Below are the official Hockomock League Boys Soccer All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.
Hockomock League MVP
Devante Teixeira, Foxboro
Hockomock League All Stars
Zach Rodrigues, Attleboro
Harry Lancaster, Attleboro
Patrick Hession, Canton
Devante Teixeira, Foxboro
Anthony Barreira, Foxboro
Joe Morrison, Foxboro
Rob Lowey, Foxboro
Nick Parent, Franklin
Henri Guilmette, Franklin
Dan Geraci, Franklin
Joseph Kellett, King Philip
Cameron Mullins, King Philip
Tyler Mann, King Philip
Maxwell Gurnon, Mansfield
Christopher Elsner, Mansfield
Mike Da Silva, Milford
Matt Coscarella, North Attleboro
Chris Romero, Oliver Ames
Keegan Nutt, Oliver Ames
Nathaniel Cardoza, Oliver Ames
Thomas McCormick, Oliver Ames
Andrew Filipkowski, Sharon
Noah Kurland, Sharon
Fabio Ponce de Leon, Stoughton
Goddy Fombe, Stoughton
Austin Botelho, Taunton
Honorable Mentions
Junior Coca, Attleboro
Sammy Papakonstantino, Canton
AJ Bubencik, Foxboro
Hatim Brahimi, Franklin
Brandon Zioldowski, King Philip
Michael Kirejczyk, Mansfield
Justin Borges, Milford
Gabe Pinhancos, North Attleboro
Jack Carroll, Oliver Ames
James Dunlea, Sharon
Tyler Melo, Stoughton
Derek Pereira, Taunton
Below are the official Hockomock League Boys Soccer All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.
Hockomock League MVP
Devante Teixeira, Foxboro
Hockomock League All Stars
Zach Rodrigues, Attleboro
Harry Lancaster, Attleboro
Patrick Hession, Canton
Devante Teixeira, Foxboro
Anthony Barreira, Foxboro
Joe Morrison, Foxboro
Rob Lowey, Foxboro
Nick Parent, Franklin
Henri Guilmette, Franklin
Dan Geraci, Franklin
Joseph Kellett, King Philip
Cameron Mullins, King Philip
Tyler Mann, King Philip
Maxwell Gurnon, Mansfield
Christopher Elsner, Mansfield
Mike Da Silva, Milford
Matt Coscarella, North Attleboro
Chris Romero, Oliver Ames
Keegan Nutt, Oliver Ames
Nathaniel Cardoza, Oliver Ames
Thomas McCormick, Oliver Ames
Andrew Filipkowski, Sharon
Noah Kurland, Sharon
Fabio Ponce de Leon, Stoughton
Goddy Fombe, Stoughton
Austin Botelho, Taunton
Honorable Mentions
Junior Coca, Attleboro
Sammy Papakonstantino, Canton
AJ Bubencik, Foxboro
Hatim Brahimi, Franklin
Brandon Zioldowski, King Philip
Michael Kirejczyk, Mansfield
Justin Borges, Milford
Gabe Pinhancos, North Attleboro
Jack Carroll, Oliver Ames
James Dunlea, Sharon
Tyler Melo, Stoughton
Derek Pereira, Taunton
The Red Rocketeers celebrate with the Leach and Garner Cup, which they won 5-3 in penalties following a scoreless draw. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
By Josh Perry, Managing Editor
ATTLEBORO, Mass. – Sophomore keeper Brendan Matracia was playing JV for most of the season, but had to be called up when senior captain Rob Heaney went down with a concussion. On Thursday afternoon, in the fourth round of the penalty shootout, he became the hero when he guessed right and stayed still to save Justin Andrade’s shot down the middle.
North Attleboro’s other co-captain Matt Coscarella put the ball down on the spot with a chance to beat Attleboro and win the Leach and Garner Cup. He stepped up, buried his shot, and wheeled towards the visiting bench to celebrate North’s fifth cup win in the past six years.
“Being able to win, even in PKs, anytime that you beat Attleboro it’s great,” said North Attleboro coach Geoff Burgess.
“I think we had more to play for. Only one win on the season and not really finding our way until the end…this was our championship game really.”
The game had little drama in regulation with both teams struggling to create clear-cut scoring opportunities. Attleboro had the first real chance in the eighth minute when junior Nick Lawrence struck the crossbar with a shot from 20 yards out. Two minutes later Harry Lancaster had a shot that ricocheted off the football crossbar.
Lancaster had another chance at the half-hour mark when he danced through a sea of Rocketeers but his shot was easily saved. Just two minutes before the break, North had its first real chance when Leo Charlebois turned the corner on the left back and fired a shot that Tyler Stowe held at his near post.
Early in the second half and Coscarella had a go from 20 yards following an interception in the attacking third, but his curling effort was saved by a diving Stowe.
“That’s really a synopsis of our season,” said Burgess. “We’ve been this close in a bunch of games.”
In the 58th minute, Junior Coca had his second good chance of the second half when he got on the end of a clearing header by Noah Barney from Khaled Hantash’s cross from the right. Coca took a touch but his shot was off target.
“Even though we dominated the game 90 percent,” said Attleboro coach Peter Pereira, “we couldn’t finish and if you don’t finish then you can’t win.”
“It came down to penalty kicks and then it’s anyone’s game.”
North’s defense was solid, limiting the Bombardiers mostly to chances from distance, Barney, who moved up from outside back to play stopper, and sweeper John Brennan, who played football for the past two season, were rocks at the back and Burgess credited the duo for helping to improve North’s defensive record.
“We’ve stopped giving up as many goals,” he said. “We gave up 39 in the first 15 or however many games and we’ve given up three in the last five.”
“We’ve improved dramatically and I’m really proud of the guys for not quitting on the season. I think this is payback for all of that.”
The game headed to penalties immediately after the final whistle. Charlebois opened it with a goal for North followed by Zach Rodrigues for Attleboro. The game went back and forth until North took a 4-3 lead.
The following shot was saved by Matracia, who stood his ground in the middle of the goal, and Coscarella had the chance to close out his season, and his North career, with silverware.
The winning goal was an experience that Coscarella shares with several North captains in the recent past.
“I always do that every year that we’ve won,” said Burgess. “I always put my senior captain at the end because they’ve earned that moment.”
Pereira remarked, “This year neither of us is going to the playoffs, so it’s a good end of the year game. That’s why I started the cup 30 years ago.”
He added, “It’s a big rivalry game and winner takes it all…and today they took it all. They stayed in the game and they did what they had to do.”
Coscarella and Rodrigues were named the game’s MVPs.
Josh Perry can be contacted at JoshPerry@hockomocksports.com and followed on Twitter at @Josh_Perry10.
Today’s games are listed below. Boys Soccer
King Philip, 1 @ Attleboro, 1 – Final – King Philip’s Ryan Ackles scored the late equalizer to earn the Warriors a point on the road. Attleboro senior Junior Coca put the Bombardiers up in the first half.
Mansfield, 2 vs. Catholic Memorial, 0 – Final – Ryan Amaral broke open a scoreless game in the 72nd minute off an assist from Jared Miller and then Miller converted a penalty kick just four minutes later to double the Hornets’ lead. Mansfield goalie Michael Kirejczyk made five saves in net for his eighth shutout of the season. Girls Soccer
Attleboro, 5 @ King Philip, 2 – Final – Rebekah Entwistle scored two second half goals, including the game-winner, in the final four minutes to lead Attleboro to the win. Paige Medeiros had two assists and Jessica Bishop scored her first varsity goal for the Bombardiers. Cassie Vivar and Hannah Meier also scored for Attleboro. With the score 3-2, Madison Brown stopped a penalty kick and the rebound. Rachel Hogan and Elizabeth Cooley had the goals for the Warriors.
Franklin, 2 @ Taunton, 0 – Final – Victoria Stowell scored from the penalty spot and Megan Georges had Franklin’s second goal on an assist by Maddie Connelly. Volleyball
King Philip, 3 @ Attleboro, 0 – Final – King Philip picked up the sweep on the road, 25-14, 25-23, 25-9. Carly Adams had 10 service points in game one, including six aces, Emma Lopez had six service points and three aces in game two and Gwen Uyrus had nine service points with three aces in game three. Micaela Murray added six service points, including two aces, in game three.
Milford, 0 @ Canton, 3 – Final – The Bulldogs got the sweep at home, 25-19, 25-14, 25-20. Rye Verille had nine kills and Elizabeth Hamilton had eight kills, 10 aces and nine digs. Head coach Pat Cawley said Sarah Reissfelder, Emma Gobbi, Emma Murphy and Kelly Dever all had strong play at the net.
Foxboro, 0 @ Stoughton, 3 – Final – Stoughton picked up the win 25-20, 25-23, 25-19. Stoughton’s Bridgette Whalen had eight kills, seven blocks, 16 digs and six service points, Bianca DeSousa added 10 assists, seven service points (five aces) and 10 digs and Ava Siegel had 15 service points, seven digs, and four kills.
Taunton, 2 @ Franklin, 3 – Final – Sam Campbell and Rose Morrisette both played strong defense for the Panthers and each had key serving runs in the fifth set to lead Franklin. Dayna McCue had 43 serve receivers, 21 digs and four aces, Aubrie Kutil had 12 kills and a pair of digs and Beth Neal had 18 assists, eight kills, four aces and a pair of blocks.
North Attleboro, 2 @ Mansfield, 3 – Final – Mansfield rallied from a 2-1 deficit to win game four and then took care of business in the fifth set. The Hornets won 25-22, 19-25, 22-25, 29-27, 15-8. Sophomore Meg Hill led the offense with 17 kills and seven blocks, Sarah Mullahy had 12 kills and eight service points, Cathryn Heavey had 45 assists, 11 service points and 11 digs and Jess Haradon had 31 digs and 11 service points for Mansfield.
Sharon @ Oliver Ames, 5:00 Field Hockey
King Philip, 2 @ Attleboro, 1 – Final – Alli Meehan put the Warriors up by a goal in the first half off an assist from Liz Furfari but Attleboro tied the game late in the second half off a goal from Kate LeBlanc on an assist from Grace Mayer. KP scored the game winner with 5:48 left when Christina Hathaway converted a penalty stroke.
Milford, 0 @ Canton, 5 – Final – Canton junior Caroline Hagan recorded a hat trick in the win for the bulldogs.
Foxboro, 3 @ Stoughton, 1 – Final – Foxboro qualified for the state tournament for the 14th straight year.
North Attleboro @ Mansfield, 3:30
Sharon, 0 @ Oliver Ames, 4 – Final – Kendall Clifford, Nadia Eldemery, Hannah Friend and Missy Krim each scored goals in the first half for Oliver Ames.
Hatim Brahimi (10) scored a goal and assisted on another, as Franklin beat Attleboro to clinch a postseason spot and a tie for first in the league. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
By Josh Perry, Managing Editor
FRANKLIN, Mass. – At halftime, the Panthers were in need of a spark. Attleboro had packed the midfield and limited the home team to no shots on target and a single corner. Franklin huddled during the break, discussed the situation, and came out for the second half on the front foot.
Senior Hatim Brahimi scored what turned out to be the game-winner 12 minutes after the break and added an assist on the first of Kevin Hall’s two goals as Franklin beat the Bombardiers 3-0 on Friday afternoon at Pisini Field.
With the victory, the Panthers clinched a return to the state tournament and, coupled with a Mansfield draw against King Philip, moved into a tie at the top of the Kelley-Rex standings.
“Mostly, they talked about things that they had to do better and just went out and executed it,” said Franklin coach Fran Bositis about the halftime team talk that spurred his team to victory.
The first big chance of the game fell to the visitors in the third minute. Junior Coca played a through ball into the path of Ahijah Joseph down the right channel. The junior blazed his shot inches over the bar. It would be the best chance that either side would have in the opening 40 minutes.
“I thought that in the first half they were beating us in the air and doing a better job than we were of kind of controlling the tempo of the play,” said Bositis.
“I thought they played well and I don’t think we played as well as we had talked about before the game in terms of us dictating the play.”
Attleboro used three at the back, with right sided defender Brandon Aldana having a particularly impressive game, and loaded the midfield to stymie the Panthers coming forward and to allow more possession for Harry Lancaster, Zach Rodrigues, and Coca.
The best that Franklin could do were a few balls through the Attleboro back line towards Hall and Brain Czuba, but they were cut out by Attleboro keeper Tyler Stowe.
Attleboro coach Peter Pereira said, “Overall, I thought it was one of our better games. We had possession and got the ball moving. Second half, they started pressing us a little bit more, but we made a couple of mistakes and we paid for them immediately.”
After not putting a single shot on target in the first half, Franklin made sure to rectify that in the opening two minutes of the second. Czuba cut a pass back to the edge of the 18 to Brahimi who took a touch and curled a shot towards goal that Stowe parried at full stretch. A minute later and Brahimi ran onto a through ball from Austin Kent but again Stowe was quick off his line to block the shot.
In the 52nd minute, Brahimi finally got his goal. Again it was Kent that provided the assist on a perfect slide rule pass between defenders, who turned towards the officials with hands up hoping for an offsides call that was not forthcoming. Brahimi took an extra touch and slid the ball inside the far post to give Franklin the lead.
“The first goal we got a call against us and our players just didn’t react,” said Pereira. “He was talking to the ref as they’re playing. You can’t do that.”
Attleboro had a few chances to try and tie the game. Coca had a 20 yard free kick that he curled around the wall but right at the well-positioned Henri Guilmette (five saves). Five minutes later, Attleboro had another chance when Devin Andre found space on the left and picked out Lancaster but again Guilmette got down quickly to save.
In the 66th minute, Brahimi showed the other part of his game when his deft flick sprung Hall behind the Attleboro defense and he was able to beat Stowe to the far post to make it 2-0.
With three minutes remaining in the game, Hall wrapped up the win when he ran onto a under hit back pass and lifted the ball over the stranded Stowe to make it 3-0 and continue his torrid scoring record over the past few games.
“He’s been a little more composed and I think he’s a little more confident now because he’s had some success,” said Bositis. “If you play up front and get some goals, it usually elevates your confidence level.”
The defeat knocked Attleboro out of playoff contention. It is the first time that the Bombardiers have missed the postseason in a number of years.
“We just don’t have enough power up front to score goals,” said Pereira. “You just try to hold the back and see how that goes and try to create something.”
“Every season is different and this is one of those.”
2014 Record: 12-6-3 2014 Finish: Reached MIAA D1 South Semifinal Coach: Peter Pereira
The Bombardiers had a great 2014 regular season and then had an even better run in the playoffs, pulling off an upset of second-seeded New Bedford.
This year, the Bombardiers will be looking to get back to the postseason but there will be a challenge after graduating a group of talented, experienced players in the Class of 2015. The good news is that coach Peter Pereira has a good group of players this season. Zach Rodrigues, a player that has a ton of varsity experience, is a good starting spot for a team that will likely be right in the thick of the wide-open Kelley-Rex title race.
Junior Harry Lancaster is also back for his third year on varsity while Junior Coca will be another talented player in the middle of the field for Attleboro. Ahijah Joseph emerged as a credible player during his sophomore year and is back for what could be a breakout junior season.
Franklin
2014 Record: 13-2-5 2014 Finish: Reached MIAA D1 South Quarterfinal Coach: Fran Bositis
For the past four seasons, the Panthers have claimed the Kelley-Rex division title. This year, it could be more of an uphill battle in order to claim a fifth straight.
The Panthers graduated 16 seniors and a good solid chunk of their starting lineup so a couple of strong returning players will be relied on heavily for coach Fran Bositis. Austin Kent is the only starter back and 2015 will be his third year on varsity. Hatim Brahimi had a big sophomore season last year and his junior campaign could be a big one for him.
“The focus has been on just trying to find the right mix of players right now,” Bositis said. “I know that the kids have worked really hard, and are in real good shape physically but we’ve got a ways to go before we call ourselves a good soccer team.”
Senior Nick Parent will see his role increase this year while Danny Geraci and Pat Kapples are two players who have some experience in the back. Henri Guilmette will step in as the new goalie and could have a breakout 2015.
King Philip
2014 Record: 9-6-4 2014 Finish: Reached MIAA D1 South First Round Coach: Nick Gale
The Warriors were a tough team to beat last year and that should continue to be the case in 2015. Nick Gale steps in as the new head coach for the program as the Warriors will be a serious content to claim their first division title since 2010.
“In order to compete in a strong Hock league, we’re going to have to play intelligent, team and detail-oriented soccer and so far, this group has welcomed every challenge,” first-year head coach Nick Gale said. “These guys want to learn and compete in everything we do and I feel for these reasons, we will be successful this year.”
UMass Lowell-commit Joe Kellett has been one of the top players in the league for the past two years and with 2015 being his senior season, it would be the best one yet. The 2013 Underclassman of the Year has had to overcome some injuries but every year continues to have a serious impact on games. Kellett will be complemented by senior Clay Geuss in the midfield while sophomores Tyler Mann, Mike Rowe and Larsen Keys could play key roles. Defensively, the Warriors have some experience back with Ethan Edney, Cam Mullins, Ryan Coulter and Colby Koch. The Warriors are expecting to use a mix of youth and experience to take a run at the division title.
Mansfield
2014 Record: 3-8-7 2014 Finish: Missed playoffs Coach: Steve Sheridan
Head coach Steve Sheridan is hoping there is some truth to the saying ‘defense wins championships.’ The Hornets were in a tough spot last year when they only had one starter back but with six back this season, Mansfield will have a lot more experience heading into 2015.
“My three captains have been very, very good throughout the offseason getting kids together playing,” Sheridan said, crediting seniors Brad Eames, Jared Miller and Chris Elsner for their work throughout the winter, spring and summer. “They noticed the need to be bigger and stronger and I credit their work in the offseason.”
Eames will patrol the middle of the pitch with the Hornets alongside junior James Chotkowski. Jared Miller will get an opportunity up top to try and provide a scoring punch while Sheridan expects big things from Michael Kirejczyk in goal.
However, the Hornets biggest strength will be the defense. Elsner is back in the middle alongside junior Max Gurnon. Sophomore Nick Hyland is back on the outside with some experience under his belt while the other spot is still being highly contested.
North Attleboro
2014 Record: 1-15-2 2014 Finish: Missed playoffs Coach: Geoff Burgess
Similar to Mansfield, the Rocketeers will be relying on their defense this season. With both center backs returning and with last year’s goalie back again, North Attleboro will be looking to make it tough for opponents to score. Matt Coscarella and Gareth King are back in the middle of the defense while Rob Heaney will be back in net.
“I think we are going to be tough to score on,” head coach Geoff Burges said. “[We have] lots of speed and experience there.”
The key going forward for the Rocketeers will be fitting new faces into the offense. Gabe Pinhancos will take on a big role in the center of the midfield while junior Leo Charlebois and senior Yezan Ismail will be relied on up top to find the back of the net.
Taunton
2014 Record: 3-12-2 2014 Finish: Missed playoffs Coach: Dave Purpura
The Tigers will be looking to get back to the playoffs after missing out this past season. With a good combination of experienced players and new talent, head coach Dave Purpura is hopeful for a bounce back 2015 campaign.
The combination of youth and experienced players could be a good formula with the division race wide open. Seniors Derek Pereira, Austin Botelho and Torin Mizuno are all back with a lot of varsity experience while younger players like sophomores Riccardo Da Fonseca, Daeshawn Duffy, Liam Crowley and freshman Hasan Farahat all could play vital roles this season.
“We are more skilled at more positions this season than last,” head coach Dave Purpura said.”We will need guys to step up and score goals from several positions to make up for a couple of key losses to graduation.”
Along with Mizuno and Da Fonseca in the back, seniors Luke Figueira and Matt Holt will be prominent figures. Sophomore goalie Marc DeSousa is back after earned the starting role midway through his rookie campaign.
“We are definitely a younger, deeper team than last year and I think the attitude and focus of the team is different,” Purpura said. “If we continue to improve as a group we could surprise some teams as we are a program trending in the right direction.”
