Football – Non-Playoffs
Sharon, 34 vs. Norwood, 22 – Final 1st Quarter: (N) Norwood 84-yard punt return, XP good; (S) Jeremy Ruskin 19-yard pass to Chris Gong, Mitchell Director XP good; (N) Norwood 12-yard pass, XP good; (S) C. Gong 99-yard kickoff return, M. Director XP good.
2nd Quarter: (S) Drew Naisuler 4-yard rush, M. Director XP good; (S) D. Naisuler 2-yard rush, M. Director XP good.
3rd Quarter: No scoring.
4th Quarter: (S) Jake Romanow 16-yard rush, XP no good; (N) Norwood 84-yard pass, 2-point good.
Boys Soccer
Attleboro, 1 @ North Attleboro, 2 – Final – For the fourth straight year, the Rocketeers won the Leach and Garner Cup against rival Attleboro. North senior Gabe Pinhancos scored a pair of goals, first opening the scoring midway through the first half on a breakaway after being sent in behind the defense on a flick from sophomore Dylan Corrigan. Pinhancos made it 2-0 in the 65th minute, converting a corner kick from Ryan Pasquel. Attleboro junior Will Halben cut the deficit to one with a goal in the final five minutes. Pinhancos and Attleboro’s David Medeiros earned MVP honors for their respective sides while NAHS coach Geoff Burgess praised the defensive work of Kevin Aguilar and Zach Matracia. Burgess also noted that Pasquel had his best game of the season patrolling the midfield for Big Red.
Girls Soccer
Attleboro, 0 @ North Attleboro, 3 – Final – North clinched the Blue-Red Cup behind a goal and an assist from Haley Guertin and a school record ninth clean sheet of the season. Guertin opened the scoring on an assist by Leah Jette before Rachel Labonte scored on a 20-yard free kick to make it 2-0 at the half. Guertin assisted on Emma Gaulin’s second half goal to wrap up the scoring. North coach Bill Wallace said that Felicity Monfils, Aine Mendonca, Emily Chiasson and Lauren Dowd played well in the midfield. Labonte and Attleboro defender Morgan Laplume were named the players of the game.
Oliver Ames, 0 @ Mansfield, 1 – Final – Sydney Mulkern scored the only goal of the game on a cross from Cassidy McMahon. Sophia Cox had a free kick go off the bar and a goal ruled out on a corner for the Tigers. With the win, the Hornets clinched a share of the Kelley-Rex division title for the second year in a row. Click here for a Photo Gallery from this game.
Field Hockey
Attleboro, 1 @ Taunton, 2 – Final – Taunton built a 2-0 lead with a goal in each half to conclude the regular season with a win over visiting Attleboro. Senior Liana Duarte put the Tigers up 1-0 in the first half and freshman Alana Tavares made it 2-0 in the second half. THS junior goalie Emma Sheehan made eight saves while Kathryn Robinson and Jillian Pagliuca had strong games defensively for the Tigers.
North Attleboro’s Jeff Gale (left) and Foxboro’s Will Regan track down a loose ball in the first half. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)
FOXBORO, Mass. – With the division title picture already wrapped up, Thursday night’s showdown between Foxboro and North Attleboro wasn’t about league standings, but instead a preview of what’s to come in the postseason.
The two teams traded a pair of second half goals, finishing level, 1-1, at Sam Berns Community Field.
In years past, North and Foxboro wouldn’t cross paths once the regular season ended. But the new alignments implemented this season have both Big Red and the Warriors in the Division 2 South tournament.
“Under the lights, on the turf, on a cold Fall night…that’s pretty much what we’re going to be seeing as we go forward in the tournament,” said North Attleboro head coach Geoff Burgess. “We’ll probably be on the road a good portion of us. So this was great mentally for us, especially to score first. If we can just find a little composure to close games out…the same thing happened on Tuesday [against Milford].”
Foxboro was fresh off a 1-1 draw on Tuesday against Canton. The Warriors had nearly a dozen scoring chances go begging in the second half against the Bulldogs.
The Warriors picked up right where they left off on Tuesday, even attacking the same goal. But unfortunately, it was more of the same. Foxboro continued to build offense and register chances, but failed to find the back of the net in the opening 40 minutes.
Just over five minutes in, sophomore Dylan Barreira’s flick put senior Matt Rongione in behind on the right flank, but his low service towards the back post went without a recipient and rolled just wide.
In the 15th minute, Ryan Kelley got in behind the defense and went alone at the keeper, but North’s Brendan Matracia came charging out of his net to make the sliding stop.
North’s first chance came just before the half hour mark. Senior Ryan Pasquel’s free kick just over half was batted around at the edge of the area before Zach Matracia got a shot off, but it went well over the bar.
Foxboro had back-to-back chances in the 31st and 32nd minutes. First, Barreira’s corner kick was met by Mike Moses’ header near the penalty spot and then left back Will Regan launched a shot from distance, but Matracia made comfortable saves on both bids.
“They dominated us in the first half, we had really nothing going on,” Burgess said. “I thought we had a better run in the second half, we decided to kind of sit and counter, which is our play usually. We noticed they were only defending with really four guys and I thought if we could get on the counter a few times we could create some opportunities, and we did.
“I thought we had some really good chances, I thought we should have had a PK – it was close. I give them credit, Barreira and [Shane] VandenBoom, those kids are great with those flicks and the through balls. And No. 15 [Nic Beigel] played an outstanding game, the defensive midfielder.“
North’s first chance on the counter came in the 55th minute when outside midfielder Josh Rodriguez sprinted onto possession near the top of the box. Rodriguez cut back to create some space but his shot was partially blocked and Foxboro keeper Bobby Harrison came up with the stop on the bounce.
Just a minute later, the Rocketeers had a shout for a penalty when sophomore James Sales played Jeff Gale into the the area, but Ryan Kelley’s tackle got just enough of the ball to allow for an easy stop by Harrison.
Big Red finally broke through in the 67th minute after earning a free kick close to the corner on the left flank. Noah Barney dished a low service into the area that was touched by Zach Matracia back to Sales right in front for the easy tap in and a 1-0 lead.
Foxboro nearly responded immediately in the 68th minute when Beigel and Kelly combined atop the area, the former ripping a low shot that clanked off the left post and right back into the grasp of Matracia.
But Foxboro continued to apply the pressure and broke through in the 71st minute. Once again, Beigel and Kelley combined, sending Beigel into the area. But before the junior could unleash a shot, North’s Andrew Fontaine came through with a great tackle.
The ball rolled right to junior Hussein Kafel and he tucked his shot in at the back post to bring the Warriors level.
“We just really didn’t get a lot of our offense going,” Burgess said. “We tried to possess but they are very physical and that kind of takes you out of your game and I they got into our heads a little bit. Every time we went into a challenge, we started looking for them and instead of watching for the ball, we’re looking for the Foxboro kid.
“That back line is all seniors,” Burgess added. “And then sitting in front of them, Sales and Pasquel, are the keys. Sales is only a sophomore and he doesn’t get a lot of credit. He’s really solid back there. If I can get him to sit a bit deeper and play a little wiser, no one is going to get behind us. That 4-3-2-1 counter-attacking style, and those two guys really protect Kevin [Aguilar] and Andrew [Fontaine] in the center. We don’t make a lot of mistakes, we just had one really bad games where we laid an egg. Brendan Matracia had about six or seven great saves, stopped a couple breakaways.”
Foxboro finishes the season at 10-4-4 overall, and 8-4-4 in league play. Seeds for the tournament will be released on Wednesday.
North Attleboro boys soccer finishes its league record at 9-1-6 and its first-ever Davenport division title, which it clinched with a win on the road at Milford on Tuesday. The Rocketeers (10-1-6 overall) will wrap up its season at home in a non-league clash with Attleboro in the annual Leach and Garner Cup.
King Philip, 0 @ North Attleboro, 1 – Final – North Attleboro sophomore Joey Coscarella scored his first career goal, heading in a cross from Joe Hilf in the eighth minute for the lone goal of the game. Andrew Fontaine and Kevin Aguilar had strong defensive performances for Big Red while goalie Brendan Matracia registered six saves.
Girls Soccer
North Attleboro, 2 @ King Philip, 4 – Final – KP bounced back from its first loss of the season to beat North behind a hat trick and an assist from Avery Snead. Snead opened the scoring three minutes into the game off an Emma Corcoran corner and 13 minutes later set up classmate Chloe Layne to double the KP lead. A minute before the break, Snead finished another Corcoran corner for a 3-0 advantage. Ashlyn Gaulin (off an assist from Felicity Monfils) got North on the board in the second half, but 30 seconds later Snead tallied her third, this time on an assist by Makayla Griffin. Ashlyn Gaulin scored a second goal, assisted by her sister Emma, with five minutes left.
Field Hockey
King Philip, 5 @ North Attleboro, 0 – Final
Taunton, 6 vs. New Bedford, 1 – Final
Volleyball
Attleboro, 1 @ Norton, 3 – Final
King Philip, 3 @ North Attleboro, 2 – Final – In a battle of the top two teams in the Hock, King Philip outlasted North Attleboro 25-21, 25-23, 19-25, 25-27, 15-13 in a non-league match. Senior Sydney Phillips notched 26 kills to pace the Warriors’ offense, adding 11 service points, nine digs and four aces. Michaela Palumbo added 16 kills, 10 service points, two digs and an ace while Kat Kmetz had seven service points, four kills and two aces. Elise Pereira (12 service points, seven digs, two aces) and Julianne Rando (12 digs, five service points) anchored KP’s defense. North Attleboro’s Leah Marceau (30 assists) set up the Rocketeers’ offense with Amelia Murphy (16 kills, four aces) and Tori Melanson (14 kills) having strong performances.
Golf
Foxboro, 171 @ North Attleboro, 164 – Final
Mansfield, 174 @ Taunton, 196 – Final – Mansfield freshman Nathan Morreale earned his first match medalist honor of his career, carding a low-round of 42 for the Hornets. Classmate Brendan See shot a 43 for Mansfield.
2016 Record: 8-7-5 2016 Finish: Reached D2 South First Round Coach: Danny Erickson
After playing a good handful of juniors and sophomores during the 2016 season, the Bulldogs look to be an experienced group heading into this year. Leading the way will be senior and two-time captain Jake Verille, who leads the Bulldogs from the middle of the pitch. Fellow captain Abe Garber is back for another year in net and senior captain John Agnitti with anchor the defensive line.
Verille, a HockomockSports.com Best XI selection last season, has been one of the top playmakers the past two years. On top of Verille’s offensive ability, Canton also returns junior Paul Corcoran – the team’s leading scorer (nine goals) and the HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year. Alongside Corcoran, the Bulldogs have a slew of juniors with varsity experience including Griffin Roach, Simon Cruz, Paulo Ruggeri and Avery Minkin that will all factor into the attack.
“We are confident that we will be able to keep the ball and attack this year,” said Canton head coach Danny Erickson. “The chances should be created, but we will need to finish. We will also need to defend as a group of 11 MUCH better than we did last season.”
2016 Record: 6-9-4 2016 Finish: Reached D3 South First Round Coach: Joe Franchino
After graduating just five seniors last season, head coach Joe Franchino brings back the majority of squad that had just one loss in its last eight regular season games in 2016. However, two of those five players – Anthony Barreira (two-time Best XI selection) & AJ Bubencik (now playing at Mass. Maritime) – were four year players and will be tough to replace.
The good news is that while the Warriors were young a year ago, a good portion of the team has at least a season of varsity experience under its belt. Senior captain Shawn McNamara, now in his fourth year starting for the Warriors, will lead the way along with fellow captains Matt Rongione and Ryan Kelley. Senior Cam Cass also has plenty of experience and will be relied upon as a playmaker. Junior Shane Vandenboom had a strong sophomore season and will be an important piece in the midfield along classmate Nic Beigel and senior Hussiein Kafel.
Seniors Bobby Harrison will be the starting goalie for the Warriors.
“Coming into my third year, I am confident the team has bought into the system and I’m really looking forward to see how they compete,” Franchino said. “We have experienced senior and junior classes with a couple of sophomores to watch out for. We may not have a target on our back but when it’s all said and done, I believe we have the team to win! I believe in this group and really excited to see what they accomplish.”
2016 Record: 4-10-4 2016 Finish: Missed playoffs Coach: Brian Edwards
The Scarlet Hawks are looking to take the next step in year two with Brian Edwards at the helm. After just four wins a season ago, Edwards is hoping that the experience gained by his younger players will translate into more success this time around.
Midfielder Andre Oliveira will be a key piece for Edwards and the Scarlet Hawks, helping both the offense and defense. Oliveira’s ability to transition from defense to offense will be key for the Scarlet Hawks this season. On the defensive side of the ball, senior Jacob Balzarini is back in the center of the defense. After getting plenty of time in that spot last season, Balzarini will be the anchor of the backline this year. On top of Oliveira and Balzaini, Edwards is looking for new players to step up and make an impact.
“I’m looking for us to be a team that stresses balance,” Edwards said. “I am hopeful that the experience many of these guys gained last year translates into more success in the standings. I am also excited to see what the new guys bring to the squad. There are a bunch of hungry young players that want to make their mark on this team and in this league.”
North Attleboro boasts over a dozen seniors on the 2017 version of the Red Rocketeers and head coach Geoff Burgess is hoping that experience will translate into success on the field.
Leading the way will be senior and 2016 HockomockSports.com Second XI selection Gabe Pinhancos, who has been Big Red’s field general for the past couple of seasons. Josh Rodriguez and Ryan Pasquel are also back this season to help bolster the midfield. Junior Joe Hilf and senior Jeff Gale will be relied upon to pace North Attleboro’s offense.
Big Red’s biggest strength could be in the back, having a defensive unit with plenty of experience. Noah Barney and Zach Matracia both saw significant time and will be joined by classmates Andrew Fontaine and Kevin Aguilar. That defensive unit will be in front of senior goalie Brendan Matracia.
“I am hoping that we are going to be a team on the rise this year,” said Burgess. “I have a strong senior class and we’ve had a good summer and an even better preseason.”
2016 Record: 11-4-4 (Davenport Division Champions) 2016 Finish: Reached D2 South First Round Coach: Bryan Kelly
The defending Davenport division champs will boast a large senior class (14) but will also rely on some younger players as they look to win back-to-back Hock titles.
The Eagles’ tri-captains will provide leadership in each part of the pitch, with senior center back Shubo Roy-Chowdury on the back line, senior Tyler Hippler leading the midfield and senior Spencer Hall up front. Sharon’s attack will bolstered by seniors Marques Benton and Andy Reyes-Jones, who both saw plenty of time up top a year ago. Meanwhile, sophomore Michael Baur is back after a standout freshman season and classmates Isaiah Stessman, Brian Higgins and freshman Brice Nathan will all play a role in helping the Eagles go forward.
Maybe the biggest advantage the Eagles have is returning keeper Ethan Kantor. The junior had a terrific season in net a year ago and will be the backbone of the team’s defense.
“With a solid defense that is smart and has speed, we should be able to keep up with fast offenses while not losing the capability to support a potent offense,” said SHS head coach Bryan Kelly. “Overall, we are solid from goal to forwards, it just depends on if we can put the ball in the back of the net.”
2016 Record: 8-9-2 2016 Finish: Reached D2 South Preliminary Round Coach: Chris Suchorski
Stoughton will be looking to make it back again to the postseason, this time under first-year head coach Chris Suchorski. The Black Knights just made it in a season ago but it marked the third straight year for the program.
Suchorski is tasked with replacing 12 seniors that graduated from last year’s team. However, all of the players he is returning all saw varsity time last season and that should soften the blow dealt by graduation. Senior Tyler Melo (six points) is back and will likely be a vital part of the Black Knights’ midfield and attack. Junior Fabio Ponce de Leon (six points) begins his third season on varsity and will once again be one the Black Knights’ top offensive options. Brian Peoples also returns as one of the team’s top playmakers.
The biggest question could come with the back four, as the Black Knights must find a replacement for 2016 Best XI selection Goddy Fombe, who anchored the back line the past two season the sweeper position.
Today’s games are listed below. Game of the Week – Football
Stoughton, 14 @ Foxboro, 0 – Final 1st Quarter: (S) Izon Swain-Price 19 yard rush, Jake Gibb XP good. 2nd Quarter: No scoring. 3rd Quarter: (S) Ryan Sullivan 2 yard rush, J. Gibb XP good. 4th Quarter: No scoring. Football
King Philip, 15 @ Attleboro, 25 – Final 1st Quarter: (A) Cam Furtado 40-yard pass to Brendan Nunes, Owen McKenna XP good; (A) Furtado 2-yard rush, XP blocked. 2nd Quarter: (A) Furtado 27-yard pass to Alex Silva, 2-point conversion no good. 3rd Quarter: No scoring. 4th Quarter: (KP) Giovanni Fernandez 3-yard rush, Zach Boari XP good; (A) Nunes 5-yard rush, XP blocked; (KP) John DeLuca 10-yard pass to R.J. McCarthy, DeLuca to Leo Munafo for 2-point conversion.
Canton, 40 @ Oliver Ames, 14 – Final 1st Quarter: (C) Jake Ragusa 5 yard rush, XP no good; (C) Joe Bires 22 yard rush, XP good. 2nd Quarter: (C) J. Bires 1 yard rush, Woanyen Mahn 2pt rush; (C) Dennis Ross 1 yard rush; XP good. 3rd Quarter: (C) W. Mahn 35 yard rush, 2pt fail; (OA) Charlie Ryan 1 yard rush, 2pt fail. 4th Quarter: (C) Joe Mulkay 45 yard rush, XP fail; (OA) Kyle Gagliardi 60 yard rush, Leandro Moro 2pt rush.
Mansfield, 24 @ Franklin, 3 – Final 1st Quarter: (M) Anthony DeGirolamo 12 yard pass to Mike Arnold, Diogo DeSousa XP good. 2nd Quarter: (F) Nick Yelle 33 yard field goal. 3rd Quarter: (M) D. DeSousa 16 yard field goal. 4th Quarter: (M) Connor Finerty 16 yard rush, D. DeSousa XP good; (M) Nick Graham 80 yard rush, D. DeSousa XP good.
Taunton, 20 @ North Attleboro, 44 – Final 1st Quarter: (NA) Nick Morrison 58 yard rush, Connor Flynn XP; (NA) C. Flynn 7 yard rush, 2pt fail. 2nd Quarter: (NA) C. Flynn 24 yard field goal; (NA) N. Morrison 6 yard rush, C. Flynn XP; Nick Rajotte 3 yard rush, Connor MacIver XP; (T) Collin Hunter 34 yard pass to Adam McLaughlin, 2pt fail. 3rd Quarter: (T) C. Hunter 33 yard pass to A. McLaughlin, C. Hunter 2pt pass to A. McLaughlin; (NA) N. Morrison 55 yard fumble return, C. Flynn XP. 4th Quarter: (T) C. Hunter 8 yard pass to Michael Fernandez, 2pt fail; (NA) N. Morrison 50 yard rush, C. Flynn XP. Boys Soccer
Attleboro, 0 @ Franklin, 3 – Final – Hatim Brahimi broke open a scoreless game with a goal in the 52nd minute for the Panthers. He then assisted on a goal by Kevin Hall, who added a second in the final minutes of the game.
Canton,1 @ Foxboro, 1 – Final – Anthony Barreira put the home team up in the first but Canton’s Sam Papakonstantino leveled the match before the break.
Mansfield, 0 @ King Philip, 0 – Final – In a battle of two of the top teams in the Kelley-Rex, neither side was able to find the back of the net. Mansfield coach Steve Sheridan credited goalie Michael Kirejczyk with a strong game in net for the Hornets.
Sharon, 1 @ Milford, 0 – Final – Sharon’s Oliver Hu scored the lone goal of the game with just over 10 minutes to play, converting a pass from Lucas Allaria in the 70th minute. Mike Da Silva made five saves in net for the Scarlet Hawks.
Taunton, 1 @ North Attleboro, 2 – Final – Gareth King scored a pair of goals inside a five minute span, lifting the Rocketeers to their first win of the season. Taunton took the lead in the second half but just 15 seconds later King finished off a through ball from Gabe Pinhancos. Three minutes after that, Kevin Aguilar set up King for the game winner.
Stoughton, 0 @ Oliver Ames, 4 – Final – Oliver Ames senior Keegan Nutt, junior Thomas McCormick and senior Chris Romero all scored goals in the first half as the Tigers built a 3-0 lead at the break. Sophomore Matt Alvarado set up classmate Cam Vella for the lone goal of the second half. Max Bamford, Nathaniel Cardoza and Vella each had assists. Girls Soccer
Franklin, 5 @ Attleboro, 0 – Final – Alexis Stowell netted a pair of goals, Emily Foley scored a goal and had an assist and Emily Spath and Abigail Gipson each scored once. Jess Kroushl, Halle Atkinson, Victoria Stowell and Meghan Dieterle each had an assist.
Foxboro, 0 @ Canton, 1 – Final – Canton’s Sarah Collins scored an unassisted goal for the lone strike of the game to lift the Bulldogs to a win.
King Philip, 1 @ Mansfield, 9 – Final– Mansfield’s offensive exploded for nine goals, led by a hat trick from junior Hannah Reiter. Alle Bezeau scored a pair of goals, Emma Oldow had two goals and an assist, Jen Kemp scored once and had an assist, Bryn Anderson netted a goal and Emma Goulet and Jackie Carchedi each notched a pair of assists.
Milford, 2 @ Sharon, 1 – Final – Kristen Franzini netted both of Milford’s goals while Emily Duquette had a strong game in goal with nine saves for the Scarlet Hawks.
North Attleboro, 1 @ Taunton, 1 – Final – Taunton scored first in the opening half but Haley Guertin, off an assist from sister Grace Guertin, leveled the score just over 10 minutes into the second half.
Oliver Ames, 7 @ Stoughton, 0 – Final – Francesca Calabraro had a hat trick and added an assist for the Tigers. Jackie Mills added two goals and an assist and Lauren Wright and Annabella Walsh each scored goals. Delaney Benton chipped in with three assists. Volleyball
Attleboro, 0 @ Franklin, 3 – Final – Franklin’s Caroline Maguire had seven aces and added four kills and a pair of blocks to lead the Panthers. Maddy Kuzio had four aces and a pair of digs and Lauren McGrath had 10 assists and three aces for Franklin.
Canton, 3 @ Foxboro, 0 – Final – Canton got the sweep on the road 25-15, 25-14, 28-26 and clinched its sixth straight Davenport Division title and ninth straight Hockomock League title overall, dating back to before the division split. Olivia Devoe had yet another strong game on defense with 15 digs while Elizabeth Hamilton dominated offensively with 20 kills and three aces, also chipping in with 19 digs. Canton head coach Pat Cawley praised the efforts of Kaitlin McCarthy, Emma Gobbi and Emma Murphy for their strong play at the net. Cawley also noted great defensive efforts from Julia Panico, Cassie Loftus and Maria Mackie.
Mansfield, 3 @ King Philip, 0 – Final– Mansfield picked up the sweep on the road, 25-15, 25-22, 25-23. Jess Haradon had 18 digs and 11 service points for the Hornets while Cathryn Heavey had 35 assists and 10 service points. Sarah Mullahy had seven kills, seven blocks, and nine service points while Alli Belanger added eight digs and nine service points. For King Philip, Josie Rowean had 13 kills, Amelia Murphy added five kills, Emma Lopez had three kills and Micaela Murray finished with 10 digs.
Sharon, 1 @ Milford, 3 – Final
Taunton, 0 @ North Attleboro, 3 – Final
Stoughton, 0 @ Oliver Ames, 3 – Final – Stoughton’s Bridgette Whalen had 10 digs and five kills in the loss. Field Hockey
Taunton, 0 @ North Attleboro, 1 – Final
