12/15/2021

2021-2022 Hockomock Girls Hockey Preview

By HockomockSports.com Staff

2021-2022 Hockomock Girls Hockey Preview

Canton

2020-2021 Record: 6-1-1
Coach: Dennis Aldrich
Canton will be back on the ice defending its league title and its Div. 2 state title (shared with Wellesley) from the 2019-20 season. The Bulldogs became the first team to repeat as Hockomock champion since the league introduced girls hockey and would love to add a third straight title to its trophy case this winter.

There will be a few changes in the lineup this year, as leading scorers Maria Femia and Lizzie Tassinari both graduated, but the Bulldogs remain a defense-focused team and will have preseason MVP favorite Allie McCabe leading things on that end of the ice. McCabe will have help on the blue line from junior Mya Battista, a three-year varsity player, and they both have plenty of experience to call on. Junior Carolyn Durand has been a standout in goal for the past two seasons and the Bulldogs will be hoping that a preseason foot injury won’t keep their netminder sidelined for too long.

On offense, Canton is going to be hoping for several forwards to step up and fill in the production lost to graduation. Seniors Payton McDonough and Tess Khoury will bring plenty of energy, leadership, and physicality to the forward line and junior Audrey Koen is poised for a breakout season after scoring six times as a sophomore. Junior Ellie Bohane and sophomore Devin Spinale could also play bigger roles this year.

“As always, the Bulldogs will be a defensively responsible and offensively opportunistic team,” said Canton coach Dennis Aldrich. “The hard work and toughness shown by the girls from day one of tryouts has been remarkable and should prove to benefit us this season.”

Franklin

2020-2021 Record: 6-3-1
Coach: Margie Burke
Franklin has a true blend of veterans and rookies this season and will be hoping that combination can lead to a Hockomock League title.

The Panthers have just under a dozen players back from last year but got a big boost to the roster from the freshmen class, with six skaters and two goalies. While head coach Margie Burke is counting on the freshmen to make contributions throughout the year, she’ll be leaning heavily on her upperclassmen.

Having to replace the top two scorers from last season will be a challenge but the Panthers have plenty of capable options to step up. Senior forward Maggie McCaffrey is off to a good start with two goals in the opening game, and the same goes for junior Molly Hurley. Senior Samantha Wong and juniors Avery Greco and Dana Stott add a lot of skill to the offense. Shaw Downing will be a key piece along the blue line for Franklin.

“We will be young and competitive,” Burke said. “We will be looking to our defensive play to contribute to our success this season.”

King Philip

2020-2021 Record: 6-5-2
Coach: Ken Assad
King Philip will be trying to break through this winter and add a third team to the list of Hockomock League champions, ending the two-year run of Canton at the top. The Warriors will bring plenty of experience into the season and plenty of scoring punch, as their top four scorers from last year are all back to make a run at a league title and a deep run in the postseason.

Senior forwards Sydney O’Shea, Morgan Cunningham, and Jen Daniels will bring experience and leadership to the top two forward lines. O’Shea is the league’s top returning scorer after recording 21 points in just 13 games last year. Sophomore Kelly Holmes is also back after an impressive rookie season, scoring a team-high nine goals, and looking to build on that performance now that she has a year of varsity experience. Freshman Cate Hart will be a newcomer to watch in the attack with sophomores Nicole McDonald and Rylie Ryan and junior Sydney Cloutier all getting opportunities to contribute.

There is also a lot of leadership on the blue line with seniors Ally Donovan and Meg Sherwood back to guide the defensive unit. Junior Katarina Precobb and sophomores Mara Boldy and Emma Sullivan will also be key contributors on defense. Junior Mallory Johnston is back in goal for the Warriors, but she will get a push from junior Haley Bright.

“Overall, if we can maintain our tough forecheck and play hard in all three zones, I believe with the hard work we have just as good a chance as any other team make a run for the Hock title this year and then look at getting into the state tournament,” said KP coach Ken Assad.

Mansfield/Oliver Ames

2020-2021 Record: 5-4-2
Coach: Jamie Mullen
The Mansfield/Oliver Ames/Foxboro co-op team has been a competitive squad for a solid stretch now and a big reason has been their ability to reload instead of rebuild.

That will be the case again this year as the Warriors still have a real strong core group of players back after graduating an impressive senior class. And the goes for behind the bench too after Roy Bain retired, as former assistant Jamie Mullen takes over the reins of the program.

One big advantage have is in net with senior captain Jess Widdop back between the pipes. Widdop is one of the most experienced goaltenders in the league having played since her freshman year. Her aggressiveness and quickness in net really gives the Warriors a boost on the defensive end. On the other end of the ice, the Warriors have a strong group of forwards. Samantha Ledin is one of the quickest in the Hock, Kylie O’Keefe has great playmaking skills, and senior Cierra Doherty sets the tone with her energy.

The line of Cammy Shanteler, Mya Waryas, and Maeve Anastasia gained some valuable experience last year and will be one to watch as this season plays out. Look for newcomers Emma Rabinovich and Madison Guilfoyle to help returner Julia Muttart on the blueline.

“I think we have a group that is going to surprise some people,” Mullen said. “We have some strong returning players and some new players that will help round out the team. Our humble leader Jess is solid between the pipes providing essential confidence for our defense. This team has a lot to prove to themselves, but I have full confidence in their enthusiasm and passion for working hard. We have a group that is determined to work hard, push themselves and their teammates to continue to improve, and play together.”

Stoughton/Sharon

2020-2021 Record: 0-8-2
Coach: Chad Kelley
Stoughton/Sharon has struggled for numbers over the past few years and the still relatively young co-op program will be playing an independent, rather than a Hockomock League, schedule this winter under first-year coach Chad Kelly. Despite the small roster, Kelly is happy with the energy and effort from the team during the preseason.

With players from four towns, building rapport between the players on the ice will be a key. Kelly is turning to his experienced players to help provide leadership, including senior forward Zoe Bangs and junior Ava Buckley, both from Stoughton. Senior defender Mikayla Snyder and senior forward Nina Hatch, also from Stoughton, will add to the experience in the lineup and senior goalie Janelle Murphy from Brockton could be a standout for the team this season.

There are several new faces from all of the towns, some who are new to the sport. Sophomores Samantha Calapai and Molly Corvino are new additions from Brockton that can help out on the blue line. From Sharon are two freshman forwards, Peri Rodman and Heather Kelly, who bring a lot of energy to the ice. Sophomores Nicole Reid and Brianna Moreno and freshman Leila Uchani, each from Stoughton, are also new to hockey and have impressed with their efforts so far.

“We have a great group of kids from our four towns,” said Kelly. “Our success will come from the net on out. Janelle is an all-star-caliber goalie and our defensive corps is excellent. We will struggle a bit on the offensive side of the ice.”

02/03/202102/08/2021

Atkinson Double Secures Franklin Win at Mansfield/OA

Franklin girls hockey — Lindsay Atkinson (5) scored both goals, as Franklin pulled out a 2-1 win at Mansfield/Oliver Ames. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

FOXBORO, Mass. – Every game in the Hockomock League is a grind. Games are tight, chances are at a premium, and sometimes it takes the right bounces or the puck ending up on the right stick at the right time to find the back of the net.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

Twice in Wednesday night’s game at the Foxboro Sports Center, the puck bounced to the stick of sophomore Lindsay Atkinson and she buried a pair of rebounds to lift Franklin to a 2-1 victory against Mansfield/Oliver Ames in what was another even matchup between these two teams.

Following the game, both coaches talked about how happy they were to be back on the ice. Franklin had not played since Jan. 23 and had been off the ice for a week and was without its assistant coaches due to COVID protocols. MOA was missing four players on Wednesday and hadn’t played since Jan. 18.

“It’s been a very interesting year,” said Franklin coach Margie Burke. “We’re a small league and we all know each other and we’ve all been around for a long time. We can all appreciate everyone’s situation and we all get it.”

MOA coach Roy Bain added, “Everyone in the Hockomock League has been in this boat at one point or another. At the end of the day, we played a hockey game tonight at a time when a lot of people thought they wouldn’t. Everyone that plays wins this season.”

As is usually the case when these teams square off, scoring chances were few an far between at the start of the game.

Five minutes in, freshman Maeve Anastasia fired a pass from behind the net to Reese Pereira out in front but the sophomore wasn’t able to knock it in. Melissa Shanteler had a good look from the right wing circle, but Franklin goalie Gabby Colace (12 saves) made the stop.

Midway through the first, Franklin had its first nice passing exchange in the offensive zone. Katie Leblanc played it ahead to Avery Greco who fed it on to Dana Stott, but MOA goalie Jess Widdop (12 saves) was at her post to make the save.

The best chance of the first period fell to Ciera Doherty, as the Warriors forward pounced on a loose puck in the neutral zone and flew towards goal. Her first shot was saved and Sammy Ledin’s rebound effort was blocked in front before Colace covered up.

Stott had an early chance in the second period but Widdop kept the pads down to block the close-range effort. Atkinson nearly got on the board with a shorthanded break, but Emma Pereira chased her down and got a solid stick in the way of the shot.

Molly Hurley drew a save with a wrister from the circle and Shanteler had another try from just inside the blue line, as both teams started to be more aggressive getting pucks to the net. MOA came the closest to sneaking a shot through when Emma Garland wrist shot struck the inside of the post and somehow slid along the goal line but not across it.

The Warriors would get a golden opportunity with 3:19 left in the period when a second Franklin penalty gave them 1:34 of five-on-three. The Panthers held firm, not allowing a shot on target while down two skaters. Two minutes later, they grabbed the lead.

Katelyn Brown got behind the MOA defense for a breakaway, but Widdop stood tall to get a shoulder on the shot. The puck caromed off the goalie’s pads then her glove and kicked out to Atkinson who flicked a backhand shot into the back of the net to make it 1-0.

The lead lasted six minutes into the third period. Reese Pereira, who was the source of the bulk of MOA’s attacking threat, entered the zone with speed, cut inside the right wing circle and fired a shot off Colace and in at the near post, tying the game at 1-1.

“Reese Pereira set the tone with the first shift and didn’t stop,” Bain said. “She played half of the game with no letdown. That’s the best game I’ve ever seen her play. She busted her butt tonight and did it for her teammates.”

Emma Pereira forced Colace into a save with a shot from the blue line and seconds later Atkinson had a shot blocked aside by Widdop. Reese Pereira set up Doherty for a chance in front that was blocked and the puck bounced right back to Pereira but Colace covered the post to keep the rebound out.

“Sometimes, in some situations, I’m very comfortable with that because I’m very confident we’re going to finish and win,” Burke said about trying to grind out a close win, “but tonight with a team like Mansfield/OA going into the third period up 1-0 and that’s nerve-wracking. Our league is so competitive, you never know.”

With 2:31 to play, Franklin snagged the winner. Good pressure in the zone forced Widdop into a save and a scramble right on the edge of the crease. On the third attempt, the puck bounced to Atkinson and she lifted a shot over the prone goalie, putting the Panthers in front.

There was still time for one more chance and unsurprisingly for MOA it fell to Reese Pereira. On a two-on-one, she got the puck on her forehand in the left circle and fired a shot that looked headed for the back of the net only for Colace to flash a quick glove and preserve the win.

“Huge save,” Burke raved. “Gabby is a great goalie. We all know that, she’s done it for years.”

Bain said, “Any of the games in the Hockomock League can go either way and it didn’t go our way tonight. The girls didn’t quit and we just didn’t get a couple bounces and they did.”

Franklin (4-3) will be back on the ice next week for two games against Stoughton/Sharon. Mansfield/Oliver Ames (3-2-1) will have another nine-day break before facing Bishop Feehan.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

01/02/202101/02/2021

2020-2021 Hockomock Girls Hockey Preview

By HockomockSports.com Staff

2020-2021 Hockomock Girls Hockey Preview

Canton

2019-2020 Record: 19-1-4
2019-2020 Finish: Division 2 State Co-Champion
Coach: Dennis Aldrich

The pandemic has cost Canton an opportunity to defend its first D2 state championship, but the Bulldogs have an experienced squad that will be looking to claim a second straight league title. Although dynamic defenseman Olivia Maffeo has transferred, Canton can count on 13 returning players, including nine forwards, so there is plenty of continuity as the program makes its move to the rebuilt Metropolis Skating Rink.

Maffeo’s goals will certainly be missed, but the Bulldogs will expect the forward lines to pick up the slack. Seniors Maria Femia, Lizzie Tassinari, and Ellie Rae Roberts all have four years of experience at the varsity level and each is capable of putting the puck in the net on a consistent basis. The forwards will also be the first line of defense, as their forechecking ability puts pressure on the opponents in all three zones.

Defense has been a strength for Canton throughout this impressive run of success. This year, there will be a few new faces on the blue line but junior Allie McCabe and sophomore Maya Battista will lead the defensive unit and both stood out last year for their strength, skating, and passing out of the zone. Backstopping the Canton defense is sophomore goalie Carolyn Durand, who recorded 14 shutouts as a freshman.

“I look for our team defense to be a strength as usual and am looking for our experienced forwards to find the back of the net more often with the confidence gained by capturing the first state title for Canton High School Girls Ice Hockey,” said Canton coach Dennis Aldrich.

Franklin

2019-2020 Record: 7-9-5
2019-2020 Finish: Reached D1 Preliminary Round
Coach: Margie Burke

2020-2021 Hockomock Girls Hockey Preview

Last winter, Franklin pushed its league title defense right to the final game of the regular season and this year the Panthers will be hoping to reclaim the crown in what should be a typically competitive league campaign. Franklin will hope that a young defensive group can get up to speed right away to complement the experience that the Panthers have in attack.

The forward line should be a strength for Franklin this season. Senior Amanda Lewandowski is back to be the focal point after recording 21 points as a junior. Fellow seniors Libby Carter and Katelyn Brown will add experience and energy to the forward line, providing not only scoring punch but also helping out in the defensive zone as well. Sophomore Lyndsey Atkinson is coming off an impressive rookie season in which she led the team with 10 goals.

Defensively, Franklin graduated a group of players that had several years of varsity experience so it will be new faces that will have to step in this year. Junior Katie LeBlanc and sophomore Shaw Downing are two of the defenders back from last year’s squad. If teams get through the Franklin defense, senior goalie Gabby Colace is back to keep things difficult for opposing forwards. Colace was one of the league’s top shot stoppers last year, allowing fewer than two goals per game.
“We are very grateful to have the opportunity to get on the ice and compete,” said Franklin coach Margie Burke. “This year we expect to have a balanced squad. The Hock should be very competitive as always. ‘Play every game like it’s the last’ will be our motto.”

King Philip

2019-2020 Record: 10-11-1
2019-2020 Finish: Missed playoffs
Coach: Ken Assad

After coming up just one point shy of the state tournament last season, the Warriors are entering the 2020-2021 campaign with a lot of determination, ready to make a run at the Hockomock League title.

The Warriors have a large amount of returning players back for this season and all now have a year of experience under their belts playing for head coach Ken Assad, who enters the season with plenty of optimism and excitement. Assad will look to role three to four lines throughout the season, giving the Warriors a lot of flexibility with their offensive looks. In senior captain Averi Maxwell (18 points) and juniors Moran Cunningham (24) and Sydney O’Shea (20 points), King Philip has one of the most dangerous attacking units in the league. Not only will the Warriors get a lot of production from that line, but it should also open things up for everyone else on the ice.

Junior Jen Daniels (16 points) is back after a breakout sophomore campaign, sophomore Katarina Precobb will look to follow up a strong freshman season, and seniors Nicole Brady, captain Olivia Donovan, Kara McWhinnie, and sophomore Bridgette Nally will all be in the mix offensively for the Warriors. There will be a lot of familiar faces on the defensive end for the Warriors as well with senior assistant captains Gabriela Trujillo and Libby Curran anchoring the blue line unit. Juniors Meg Sherwood and Alison Donovan bring key experience from last year while sophomores Brielle Hearon and Emma Sullivan will factor in defensively as well.

Mallory Johnston picked up some valuable experience between the pipes last season filling in for an injury and will now take over the starting job in net for KP. The Warriors also have a strong freshmen class ready to contribute right away with Kelly Holmes (forward) and Mara Boldy (defense) in the mix.

“With the experience we have this year and always being very optimistic for a good start, I expect them to work hard in all three zones and be a top contender for a Hockomock title this year,” Assad said. “There is great team chemistry on this team and with our captains’ leadership, they will definitely give it 110%. The girls accept the fact there is not going to be a tournament and are very excited to get on the ice no matter what the season will look like and for that, I continue to be very proud of them and what they have gone through.”

Mansfield/Oliver Ames

2019-2020 Record: 10-10-1
2019-2020 Finish: Reached D1 Preliminary Round
Coach: Roy Bain

Coming off a strong 2020 campaign and with a group of veteran players on the roster, MOA head coach Roy Bain has a positive outlook on the upcoming season for his Warriors.

MOA recorded double-digit wins last season and nearly pulled off a gigantic upset in the opening round of the state tournament (5-4 loss to #8 seed Boston Latin). The Warriors have 11 seniors on this year’s roster and that, plus a strong mix of experienced underclassmen, should mean good things for the season. The defensive unit for the team remains intact with senior Emma Pereira, the team’s MVP from a season ago, back to anchor that unit. She’ll reunite with junior Julia Muttart for one pairing while seniors Melissa Shanteler and Megan O’Hara are back together on the blue line again this year.

Not only will there be familiar faces along the blueline, junior Jess Widdop returns for her third season between the pipes for MOA. Widdop had a strong season in goal for MOA a year ago and with so much familiarity among the defensemen, the Warriors will be one of the toughest teams to score against. Freshman Kata Callanan will push for time in net as well.

On the other end of the ice, Bain has compiled four lines that could all see time on the ice. Senior Alex Ledin (16 points), senior Ella Waryas (15 points) and sophomore Reese Pereira (17 points) accounted for the majority of the Warriors’ scoring last year and will be among the most dangerous lines in the league. The line of Sam Ledin, Kylie O’Keefe, and Emma Garland will provide a change of pace, using their speed on both ends of the ice; the trio of seniors Lily O’Brien and Tess Luciano centered by junior Cierra Doherty will provide veteran leadership; and sophomore Mya Waryas will be surrounded by freshmen Maeve Anastasia and Cam Shanteler for a youthful option.

“This team only graduated two players, it has essentially the same personnel from last year, but with a renewed sense of the possibilities of what they can build for this program,” Bain said. “Some of the seniors were cheated out of their seasons in other sports and know what’s at stake for girls hockey. I’m impressed by the focus they’ve shown this far. The rules they play under may have changed, but their mindset and their love of the game has not.”

Stoughton

2019-2020 Record: 3-15-1
2019-2020 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Rich Grasso

2020-2021 Hockomock Girls Hockey Preview

The Black Knights took a step in the right direction last season, picking up points in four contests including three wins. Stoughton will look to build on that this year in a very competitive Hockomock League.

Morgan Lessa was one of the best forwards in the Hockomock League last season, second in the entire league with 21 goals scored and tied for second-most in points with 31. Haley Nelson also had a strong junior campaign and was a big reason for Stoughton seeing an improvement on the ice from the season before. Nelson accounted for nine goals and six assists.

Zofia Bangs made an immediate impact for the Black Knights last season and is coming off a strong field hockey season. Both Bangs and Jillian Parker played key roles in the attack for the Black Knights. Stoughton will have to replace goalie Brianna Buckley (graduation). Buckley recorded over 350 saves last season and was a key piece in the Stoughton defense.