Girls Soccer Division 2
#32 Ludlow, 0 @ #1 Oliver Ames, 4 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this game. Lucinda Li Cotter had a goal and an assist and OA had a convincing first round win over visiting Ludlow. The Tigers hit the post twice in the opening 90 seconds of the match, setting the tone for a first half that they dominated. Jenna Gilman, who missed the end of last season with an injury, got the hosts off to a strong start when her cross from the left went off a defender’s leg for the opening goal. The Tigers doubled the lead in the 16th minute. Laney Carroll was able to bring down a clearance from the Ludlow defense, took a touch, and fired a 25-yard shot just under the bar. Cotter would make it 3-0 when she stooped to meet a low cross from Taylor deVos and guided it inside the near post. She would then set up the fourth goal just a minute after the break. Cotter made a run down the left side, getting all the way to the end line, and then cutting it back for Emma Gavin’s powerful first-time hit. While OA had the majority of possession and chances, Janiya Matier was called upon to make a couple of first half saves, including one nice catch on a free kick that looked like it was headed for the corner. OA will face the winner of #16 Stoughton/#17 Marblehead in the next round.
Division 3
#23 Foxboro, 1 @ #10 Dedham, 2 – Final (2 OT) – Dedham scored late in the second half and then scored on a free kick late in double overtime to pull out a win in a thrilling rematch of last year’s Div. 3 state semifinal. Chloe Ostis put the Warriors in front in the first half, finishing off an assist from Erin Foley. Foxboro would hold onto that lead until the final 12 minutes of regulation. Allie Tuohey, Jaclyn Vecchione, Maddy Luck, and Lindsey Resnick played well in defense to limit the chances for the Marauders to test keeper Allie Sougaris. Sougaris did come up with several great saves when called upon. Foley, Grace Riley, Neve Taylor, and Shea Dorney patrolled the midfield for the Warriors, while Ostis and Lauren Miley worked up front to create scoring chances.
Field Hockey Division 2
#19 Plymouth North, 1 @ #14 Oliver Ames, 2 – Final (OT)
Division 3
#28 Stoneham, 0 @ #5 Foxboro, 5 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this game. Ella Campbell’s hat trick led the way for the Warriors in a dominating performance to kick off the postseason. Foxboro took a while to get going against the visiting Spartans, but Campbell scored twice in the second quarter to finally give the Warriors a lead that their pressure deserved. A well-worked corner would give Foxboro a 3-0 lead. Mia DiNunzio passed it to Mary Collins at the top of the circle. She moved the ball to her right to Mya Waryas, who let fly with a hard shot through traffic. Kaelin Connors settled it on the end line and played a quick pass across the goal to DiNunzio for the tap in. Foxboro sealed the win in the fourth quarter. Stoneham goalie Gabby Stamps made nearly 20 saves to keep her team in it, but Campbell pounced on a rebound for her third and her team’s fourth. With two minutes to play, a rebound popped out to Collins, who was at the heart of everything for Foxboro, and she coolly slotted a shot into the bottom corner.
Boys Soccer
Attleboro, 0 @ King Philip, 1 – Final – King Philip scored just minutes into the game and held Attleboro scoreless for 80 minutes to earn the upset at home. Matt Crago scored off of a pass from Brad Lynn in the third minute to give KP the early advantage. Jake van Hoosen made six saves to earn the shutout for the Warriors.
Foxboro, 1 @ Sharon, 1 – Final
Franklin, 1 @ Taunton, 0 – Final – Franklin broke a scoreless tie with just over 10 minutes to play to fend off an upset bid from a Taunton side that came to play. Junior Hansy Jacques set up classmate Michael Fernandez-Martin for the lone goal of the game in the 67th minute.
Milford, 2 @ North Attleboro, 2 – Final – North Attleboro scored tying goals just before halftime and again with under five minutes to go to earn a point against visiting Milford. The Scarlet Hawks went ahead first as Eduardo Santana latched onto a through ball from Johnny Castro and snapped Milford’s scoreless skid to make it 1-0. Just before half, a long throw from Jack Regan was played wide by Carson Dameron to Eliude Alcenat at the back post and he buried it to make it 1-1. Santana grabbed his second of the game, this time running onto a through ball from Rodrigo Lourenço to make it 2-1. In the final minutes, Givany Carney played a ball into the area and after it bounced around, Griffen Rodden pounced on it and buried it to make it 2-2.
Mansfield, 0 @ Oliver Ames, 2 – Final
Stoughton, 2 @ Canton, 5 – Final
Girls Soccer
King Philip, 3 @ Attleboro, 0 – Final – Eilish McGowen’s brace powered KP to a big road win, bouncing back after Friday’s loss to Franklin. McGowen opened the scoring after 15 minutes, finishing off an assist from Heidi Lawrence. The junior doubled the lead at the hour mark, this time tapping in after Danielle Gresham’s corner. Addisyn Lamothe-Vaughn wrapped up the scoring with a shot from 30 yards, assisted by Maggie Griffin, with five minutes to play.
Canton, 1 @ Stoughton, 1 – Final – Canton scored a pair of late goals to win the first meeting, but on Tuesday it was Stoughton’s turn to come from behind and get the result. After the Bulldogs took the lead in the 13th minute, the Black Knights were able to tie off a corner routing nine minutes into the second half. Makenzie O’Connor played a short pass to Emma Tran, who was able to find the back of the net and secure a big point.
Sharon, 0 @ Foxboro, 1 – Final – Foxboro scored inside the opening four minutes and carried that goal to a win and a split of the seasons series. Neve Taylor scored the game’s only goal. Erin Foley created the chance with a run to the corner off a throw-in and then an accurate pass to Taylor in the box. Laure Miley and Shea Dorney controlled the midfield for the Warriors, while Lindsey Resnick kept things solid in front of goalie Allie Sougaris. Sharon was shorthanded on Tuesday, including star midfielder Sofia Goclowski, but got strong performances from Claire Baur in defense and from freshman Jessica Li, who helped out in the midfield.
Taunton, 0 @ Franklin, 6 – Final – Franklin maintained its advantage in the Kelley-Rex with a strong win against Taunton. Hailey Baima and Mia Eglintine led the way for the Panthers, each with a goal in both halves. Kelly O’Connor opened the scoring and Bridget Leo added a goal for Franklin.
North Attleboro, 1 @ Milford, 2 – Final – Dani Atherton’s second half goal pushed Milford to a home win. Serena Borges had put Milford ahead in the first half with a penalty kick, but Emma Pratt scored for North in the second half to tie it. Atherton provided the winner with about 20 minutes to play when she fired a 25-yard shot from a tough angle into the top corner. Chloe Murdock had an impressive game in goal for the Hawks.
Boys Cross Country
North Attleboro, 38 @ King Philip, 21 – Final – Nate Sylven (15:55) won his second straight race to lead the Warriors to a big win over North Attleboro. North took second overall but KP had four of the next five runners with Owen McKenzie (17:54) and Max Miller (17:59) taking third and fourth, respectively, and Eliot Davis (18:14) and Ryan Taylor (18:34) crossing sixth and seventh overall.
Girls Cross Country
North Attleboro, 32 @ King Philip, 25 – Final – North Attleboro had two of the top three finishes, including first overall, but King Philip’s depth proved vital in a win at home. Kate Buban (20:04) was KP’s top runner at second overall. Leah Burke (21:27), Rachel Bailer (21:47), and Keira Evans (21:55) finished consecutively from fourth to sixth, and Bridget Sweezey (22:24) rounded out the Warriors’ scoring finishing eighth.
Boys Soccer
Foxboro, 1 @ Taunton, 6 – Final – Click here for a photo gallery of this game. – Taunton senior Riley Rebello scored a pair of first half goals and the Tigers raced out to a big lead and never looked back. After trading goals in the opening 20 minutes, the Tigers finished the first half with four goals. Quincy Jones-Sylvia opened the scoring, Devin Poe scored his first of the game for Taunton’s second goal, and Rebello scored back-to-back goals: one on a terrific strike from distance and another off a free kick. Conal Scully and Poe each added a goal in the second half. Marco Pacini scored a first half goal for the Warriors.
Stoughton, 0 @ Franklin, 3 – Final – Franklin scored a pair of first half goals and tacked on a key insurance tally in the opening moments of the second half to secure a win over visiting Stoughton. Sophomore Garrett Scagliarini opened the scoring for the hosts, finishing off a feed from junior Rex Cinelli in the 13th minute to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead. Just past the half hour mark, sophomore Wyatt Herndon set up junior Hansy Jacques to double the hosts’ advantage. Just two minutes into the second half, Trey Lovell capped the scoring with an unassisted strike.
Mansfield, 3 @ King Philip, 2 – Final – Mansfield got the odd goal in five to pull out a win at KP. All the goals were scored in the opening half. Dan Checkoway opened the scoring for the Hornets finishing off an assist from Grady Sullivan. Aiden Steele got the second with a pass from Lucas DeSousa. Sullivan got what turned out to be the game-winner after 27 minutes. Tyler Znoj had the assist. Matt Crago had a goal and assist for the Warriors and Oliver Blackburn got a goal from the penalty spot. Will Bowen also had an assist for KP. Mansfield coach Steve Sheridan praised his team’s effort in the second half to hold onto the one-goal lead.
Sharon, 0 @ North Attleboro, 1 – Final – Carson Dameron scored seven minutes into the second half to give North a big win over Sharon. Bryce Newth got the assist on the goal. North’s back line of Jack Regan, Brody Carter, Sam Bush, and Kaden Burns put in a strong shift to limit Sharon’s scoring opportunities.
Canton, 0 @ Attleboro, 0 – Final
Girls Soccer
Attleboro, 3 @ Canton, 1 – Final – Jamie Davies recorded three points (two goals and an assist) and Alexis Campbell saved a penalty, as Attleboro picked up a critical road win that moves the Bombardiers back within a win of .500. Davies had a first-half brace, the first assisted by Tatum O’Brien after seven minutes and the second assisted by Tatum Leahy 15 minutes later. Campbell came up with a big stop on a penalty kick that kept the Bombardiers in front at the break. Attleboro kept up the energy to win the midfield battle in the second half and O’Brien sealed the win with a goal, assisted by Davies, three minutes from the final whistle.
Taunton, 0 @ Foxboro, 2 – Final – Lauren Miley had a goal and an assist and Foxboro ended a 10-game winless streak to pick up the home win on senior night. Freshman Shea Dorney opened the scoring off a Miley pass and then Miley double the lead in the second half, assisted by Erin Foley. Lindsey Resnick led a strong defensive effort for the Warriors along with goalie Allie Sougaris.
Franklin, 1 @ Stoughton, 0 – Final – Franklin got its second clean sheet in as many days, holding on for a win that moves the Panthers one point ahead of KP in the league title race ahead of Friday’s showdown. Lauren Mitchell and Emma Tremblay both played well in the Stoughton defense, helping keep Franklin to one goal. Katrina Varnum made 11 saves for the Black Knights.
King Philip, 1 @ Mansfield, 2 – Final – Avery Hawthorne scored a winner midway through the second half to lift Mansfield to the upset of Kelley-Rex leader King Philip. Bridget Hanley opened the scoring for the Hornets with a first-half penalty. Mikayla Thompson equalized with an unassisted goal for the Warriors 12 minutes after the break, but Hawthorne popped up five minutes later to finish off a pass from Meghan McCann.
Milford, 2 @ Oliver Ames, 6 – Final – OA scored six times in the first half and the Tigers made it 10 straight wins, opening up a five-point lead atop the Davenport division. Taylor deVos scored a brace, while Lucinda Li Cotter, Jolie Diaz, Jenna Gilman, and Carly Gibson each scored once to build a 6-0 lead. Cotter and Diaz also had assists. Dani Atherton scored a brace in the second half to bring Milford closer.
Golf
Attleboro, 184 @ Oliver Ames, 183 – Final (5 cards) – Tied through four cards, Oliver Ames pulled off a one-stroke victory on the fifth card to take a win over visiting Attleboro. Oliver Ames’ Sean Kearns and Attleboro’s Leo Lombardo shared medalist honors after each shot a 34 on the day. Michael McGinnis and Braden Shapiro each added a 37 for the Tigers, Daniel Paul came in with a 38, and Ryan Smith, Carter Hanson, and David Rodgers each shot a 39. For Attleboro, Carter Shelton fired a 35 and Ryan Hill finished with a 36.
North Attleboro, 176 @ Foxboro, 187 – Final – Jake Gaskin was the only player to shoot a sub-40 round, taking medalist honors with a 39, as North pulled out the non-league win. The Rocketeers also got rounds of 41 from Tyson Laviano, 47 from Caiden Albergio, and 49 from Ishan Kohli. Foxboro was led by Zac Georgantas, who had three pars and a round of 45. Louie Carangelo was one back with a 46 and Reese Curreri and Josh Connolly each shot a 48 for the Warriors.
Taunton, 177 @ Sharon, 174 – Final
Stoughton, 39 @ Weymouth, 100 – Final
Milford, 155 @ Canton, 161 – Final – Milford earned a close win over Canton, led by Jacob Hipolito’s medalist round of 36. Anthony LaPierre also broke 40 for the Hawks, finishing with a 37. Eric Farrell added a round of 40 and Zach Hippolito shot a 42. Canton’s low scorer was Brendan Tourgee with a 38, while Brian Middleton had a 39. Charlie Vaughan finished with a round of 41 and the Bulldogs had three golfers, Matt Yeaton, Danny Hall, and Joey Ryan, shoot rounds of 43.
Girls Soccer
Foxboro, 2 @ Walpole, 2 – Final – After allowing a late goal on Monday in a draw against North, Foxboro scored in the final minute on Tuesday to earn a point on the road at Walpole. Lauren Miley got Foxboro’s first goal, finishing a free kick from Erin Foley. With less than a minute to play, Neve Taylor scored off a Lindsey Resnick pass (the same combo from Monday’s game) to rescue a result for the Warriors. Keeper Allie Sougaris had another strong game for Foxboro.
Field Hockey
Mansfield, 6 @ Sharon, 0 – Final – Mansfield built a big lead early with four goals in the first quarter, then tacked on two more in the final quarter to secure a win over Sharon. Lola Varricchione opened the scoring for the Hornets, Kristina Kipp scored back-to-back goals, and Ella Palanza capped Mansfield’s first quarter scoring to make it 4-0. Danni Cuzzi and Rose Maher each scored once in the fourth quarter while Ava Adams finished the game with two assists.
Volleyball
Foxboro, 3 vs. Walpole, 0 – Final – After a tough five-set loss on Monday, Foxboro bounced back with a clean sweep on Tuesday, taking down Walpole, 3-0 (27-25, 25-23, 25-17). Alyssa Cloherty dished out 28 assists and added six digs and four aces, Ava Kirk had a big day with nine kills, and Mallorie Meyer finished with 13 digs, five kills, four aces, and two blocks.
Boys Cross Country
North Attleboro, 39 @ Taunton, 19 – Final – For the second straight race, Taunton’s Brayden Cali (17:17) and Andrew Cali (17:25) took the top two spots, and Jack Pawlowski took third as the Tigers ran away with a win over North Attleboro. Aiden Zamora (sixth) and Daris Alves (seventh) rounded out the scoring for the Tigers. William Atwood was North’s top runner, clocking in at 18:22 for fourth overall while Brady King (18:25) was fifth.
Canton, 38 @ Sharon, 20 – Final – Canton’s top runner was Sam Vail (third overall), who ran a career best of 18:28 over the 5K course at Ward’s Berry Farm. Luke Darling (18:42) and Austin DiBiasio (20:06) also ran career best times for the Bulldogs.
Stoughton, 49 @ Foxboro, 15 – Final
Oliver Ames, 19 @ Mansfield, 38 – Final
Milford, 20 @ Franklin, 43 – Final – Milford’s Sydney Kalil took first place by nearly a minute but Franklin followed with 11 straight runners to get the win over the Scarlet Hawks. Ashley Tighe and Abigail Baker were Franklin’s top two runners, taking second and third overall, respectively. Alex Batla, Fiona Morrison, and Carli Walbert rounded out the scoring for Franklin with fourth, fifth, and sixth place finishes.
Girls Cross Country
North Attleboro, 31 @ Taunton, 26 – Final – Taunton used a one-two finish to collect a close win over visiting North Attleboro. Emersyn DePonte crossed the finish line in 20:04 to take first and Colby Dunham followed at 20:13 for second overall.
Canton, 44 @ Sharon, 18 – Final – Sophomore Tahlia Weaver was Canton’s top runner, taking third overall and finishing in 22:59. Johanna Bouwmeester (23:46) and Klara Redquest (24:12), who placed eighth and 10th respectively, also had strong races for the Bulldogs.
Stoughton, 36 @ Foxboro, 21 – Final
Oliver Ames, 18 @ Mansfield, 45 – Final
Milford @ Franklin, 3:45
Golf
Milford, 160 @ Franklin, 142 – Final – Franklin bounced back from a loss on Monday by taking down division foe Milford at Franklin Country Club on Tuesday. CJ Steel had third birdies and Tyler O’Brien had two, each finishing at 35 for the day to earn medalist honors. Brendan Collins (three birdies) and Jack Hagerty (two birdies) both finished at 36 to round out the scoring for the Panthers. Anthony LaPierre and David Fleming each shot a 39 for the Hawks while Jacob Hipilito, Tyler Caldon, and Eric Farrell each shot a 41.
Oliver Ames, 154 @ Canton, 163 – Final – Oliver Ames stayed atop the standings in the Davenport division, securing a win on the road over Canton at Blue Hill Country Club. Battling the wind and rain, as well as the Bulldogs, the Tigers had a strong showing. Senior Michael McGinnis and sophomore Braden Shapiro each shot a 38 on the day to share medalist honors for OA, while juniors Lucas Riley and Ryan Smith each finished with a 39. Canton’s Huck McCready had a team-best round of 40 while Brendan Tourgee, Joey Ryan, and Gavin McMahon each shot a 41.
North Attleboro, 161 @ Taunton, 183 – Final – North Attleboro senior Jake Gaskin had a great performance, battling the elements to card a medalist round of 36 to lead the Rocketeers to a win on the road over Taunton at Segregansett Country Club. Sophomore Tyson Laviano added a 40 in the win, Ishan Kohli added a 41, and Jordan Paradis rounded out the scoring for the visitors with a 44. Taunton sophomore Alex Dias had a strong showing, shooting a team-low round of 42.
Foxboro sophomore Neve Taylor scored her third goal in two games and led the Warriors to a league win at Mansfield. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
MANSFIELD, Mass. – For the first time in the opening 25 minutes, Foxboro found a path into the Mansfield penalty area. Neve Taylor ran onto a looped pass from Lauren Miley in the left channel. The sophomore forward squared up her marker, cut into the box on her right foot, and fired a shot into the left bottom corner.
It was Taylor’s third goal in two games this season and proved to be the decisive moment, as Foxboro held on for a 1-0 win on Tuesday night at Alumni Field.
“She is just that outside-mid force that is just our secret weapon that no one is ready for all the time,” first-year Foxboro coach Jen Lippolis said of Taylor, who has scored all the Warriors’ goals so far this season.
“Milford was a little shock to a lot of the girls because it was their first time ever playing in a varsity game and experiencing that level of physicality. They were ready today and they pushed back today.”
Foxboro’s goal came against the run of play, as Mansfield started brighter in what turned out to be a combative, competitive, hard-fought battle between two teams with league title aspirations.
The Hornets had a good chance after seven minutes, when Jill Koppy intercepted a pass and fed Alexis O’Keefe in the center of the pitch. O’Keefe laid a pass into the path of left winger Olivia Homsi, who won possession back immediately after it was stolen and curled a shot wide of the far post.
Ten minutes later, Mansfield was on the attack again. Lyla Nappa slipped a pass in behind the Warriors back line and freshman Alexandra Fernandes hit a shot across the front of goal that Foxboro keeper Allie Sougaris held onto. Following the goal, Fernandes had another good look from the center of the box but Sougaris was able to get down quickly to her right to tip the shot past the post.
“When you’ve got young kids, four freshman, a lot of new sophomores, even some juniors who’ve never played varsity before, right from the preseason they’ve been bringing it,” Mansfield coach Kevin Smith said about his young attackers. “They brought it tonight and we had tons of shots and opportunities but just couldn’t score.”
Foxboro gained confidence from its goal and started to get a larger foothold in the match. Part of that was the move of Erin Foley into the center of midfield, where her physicality and composure were vital to the Warriors getting forward.
“She sets the tone for the team and everyone sort of follows her pace,” Lippolis said. “I’ll take the fouls at the 40 just to sort of push back because sometimes you have to. She never shies away.”
At the half hour mark, freshman Morgan Riley was able to deflect a ball into the path of classmate Shea Dorney for a shot that forced Mansfield’s Olivia Salisbury into a save. Sophomore Meghan McCann showed her strength to earn Mansfield a chance, winning the ball in the box and cutting it back to freshman Lauren Signoriello for a shot just wide.
With nearly the last kick of the half, Foxboro was nearly two goals in front. Foley won the header in midfield and Miley played another perfect through ball into the channel for Taylor. This time, her left-footed shot flashed just wide of the far post.
Mansfield came out of the break on the front foot and had two early chances to equalize. McCann again was able to win a duel with her marker to gain possession in the box but her shot from the left was across the face of goal. Two minutes later, freshman Olivia Dunham stepped up from center back to win the ball. O’Keefe’s one-touch pass sprung Reagan Trout down the left wing. After a 50-yard run, Trout’s shot was charged down by Lindsey Resnick.
The pattern continued midway through the half. Sophomore Aniela Diieso was able to win the ball on the right edge of the box and cut the ball to Gabby Seifert making a late run from midfield. The first-time shot was just wide. Brooke Penney then got the ball to Fernandes on the wing and she cut inside to create space, but her shot was right at Sougaris.
“Lindsey, this is her third year starting at center back so she’s calm,” Lippolis said about her team’s defensive effort. “Having her see the whole field and directing everyone, and they listen to her, which is great. And Allie behind her in net, the two of them are such a force.”
Foley nearly put the game away with five minutes to play. She ran onto Dorney’s corner and hit a cushioned volley on target, but Salisbury came up with a full-stretch save to deny the Foxboro junior a stunning goal.
As time wound down, there was a moment of controversy. Fernandes again cut into the box from the left and held possession against tight marking. A whistle came from across the field. Although the play was in the box at the time of the call, the official on the far side ruled that the foul started outside the box and awarded a free kick right on the line. Dunham curled her shot over the wall, but Sougaris (seven saves) was able to get two hands to it and was fouled in the attempt to collect it fully.
There was still time for Taylor to have another chance. This time she got in behind the Mansfield defense, which was pressing forward to try and tie the game, but Salisbury (five saves) was able to get a palm to the clipped shot and keep the deficit at one.
“We just couldn’t finish,” Smith explained. “Credit to their defense, credit to their goalie. She made some great saves and they were able to put us off a step or two there to hit some wide, fingertip to some.”
Foxboro (2-0-0) will have its home opener on Thursday against Franklin. Mansfield (1-2-0) will try to bounce back with a home game against North Attleboro.
2021 Record: 10-8-2 2021 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Round of 32 Coach: Steve Santos
Attleboro ended its long wait for a return to the postseason in 2021 and head coach Steve Santos is hoping that success will breed more winning for the program. The Bombardiers will have a strong foundation this season because of a big senior class and experience across the pitch. If Attleboro can overcome some early season injuries and illnesses, they could be in the mix for another postseason spot.
With 34 goals as a team last year, Attleboro wasn’t one of the league’s most prolific attacking groups, but the Bombardiers have talented players who can make an impact in the final third. Junior Jamie Davies had a breakout sophomore year with nine goals and two assists and will be expected to lead the line this fall. Senior midfielder Kahlan Gray, who is dealing with an injury, can add to the attack either in the center of the field or out on the wing and freshman Tatum O’Brien is a newcomer to the lineup that has a good soccer IQ and will provide playmaking from the center of the pitch. Sophomore Tatum Leahy will give the team a boost after a year on JV.
The Bombardiers are going to be experimenting with defensive groups early in the season. Senior Emily Dunlea is a versatile player who can impact play no matter where she slots in and could be used in the defense at the start. Senior Ella Stromfors is battling illness but will give the team good experience and aggressiveness in the back line and junior Bethany Alves had an impressive sophomore season at the back and can also step into midfield. Junior Presley Biller will also add depth in the defensive unit. Senior Alexis Campbell is back in goal and her composure and vocal leadership will be important to keep things organized while the team gets healthy.
“We’ve had a good preseason,” Santos said. “We have a lot of seniors who are a good group of friends who all look out for each other. We had a good season and now they expect more this year. We want to not just get into the tournament, but win a couple of games.”
2021 Record: 6-7-5 2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 32 Coach: Idris Senyonjo
Canton battled through injuries for much of last season, but the Bulldogs were able to rally and made a playoff push. Entering his third season as coach, Idris Senyonjo has a roster filled with players that understand his style of play and he believes that the Bulldogs will be ready to push on and challenge the top teams in the division.
Senior midfielder Emily McCabe had a breakout season in 2021, becoming the team’s leading scorer and playmaker, and her leadership will be a key to the team’s success this fall. Senior Han Hong and sophomore Paige Sullivan add more experience in the center of the pitch. Up front, sophomores Emma Cahill and Caira McKinney (who missed last season with an injury) will be the top forward options.
Defensively, the Bulldogs graduated several starters, but seniors Kristine Keefe and Sarah Dempster are back and will provide the foundation for the back line. Junior Ava Gilmore is a versatile player who can help out in the midfield or drop into the defense, giving the Bulldogs options in the lineup. Junior Mekhala Costello took a year off to shine on the golf course, but she is back on the pitch this fall and is another dynamic player who can line up in multiple spots.
“Yes we have had multiple players graduate over the past couple of years but this is the first time in my tenure that most of the players from last year will be returning and my hope is that it brings a sense of continuity going into this season,” said Senyonjo. “The best we can do now is prepare to the best of our ability and we will be taking it game by game.”
2021 Record: 16-2-4 2021 Finish: Reached Div. 3 Final Four Coach: Jen Lippolis
Despite an injury to All-American Kailee McCabe, Foxboro made a historic run to the Div. 3 state semifinal last fall, and the Warriors will try to use that experience to put together another tournament run this season. In addition to the graduation of McCabe, who set a program record with 32 goals in 2021, the Warriors will also be making a change on the sideline with assistant Jen Lippolis taking over for Katie Stalcup.
Foxboro will be young this season but many of those players got valuable experience last fall. Seniors Lauren Miley and Jaclyn Vecchione will be back in the middle of the pitch this season, as junior Erin Foley will be moved further forward to try and bolster the attack. Sophomore Neve Taylor had a strong rookie campaign and will step into a bigger midfield role this year, while senior Grace Riley will give the Warriors a boost when she returns from a preseason injury.
The Warriors were known as an attack-minded team last season, but the defense was excellent, allowing only 20 goals in 22 games and recording three clean sheets in the tournament. Junior sweeper Lindsey Resnick will be back in the heart of the defense and sophomore Sophia Auclair is coming off an impressive freshman season. Sophomore Maddy Luck is another young defender who should be ready for a big step up in responsibility this season. Foxboro should be strong in goal with senior Maddie Maher joined by junior Allie Sougaris, fresh off her playoff heroics.
“We’re excited to be back on the soccer field,” Lippolis said. “We are a young team this year. With the leadership of our returning varsity players, we’re excited for a fun, competitive season.”
2021 Record: 14-2-2 (Kelley-Rex champion) 2021 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Round of 16 Coach: Tom Geysen
In 2021, under interim coach Jodi Klein, Franklin continued its success in the Kelley-Rex winning a second straight league title. Head coach Tom Geysen is back on the sidelines this fall and the Panthers have a lineup loaded with experience that looks ready to make a challenge for a three-peat.
Defense has long been a strength for the program and last year was no different. The Panthers allowed only 11 goals in 18 matches and bring back one of the league’s top center back pairings. Senior Norah Anderson is a four-year starter in defense and she will be partnered by junior Maddie Horton, who had a breakout sophomore campaign. Junior Rachel Welch will be back in goal behind them and has proven to be one of the league’s top shot-stoppers. Junior Lily Deforge is a versatile player who can also help out at the back.
The Franklin attack took a big step forward last year. Junior Anya Zub moved from the wing to center forward and the reigning HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year put together a 20-goal season. Sophomore Kelly O’Connor was a breakout star on the wing who could take over a game. There were a few graduations in the midfield, but seniors Bridget Leo and Avery Greco can control the game in the center of the pitch and create scoring chances for the forward group.
“They have worked incredibly hard all year and done all the things necessary for success,” Geysen said. “All that is left is putting it all together on the field.”
2021 Record: 12-7-1 2021 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Round of 16 Coach: Gary Pichel
Despite being very young in 2021, King Philip was in contention for the Kelley-Rex title until the final weeks of the regular season and took highly ranked Bishop Feehan to overtime in the Round of 16. With a more experienced roster this year, the Warriors will be looking to take the next step and get back on top of the division for the first time since 2019 and make a deep tournament run.
The Warriors were the third-highest scoring team in the league last year with 57 goals and offense should be a strength again with senior Ella Pisani back to run things in attack. The team’s leading scorer in 2021, Pisani had 19 goals and eight assists last fall and she will be the focal point on offense. KP has talent on the wings that can take advantage of any space defenses leave open. Junior Eilish McGowen and sophomores Danielle Lomuscio and Mikayla Thompson have the pace and skill to create scoring chances as well. The forward line is also boosted by the return of junior forward Heidi Lawrence and senior Danielle Gresham will shore up the midfield.
The defense has plenty of experience from last season. Senior Grace Lawler will be the leader of the back line and continues to be called upon to mark the opposition’s top attacker. Junior Rylie Wesley and sophomores Rihanna Mason and Addisyn Lamothe-Vaughn give KP a lot of athleticism in the defensive third of the field. There will be experience in net as well with the return of senior Lauren Casper and junior Makenna Norrman, who both saw action in 2021.
“I am really looking forward to competing this season with all the great Hockomock teams,” said KP coach Gary Pichel. “We were very young last year. With a year under our belt, we should see improvements across the board in every facet of our game.”
2021 Record: 12-5-1 2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 16 Coach: Kevin Smith
Mansfield was in the running for the Kelley-Rex title into the final weeks of the regular season and this year the Hornets will be hoping that their first fall in the Davenport will feature a similar title challenge. With a young roster that features four freshmen and four sophomores, the Hornets will be relying on the upperclassmen to keep the team heading in the right direction in what promises to be a very competitive division.
The Hornets are without their top three scorers from last season (Tarynn Smith, Katie Miller, and Gabby Smith) so there will be room for other players to step in and provide an attacking threat. Senior forward Olivia Homsi will lead the line and junior Carly Devine is a skilled forward who can play up top or just behind the strikers, while senior Abby Jean gives Mansfield speed on the wing. Senior Bridget Hanley is coming off a breakout season in a holding midfield role and could be asked to get forward a little more this season to help support the offense.
Defense was a significant strength for the Hornets last year, allowing only 17 goals in 18 games, including a shutout of Canton in the opening round of the playoffs. Junior Kara Santos is back for her third year in the heart of defense and, although she will have her third center back partner in three years, gives the Hornets a strong foundation. She is also the team’s top returning scorer with seven goals and is a threat on any set piece opportunity. Senior goalie Olivia Salisbury has become one of the league’s top shot-stoppers. They’ll provide vocal leadership for the younger players at the back.
“We have a very young team with many first-year varsity players,” said Mansfield coach Kevin Smith. “We will be leaning on our seniors and returning players to provide leadership as we grow as a team.”
Milford is coming off a three-win season in 2021, but the Hawks are hoping that an influx of young talent from a successful JV team will help them climb the league standings and make a playoff push. The Hawks have 10 seniors and have added seven freshmen who can contribute right away in their first varsity seasons.
The key for Milford this season will be the play of leading scorer Dani Atherton. The four-year starter has been the focal point of Milford’s attack since she jumped on the team and this year head coach Lou Colabello is counting on a move to outside midfield to give her more chances to get on the ball and run at defenders. Freshman Ava Baglione will step in up top and there is hope she can add firepower to the Hawks’ attack. Sophomore Paige Caldon had a good season in attack as a freshman and this year will drop back to help out in the center of the pitch.
Senior Serena Borges will be moved further up in midfield so that she can produce more in the attack, but classmate Brooke Ferreira will be pushed from midfield to the back line to cover for preseason injuries. Ferreira will be joined by senior Evalysse Pierce, who is coming back from an injury that kept her out of last season. Freshman Kayleigh Tourtellot is another rookie who should be ready for the physical test of the Hockomock League, while classmate Chloe Murdock will step between the pipes after a strong season as an eighth grader on JV.
“It’s a fun team,” Colabello said about the mix of veterans and talented newcomers. “There is a lot of talent there. We’re deeper than we were last year. We’ll hold our own. We’re hoping to get out of the blocks well and build some confidence.”
2021 Record: 8-10-2 2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 32 Coach: Geoff Burgess
North Attleboro is making the move back to the Kelley-Rex division this fall and the Rocketeers will be turning to a familiar face on the sidelines, as Geoff Burgess moves back to the girls’ program after coaching the boys for the past few seasons. After graduating 12 players, North will have a lot of new faces implementing a new style this season.
Up top, North will be counting on senior Emma Pratt. After scoring nine goals last year, Pratt is the team’s top returning scorer and will be counted on to give the Rocketeers the firepower to compete with the league’s best. Senior Caroline Ferrin will be one of the key playmakers in the center of the pitch and will help Burgess bring in a more possession-based approach.
The North boys have been known as a strong defensive team and Burgess will hope that solidity carries over to his work with the girls as well. Senior Haley Sinacola will be the team’s leader at the back. Sinacola was the team’s MVP last season and gives North a strong foundation in the defensive third, as well as a constant threat on set pieces. Senior Maddie Ferrin is back in goal for the Rocketeers and adds experience to the back line.
“Lots of changes to the team, the philosophy and the style of play,” said Burgess. “We are still learning about ourselves and who we can be this season. We are going to try and possess the ball and build attacks rather than kick and chase.”
2021 Record: 14-2-2 (Davenport champion) 2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 16 Coach: Britt Sellmayer
Even after graduating 10 players from last season, Oliver Ames looks prepared to defend its Davenport division title. Many of the younger players got experience on the pitch in 2021 and could be poised for big years as they step into larger roles.
OA was second in the league with 68 goals last year and the attack will continue to utilize the speedy wings that have become a signature of the Tigers’ style. Junior Lucinda Li Cotter and senior Jenna Gilman will continue to provide width and service into the box. Senior Carly Gibson will move into the forward line to give additional creativity in the final third.
The midfield will continue to be strong, physical, and direct. Senior Mary Cross will move forward from defense and give leadership in the middle of the field. Sophomore Emma Gavin impressed during her rookie season and gives another weapon in the midfield. Seniors Sophia Byron and Molly Capace will be leaders in a back line that allowed only 11 goals in 18 games last year. Sophomore Taylor deVos is a versatile player who can line up on the wing or at outside back. Sophomore Janiya Matier will be the team’s new keeper this season.
“Even graduating seven senior starters (10 total) we feel we have a competitive team returning this year,” said OA coach Britt Sellmayer. “The key will be returning taking on larger roles and new players having an impact for a successful season.”
2021 Record: 3-14-1 2021 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Catherine Sullivan
Sharon went through a tough 2021 season, with only three wins, but the Eagles are another team returning the bulk of its roster, and the experience that they have from back to front promises the potential for more positive results in 2022.
The key for Sharon will be senior Sofia Goclowski. The team’s top playmaker, Goclowski is a back-to-box midfielder who will contribute on both ends of the field and, as she continues to develop her finishing, could be ready to lead the Sharon attack. The Eagles will also lean on a pair of underclassmen in the forward line. Sophomore Autumn Simon, who also played in goal last season, makes good runs behind the back line and is one of the team’s top returning scorers. Freshman Jessica Li is an exciting newcomer that will add speed and athleticism on the wing.
Defense will be bolstered by the return of senior Sally Brouhard. After missing all of last season with an injury, Brouhard provides reliability in the back line and is a leader that will keep things organized. Senior Carly Pinnix is another technically proficient midfielder that gives Sharon composure in the midfield and can jump into the attack when she gets the chance.
“With so many returning varsity players, we have strength across every line this season and we have the potential to be very good,” said Sharon coach Catherine Sullivan. “We will need to stay focused and committed to continuous improvement if we are going to be competitive in the challenging Hockomock, but I am excited to see what this talented group can do together.”
2021 Record: 3-15-0 2021 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Jon Grant
Stoughton had three wins in 2021, but the Black Knights also displayed potential for a brighter future with a host of underclassmen that looked ready to start competing with the top teams. Former boys coach Jon Grant has taken over the girls’ program this season and he will be focusing on the defensive side of the ball, hoping to shore things up at the back to help secure more positive results.
The Black Knights should be dynamic in the final third this season. Senior Shayla Ford is back for her fourth varsity season and her speed and ability to find space make her a constant threat to the opposition defense. Sophomores Makenzie O’Connor and Bianca Casna both had strong freshman seasons and can cause problems with the ball at their feet. Sophomores Morgan Cook and Emma Tran showed good chemistry in the midfield last year and will help provide the killer pass to the forwards.
After allowing 86 goals last year, defense will be a priority for the Black Knights this year and there were several players who will be leaning on the valuable experience they got in 2021. Senior Sabrina Rodrigues will add a veteran presence, while junior Ally Lada and sophomore Lauren Mitchell will anchor the middle of the back line. Junior Katrina Varnum is a vocal leader in goal.
“This season we are focusing on team and individual defending,” said Grant. “I’m excited to watch this group grow throughout the season and compete in such an extremely competitive league. Everything I’ve thrown at them so far has been received positively. This group is very coachable and has such a passion to learn and get better.”
2021 Record: 2-15-1 2021 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Danny Borges
Taunton is coming off a difficult 2021 season, after just two wins, but there is optimism in the squad with many younger players gaining valuable experience last season. The Tigers will have a new face on the sideline this fall, with Dan Borges taking over. Although new to the Hockomock, Borges spent 34 years as the coach of the boy’s team at Coyle-Cassidy and he is excited about the progress the team has made in picking up his system in the preseason.
Goals were hard to come by at times last season, as Taunton scored only 14 overall and just eight in league play. Senior midfielder Emily Calderon returns to be the team’s primary playmaker and will be counted on to get the Tigers moving upfield into the attack. Junior forwards Jenna Pereira and Ava Alves will be the main targets up top, as Taunton is looking to add more firepower at that end of the field.
On the other side, the Tigers have a question mark in goal with several younger players looking to replace Izzy Anslow, who was impressive between the sticks for the past couple of seasons. Senior Christina Da Costa and junior Cali Melo will give Taunton athleticism and leadership in the back line to try and shore things up and limit the opposition.
“Our team spirit is high, the girls have been working very hard and adjusting to a new game model,” Borges said. “I believe we have a good mix of experience and youth, and we hope to be more competitive in the traditionally strong Hockomock League.”
Boys Basketball
North Attleboro, 52 @ Attleboro, 64 – Final – Attleboro established an early lead and never let it slip away to knock off rival North Attleboro. Sophomore Neo Franco hit a pair of threes in the first and Evan Houle (17 points) added five to give the hosts a 17-12 lead. The lead grew from there with senior Colin Morais adding seven second quarter points to give the Bombardiers a 29-20 halftime edge. Attleboro, who was without junior forward Trevor White, had its best offensive quarter in the third, scoring 23 points with contributions from Joe Francois-Annevil (seven of his 11 points), Jake Struminski (six of his eight points), and Alvin Harrison (half of his eight points). Brody Rosenberg led the Rocketeers with 15 points while Givany Carney chipped in with 12 points.
Canton, 45 @ Milford, 30 – Final – Canton delivered first year coach Eric MacKinnon his first career win, limiting the Hawks to 12 points in the second half for the win. The Bulldogs built a six-point lead after a quarter and kept the Hawks at a distance the rest of the way. Conor Hunter hit a pair of threes in the second quarter as the visitors carried a 23-18 lead into halftime. Canton had its biggest offensive quarter of the game, nearly doubling their lead going into the final quarter (36-27). Hunter finished with 13 points while Matt Chafin added 12 points in the win.
Foxboro, 26 @ Mansfield, 66 – Final – Click here for a photo gallery of this game. – Mansfield built a double-digit lead in the first quarter and never looked back in a big win over visiting Foxboro. The Hornets were clicking on all cylinders on the offensive end, getting 11 players into the scoring column. Senior Matt Hyland scored a game-high 17 points and grabbed five rebounds while junior Chris had a strong showing with 15 points and seven rebounds. Mansfield helped force 18 turnovers from the Warriors, who couldn’t get it going on offensively. Mansfield led 34-11 at halftime.
Stoughton, 72 @ King Philip, 64 – Final (OT) – King Philip battled back throughout the game, forcing overtime but couldn’t keep pace with the visiting Black Knights in the extra period. Stoughton built a double-digit lead (22-12) after a quarter with six players factoring into the scoring. The Knights kept the lead all the way to the fourth, but King Philip cut into it each quarter. Stoughton took a 38-30 lead into halftime but was held to just six points in the third as KP surged back to make it a one-possession game (44-41). The teams battled back-and-forth in the final quarter before Stoughton’s last second shot was off the mark. In overtime, Connor Andrews (game-high 22 points), Jayden Costa Heyward (12 points), Liam Pearl (nine points) and Cashmere Mathurin (six points) all scored to help the Knights outscore the Warriors, 11-3. Freshman Matt Greenspoon added 10 points in the win. Danny Clancy led King Philip with 16 points while Braeden Sottile added 15 points.
Oliver Ames, 48 @ Franklin 64 – Final – Franklin saw its 22-point halftime lead shrink to single digits going into the fourth quarter, but the Panthers bounced back and closed out strong to get a win over visiting Oliver Ames. Franklin built a 37-15 lead by the break behind a balanced scoring attack and strong defense. Franklin hit half of its 12 three-pointers in the second quarter alone, two apiece from Geino Scaringello and Justin Allen (team-high 12 points) and one each from Andrew O’Neil and Hansy Jacques, to take a commanding lead. OA came roaring back in the third as Zach Tagliamonte scored 10 of his team-high 14 points in the third and Dan Reilly had nine of his 12 points to make it 46-37 going into the fourth. Ben Harvey had half of his eight points in the fourth, Henry Digiorgio scored five of his seven, and Allen added another three to pull away.
Sharon, 71 @ Taunton, 89 – Final – Taunton senior Trent Santos caught fire early and never cooled off, dropping a career-high 41 points to lead the Tigers to a win over visiting Sharon. Santos hit four threes on his way to 20 points in the first quarter as Taunton jumped out ahead 28-12 after a quarter. Faisal Mass (14 points) and Matt Small (nine points) scored six points and five points, respectively, in the second for a 46-25 advantage at the break. Santos picked it back up in the second with 14 points, keeping the hosts ahead throughout. Tyson Carter scored all eight of his points in the third and Troy Santos added all seven of his to give Taunton a 68-47 lead going into the fourth. Sharon junior Matt Baur scored a team-high 26 points, hitting on six three-pointers. Sam Cohen added four threes for 12 points as the Eagles finished with 15 three-pointers made.
Girls Basketball
Attleboro, 41 @ North Attleboro, 30 – Final – Attleboro knocked down its outside shots and played solid defense to pull out a first win for head coach Bri Bracken. The game was tied at 9-9 after one quarter but Attleboro was able to build a six-point lead by halftime and extended it to 11 in the second half. North continues to struggle at times to find consistency on offense, but got eight points from Ava McKeon, who was back after missing a game with injury, and seven points apiece from freshmen Sam Sweeney and Maryellen Charette.
Milford, 17 @ Canton, 71 – Final – Canton got off to a great start and broke the game away in the second quarter to earn its first win of the season. Kiara Cerruti scored 14 of her game-high 18 points in the opening half, including 10 in the second quarter. Fay Gallery scored 17 points and added nine before halftime, as the Bulldogs ran out to a 36-9 lead. Sydney Gallery chipped in with 13 points and Han Hong added nine. Maddalena Mannucci Pacini scored four points for Milford, which also got three points apiece from Jess Douglas, Jill Araujo, and Khatrina Leger.
Mansfield, 43 @ Foxboro, 56 – Final – Foxboro got big nights from a pair of freshmen to earn its second straight win and hand Mansfield its first loss of the season. Kailey Sullivan set a new career-high with 16 points, 11 in the second half, and Ava Hill set a career mark with 14 points, including eight in the fourth quarter. The Warriors broke the game open in the second, extending a one-point lead out to a dozen by halftime. After Foxboro won the third quarter 14-11, Mansfield battled to win a fourth quarter shootout 19-17. Kara Santos was the top scorer for the Hornets with 13 and Abby Wager added 11 points, all in the second half and eight in the fourth quarter alone. Olivia Salisbury had five points, all in the final eight minutes. Foxboro was able to get clutch rebounding from Andrea Slattery and Lauren Miley down the stretch to keep a big lead. Camryn Collins scored nine points and Erin Foley scored eight points to go along with her aggressive defending.
King Philip, 65 @ Stoughton, 41 – Final – Stoughton kept it close in the first half behind a strong defensive effort but the visiting Warriors put together a big run in the third to turn a 6-point lead at half (30-24) into a double-digit advantage (47-30) going into the fourth. Seniors Makaiyah Singleton Rivera and Jess Maddalena combined for 16 points for the Black Knights.
Taunton @ Sharon – Postponed to TBD.
Boys Hockey
Franklin, 6 vs. St. John’s Shrewsbury, 3 – Final – Franklin saw its three-goal lead evaporate in a three-minute span in the second period but the Panthers bounced back with a big third period, scoring three more times to get the win over St. John’s Shrewsbury. Adam Quinn (from Ben Jarosz and Ben Paterson) and Ryan Sicchio (from Logan Marchand) scored for a 2-0 lead at the midway point of the first, and Paterson (from Dylan Marchand and Quinn) scored just over two minutes into the second to make it 3-0. SJS scored three times within the next four minutes to tie the contest 3-3 through two periods. In the third, Quinn got his second of the day (from Paterson and Sicchio) at the midway point of the third and Dom Lampasona (from Anthony Lampasona) added a key insurance goal less than a minute later. Anthony Lampasona tacked on a key empty net goal (margin of victory) in the final seconds on an assist from Christian Shabbick. Cole Porter made 31 saves in net for the Panthers.
King Philip, 1 vs. Medway, 4 – Final
Stoughton, 7 vs. Bellingham, 2 – Final – Stoughton broke into the win column in a big way, knocking off visiting Bellingham, 7-2. Charlie Caputo led the offense with three goals while Colin Alessi added a pair of goals. Brendan Twohig and Aidan Obrock scored a goal each while Anthony Hern recorded the win in net.
Girls Hockey
King Philip, 2 @ Wayland/Weston, 1 – Final (OT)
KP senior Julia Marsden (4) drives on Foxboro’s Erin Foley during the second half of Tuesday night’s season opener. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
WRENTHAM, Mass. – In Tuesday night’s season opener at the Wooden Gym, King Philip was struggling to find a rhythm on offense midway through the third quarter. The Warriors only had 19 points and looked flustered by Foxboro’s typical pressure defense. Trailing by 11, KP turned to a very different strategy than the one that the Warriors had used the past two seasons, and they slowed down.
KP finished the game on a 31-12 run, holding Foxboro to just six points in the fourth quarter, and got balanced scoring from its experienced players, with four Warriors scoring nine points apiece, to pull out a 50-42 victory. It was a debut win for new head coach Jeff Miszkiewicz, who has only had a short time to implement a system that is drastically different than the high-octane style of his predecessor.
“They’re a very well-coached team and we had trouble adjusting to the pressure both on offense and defense and I’ve been preaching all week that they need to slow it down,” Miszkiewicz explained. “We can’t allow them to speed it up. I think we finally got comfortable with that pace and we were able to set the tempo in [the fourth] quarter.”
The game was sloppy from the start, as both team played aggressive defense, both teams turned to younger, less experienced rosters, and both teams struggled to get open looks at the basket.
Foxboro grabbed the early lead, as Hannah Blake (team-high nine points) scored five in the first, including a jumper off a feed from freshman Kailey Sullivan. Sophomore Erin Foley also had five of her eight points in the first, including a steal and layup that made it 9-2.
KP battled back with a 7-0 run that tied the game. Liv Lafond, who recently committed to Carnegie Mellon, scored five in the first, including a big three off an assist from classmate Julia Marsden. After Jackie Bonner knocked down two at the line, KP was tied. A technical foul (one of three in the game) allowed Foley to hit one at the line to regain the lead and Blake added two more from the charity stripe for a 12-9 lead after one.
Sophomore Camryn Collins (six points and four steals) opened the second by grabbing a defensive rebound and going the length of the floor but both teams continued to struggle in the halfcourt. A jumper by Blake off a pass from Ava Hill opened the lead to seven and Hill added her first varsity points with a drive. Emily Sawyer got into the game in the second, scoring off a feed from Lafond and then grabbing an offensive rebound for two more. She finished with nine points and 18 rebounds.
Jordan Bennett got two back for KP with a drive, but the Warriors went 0-for-5 from the line and headed into halftime down 23-17. Foxboro also left points out there, going 9-of-16 from the line in the opening half.
Early in the third quarter, Collins gave Foxboro an instant spark. The sophomore guard sat a lot of the first half in foul trouble but her defense led to easy baskets and helped the visitors start to pull away. She dished to an open Sullivan for a three and then her steal led to a transition basket for Foley. After another Collins steal and layup, Foxboro was up 30-19.
“She’s our best player, so to have her on the bench for the majority of the game hurts,” said Foxboro coach Lisa Downs about Collins playing in foul trouble all game. “She’s very aggressive and she may be able get away with that in AAU but that’s a habit she’s got to break because we need her on the court every minute of every game.”
KP started its rally with free throws, two from Marsden and a pair from Bonner. Marsden then started to give the bench life with a drive to basket that cut the lead to 32-25. Blake answered with a step-back jumper but Bennett made a nice cut and took a feed from Marsden for a layup and Marsden answered Lauren Miley’s steal and layup with two more at the line.
It was 36-31 heading to the fourth. KP had only chipped one point off the halftime deficit but the hosts seemed to have momentum to start the final quarter. Maddie Paschke scored off a nice block-to-block pass from Sawyer that made it 37-33 but time was ticking away and neither team was able to score. Finally, with 2:43 left to play, Elizabeth Molla grabbed a pass from Leah Santoro and beat the shot clock buzzer with a three to make it a one-point game.
“We weren’t able to run our offense the way we wanted to until the second half,” said Miszkiewicz. “Once we got more comfortable that’s when things opened up for us.”
Out of a Foxboro timeout, Lafond got her only basket of the second half with a drive down the lane, plus a foul. Although she missed the free throw, Sawyer fought for the rebound and the put-back and suddenly it was 40-37. The lead didn’t last long, as Foxboro came right back down and Hill drilled a three from the wing to tie the game.
With Collins on the bench with her fifth foul, Molla made one of two at the line (the team’s combined to go 2-for-13 from the line in the fourth to that point) and with 1:16 left Marsden made 1-of-2 to make it 42-40.
With Foxboro pressuring full-court, KP caught the visitors with a ball over the top, Lafond picking out Marsden on the fly for a layup. Molla followed that with a drive and finish and a six-point advantage that KP wouldn’t relinquish. She added three more free throws, scoring all nine of her points in the fourth.
“Liz had a tough shooting night then she came up and hit three free throws at the end there,” said Miszkiewicz. “A great senior captain, pressure free throws, those are the plays that win games.”
“We played young and we played inexperienced,” Downs admitted. “I just think we lost our composure. When our defense was clicking and we were able to get steals, we got some momentum going, but we weren’t able to sustain it because we’d pick up a stupid foul and offensively we kept shooting in the paint where the shots weren’t open.”
King Philip (1-0) will host Taunton, which picked up a big win in its opener, on Friday. Foxboro (0-1) will be on the road against Stoughton, which has started off with a pair of losses.
Oliver Ames and North Attleboro will battle again this year in what should be another competitive Hockomock League season. Check out our team-by-team preview. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com) By HockomockSports.com Staff
2020-2021 Record: 9-4 Coach: Brianna Bracken
Attleboro finished second in the Kelley-Rex division last year and, despite only returning one starter, have an experienced corps that will be looking to push the Bombardiers back to postseason contention this season. There was a big change a few weeks ago when Marty Crowley stepped down as coach (after taking the athletic director job at Cumberland High) and former player and freshman coach Brianna Bracken was promoted to take over.
The change in coach won’t change the emphasis on defense and trying to use the roster’s athleticism to get easy baskets in transition. Attleboro’s lone returning starter is senior forward Meghan Gordon, who has improved every season on varsity and averaged nearly 17 points per game last year. Gordon will get help from classmates Lindsey Perry and Lillian Froio, who have both improved offensively and will help the Bombardiers take some of the pressure off Gordon on that end of the floor.
Injuries and transfers will have an impact as well. Senior Hailey Perry suffered a knee injury that will keep her out and last year’s freshman point guard Narissa Smith transferred to Rivers. Junior Lily Routhier has transferred in this year from Wheeler School and will help out on the boards. Sophomores Kayla Goldrick and Rylie Camacho will add to the Attleboro attack after getting experience as freshmen and senior Avery Vieira and sophomore Sarah Maher will try to fill Perry’s role in the backcourt. Sophomore Merry Bosh and Molly Moore and freshman Vanessa Ellis have had impressive preseasons as well.
“We have a great mix of experience and youth,” said Bracken. “We are excited about what lies ahead. Practices have been intense and the kids have been working really hard.”
2020-2021 Record: 7-5 Coach: James Choquette
Canton could be poised for a big season with a mix of talented underclassmen and an experienced group of seniors who have played together on varsity for four years. The Bulldogs went 7-5 in the shortened 2020-21 season, but expectations are higher this winter, with hopes of challenging the top teams in the Davenport and putting together a playoff run.
Kiara Cerrutiis the team’s top returning scorer and the senior winger will be counted on to provide scoring punch with her mix of inside-outside skills. Fay Gallery is back to run the point for the Bulldogs, getting the team out in transition and finding ways to create good looks for teammates in the halfcourt. Sydney Gallery is also back to give Canton a strong post presence and scoring inside the arc. The three players combined to average 38 points per game last season and give the Bulldogs a strong foundation to build on and help spread the floor for a team that has the potential to be one of the top shooting teams in the league.
Marissa Staffiere and Carly Fitzgerald return to help run the point and give strong defensive effort in the backcourt and junior Samya DaSilva has stepped in to add another versatile weapon on the offensive end. If the Bulldogs can continue to improve defensively, they have the firepower to compete with anyone. Offensively, it will be about ball movement and making sure the ball doesn’t stick on the perimeter.
“Our program continues to grow and improve,” said Canton coach Jim Choquette. “With a strong senior class and a great group of underclassmen, we hope to improve each day we’re in the gym together and achieve the results we desire. Everyone knows how hard it is to win, but this group is willing to do whatever it takes and we’re so excited to see how this season unfolds.”
2020-2021 Record: 9-2 Coach: Lisa Downs
Foxboro had its four-year reign at the top of the Davenport division come to an end last season, as the Warriors came second to Oliver Ames. With a relatively young roster, Foxboro improved over the course of the shortened season and seemed to be peaking as it headed into what would have been the second half of a normal winter. The hope for this season is that those younger players will build on that experience to make another title challenge and playoff run.
With the graduation of the league’s leading scorer, Katelyn Mollica, the Warriors will have a lot of points to make up but have several players capable of taking on bigger roles this year. Senior forward Hannah Blake could help provide some of that scoring with her solid post-up game and mid-range jumper. Sophomore guards Erin Foley and Camryn Collins both had impressive rookie campaigns and showed versatile offensive games and both are aggressive and athletic defenders, who fit into Foxboro’s typical style.
Senior Andrea Slattery and junior Lauren Miley are under-sized forwards but both bring a lot of energy and aggression to the defensive end and hitting the glass. Freshmen Kaley Sullivan and Ava Hill will jump right into the varsity lineup this season and both could be ready to make instant impacts. Juniors Michelle Brandt and Maddie Maher and sophomore Isabelle Chamberlin will give the Warriors plenty of depth to call on this season, especially with their effort on the defensive end.
“Although we are young and have new faces, I am excited to see the potential and look forward to seeing the improvement every time they step onto the court,” said Foxboro coach Lisa Downs.
2020-2021 Record: 10-0 Coach: John Leighton
Franklin returns eight players, including six seniors, from last year’s team, which extended the Panthers’ win streak to 35 games and clinched a third straight Kelley-Rex division title. The Panthers will be leaning on that experience as they seek to continue their reign at the top of the league and defend the Div. 1 state title that they won in 2019-20.
Senior forward Olivia Quinn will be the focal point of the Franklin offense this year after leading the team in scoring last winter and emerging as one of the top players in the Hock over the past two years. The reigning Kelley-Rex MVP will have plenty of help, particularly in the paint. While Franklin doesn’t have someone with Ali Brigham’s size, the Panthers have seven players on their roster that are listed at 5-foot-9 or taller. Senior Brigid Earley was the team’s leading rebounder last year and junior Katie Peterson is an athletic forward with a versatile game. Senior Emma Sousa is another experienced forward that gives depth in the post.
On the perimeter, Franklin has graduated a lot of its ball-handlers and shooters but senior Stefany Padula, a Springfield College-commit, is back and will help stretch the floor. Junior Bridget Leo is coming off a strong soccer season and could step in at point guard along with seniors Julia White and Jessica Pingeton, who saw some time last year. Sophomore guard Sasha Tracey is the lone underclassman on the roster this season.
“I am very excited to get back on the court with this team,” said Franklin coach John Leighton. “There is a lot of work ahead of us but there has also been many glimpses of what we could develop into. We have a very strong senior class who has set the bar high for the team. We hope to develop into a close-knit, supportive team that can win in different ways and also play defense that will limit our opponents’ options.”
2020-2021 Record: 5-6 Coach: Jeff Miszkiewicz
There is going to be a transition period for King Philip this season, as the Warriors will be moving from former head coach Dan Nagle’s unique, non-stop pressure, quick-shot system to a new system brought in by first-year coach Jeff Miszkiewicz (who comes from LaSalle Academy in Rhode Island). With seven returning players, including five seniors, the Warriors should have the experience to adjust to the new style and be in the mix in the Kelley-Rex division.
Junior Emily Sawyer will be a major weapon for the Warriors on both ends of the floor. The 6-foot-3 center may be the biggest beneficiary of a change in system and is poised for a breakout year in the paint. Her classmate Jackie Bonner will move into a starting role this season, with her ability to create instant offense and be a pest on the defensive side of the game.
Seniors Liv Lafond, Julia Marsden, and Elizabeth Molla also project to be starters for the Warriors this season. All three are versatile wings that can space the floor and attack in transition. Lafond may be the best off-the-dribble player for KP this season and her ability to get into the paint and create will be key. Marsden is a smart player who always seems to be in the right spot and a solid scorer at the rim or out on the perimeter. Molla is a knockdown shooter from the outside and can punish teams that sink down into the paint to guard Sawyer or prevent driving lanes.
“The team plays really hard and is very coachable,” said Miszkiewicz. “I think that’s why we have seen so much improvement over the first week of practice. You’ll see us take full advantage of our athleticism on both offense and defense. We’re going to be a fun team to watch.”
2020-2021 Record: 9-4 Coach: Heather McPherson
Mansfield closed out the shortened 2020-21 season with five straight wins and will hope to keep that momentum rolling into this winter, although the Hornets will need a lot of players to step into bigger roles. Six seniors graduated from last year’s team, including the bulk of the team’s frontcourt and two of its three leading scorers. New players will need the early part of the season to adjust to the pace of the varsity level.
The Hornets will be hoping that junior guard Abby Wager’s growing offensive game will allow her to improve on the nine points per game she averaged as a sophomore. Senior Anna Darlington brings tenacity on defense and will make it tough for teams to get into their half court sets. Seniors Kayla Doherty and Sophia Allen will also need to add experience to a lineup that is growing into the season.
Junior guard Olivia Salisbury and sophomore forward Kara Santos are going to be stepping up from utility roles into core pieces of the Mansfield offense this season. Salisbury has good vision and can create chances for teammates, while Santos will be a threat in the paint, making up for some of the size that graduated from last year’s team.
“After a shortened season under my belt I feel confident in the adjustments that the girls have made into a slightly different system than previous years,” said second-year Mansfield coach Heather McPherson. “We are emphasizing good fundamental defense and hoping that we can use it to create transition offense.”
2020-2021 Record: 3-8 Coach: TJ Dolliver
Milford ended last season with three wins in its final five games, building a little momentum that the Hawks are going to hope can get them off to a good start this winter. There will be a lot of changes from last year’s squad, as Milford graduated seven players, including a few four-year members of the team, so there may be some growing pains as new faces adjust to a new level.
Four seniors return to add experience and leadership to this year’s team. Guards Jess Douglas, Olivia Morelli, and Aubrey Korpi, and forward Jill Araujo are all back and will give Milford a foundation to build around. With so many new faces in the team this year, head coach TJ Dolliver will be leaning on his upperclassmen to help the younger players adjust, as the coaches work through the best way to utilize everyone’s skills on the court.
Junior forward Emily Croteau and guard Brooke Ferreira will be key players as well. The team’s top two returning scorers, Croteau and Ferreira will have to take on bigger roles this year and may be asked to carry a lot of the scoring punch. A three-year starter at point guard, Ferreira is the team’s top ball-handler and will be expected to get the Hawks into their sets while also looking for her own shot. An undersized forward, Croteau gives the team energy and rebounding, keeping possessions alive and getting chances thanks to her work rate.
“We are making a lot of changes this season,” Dolliver said. “It will be very important how we approach practice in regards to how successful we are this season. We have a lot of potential and I am excited to see where it goes.”
2020-2021 Record: 4-9 Coach: Nikki Correia
North Attleboro had a tough finish to the 2020-21 season, losing five straight to close it out, but all five were against teams with winning records, including two against division champ Oliver Ames. With a full season ahead, North has two of its top scorers back and has added more size in the frontcourt to try and make a postseason push.
The two key returning players will be senior Summer Doherty and junior Ava McKeon. The two aggressive guards give North extra energy on both ends of the floor and push the Rocketeers into the transition game that head coach Nikki Correia prefers. Their defensive effort will be critical for North this season. Senior forward Taylor McMath has improved each year and adds scoring in the paint and is an aggressive rebounder on both ends.
Size hasn’t been a strength for North the past few seasons but freshman Maryellen Charette will be an important addition in the paint. Despite being just a rookie, Charette has shown good footwork with back to the basket and is a strong rebounder. Sam Sweeney is the other freshman on the roster, while North has seven seniors on the roster to provide necessary experience for the younger players.
“I am looking forward to this season with a full schedule and many returning players, so lots of familiarity with each other and playing more under control and trusting each other more,” said Correia. “They are already showing more confidence and being in the right spots, running the offense, and letting the game come to them instead of forcing it.”
2020-2021 Record: 10-0 Coach: Laney Clement-Holbrook
Oliver Ames finished unbeaten and won the Davenport division title last season, but the Tigers will be disappointed to have missed out on a potentially deep tournament run. Coming into this year, expectations remain high with a good mix of experienced players and youth that will be getting their first taste of a full Hockomock League campaign.
Senior guard Caroline Peper is a four-year starter for the Tigers and has always been one of the league’s top long-range shooters, but continues adding to her game and her scoring will be critical. Senior Hailey Bourne is another four-year regular and one of the top defensive players in the league, capable of guarding multiple positions. Their leadership will be a key to OA’s success this winter. Senior forward Anna Murphy has improved each year and has a solid all-around game, making an impact on both ends of the floor, and junior guard Maddie Homer is a quick, tenacious defender and her improved offensive game will be important.
In addition to the more experienced players, OA is excited about the potential of the trio of sophomores who made cameos last year. Forwards Jasmyn Cooper, Kaydance Derba, and Sarah Hilliard all had good rookie seasons that gave a taste of their capabilities. Cooper and Hilliard provide size and scoring in the paint and both are excellent rebounders. Derba also has good size to be a tough matchup on the defensive end and is a dangerous three-point shooter who can stretch the floor.
“The Hockomock League, as always brings its share of tough competition, which will help us better prepare for the new standards established for the power rankings needed for the state tournament,” said OA coach Laney Clement-Holbrook. “The thing that I am most proud of is the fact that my players have worked tirelessly to improve themselves as players and we are ready to give it our best fight.”
2020-2021 Record: 1-10 Coach: Sandy Lombardi
It is hard to predict what type of season this will be for Sharon because the Eagles will be incorporating so many new faces and many of the players will be experiencing their first full season on varsity. After one win in 2020-21, the Eagles return only one senior on this year’s roster, so there is the potential to spring a few surprises on teams this season.
Trinity Payne is the lone senior for the Eagles. The four-year varsity player is a strong defensive presence and can control the glass, especially on the defensive end. Sharon coach Sandy Lombardi is looking for more offensive punch from Payne this season. Junior point guard Tess Lentendre returns after missing a few games last winter. A leader in the backcourt, Letendre is a three-year varsity player and will help control things on the offensive end.
The rest of the starting five for Sharon will be sophomores. Rachel Hager and Eva Poulton both saw time on varsity last season and play out on the wings. Jasmine Davis didn’t play last year but will start at center and should give Sharon extra size in the middle and should be a force on both ends of the court. Junior forward Emily Freeman is back from last year, but the rest of the Sharon roster are newcomers to the varsity team, although Lombardi is expecting good contributions from the bench.
“The girls have been working hard,” Lombardi said. “We are excited for the season and hopefully we can make some noise in the Hock this year.”
2020-2021 Record: 1-9 Coach: Charmaine Steele Jordan
Last year was a little bit of a transition season for Stoughton, as the Black Knights graduated a lot from a team that was a win away from tournament qualification. An inexperienced Stoughton roster had some growing pains in 2020-21, but with five seniors this year head coach Charmaine Steele Jordan is hoping that last year will set a foundation for this year’s team to build on.
Senior Jess Maddalena is an important returning player for Stoughton. After missing her junior season to an injury, Maddalena will give the Black Knights additional scoring and depth on the wing. Senior guard Kate Bulger will be back to run the offense and provide strong perimeter defense. Senior Vanessa Philemond adds athleticism, energy, and rebounding and her length can be a weapon on both ends of the floor.
In addition to their three captains, the Black Knights will also be hoping for big seasons and lots of leadership from senior guards Makaiyah Singleton Rivera and Evie Lam. Stoughton also has three sophomores, Katrina Varnum, Alyssa Edwards, and Maiya Merritt, and freshman Raina Tat, who will be handling their first full season of varsity basketball this season.
“It’s so good to be back on the hardwood to compete this season,” said Steele Jordan. “We will continue to play hard on both ends of the court this season. I am looking forward to the five seniors taking charge and setting the pace for us. We will play tough, be gritty, and battle until the final buzzer sounds each night in the Hock.”
2020-2021 Record: 0-10 Coach: Amy Siggens
Taunton coach Amy Siggens is in her third year in charge of the program (and second season on the sidelines after not coaching last winter) and she will have a very different looking roster to the one that she first inherited. The Tigers graduated six seniors from last year’s team and there will be a lot of untested players getting their first taste of varsity action this season.
There is excitement about the return of junior guard Kameron St. Pierre. After a breakout rookie season in which she averaged more than 14 points per game, St. Pierre sat out last winter and will be back to carry a heavy load for the Taunton offense. The lefty point guard will get the Tigers into their sets and her long-range shooting should open the floor for teammates.
In addition to St. Pierre, the Tigers will have a host of guards to rotate through. Seniors Braeley McDonald, Kyanna Barros, and Abby Souza will give the Tigers plenty of energy on both ends of the floor and could benefit from the attention paid to St. Pierre to get decent looks from the perimeter. Sophomores Cali Melo and Lexi Haywood also have experience at the varsity level. Inside, Taunton will have several new faces but senior forward Olivia Gannon and junior Sayla DePina bring some size in the paint.
“As we look toward the beginning of this basketball season, caution and patience are the words that ring true for us,” said Siggens. “Baptism under fire is an appropriate description for our girls this season but with enthusiasm, hard work, and a commitment to improving, we have a chance to be competitive in a typically demanding Hockomock League.”
Foxboro keeper Allie Sougaris dives to her left to make a clutch save in the shootout win against Newburyport. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
FOXBORO, Mass. – It is a very long walk from where the teams were lined up at midfield and the penalty spot, a walk made even longer when you are the fifth shooter and there is an opportunity to end the game. Find the back of the net and your team is moving on. That walk gives you a lot of time to think about the consequences of your next kick.
Foxboro senior Meghan Burke seemed unfazed by the noise, the cold, or the pressure. She walked to the spot, calmly put the ball down, and fired a shot into the bottom right corner to hand the Warriors a 1-0 (4-3) win over Newburyport in the Div. 3 Round of 16 on Wednesday night at Sam Berns Community Field.
“I named my five players and said, you girls go decide who’s going to go first and I was completely shocked they had her go fifth because she’s usually really nervous,” Foxboro coach Katie Stalcup said with a laugh. “She swaggered out there and nailed it. It was impressive.”
When Burke was asked to describe her feelings during the walk up, she replied, “Surprisingly I was pretty calm. The coaches have been having us practice these PKs since the beginning of the season but I knew my girls had it from the start.” Asked if she always planned to go bottom right, she laughed, “Yeah, I’ve been practicing that spot.”
After a scoreless 100 minutes, the teams lined up for the shootout. The Clippers missed the opening kick and Jordan Carman buried hers low to the left. In the second round it was Newburyport that made its shot but Erin Foley’s penalty slid past the post to even things at 1-1. Both teams made their kicks in the third and fourth rounds, including Lindsey Resnick’s shot that slid under the body of Port keeper Gabriella Loughran.
The shootout was tied 3-3, but in the fifth round Foxboro keeper Allie Sougaris, who hadn’t been forced to make a save since cutting out a cross in the 44th minute, guessed correctly, diving to her left to make a stop and give Burke the chance to win the match.
“That was beautiful,” Stalcup said of the save. “The way she has grown and matured and her confidence has just taken off the second half of the season. I believed in her. I believed she was going to make a save out there and she believes in herself. It was awesome.”
Foxboro’s win was extra impressive because the Warriors played 80 minutes of game time without All-American Kailee McCabe, who left with an injury midway through the first half. Not only did Foxboro manage without the league MVP, but the Warriors dominated the second half and extra time and created numerous chances to win the game before it got to penalties.
“You could tell they felt a little worried when Kailee went out but the way they all came together and just kept fighting and kept pressing, I mean, we had the ball in their half for all of the overtime,” said Stalcup. “This team, the way we just fight and never give up, the grit, I’m just so proud of them.”
Burke noted, “We knew that we win as a team, we lose as a team, everything happens as one unit. It’s just hard work and just supporting everybody.”
The first half was limited in terms of scoring opportunities for either team. Kayelyn Gallagher forced Sougaris into a save with an early free kick. Carman caused the Clippers some problems with her pace and driving runs from midfield, forcing Loughran into a couple of saves with shots from distance. Foley nearly got on the end of a Burke cross and got a touch to a Carman corner, but that was as much as either team mustered before the break.
When the teams came out of the halftime interval, it was Foxboro that stepped on the gas and started to push the Clippers deeper into their defensive third of the field. Neve Taylor had a great chance three minutes after the break when she took a pass from Carman, cut inside to open up shooting space in the box, and then fired a shot just over the bar.
Lauren Miley had a good look at a shot from the edge of the box two minutes later, but that one skidded wide of the near post. Foley then drove forward from midfield to open space for Jaclyn Vecchione on the left wing, but the Clippers were able to get back just in time to block the shot out for a corner. Foley and Miley were bossing the midfield for Foxboro, winning the ball back and sparking attacks.
“Lindsey (Resnick) played amazing in the back, just clearing everything out,” Stalcup explained. “We watched some game tape and we knew No. 3 (Deirdre McElhinney) was really dynamic on the ball, so I gave Lauren the assignment of staying on her. She did an amazing job and Erin just cleaned the ball up and distributed it so beautifully.”
Newburyport’s best chance came on the hour mark. A foul on the edge of the box gave Gallagher a chance to try and put one on frame, but Foley was able to get a foot out and block the free kick. Five minutes before the end of regulation, Carman went on a long run from midfield and let fly with a left-footed shot from just outside the box but it was narrowly wide.
In the first overtime, Foxboro continued to up the pressure. A Carman corner bounced in the area and popped out to Brooke Barreira at the back post but she wasn’t able to make clean contact. Early in the second overtime period, Taylor had a shot partially blocked and it nearly fell to Vecchione but Laughren went bravely at the Foxboro winger’s feet to make the save.
The game was forced to a shootout and it gave the chance for players to step up in the clutch. On Wednesday night, Sougaris and Burke came through for the Warriors.
“I’m so happy,” Burke said, trying to reflect on her emotions after making the spot kick. “Even in that moment, I was just so relaxed and happy. The whole game, it was just intense. I was in shock, so I’m just so happy and I still have the smile on my face!”
Foxboro (15-1-4) will be back at home in the quarterfinal round, hosting No. 23 Ursuline Academy, which beat No. 26 East Bridgewater 2-0.
