan Panzer were on the outside. Panzer can also step in and give Attleboro minutes up top when Harnois or Salviati need a breather.
At the back, senior Eleanor Graber and junior Olivia Calderon have been teaming up in the center, while seniors Gabby Bosh and Riley Sullivan have been the outside backs. Sophomore Alexis Campbell will be back in goal after seeing time as a freshman last year. Experience won’t be an issue for the Bombardiers, which should help them cope with the challenges of a unique season.
“The rule modifications cater to our style of play maybe more than it does for other,” said Attleboro coach Steve Santos. “There are a lot of returning players, so I think we’ll be okay. We just have to be able to adjust.”
2019 Record: 12-9-0 2019 Finish: Reached D2 South Semifinal Coach: Idris Senyonjo
Canton made a run to the Div. 2 South semifinal a year ago and the perpetually young Bulldogs will be hoping to build on that experience and challenge Foxboro for the division title this fall. Former coach Kate Howarth is plying her trade with the NWSL’s Orlando Pride, so Idris Senyonjo takes over this season and picked up an impressive win on his debut with the team scoring eight goals in the process.
The attack has been a strength for Canton for the past several years and with senior forwards Olivia Rodman and Elisa Diletizia back to lead the line the Bulldogs have a pair of potential match winners up front. Junior Gabriella Herivaux adds a different dynamic to the forward line and senior Mia Gilmore emerged last year as one of the league’s top playmaking midfielders.
In the heart of the pitch, Canton has plenty of players who can contribute both on offense and defense. Sophomore Emily McCabe is coming off a strong rookie season and combines well with Gilmore in the middle. Senior Sarai Costello is another player that the coaches expect big things from this year.
Consistency on defense will be a big point of emphasis this year and junior defender Allie McCabe and junior goalie Elyse Broderick should give the Bulldogs a foundation to build on. Freshmen Mekhala Costello and Ava Gilmore have impressed coached during the preseason and both are expected to step in and add strength to the back line.
“I am coming into a program that has a great group of girls who love the game and play for each other,” said Senyonjo. “This made it easy for me to start implementing my philosophy and approach of the game. No matter how short the season might be, I believe we have a good group of girls who will be hungry for a great season.”
2019 Record: 16-2-2 2019 Finish: Reached D2 South Quarterfinal Coach: Katie Stalcup
Foxboro has won back-to-back Davenport division titles and comes into this season with eyes on a three-peat and a roster loaded with talent and experience. The Warriors had one of the best attacks in the Hock in 2019, scoring 80 goals as a team, while only allowing 12. Expectations are very high for Foxboro to win a third title in a row, something it hasn’t done since winning the league from 1985-90.
Attack continues to be one of the strengths for the Warriors led by senior forward Jordyn Collins. The Bryant University-commit scored 23 goals last year and already has two to her name after one game this fall. Junior Kailee McCabe is the lynchpin of the midfield, dominating with and without the ball and adding to the team’s scoring punch. Senior Katelyn Mollica can get up and down the wing and her crossing ability gives the strikers more opportunities to get on the board.
It isn’t all about the offense. The Warriors are also stingy on the other end of the field. Senior defender Emma Dahl will lead the back line this season and senior Grace Ferguson will be a key player in the heart of the midfield, helping Foxboro play the possession style of soccer that it prefers. Senior Morgan Sylvestre gives the Warriors an experienced, talented shot-stopper in goal.
“We are all just so excited to be playing soccer and I am so excited about this team and our talent,” said Foxboro coach Katie Stalcup. “We know that this season will look a little different, but we are going to make the most of it and enjoy ourselves and enjoy winning soccer games.”
2019 Record: 12-5-1 2019 Finish: Reached D1 South First Round Coach: Tom Geysen
Franklin had one of the league’s top defenses in 2019, holding teams scoreless in 11 of the final 12 games of the 2019 regular season. The Panthers will hope to be just as stingy this year and, with the rule changes in place, try to add more scoring punch, as they look to get back on top of the Kelley-Rex division standings for the first time since 2015.
Sophomore Norah Anderson will be back in the heart of the Franklin defense after an impressive rookie campaign and her physicality will be important after the graduation of Sabrina Addi. Senior Carissa Alers will partner Anderson in the middle and junior Izzy Arnold will be on the outside. Senior Julia Bertone and freshman Rachel Welch will both see time in goal, replacing Brenna Atwood.
Senior Erin Quaile will be in the heart of the midfield for the Panthers, providing endless running and contributions in both boxes. Sophomore Bridget Leo saw a lot of time at the end of last season and she will be in the midfield again. Junior Stella Regan is also back after a long time out with broken leg and gives Franklin a different option with her skill on the ball as she continues to work back to 100 percent.
In the attack, senior Sydney St. Marie will be the primary goal scorer, and she is off to a good start after two goals in the season opening win against Milford. Junior Riley Fitzpatrick will join St. Marie up front and there are several younger players that could step in and help out the offense, including freshman Anya Zub, who had an assist on her debut.
“We’re moving along,” said Franklin coach Tom Geysen. “it’s just hard to assess progress because of the changes in rules and everything. The kids are hesitant. My advice is play as hard as you have to play to get the job done and if they call an indirect, then they call an indirect.”
2019 Record: 21-1-0 2019 Finish: Reached D1 South Final Coach: Gary Pichel
King Philip reached the Div. 1 South final last year, for the second time in three seasons, but enter the fall without not only the program’s top two all-time scorers but with a large group of seniors that helped the program win two of the last three league titles and nearly finish an undefeated season. Even without some of the big names from last year, KP brings back a number of players who saw action in that finals run and will be counted on for bigger roles this year.
With Chloe Layne and Avery Snead, goals were never an issue for the Warriors. This season, several players will look to pick up the scoring load. Sophomore Ella Pisani and senior Kiera Lindmark will both lead the attack but will get help from senior midfielder Jenny Montville, who had several big goals during the playoff run in 2019.
Seniors Ava Tormey and Maeve Lawlor will provide control in the midfield and will get a boost from the return of senior Charlotte Majer to the program. Majer spent last year with a development academy program and will be a big boost to the Warriors in the center of the pitch.
Defense could be a strength for KP, with several returning players. Sophomore Grace Lawler was impressive as a freshman, regularly marking the opposition’s top attacker. Senior Paige Varvarigos is also back after a strong season at outside back. Seniors Taryn Greenberg, Jillian Anderson, and Taylor Thompson will also help out at the back. Senior Emma Glaser will take over in goal.
“We will all do the best we can and hope for the best in a much abbreviated season,” said KP coach Gary Pichel. “I hope the best for all of our teams and to have fun and to do it safely. The most important thing is to keep our girls healthy while returning to competition so they can do what they like to do best!”
2019 Record: 6-8-4 2019 Finish: Missed playoffs Coach: Kevin Smith
Last season was a learning experience for a young group of Hornets, but even with only four returning varsity players Mansfield finished just one win shy of a playoff appearance. This year, Mansfield brings back 18 players from last season’s roster, including nine starters, so the Hornets will expect to quickly return to being one of the challengers for the Kelley-Rex title.
Even with all of the returning players, Mansfield remains a young team. There are three freshmen, five sophomores, and six juniors on the roster. Despite their youth, many saw plenty of time on the field last year and will be leaning on that experience for more success this fall.
Junior Katie Miller returns in the heart of the midfield and gives Mansfield a foundation to build its attacks and to stifle the opposition. Junior Maria Sevastos will return in the defense and the speedy converted forward gives the Hornets a threat on the outside. Junior Tarynn Smith will be back up top after a solid season leading the line and sophomore Olivia Salisbury returns in goal after a strong rookie year.
“After a year of experience under the young kids’ belts, I’m excited to see how much they’ve learned and how they can apply it this fall,” said Mansfield coach Kevin Smith.
2019 Record: 9-6-4 2019 Finish: Reached D2 South First Round Coach: Lou Colabello
Milford made a run at a league title last fall and reached the state tournament, but now the Hawks are moving into the Kelley-Rex division and doing so without 32 goals and several key pieces from the spine of last year’s team. With experience at the back and in goal, the Hawks will be hoping to be tough to beat and let the young attack have a chance to win games.
Senior Carly Ferreira is back in goal this season and has already been busy, coming up with more than 20 saves in the season opener against Franklin. With seniors Catherine Madden and Alyssa Monahan in the back line, the Hawks won’t lack for leadership and experience in the defensive third. Senior Brianna Franzini will add more of that veteran presence in the midfield, which was hard-hit by graduation.
Up top will be sophomore Dani Atherton, who reached double digits in goals during her freshman season and can play as a forward or as a creative midfielder. Sophomores Brooke Ferreira, Serena Borges, and Brooke Guerreiro all saw limited action as freshmen, but will be expected to step into bigger roles this year to shore up the center of the pitch and push into the attack.
“I think the season will depend on how quickly we adjust once games begin,” said Milford coach Lou Colabello. “Replacing key players in the midfield will be a big part of how successful we are. Hopefully, we can get better from game to game. One thing is for sure, we will play hard and have fun doing it.”
2019 Record: 4-10-4 2019 Finish: Missed playoffs Coach: Bill Wallace
North Attleboro will have a lot of new faces in the lineup this season, coming off a tough, four-win campaign. Although many of the names will be new, the Rocketeers feel confident that the revamped defensive unit will make them tough to beat this year and allow them to compete against the top teams in the division, as they proved in a scoreless draw with Oliver Ames in the season opener.
Senior Jordyn Sullivan and junior Summer Doherty are the lone returning players that saw time in the back line last year, but they will be pushed by a host of other players ready to step in. Seniors Ari Newth and Katie Manning, juniors Charlotte Moynihan and Autumn Hewitt, and sophomores Brooke Sullivan and Haley Sinacola will all see time in the defense. Senior Kaylah Seavey and sophomore Maddie Ferrin will be in goal this season.
After missing last season with a knee injury, senior Lydia Santos will provide leadership in the midfield. Classmates Abby Noreck and Ari Rice will also see time in the middle, while a trio of sophomores – Clara Giuliano, Lily Adams, and Caroline Ferrin will add energy and speed in the center.
Up top, senior Tess Collins and junior Steph McKenna are back to lead the line with their speed and creativity. Senior Ally Scott and junior Brayden Rice will give North depth and different looks up top, while sophomore Emma Pratt is a newcomer that could contribute in the attack right away.
“We are working hard to figure this all out,” said North coach Bill Wallace. “Spirits are high and practices have been productive. Girls are possessing better and better and hopefully that will equate to more success on the scoreboard.”
2019 Record: 14-5-2 2019 Finish: Reached D2 South Quarterfinal Coach: Britt Sellmayer
Oliver Ames returns to the Davenport division this fall. The Tigers won three straight Davenport titles before moving to the Kelley-Rex (making it four straight titles in their first year in the new division) and with an experienced, if still relatively young, group they expect to challenge Foxboro’s place at the top of the standings this season.
The Tigers have only four seniors on the roster this year, but they have 17 players with varsity experience. While the attack will certainly miss the scoring Erin Holmberg’s scoring touch and the new rules will hinder OA’s typically prolific set piece scoring, there is plenty of strength throughout the roster to be both tough to break down and tough to keep away from goal.
Senior Emma Pereira is a dominant presence in the middle of the pitch and she will be joined by Reese Pereira and Lauren Sellmayer to try and take control of the midfield. Junior Allison Evin can play up top or in the midfield and classmate Camryn O’Connor is a dynamic playmaker and tough to stop when she starts running at defenses.
Kathryn Gibson will solidify the defensive unit, while Jenna Gilman provides speed on the wings. In goal, OA has two solid options with senior Emma O’Donnell and junior Emily Meyers sharing time between the pipes.
OA coach Britt Sellmayer said, “The biggest issue for the new rules is the interpretation by referees, we have had them come to practice twice and one scrimmage. Let’s just say the games were different. Hopefully the kinks get worked out.”
2019 Record: 0-17-3 2019 Finish: Missed playoffs Coach: Catherine Sullivan
Despite its record last season under first-year head coach Catherine Sullivan, Sharon demonstrated the ability to compete with the top teams and Sullivan is hoping that with an experienced corps and the addition of talented younger players the Eagles will be a tough team to beat in a very competitive Davenport division this year.
Experience will be a key at the back. Three-year starting goalie Cass Barbera has proven to be a solid shot-stopper and her leadership is a confidence boost for the entire defensive unit. Senior Molly McAlevey will be the anchor of the back line with her physicality and communication. Sophomore Sally Brouhard is coming off a strong freshman season, where she emerged as one of the team’s top defenders.
Senior Amelia Scappaticci adds steel to the midfield and gives cover to the back line and classmate Emily Griffin adds the speed from the center of the pitch to get forward as often as possible. Sophomore Sofia Goclowski and freshman Kate McLaughlin are a pair of newcomers that should step into the midfield and add a different dimension with their skill. With new faces helping out in the attack, Sharon will be looking to find the back of the net more consistently this year.
“We have excellent leadership this season with a great mix of strong returning players and new talent stepping in,” said Sullivan. “The Davenport division looks to be extremely competitive this year, but our kids are dedicated to improving our style and speed of play, and I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of growth in short time this season.”
2019 Record: 3-13-2 2019 Finish: Missed playoffs Coach: Hermes Lima
Stoughton made strong strides last season, scoring 34 goals as a team, which was three times the total from the year before and the Black Knights will be hoping to keep that going this fall under new coach Hermes Lima. A tough loss to Canton on the opening day won’t deter Stoughton, which is hoping to continue building on the experience gained last season.
The attack should be potent again with the combination of sophomore forward Shayla Ford, coming off an impressive rookie campaign, and four-year starter and leading scorer Mackenzie Manning, who has developed into a dynamic playmaker either up top or in the midfield. Senior Rebecca Desousa and sophomore Isabella Rodrigues will both be expected to use their speed and aggressiveness to add to the offense, as the Black Knights promise to be a threat on the counterattack.
Senior Nikki Anderson is a versatile defender who can play in the center of the pitch or drop into the back line and she will be counted on to lead a young defensive group. Sophomore Sabrina Rodrigues is tenacious at the back and Liv Tran’s speed will help stymie the opposition. Speed and pressure will be two keys for the Black Knights at the back this season.
“I am here to continue the growth and culture of this program while also helping them become young successful individuals not only on, but off the field,” said Lima. “My goal is to ensure players learn a few things, create their own path, and reach for the moon!”
2019 Record: 2-14-2 2019 Finish: Missed playoffs Coach: Michael Couture
For the second time in two seasons, Taunton heads into a new season with a new coaching staff and with the goal of building a foundation for the program to compete against the top teams in the Kelley-Rex division. First-year head coach Michael Couture will be counting on a mix of experience and youth to improve on last year’s results.
The Tigers have players up front that can ask questions of the opposing defenses and on the other end of the field Taunton will try to soak up pressure and break quickly. They will also get an extra week of practice before games kick off after the games with Attleboro were postponed.
Experience will come from a group of seniors that have spent multiple years at the varsity level. Seniors Emily O’Gara and Madison Ribeiro can both play up top or in the midfield, while classmates Caitlin Smith, Kayla Botelho, and Morgan Zakrzewski provide leadership in the defensive third. Junior Isabella Anslow will be between the pipes this season. Sophomore midfielders Abigail Gamble and Christina DeCosta and sophomore forward Emily Calderon will provide energy and could step right in to contribute this season.
“Our main goal during the season is to get better every single day and play like it can be taken away from us at any time,” said Taunton coach Michael Couture. “We are on our way to building something special here at Taunton High and have the right group of dedicated girls.”
Foxboro senior Jordyn Collins (21) scored more than 20 goals last year and will be one of the players to watch when the season kicks off this week. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com) By HockomockSports.com Staff
Milford gave Foxboro a push for the Davenport title last season and, although the Hawks graduated several important players in the midfield, sophomore Dani Atherton’s stellar rookie campaign gives hope that there is enough talent coming back to be a threat in the Kelley-Rex this year. Atherton exploded onto the scene as a dynamic playmaker, scoring nine goals and recording six assists as a freshman. She is a skillful player, capable of making dangerous dribbles to get the defense off-balance, and is a willing runner to chase every pass into the channels and her markers always needed to be aware of where she is. Atherton can also drop into the midfield and give Milford more playmaking in the center of the pitch or on the wings. As she becomes more accustomed to the high pace of Hock play, Atherton has the potential to unlock defenses and be the key to Milford’s quick transitions into the attack.
It is hard to keep this Foxboro team from finding the back of the net and one of the primary reasons for that is Jordyn Collins. The senior forward and Bryant University-commit is one of the league’s fastest players and has been leaving defenders in her wake for three seasons. Collins scored 23 goals and added three assists last year, helping Foxboro to the Davenport division crown and she has added a more consistent finishing touch to the physical gifts that has made her hard to contain for even the league’s stingiest defenses. Strong on the ball and with quick feet, Collins can keep defenders off-balance, knowing if she gets an inch then she could be behind them and on goal in a flash. Collins has also developed an awareness of where the spaces are to make runs in behind, taking advantage of the channels and a blossoming partnership with midfielder, and fellow Player to Watch, Kailee McCabe to create chances on the break or against packed defenses. With Collins leading the line, Foxboro will be the favorite to retain the league title this fall.
It will certainly help Canton’s new coaching staff to know that it has firepower up front to cause problems for opponents. One of the dynamic playmakers that the Bulldogs will count on this season is senior forward Elisa Diletizia, who scored 16 goals and had four assists to help Canton reach the Div. 2 South semifinal last year. Quick and with loads of skill on the ball and the capability of playing on the shoulder of the last defender or dropping deep to get involved in the attack, Diletizia pops up in different spaces and is hard to mark with one defender. She also needs to be kept track of no matter how far out because she can find the back of the net from distance and from tough angles, making her a constant threat. The combination of Diletizia and Providence College-bound classmate Olivia Rodman is going to keep defenses on their toes and could make Canton one of the top scoring teams in the league this fall.
Speed is an important characteristic for a forward, but there also needs to be a tenacity to chase down passes, put defenders under constant pressure, and keep your team pushing forward. Briley Harnois gives Attleboro the perfect player to defend from the front and set the tone from an attitude standpoint. The senior forward is a thorn in the side of opposing defenses. Her quickness means any ball over the top is a potential opportunity and her willingness to get into physical battles with bigger defenders means that there isn’t a moment to rest. Harnois scored 10 goals last season and she is the perfect forward for Attleboro’s counter-attacking style, finding the seams to run into and also dropping back to combine with classmate Isabella Salviati. With a senior-laden roster, Attleboro will be a tough test for every team in the Kelley-Rex this fall and Harnois is emblematic of their combination of skill and attitude of not backing down from a challenge.
Stoughton made significant improvements last year, especially in the attack, as the Black Knights scored 34 goals as a team, three times more than the previous season. One of the constants for Stoughton is Mackenzie Manning, who has been the team’s leading scorer for each of her three years on varsity. Last year, the playmaker scored 11 goals and added three assists switching between attacking midfield and forward roles. She has quick feet and great vision to find the right pass to unleash the Stoughton forwards and her work rate, whether up top or in the middle of the pitch, pushes her teammates to match that intensity. Manning can strike from distance or run in behind the opposing defense and with sophomore forward Shayla Ford emerging as another attacking threat, Stoughton’s new coaching staff has a good foundation to continue building on last year’s scoring output.
Four years ago, Lily Sykes became the first player in any sport to be named to the first team in this site’s end-of-season award for four years in a row. It seemed like her graduation would leave a big hole in the middle of the pitch that Foxboro would struggle to fill, but Kailee McCabe stepped right in and extended that streak to six years and running. The two-time HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year is an imposing presence in the Warriors midfield, covering a ton of the pitch to be a factor with and without the ball. McCabe is strong in possession, rarely being pushed off the ball, but also has a nice touch and the vision to pick out the defense-splitting pass. She also has an eye for goal, scoring 17 goals and recording five assists last season, pushing her total to 30 goals in two years. Capable of winning the ball back and instantly getting the Warriors out on the break, McCabe has been a perfect foil for forward Jordyn Collins (see above), making Foxboro a constant threat and not giving opposing defenses a moment to rest.
Stats aren’t always a good judge of the impact a player has on a team. Mansfield returned only one starter for last season and needed someone to step up and set the tone for a young team. Katie Miller played all but 10 minutes last fall and the sophomore was the leader in the center of the pitch that got the Hornets within one win of a tournament bid. Miller had one assist last season, but it was her ability to cover ground in the midfield, break up opposing attacks, and her accurate passing helped Mansfield quickly turn defense into attack. A strong, physical presence, Miller’s reading of the game allowed her to be in the right spots for interceptions or key tackles and she also has skill on the ball to drive at the opposition defense and beat opponents off the dribble. With a little more experience around her this year, Miller could be able to add more stats this season but it is clear she will be one of the keys to the Hornets moving back to the top of the Kelley-Rex this season.
An experienced King Philip side took an undefeated season into the South final last year. Although the Warriors graduated the program’s two all-time leading scorers, there are several key players returning to try and keep KP at the top of the Kelley-Rex. One of those players is senior Jenny Montville, who is going to move from the midfield into a forward role and spearhead the Warriors attack. Solid on the ball and with the speed to make dangerous runs, Montville showed last year that she is capable of stepping up in big moments, such as her opening goal in the playoffs against Oliver Ames and a series of chances in the second half of the final against Bishop Feehan. Her time in midfield showed her passing range and she could drop deep to offer KP versatility in attack, holding the ball up, and allowing teammates to get into the box. It will be hard to match the output that KP’s attack mustered last year, but Montville’s finishing and experience will keep a young Warriors team moving forward.
Oliver Ames is moving back to the Davenport division for the first time since winning three straight division titles from 2013-15 and the Tigers have a roster loaded with varsity experience to regain the Davenport crown. One of the players that will be looking to pick up the scoring slack after the graduation of Erin Holmberg is junior forward Camryn O’Connor. The three-year varsity player has already shown the potential to be one of the league’s toughest attacking players, combining her skill on the ball, strength in possession, and her willingness to get into the mix on set pieces (always an important component of OA’s offense). O’Connor scored seven goals and assisted on six others last year and was a constant menace to even the top defenses in the league. There will be higher expectations this season, as O’Connor will be the primary forward and she will be looking to provide more consistency this fall to help the Tigers make a push to win the league again.
Much of Franklin’s success last season came from its defense being one of the best in the Hock and that solidity at the back came from far more than just the back four. The Panthers were also a tenacious team in the midfield, putting pressure and forcing turnovers all over the field and that is where senior midfielder Erin Quaile dominates. Not surprising for a two-time HockomockSports.com Defensive Player of the Year in basketball, Quaile is quick, agile, and never backs down from a challenge. She covers a ton of ground in the center of the pitch and is not afraid of getting into physical battles. Quaile also showed off a good range of passing, keeping possession well when needed and quickly turning defense into attack with a long pass to the forwards. She may not be the biggest player, but Quaile was also strong on set pieces on both ends of the pitch and timed her late runs into the box to pop up with the occasional goal for the Panthers. Franklin will be in the mix for the league title this year and Quaile’s experience and nous in the middle of the park will be critical.
Freshman Grace Lawler was given the task of man-marking Feehan star striker Francesca Yanchuk during the D1 South final and largely contained the forward. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
HINGHAM, Mass. – The game seemed to be going the same way as most of the 21 that preceded it. King Philip was hoarding the ball, putting consistent pressure on the opposing defense, creating scoring chances, and looking comfortable at the back after a switch to a 4-5-1 formation at halftime.
Suddenly, with little warning, everything changed in Saturday’s Div. 1 South final at Hingham High. A penalty given, a tying goal scored, and all the momentum (as well as the wind) suddenly at Bishop Feehan’s back.
In a battle of unbeaten top seeds, Feehan rallied with two second half goals in the span of four minutes to secure a contentious 2-1 victory and claim its first sectional title. The Warriors (21-1) lost for the first time this season and fell just short of a second South title in three seasons.
KP coach Gary Pichel was left fuming and frustrated at the final whistle, believing calls that went against his team in the second half, particularly the penalty, changed a game that his team was otherwise controlling.
“We were in control,” he said, “except for the momentum-breaking calls out on the field that sent the ball the other way. We completely owned the field. The effort was there, the motivation was there.”
Frustration aside, he also praised Feehan for its fight back in the second half. “They worked just as hard as we did and the breaks went their way, so they’re the champs. I give all the credit to them for hanging in there and working as hard as they did.”
The Warriors came out with the wind at their backs in search of an opening goal. Chloe Layne, the league MVP who was recently selected as an All-American, had the first chance on a short goal kick. She got onto her left foot and sent a cross into the middle, but Ashley Kelly just got across to clear.
Feehan’s best chances in the opening half all came off set pieces. An Annie Pearl free kick was headed at the back post but Olivia Berry blocked it on the line and cleared for KP. In the 25th minute a free kick from Hailey Goodman was redirected on target but comfortably saved by KP keeper Taylor Butler.
KP dominated the majority of the half, taking advantage of the wind. Avery Snead cut across the edge of the box and sent in a left-footed shot that had to be saved at full stretch by Madison Breckner. Makayla Griffin sent Snead into space a few minutes later but her shot on the run was saved by the keeper.
In the 35th minute, the pressure finally paid off. Griffin whipped in a corner from the far sideline and Snead was there to nod it home from just a few yards out, putting KP deservedly ahead 1-0.
Jenny Montville had a chance to double the lead just before the break, but her shot from 20 yards sailed over the bar.
At the start of the second half, KP had several chances to add to its lead. Snead fed Layne, who in turn played Montville into the right channel but her chip over the onrushing keeper went just past the bar. In the 53rd minute, Snead slipped Kiera Lindmark down the left side and she hit a perfect cross into Layne unmarked in the center, but her volley was too high.
“I thought that was going in for sure,” said Pichel. “That was a perfect ball and [Chloe’s] usually adept at volleying it into the net. If that went in, then it would have been lights out I think.”
Despite the misses, KP looked largely untroubled. The defense, which had allowed only three goals during the regular season was keeping Feehan at arm’s length. Butler had to make a save at the near post when Goodman cut in on her left, but the combination of Griffin, Berry, Paige Varvarigos, and freshman Grace Lawler limited Feehan’s chances.
Lawler in particular stood out because she was matched up against Feehan junior striker Francesca Yanchuk, who has already amassed more than 100 goals in her career. Lawler met the physical battle and gave Yanchuk no good looks at goal for 60-plus minutes.
In the 63rd minute, a penalty was given when a Feehan player went down in the box. The KP defense and bench argued that there was no contact from the defender, who was shepherding the attacker away from goal. The official pointed to the spot and Yanchuk put enough power to give Butler no chance.
After tying the game, Feehan took control of the match and went in search of a winner. Moments after a collision between Yanchuk and Butler forced the trainer to take a look at the KP keeper, Sydney Kofton lofted a pass behind the KP defense for Yanchuk to chase and the forward beat Butler to the spot before deftly slipping the ball past the keeper and inside the post.
KP would create a couple of chances to equalize in the closing minutes. Jenna Hitchen set up Montville for a shot that was saved and then Layne hit a shot off the bounce with two minutes to play, but her shot went straight at the keeper.
It was not the ending that this KP senior class was looking for after a record-setting career. Layne and Snead both broke the existing program scoring record, with Layne finishing as the new top scorer. The Warriors won a pair of Kelley-Rex division championships and went to two South finals, winning the title in 2017. The 21 wins that the Warriors amassed this season was a program best.
“Im very proud of the kids. I’m super proud of them,” Pichel said. “They’re champs in my eyes, in the eyes of their fans, and their families and friends. I’m going to be sad to see these kids go. Had them for four years, the senior class is like, the best I ever had. You hate to see them go.”
“There’s been a ton of accomplishments. Final touches were going to be to win this and give it a great shot at states, but …”
Jenny Montville (5) and Ally Stanton celebrate the opening goal in King Philip’s 3-1 victory over Oliver Ames. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
WRENTHAM, Mass. – It is never easy to beat a team three times in a single season, but King Philip continues to meet all challenges this year and continues to show that there is a lot more to the team than just its two superstars.
The Warriors dominated the ball, limited Oliver Ames to a handful of half chances until late in the match, and had three different players find the back of the net in a 3-1 victory on Thursday afternoon that completes a sweep of the season series with the Tigers and sends the top seed into the Div. 1 South semifinal.
“You always worry about beating a team a third time, but my worries started to diminish when I saw how hard we came out and we were just taking it to them,” said KP coach Gary Pichel.
He added, “The kids came out with so much more energy at the opening whistle than they did against Hingham, so they learned their lesson. It’s not going to be a cake walk against a 16-seed and then you get OA and of course it’s always a battle against Britt (Sellmayer) and his team. We’re just happy to be moving on.”
OA’s defense was put under pressure from the opening kick. A long ball down the left channel was kept in bounds on the end line by Chloe Layne who created a corner, which Makayla Griffin curled it to the back post where it had to be cleared off the line. A minute later, Ally Stanton took a shot from distance that OA keeper Emily Meyers palmed out for another corner. Avery Snead headed the corner on target but Olivia Carroll was able to block on the line.
In the 12th minute, Layne again showed her ability to hold the ball up under pressure and passed it to Makenzie Shandley, who teed up Stanton for a shot that was saved. Three minutes later, Stanton played provider to set up Snead, who held off her defender but then blazed a shot over the bar.
The chances kept coming in the 23rd minute when Snead showed off her quick feet to dance around a couple of defenders but then dragged her shot wide of the post.
Allison Evin, the hero of OA’s overtime win against Franklin in the first round, nearly stunned the home crowd when she forced an Abigail Hodges free kick over the line, but it was ruled out for offside.
Led by Hodges, Carroll, and Emma Pereira, the OA defense had held the KP attack at bay, until the 36th minute. A bouncing ball landed at the feet of Jenny Montville, who hit a speculative shot on the turn from 25 yards. The half-volley looped towards goal and eluded the leap of Meyers before nestling into the top corner.
OA coach Britt Sellmayer said, “She hit it and it went up and came down in the net, so it was kind of deflating.” He joked, “It’s so hard to keep Chloe off and then Avery, I was thinking if we could stop those two, but we haven’t stopped them in four years, thank god they’re going to college.”
It was almost 2-0 in the closing seconds of the first half. Jenna Hitchen raced down the left side and forced a good diving save out of Meyers and then Montville saw her brace erased by a goal line clearance from Jenna Gilman.
“We’re trying to figure each other out in that first half,” Pichel said. “I was trying to figure out what his plan was, which was obviously to mark up with at least one person on Chloe and Avery, but I thought they were more defensive at the outset. We were just all over them.”
Eight minutes after the break, KP doubled its lead. Griffin set up Hitchen, who cut inside on her right foot and forced a save out of Meyers. The keeper managed to tip the shot onto the bar, but Snead was the quickest to react to the rebound and tapped it home.
In the 60th minute, the Warriors put the game away. A corner was half-cleared out to Stanton, who hit it first time through a crowd and into the bottom corner.
Pichel said, “We’ve worked hard the whole season to get them more involved with the play. Even though Chloe and Avery do the bulk of the scoring, we get big contributions from Jenny Montville and Jenna Hitchen and Ally Stanton. That’s three other players they have to worry about other than Chloe and Avery and that’s been a big plus for us all season long.”
OA started to create more scoring chances in the closing 15 minutes, but the KP defense of Olivia Berry, Paige Varvarigos, Grace Lawler (who was given the task of man-marking OA’s leading scorer Erin Holmberg), and Griffin proved difficult to break down.
“Sometimes you underrate their defense because of Chloe and Avery,” Sellmayer explained, “but it took us 70 minutes before we started getting some corner kicks and creating some chances on them.”
Leah Johnson had a chance blocked by Berry and Varvarigos was forced to clear a Hodges free kick off the line, while the rebound was sent over the bar. A Hodges corner in the 75th minute was met by a glancing header from Camryn O’Connor, but it went narrowly wide of the far post.
The Tigers avoided the shutout in the final minute. Johnson found herself with room on the left side of the box and picked out O’Connor alone in the middle. The sophomore took a touch and fired a shot into the side netting.
“We had some chances, but we didn’t get the luck that we needed in the first half,” Sellmayer reflected. “To beat a great team like KP, you’ve got to have some luck. We worked hard but it didn’t bounce our way today.”
King Philip (20-0) advances to face No. 12 seed Needham in the semifinal, which will be played on Wednesday at Whitman-Hanson.
King Philip celebrates one of its four second half goals in a 6-2 victory over Hingham in the opening round of the playoffs. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
WRENTHAM, Mass. – King Philip knew heading into Monday’s Div. 1 South opener against Hingham that it was not going to be an easy night. The Harborwomen were not a typical No. 16 seed and would pose a stiff challenge in the first round. Luckily for the Warriors, they have Chloe Layne.
The University of Hartford-commit and recently named Hockomock League MVP put on a show with her control and vision, scoring three goals and assisting on two others, as KP scored four unanswered in the second half to pull out a 6-2 victory.
“Chloe was playing out of her mind out there,” said KP coach Gary Pichel. “She was getting doubled, tripled, pulled, yanked, kicked, so I think it’s only fair that she ended up scoring a hat trick.”
Hingham came into the game fired up and got off to a strong start, pressing the Warriors and playing quick balls into the channels for the forwards to chase. Alexa Varholak had an early chance down the left but sent her shot just wide of the far post. In the 11th minute, Olivia Sharkansky found space on the right side and sent a shot just over the bar.
It took KP a while to get the ball into the attack. A good passing move from Jenna Hitchen to Ally Stanton to Makenzie Shandley opened room for a shot from distance, but it didn’t trouble the Hingham goalie.
In the 13th minute, Hingham found a breakthrough. Kate Dalimonte lined up a free kick from just inside the attacking half and she belted a shot that dipped just under the crossbar and out of the reach of KP goalie Taylor Butler. The strike had Hingham coach Ryan Puntiri dancing up the sideline in celebration, but the momentum from the goal was short-lived.
Within a minute, KP had answered. A quick transition got Layne in space running at the Hingham back line and she laid a pass into the path of Jenny Montville, who took a touch and then hit an unstoppable shot into the far corner to make it 1-1.
Montville came off the bench and gave the Warriors a spark down the right wing. She combined with Avery Snead to have a shot from the edge of the box to force a diving save from Hingham keeper Kathryn Wilson.
The Warriors grabbed the lead in the 22nd minute. Layne leapt to head a bouncing ball in the box. The header came back off the bar, but she was the first to react to the rebound and side-footed a shot past the keeper.
That goal seemed to spark the Harborwomen back into life and the visitors dominated the final portion of the first half, looking more like a perennial power than a team that finished the regular season with a .500 record. Ava Maguire sliced a shot from 20 yards wide of the post, Sharkansky forced Butler to palm away a shot at the near post, and Butler had to be off her line quickly to block a chance for Taylor Aymar.
“This is how she’s played all season long,” Pichel said about Butler. “She learned her lesson from that first goal they got on the direct kick where she was out too far. She makes the right choice almost every time to come out and take the play away. She has so much confidence in herself.”
Hingham tied the game with three minutes left in the half. A corner was played to the back post, where it was knocked back into the middle of the box. The ball bounced around until it fell to a wide open Aymar, who tapped it in.
Butler was called into action just two minutes after the break, sliding out to block another chance for Aymar in the left channel and keep the score level.
“At halftime we talked about, is this the way we want to end our season?” Pichel explained. “It most certainly was not. They came in with a lot more energy in that first half than we did. We can’t just sit there and say, hey we’re going to ride this thing out and we’re going to end up winning because that’s now how it works.”
KP started to wear Hingham down and gained control of the midfield. Stanton drove forward out of midfield and forced a save out of Wilson, who held onto it at the second attempt. In the 58th minute, a corner was cleared out to Stanton, who had a shot from 20 yards. The ball bounced away from the keeper and Hitchen was quickest to the loose ball and flicked it past the goalie for a 3-2 lead.
With Hingham pushing forward for an equalizer, KP struck for three goals in the final six minutes. Layne got it started when she was able to toe poke the ball beyond the last defender and then picked the bottom corner on the break.
Three minutes later, Layne looped a pass over the Hingham back line to Snead, who was able to stretch out a leg and knock the ball past the onrushing keeper. Layne then completed her hat trick and added gloss to the final score when she cut in from the right side and sent a left-footed shot inside the far post.
Pichel noted, “This has got to be the toughest 16 seed we could ever have to play and sure enough it turned out that way and the score was not indicative of how well Hingham played. They played us as tough as anyone has this year.”
King Philip (19-0) will host division rival Oliver Ames on Thursday afternoon. The Warriors won both regular season meetings by a combined eight goals.
