Below are the official 20020 Hockomock League Field Hockey All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.
Kelley-Rex Division MVP
Amanda Lewandowski, Franklin
Kelley-Rex Division All Stars
Shae Salisbury, Attleboro
Madison Ellis, Attleboro
Amanda Lewandowski, Franklin
Kaitlyn Carney, Franklin
Stephanie Bell, Franklin
Makenzie Manning, King Philip
Abby Nixon, King Philip
Grace Crocker, King Philip
Isabelle Crocker, King Philip
Lindsay Devine, Mansfield
Bella Deberghes, Mansfield
Ashley Amaro, Taunton
Alana Tavares, Taunton
Davenport Division MVP
Maria Femia, Canton
Davenport Division All Stars
Maria Femia, Canton
Riley O’Connor, Canton
Allie Gefteas, Canton
Meghan LaBelle, Canton
Ella Waryas, Foxboro
Dylan Rappoli, Foxboro
Shannon Egan, Foxboro
Julia Puccio, North Attleboro
Emily Han, Oliver Ames
Maggie Woods, Oliver Ames
Georgia Costello, Oliver Ames
Haley Nelson, Stoughton
Zofia Bangs, Stoughton
Honorable Mentions:
Amanda Burns, Attleboro
Lizzie Tassinari, Canton
Molly McElhinney, Foxboro
Sara Carney, Franklin
Alli Beltramini, King Philip
Abby Varricchione, Mansfield
Olyvia Whyte, Milford
Lauren Abusheery, North Attleboro
Peyton Phillips, Oliver Ames
Yesha Sharma, Sharon
Lena Allie, Stoughton
Emily Gannon, Taunton
Field Hockey
King Philip, 4 @ Attleboro, 2 – Final – King Philip senior captain Abby Nixon scored once and had two assists to lead all scorers in a 4-2 non-league win over Attleboro. Senior Paige Berdos added a goal (game-winner) and an assist while senior Isabelle Crocker notched two assists. Junior Sydney O’Shea scored her first varsity goal on an assist from freshman Kelly Holmes and senior captain Grace Crocker also found the back of the net once. Seniors Makenzie Manning (10 saves) and Maddie Paradis (four saves) combined for the win in net.
Foxboro, 1 @ Canton, 3 – Final – Canton scored a pair of late goals to secure a win over visiting Foxboro, locking up second place in the Davenport division. Maria Femia scored twice for the Bulldogs while Payton McDonough scored once in the win. Riley O’Connor had a stellar game in goal with 14 saves for Canton.
Sharon @ North Attleboro, 5:30
Stoughton, 1 @ Oliver Ames, 6 – Final – Oliver Ames freshman Erin Cottam scored four goals to lead the Tigers to a win at home, clinching sole possession of the Davenport division title. Maggie Woods added two assists in the win, setting up Sofia Anestam and Georgia Costello for goals for the Tigers, who won their first division title since 2015. Ava Costello and Julia Maclaine had strong games in the midfield for OA.
OA goalie Peyton Phillips makes a sliding save to stop Canton’s Maria Femia on a breakaway at the end of the first half. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
NORTH EASTON, Mass. – Not all scoreless ties are the same. Sometimes, offenses are limited and it becomes a midfield stalemate. Other times, there are chances galore and at the final whistle you are left wondering how it was possible no one found the back of the net.
Sunday morning’s game at Muscato Stadium was definitely the latter.
In a battle for first place in the Davenport division, Oliver Ames and Canton finished 0-0 thanks in large part to the stellar play of the two goalies, Canton’s Riley O’Connor and OA’s Peyton Phillips, and two resilient defenses making critical last-ditch stops.
“It was kind of the battle of the goalies,” said Canton coach Chrissy O’Connor. “They both did such a great job. I thought my defense played a great game today, unfortunately we just weren’t able to put it in the net. I’m not unhappy, it was a good battle back and forth.”
The goalies wasted no time in making their presences known, as the first quarter was end-to-end and featured chance after chance for both teams.
OA jumped out to a quick start, using its speed to cause problems for the Canton back line. Just two minutes in, Georgia Costello teed up Haley Gilman right in front of goal but O’Connor made the stop. Less than a minute later, Emily Han made a strong play to stop the Bulldogs from breaking and then turned it into a break for Costello, who was denied again by O’Connor’s pads.
A minute later and the visitors had their first great chance. Ellie Bohane got behind the OA defense and was clean through on goal only for Phillips to stop not only the first shot but also the rebound. Julia Maclaine then picked out Lexi Gennis on the doorstep but O’Connor read the tip and kicked it to safety.
Canton had two good chances in the final two minutes of the quarter. First, great stick work by Maria Femia sent Meghan LaBelle on a breakaway that Phillips stopped and then Bohane sent Erin Lane clear of the defense only for the goalie to stand tall again.
“She just started playing goalie last year,” Lawrence said of Phillips, who is in her first year as the starter. “She’s really come alive this year and she’s been amazing. She’s got the size, intensity, and athleticism, and that’s built her confidence this season. She’s showing it now.”
Everyone took a much-needed breath during the first break and things settled down for the first half of the second quarter before a flurry of chances to close out the half.
Sofia Anestam showed off her skills, dancing around a pair of Canton defenders before forcing a save out of O’Connor. Two minutes later, Costello slipped a pass through to Anestam on the break but again the goalie was equal to it.
In the closing seconds of the first half, Canton had another break. Lizzie Tassinari started it with a steal in the defensive zone and an accurate outlet pass down the wing to LaBelle, who in turn slid a pass to spring Femia clean through on goal. Phillips aggressively came out and made a sliding block to prevent the goal.
“I’m going to cringe watching those again,” said O’Connor about the chances missed in the first half. “We definitely had those chances, but it’s how to capitalize without putting it right at the goalie’s pads.”
Femia injured her ankle on that play and Canton’s leading scorer was forced to the sidelines for the remainder of the game.
It would have been difficult to follow up that action after the break and chances were harder to come by in the second half. Most of the third and fourth quarters was played in the OA attacking third with the Tigers pressing for the go-ahead score but thwarted by the trio of Allie Gefteas, Carly Fitzgerald, and Tassinari.
“I really felt like Lizzie had probably her best game of the season,” O’Connor said. “You know, these big games is where you see who is ready to really play and she clearly was.”
When OA did get through, O’Connor was still there to make the save. Maggie Woods pushed forward three minutes before the end of the third and her diagonal pass just missed the stick of Maclaine at the back post.
In the final seconds of the quarter, Han again started a break for the Tigers with a pass to Erin Cottam, who was able to hit Costello wide open a few yards from goal. O’Connor was well-positioned and managed to get a foot to the shot, denying another great chance for the hosts.
“Not only her skill but her intensity and her mental toughness, she won’t give up on anything,” Lawrence said of Han, who missed the bulk of 2019 with a broken leg. “She’s the mental anchor back there. Abbey Boyce too, she’s so fast, she’s a very smart player. The two of them are very dynamic.”
Without Femia up top, Canton was finding it hard to sustain attacks and OA continued to press in the final 15 minutes. Woods again found space and fired a pass across the face of goal, but Fitzgerald cleared at the far post. With a minute to play Cottam got free in the middle and forced yet another save out of O’Connor, who made sure the game stayed tied to the end.
“Just keep playing your game and it’s going to fall, it’s going to fall,” said Lawrence about the message to the team in the fourth quarter. “Erin and Georgia kind of alternate the top spot but I put both of them in towards the end because they’re so fast and scrappy around the net. They had the great combination that the goalie got a toe on.”
Oliver Ames (6-0-2) will take on Stoughton this week knowing that two wins will earn the Tigers a Davenport title in their first year back in the division. Canton (6-1-1) is one point behind OA entering the final week and will take on Foxboro hoping to catch the Tigers and win back-to-back league titles.
“We’re not taking Stoughton lightly,” said Lawrence. “We’ve got two games left. We’ll come out tomorrow and have a good practice and finish strong.”
Oliver Ames’ Emily Han (left) goes to clear the ball past Canton’s Sarah Cunningham in the second half. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)
CANTON, Mass. – For 60 minutes, the Canton and Oliver Ames field hockey teams battled back-and-forth, racing up-and-down the field matching each other stride for stride, shot for shot, and stop for the stop.
The only difference came with just over 10 minutes to go off the stick of Tiger senior Haley Gilman, who scored the lone goal of the game to give unbeaten Oliver Ames a 1-0 win over previously undefeated Canton in a battle for Davenport supremacy.
Both defenses shined, constantly thwarting chances and limiting the opposition from ever sustaining a consistent pressure on net, which wasn’t a total surprise as the teams entered the contest with two of the best defenses in the Hockomock League. Canton had allowed just one goal going into the game and OA had surrendered just four goals.
That’s not to say there weren’t chances both ways, including breakaways and point-blank chances in front of net. But Canton senior goalie Riley O’Connor and OA senior keeper Peyton Phillips both had strong games in the cage to keep the game tight.
“It felt like whoever scored first was going to win,” said Oliver Ames head coach Sharon Lawrence. “It was about being in the right place at the right time, [Canton] had some of the same chances as we did. We talked at the end of the third quarter about how we were doing all of the right things, we were making good passes, we just had to keep up our passing and speed and eventually, it will fall. We just had to keep playing our game.”
The fourth quarter started with chances for both sides, with the visiting Tigers putting the pressure on early. Gilman connected with Maggie Woods on the sideline but her centering pass to Georgia Costello was thwarted by good defense from Canton’s Meghan LaBelle. A minute later, Woods set up senior Sofia Anestam for a low shot that was kicked aside by O’Connor.
Canton had a chance to break the deadlock two minutes later, a pass finding space behind OA’s high-line defensively. Bulldogs senior Maria Femia latched onto the ball and raced into goal along the right side but her shot was wide at the near post as Phillips came flying off her line with a feet-first tackle attempt.
The Tigers came back down the other way and finally found the back of the net with 10:25 to play. Woods once again connected with Costello, who delivered a service into the area. O’Connor once again came up with a terrific point-blank stop but Gilman stayed with it and tucked the rebound bid into the back of the net to make it 1-0.
“I thought it was a great game for both sides,” said Canton head coach Chrissy O’Connor. “Both teams had great opportunities. For us, we had some chances in the circle we just made some bad decisions. I was hoping we’d be a little more up for the home game [against OA], we did play a little flatter than we usually do on offense. I thought our defense did a solid job. We just needed a little bit more on offense.
“We just have to capitalize on our chances. We were able to get behind the defense and we got in there, maybe we need two people so we can make that extra pass. We’ve had these opportunities before that usually turn into a goal, just didn’t happen today.”
Canton continued to push for the equalizer over the final minutes but OA’s defense and Phillips stood tall. Femia and Sarah Cunningham had a two-on-one chance broken up by Emily Han, and a minute later, OA defender Abbey Boyce had a key interception and clear. Phillips made a positional pad stop on a one-timer from Cunningham in front after a cross from LaBelle.
Oliver Ames field hockey Canton field hockey
“Our defense this year has been so good,” Lawrence said. “With it being 7-on-7 this year, there’s so much space on the field so we’re trying to preserve our energy and move as a unit, using kind of a zone as a defense. We have a lot of speed this year, especially on defense which helps.”
With just over a minute to go, the Bulldogs had another breakaway bid with Femia racing in but once again Phillips came charging off her line with a slide stop, getting just enough of the shot to keep it wide and the Tigers cleared to secure the win.
“We coach Peyton to charge when she needs to and cut down that angle so it’s not an easy shot,” Lawrence said. “We never want her to be a sitting duck in there. So the more aggressive she is, the scarier it is for the offense.”
Both defenses were strong from the get-go. With little chances through the first half, the Tigers nearly found the back of the net just before the end of the first quarter. Woods linked up with Costello for a good chance in the area but Canton’s Allie Gefteas intervened to prevent a chance on goal.
OA continued to push in the second quarter and might have had a couple more shots on goal if not for some great defensive work from Canton’s Lizzie Tassinari. Just before the halftime break, Canton was inches away from the lead when Femia set up Samantha Vrabel in front but Phillips made the point-blank stop.
“I thought both defenses were solid,” O’Connor said. “Having no corners is probably the biggest killer for our offense, for our game. We were in the circle, and if there’s a foul you go back out. Usually we’d have 10 to 12 corners, and we probably turn that into something. That’s probably been the biggest challenge with the modifications.”
Oliver Ames (6-0-1) remains undefeated with the win and moves into first place in the Davenport division with a one-point lead over Canton (6-1). The two teams will meet again on Thursday in a rematch that will have major implications on the Davenport division title.
“It’s our goal, we want to win it all,” Lawrence said. “We don’t focus on it before the games, but we knew this was the biggest week for us coming in. But right now it’s just taking it one game at a time.”
2019 Record: 9-8-3 2019 Finish: Reached D1 South First Round Coach: Lindsay Antunes
The Bombardiers had one of their best years in recent memory during the 2019 season and with a strong group of returning players, are looking to carry that success over to 2020.
While replacing HockomockSports Player of the Year Anna Beck will certainly be a tough task, the Bombardiers have a lot of talented players back ready to take advantage of the pace and space that comes with 7v7 field hockey — a new rule modification this season. There is a lot of firepower in the Attleboro offense, a group that has played together before and is always looking to set each other up. Senior captains Amanda Burns (five goals, nine assists), Campbell Compton, and Hannah Webster will spearhead the attack alongside junior Madison Ellis (seven goals, six assists).
Attleboro’s defensive unit is coming along, showing plenty of progress in preseason alone. With some open spots up for grabs on defense, potential candidates took advantage of offseason club teams to improve their game. Senior Kiara Murray will be an important part of the backline while junior Ava Haggerty returns in net after a stellar sophomore season.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the accomplishments and success of this team this season,” said Attleboro head coach Lindsay Antunes. “The strong leadership skills, the positive attitudes and the confidence my players have this season is amazing to see given the nature of this season and all of the changes and challenges. We have a lot of returning players with tremendous skill, paired with new additions to our roster who are sure to make an impact this season.”
2019 Record: 12-4-3 2019 Finish: Reached D1 South First Round Coach: Chrissy O’Connor
Expectations are high in Canton as the Bulldogs, one of the perennial league powers year in and year out, will be looking to repeat as Davenport division champions. A big reason for that optimism is the amount of returners from last year’s squad that had 12 wins, just one league loss, and a division-best 61 goals scored.
Senior captain Maria Femia played a part in nearly half of those goals, finding the back of the net five times while recording a Hockomock-best 27 assists. She’ll work alongside Meghan LaBelle (nine goals, eight assists) to form one of the most dangerous attacking units in the Hockomock League.
Beyond Foxboro, one of the biggest challenges the Dogs will face this year is the new rule modifications. Just six players plus a goalie will grace the field at one time, meaning a lot more space to cover. Add in the fact the girls have to wear a mask while wearing a mouthguard.
Allie Gefteas and Lizzie Tassinari will be key pieces in the Canton lineup as well. While defending will look a bit different this year with breakaways more of a concern than penalty corners (which aren’t allowed), the Dogs have senior Riley O’Connor back in net. O’Connor has been one of the top goalies in the Hock the past two seasons and is very aggressive off her line.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to be back on the field this season,” said Canton head coach Chrissy O’Connor. “Our team has worked hard to be here and they do not take it for granted. Our seniors who have played together since a young age deserve to have a competitive and fun season. We look forward to getting started with games next week.”
2019 Record: 13-2-5 2019 Finish: Reached D2 South Quarterfinal Coach: Melissa Bordieri
Last year’s Davenport division race came down to just one game, with Canton taking the title with two more points than Foxboro. With just 10 games on tap this season, the Warriors know each point is vital if they want to try and knock off the Bulldogs atop the division.
Replacing Jaime Notarangelo won’t be easy but the Warriors have options and depth as they navigate the new rules of 2020. Foxboro is coming off a 13-win season that ended in the D2 South Quarterfinal round.
Senior Ella Waryas will be a key piece in the middle of the field for the Warriors this season. Her ability to play strong defense and then transition into a key piece of the offense will be vital in the new 7v7 style. Sophomore Mya Waryas (seven goals in 2019) had a breakout season and could be an important part of the Foxboro attack in 2019. The Warriors will also see production from senior Molly McElhinney, juniors Kate Collins and Mikayla Doherty, and sophomore Dylan Rappoli (four goals, four assists in 2019).
All-Hockomock selection Shannon Egan is back to anchor a defensive unit that was the best in the Hockomock League last season with just 11 goals allowed. And on top of that, senior Hannah Trombley is back in the cage to anchor the defensive unit.
2019 Record: 15-3-2 2019 Finish: Reached D1 South Quarterfinal Coach: Michelle Hess
When you look at the talent the Panthers possess on their roster this season, it’s hard not to immediately think what kind of run they could go on in the postseason. Unfortunately, there aren’t any playoffs this season so Franklin’s focus zeroes in on one thing: repeating as Hock champs.
A year removed from going undefeated against league opponents, the Panthers enter the 2020 season as the favorites to take home another Kelley-Rex title. For starters, Franklin has its top three scorers back from last year’s team that scored a Hockomock-best 91 goals. Amanda Lewandowski (20 goals, 10 assists), Stephanie Bell (14 goals, eight assists), and last year’s HockomockSports Underclassman of the Year Kaitlyn Carney (14 goals, eight assists) combine to make the Panthers one of the most lethal teams in the region.
Franklin’s offense even more of a boost with the return of senior captain Sara Carney (who missed last season with an injury) and junior forward Jill Fenerty.
Senior captain Neilee Hess anchors the defensive unit as the starting goalie. Hess’ experience will be vital as Franklin has some new faces on its defensive unit, including Molly Collins, Kendall Jones, and Kate O’Rourke. Freshman midfield Sophia Cuneo could make an impact right away.
“I am extremely proud of my team and how they have adapted to the modifications,” said Franklin head coach Michelle Hess. “They have taken a situation that could have put a damper on their enthusiasm and shared with me that they are just ready to get to work. They have a Hock Title to defend and these modifications are not going to stop them from accomplishing their goal of a Back to Back Kelley-Rex Title!”
2019 Record: 10-7-3 2019 Finish: Reached D1 South First Round Coach: Lisa Cropper
King Philip had a lot of new faces last year, but there wasn’t a huge drop-off from the team’s success of the back-to-back title-winning seasons, as the Warriors finished in second place in the Kelley-Rex division and picked up a win in the postseason. With returning players all over the field, KP has high expectations to challenge Franklin for a league title this fall.
Speed will be one of the strengths for the Warriors, who will try to take advantage of experience on the wings in the new 7-on-7 format. Seniors Abby Nixon and Paige Berdos are both coming off strong seasons in the attack and senior midfielders Grace and Isabelle Crocker will push forward to add more threats in front of goal.
Experience will be a key to the defensive effort this year, starting in goal with senior Makenzie Manning, who has been on of the league’s top shot stoppers (and showed it in the season-opening win against Mansfield). Junior Molly Piller had a very strong sophomore season and will be the team’s sweeper, while juniors Christina Gifun and Morgan Cunningham and senior Alli Beltramini are all back as part of the defensive unit.
“We have a lot of experience, but I’m not sure how much that will help us with no penalty corners and only six field players,” said KP coach Lisa Cropper. “Hopefully our depth and overall team speed will help to cover all that empty space out there this year.”
2019 Record: 12-7-2 2019 Finish: Reached D1 South Quarterfinal Coach: Theresa Nyhan
Longtime Mansfield head coach Theresa Nyhan is excited to see what the 2020 version of the Hornets can do on the field this season. The new rule modifications have taken some players off the field, making it 7-v-7, but that opens up a lot of space on the field.
That space benefits the Hornets as Nyhan says her squad has speed in both the attacking and defending ends of the field. But the new rules also bring a pair of intriguing challenges. First will be figuring out a new substitution pattern that keeps players fresh for 60 minutes, and the other is adjusting the offense without penalty corners — not only for gameplan purposes but for the active rest players can get while setting up.
The Hornets have a large number of seniors and juniors on the team this year, hoping that experience will translate to success on the field. Tai-captains Abby Varracchione, Alex Burnham, and Grace Danehy lead the way for the Hornets and will be vital to the success of the squad. Seniors Fiona Katz, Stori Rounds, and Emma Kelly will bolster the forward group, Lindsay Devine, Grace Fernandez, and Ally McDevitt provide depth to the midfield, and Bella Deberghes, Lily O’Brien, and Leah Sheehan are important pieces to the defensive puzzle.
Juniors Caitlin Dumouchel, Celia Puleo, Maddy Brown, and Grace Bertolino should factor in this season while sophomore Lilly Danehy will take over as the starting goalie. Nyhan expects freshman Lola Varracchione to be an impact player at the varsity level right away.
“The Mansfield field hockey community wants to thank all who have worked long and hard to make a season possible,” Nyhan said. “We are grateful seniors have a “senior season” and look forward to competing!’
2019 Record: 4-12-2 2019 Finish: Missed playoffs Coach: Tim Dowd
The Scarlet Hawks saw improvement during the 2019 season and are hoping that upward trajectory continues into 2020 under new head coach Tim Dowd.
Milford will be leaning on its three captains to lead the way: Maddy Carneiro, Olivia Macleod, and Olyvia Whyte. All three have been cornerstones of the program and will be leaders both on and off the field.
Maddy Hunt will start in the cage for the Hawks, who will be putting a lot of importance into the defensive side of the ball. With the new rule modifications meaning there will be more breakaways, the Hawks are hoping to have good numbers defensively to give Hunt as much help as possible.
Offensively, the Hawks will turn to speedy juniors Emma Tredeau and Stephanie Wong to try and take advantage of all of the space on the field. With just six field players, conditioning and positioning are going to be of the utmost importance.
“It’s certainly going to be an interesting season as we all try to adjust to the modifications and a new way of approaching the game,” Dowd said. “We’re just focusing on working hard and keeping a positive attitude.”
2019 Record: 6-8-4 2019 Finish: Missed playoffs Coach: Karen Folan
North Attleboro finished third in the Davenport division last season, just two points out of a playoff spot, but will not only have to contend with the typical top two of Canton and Foxboro but will also have Oliver Ames in the division this year and the modified 7-on-7 rules, which should make this an interesting fall.
The Rocketeers have a strong group of returning players that they can count on and expectations of being competitive in every game, but also are trying to adapt to new positioning and the much quicker transitions that come from having fewer players and more space on the field. Senior forwards Lauren Abusheery and Emma Bailey will look to take advantage of those openings to create scoring chances, while sophomores Ava Spencer and Caroline Folan are newcomers that have shown a scoring touch in the preseason.
In the midfield, senior Nora Dluhy is a consistent performer wherever she lines up and sophomore Julia Puccio has the speed and ball control to weave through defenders. Senior Emily Daby will lead the defensive unit and can also step up into the midfield and carry possession, which will be a big help with the new rules. Senior Hannah Bachand will take over in goal this season.
The team is excited to start games this week,” said North coach Karen Folan. “I’ve told them to enjoy each minute on the field and to make the most of the shortened season and the unique situation.”
2019 Record: 9-10-0 2019 Finish: Reached D1 South Preliminary Rou Coach: Sharon Lawrence
There are a lot of familiar names on Oliver Ames’ roster this season, highlighted by 11 seniors and eight returning starters from last year’s team. The Tigers have experience all over the field and could be a dark horse in the Davenport division title race.
With the game reduced to six field players due to the rule modifications, there is plenty of space on the field. That fits right into OA’s gameplan as the Tigers are looking to utilize their speed and passing game to jump-start their offense. Like many teams in the league, Oliver Ames will be shifting to lines similar to an ice hockey team. With a total of 24 players on the team, there is plenty of depth so head coach Sharon Lawrence will be using her deep bench to keep fresh legs on the field throughout the game.
“We are all just happy to be together and have a season,” Lawrence said. ”They have all worked so hard and deserve it! Getting outside to play together is a mental and physical win for all.”
The heart of the team lies in the midfield as the Tigers have a strong mix of talent and experience. Senior captain Maggie Woods, a HockomockSports.com First Team selection last season, gets it done on both ends of the field, a big part of getting Oliver Ames transitioned from defense to offense. She will be joined by senior Sofia Anestam, junior Ava Costello, and sophomore Julia Maclaine in the midfield.
The Tigers return two dangerous attacking players in junior Georgia Costello (nine goals, five assists in 2019) and senior Haley Gilman (five goals, one assist). Without penalty corners, OA will lean on its speed up front to try and beat the defense and score in the run of play. The defense will be anchored by senior captain Emily Han, who has a lot of experience at the varsity level and senior Abbey Boyce.
2019 Record: 2-13-3 2019 Finish: Missed playoffs Coach: Paulina Kosmadakis
Former Sharon standout Paulina Kosmadakis is back with the program, this time taking over as new head coach. And after an improved 2019 season, Kosmadakis is hoping the program continues heading in the right direction in 2020.
The Eagles broke into the win column last season and Kosmadakis has liked what she’s seen from her team so far in the preseason. It starts with the team’s four captains: Sam Sherman, Ashley Young, Jill Parker, and Yesha Sharma. Kosmadakis said that the group has brought a new, competitive edge to the program.
Offensively, the Eagles strength is on fast breaks. Improved passing has led to some odd-man rushes and the opportunity to go one-on-one with defenders. It also comes as a result of a lot of space on the field due to the modifications to the rules. On the flip side, the Eagles are adjusting to the new intensity that 7v7 field hockey brings. Kosmadakis plans on using as much of her bench as possible with a lot of subbing throughout the game.
“I believe that the team is really stepping up their competitive edge and going to “Shock the Hock” both defensively and offensively,” Kosmadakis said. “I am excited for this season and the seasons to come!”
2019 Record: 2-15-2 2019 Finish: Missed playoffs Coach: Dan Mark
After a two-win season in 2019, Stoughton will look to bounce back this fall with an experienced group, with 20 seniors on the roster, which faces the tough test of trying to compete with the top teams in the Davenport division, and it starts right away with two games against defending league champ Canton in the first week.
The Black Knights should be capable of scoring goals this year with a speedy forward line getting extra space to work with the new 7-on-7 rules. Senior forwards Haley Nelson and Morgan Lessa will be the leaders in the attack and have the skills to put defenders on the back foot. Juniors Zofia Bangs and Mia Allie are new forwards that add depth to the attack this season.
Seniors Sarah McGrath and Kat Billo will shore things up in the midfield and try to help cover for the backline. Senior Lena Allie jumps in goal this season after a solid year with the JV team last fall.
“The biggest obstacle with the modifications is only having six field players and a goalie on the field,” said Stoughton coach Dan Mark. “I plan on using line shifts like in ice hockey. We have a large senior-dominated team, so hopefully that experience should help us.”
2019 Record: 5-12-1 2019 Finish: Missed playoffs Coach: Liz Hathaway
Looking back at last year’s standings, if there’s one team’s record that isn’t indicative of how good a team was, it’s Taunton. The Tigers had a stellar defense, allowing just 30 goals in total, playing close games against some of the top teams in the league including KP, Foxboro, and Canton.
Defense will be a strong suit of the Tigers once again this season. Even with the changes to the game with the new rule modifications, Taunton will hang its hat on the defensive end. Junior Emily Gannon is a major part of that, returning as the starting goalie after a breakout sophomore season. Gannon had over 100 saves last season, five shutouts, and allowed one or fewer goals in 10 of the 18 games played.
Gannon will have a familiar face in front of her as Jocelyn Pagliuca enters her third season as a key piece of the Tigers’ defense. With that much experience in the defensive end, expect Taunton to be among the toughest groups to break down.
The Tigers are hoping to find the back of the net more during the 2020 season. With last year’s leading scorer back in Alana Tavares, there’s a good chance that happens. Tavares, who has been on the team since eighth grade, will be among the top threats in the league. Having more space will allow Tavares to use her speed to get behind the defense and attack the net. Taunton head coach Liz Hathaway is expecting big contributions from junior Ashley Amaro and senior Skylar Rheaume as well.
“This season will be different but we are up for the challenge and we are grateful to have a season,” Hathaway said. “The girls have been working hard to keep the season going. They are also working hard and embracing the 7 vs. 7 format.”
Canton senior Maria Femia will be one of the top players to watch as Hockomock League field hockey kicks off this week. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com) By HockomockSports.com Staff
Last season, Franklin poured in the goals on its way to a league title, scoring 30 more than any other team in the Hock, but the Panthers were also a tough team to break down and Kaitlyn Carney’s presence in the midfield was a reason why. As a freshman, Carney gave Franklin a physical presence and an edge in the middle of the field, stepping right in and not backing down against more experienced opponents. Last year’s HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year popped up with 14 goals and eight assists and showed off plenty of skill with the ball on her stick but she was also able to break up attacks and cover a lot of ground to prevent quick transitions. Carney’s impressive performances in both attack and defense were a critical component of Franklin’s success last year and as she continues to develop the Panthers know they have a dominating presence in the heart of the team as they try to make it two straight titles.
Attleboro entered last fall with a lot of hype and the Bombardiers largely lived up to it, making the playoffs for the first time in four seasons and adding a road win in the tournament. With the graduation of league MVP Anna Beck, senior Campbell Compton could be the person to step into a bigger role this year and keep Attleboro on track. The defensive-minded midfielder provided cover for the back line and showed a keen eye for a pass to spring the Attleboro attack. Compton scored once last season, but also had seven assists and frequently transitioned the team out of its defensive zone with a well-placed hit upfield. Compton’s strength and reading of the game prevents the opposition from quick breaks that could catch out the Bombardiers defense and keep opponents to the outside, away from goal. While Attleboro looks for someone to replace the scoring of last year’s MVP, Compton’s defensive skills and understanding of the game will be crucial to challenging the top teams in the Kelley-Rex.
Canton held off Foxboro by the slimmest of margins to win the Davenport title last season and the Bulldogs will be hoping a lineup filled with experience can outlast the Warriors again this fall. One of the keys to Canton’s success was the development of Maria Femia into one of the most dynamic playmakers in the Hock. Femia scored five goals last year but also recorded a league-high 22 assists, finishing overall as the fourth-leading scorer in the Hock. She was hard to stop with the ball on her stick, weaving her way through opposing defenses to create spaces for her teammates to get close to the goal and finish off her passes. Femia has the rare gift to take on multiple players and keep possession, which allows her teammates to worry more about filling lanes and getting into the right spots. She is also active defensively, chasing the ball down in the attacking half and willing to race back and help her defenders and prevent a counter attack. Femia has turned into one of the league’s top creators and that scoring prowess will be important for the Bulldogs to try and make it three league titles in the last four seasons.
Franklin scored 91 goals last season and came within two ties of running the table in league play. The Panthers will expect to be just as potent this fall with Amanda Lewandowski back to knock in the goals. The St. Anselm-commit was second in the Hock in 2020 with 30 points, scoring 20 goals and recording 10 assists. Tenacious in winning the ball back high up the field, Lewandowski can turn opponent turnovers into immediate scoring opportunities. She has the vision to pick out a pass for teammates or can drive at the defense with her stick-handling and strength on the ball. Lewandowski also has an eye for a deflection in front, always appearing to be in the right place to knock a teammate’s shot or pass on goal. Franklin will be looking for a second straight league title and Lewandowski’s prolific scoring touch is one of the reasons they remain the team to beat in the Kelley-Rex.
It was a new-look attack for King Philip last season and the Warriors seemed to get better as the season rolled along and players became more comfortable with new roles. One of the players that stepped up and produced all year for KP was Abby Nixon. The senior forward led the team with nine goals and six assists last fall, providing KP with a consistent outlet on either wing. The speedy forward was always a threat to run at opposing defenses and her ability to produce scoring opportunities from the left side gave the Warriors a different look to the attack. A clever player with the ball on her stick, Nixon could just as quickly turn a defender to create a shooting chance, as find a space to slip passes across to teammates. Her playmaking ability was one of the factors in KP edging Mansfield into second place in the Kelley-Rex. This year, with a little more experience in the system, the Warrriors will be looking to try and unseat Franklin and make a push for the league title, with Nixon’s development as a creator being a key.
Offense almost always gets the glory, but one of the reasons that Canton finished as the top team in the Davenport division last season was that the Bulldogs only allowed 16 goals all year. Riley O’Connor became one of the league’s top shot stoppers and was the backstop for that stingy defensive unit. She finished with a goal against average of just 0.85 and recorded 11 shutouts in 19 games. In her second year between the pipes, O’Connor made 145 saves and was a vocal presence in the defensive half of the field, moving her defenders around and giving them confidence that she was back there ready to make the stop. Quick, with great instincts, and not afraid to get into the mix in front of goal, O’Connor limits the chances for attackers to get a stick on crosses and gives them little to aim at when they line up a shot. Canton will try to make it three titles in four years and O’Connor’s presence at the back gives the Bulldogs a good foundation to build another strong season.
It feels like Taunton has been counting on Alana Tavares for a very long time. The fifth-year varsity player has been providing big goals since she was an eighth grader and has played multiple positions for the Tigers, stepping up wherever they need her to play. Tavares has dropped back into the midfield or played up top as a forward and, no matter where she has played, continues to produce scoring chances. Last year, she scored eight goals and had five assists, accounting for more than half of her team’s 22 goals. Tavares has the speed and stick skill to keep defenders on their heels and can also pick the right pass to spring a quick counter attack or set up a teammate right in front of goal. Her quickness also helps the Tigers defend from the front, not giving teams time on the ball to find a pass that might lead to a chance, one of the reasons that Taunton only allowed 30 goals last year. Now one of the veterans in the program, Tavares will be expected to lead by example this year and keep firing in the goals to let the Tigers compete with the top teams in the Kelley-Rex.
Mansfield surprised some people by making a run to the Div. 1 South quarterfinal last year, upsetting No. 2 seed New Bedford along the way, but the Hornets proved to be a thorn in the side of a lot of good teams and will be hoping that experience leads to a title challenge this fall. Abby Varricchione is a good place for Mansfield to start, as her speed and her ability to defend from the front can cause havoc and lead to a number of scoring chances, both for herself and for her teammates. After scoring 11 goals and recording nine assists last season, Varricchione is now up to 30 tallies for her career. Her value to the team extends beyond the stat sheet. Varricchione is tenacious in chasing the ball and trying to pin the opposition in its defensive zone. She sets the tone for the rest of the team, pressuring the ball from sideline to sideline and preventing quick transitions that might catch out the Mansfield defense. The Hornets want to take over Franklin’s spot at the top of the league standings and Varricchione’s effort and skill, along with an experienced group around her, has the potential to cause more problems for opposing teams this season.
Foxboro finished just two points behind Canton in last year’s league title race and the Warriors are hoping this season the attack can find the back of the net a few more times to try and get back on top in the division. Ella Waryas will be one of the keys to unlocking the opposition defenses and turning ties into wins this season. The senior midfielder provides energy in the center, covering for the defense and quickly turning defense into attack. Able to carry the ball up the field or pick the right pass to the forwards, Waryas is a versatile player and one that the Warriors count on to control the pace of play. Strong on the ball and a strong reader of the game, she seems to find the spaces where she can be dangerous or that will create openings for teammates. Waryas scored three goals and had four assists last year and she will be expected to continue her growth as a leader and take on more responsibility as Foxboro tries to regain its perch on top of the league.
Oliver Ames has moved to the Davenport division this season and the Tigers will want to make an instant impact and make it a three-team race for the league title. Maggie Woods will be a key player for OA to try and push Canton and Foxboro. The do-it-all midfielder helped OA make a late-season run and reach the tournament in 2019 and her ability to break up attacks and provide cover for the defense was instrumental. Woods is also talented on the ball, picking out the right passes to the forwards and wings, getting OA out of its defensive zone and into quick transitions. She had five assists last year, which doubled her career total, and showed her development as an attacking threat. Her constant running ad her speed allowed her to make an impact all over the field, popping up to make big plays at both offensive and defensive corners. As OA look to a new challenge in the Davenport, the Tigers know that they have Woods providing a constant presence in the midfield, making things difficult for opponents and setting the tone for her teammates.
Below are the official 2019 Hockomock League Field Hockey All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.
Hockomock League MVP
Anna Beck, Attleboro
Hockomock League All Stars
Anna Beck, Attleboro
Campell Compton, Attleboro
Riley O’Connor, Canton
Kaitlyn Goyetch, Canton
Maria Femia, Canton
Meghan LaBelle, Canton
Jaime Notarangelo, Foxboro
Ella Waryas, Foxboro
Shannon Egan, Foxboro
Amanda Lewandowski, Franklin
Olivia Rondeau, Franklin
Maeve Ledwith, Franklin
Stephanie Bell, Franklin
Makenzie Manning, King Philip
Sammy Robison, King Philip
Grace Doyle, Mansfield
Abby Varricchione, Mansfield
Kat Swineford, Milford
Lindsay Robinson, North Attleboro
Emma Strachan, North Attleboro
Cassie Gennis, Oliver Ames
Ellie Waters, Oliver Ames
Georgia Costello, Oliver Ames
Haley Nelson, Stoughton
Alana Tavares, Taunton
Kathryn Robinson, Taunton
Foxboro goalie Hannah Trombly makes a save during the second half against Canton. The Warriors scored in the first half but the Bulldogs answered in the second to secure a 1-1 tie. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
CANTON, Mass. – Foxboro and Canton have finished as the top two teams in the Davenport division in each of the past three seasons. The Warriors won two of those three titles, but the largest margin that has separated the teams at the end of the year has been three points. This year is no different.
Once again the two rivals entered Tuesday night’s title showdown at WWII Veterans Memorial Field as the top two teams in the Davenport and with the Bulldogs holding a slim two-point edge. Both teams would have four league games remaining after Tuesday and none would be against teams with winning records, so this felt like Foxboro’s best chance of trying to catch the league leaders.
The Warriors got off to the perfect start, playing like a team that knew it needed the win, and jumped out to a one-goal lead, but the Bulldogs turned the game around in the second half and it finished 1-1. That leaves Canton holding its own title destiny entering the final two weeks of the regular season.
“We took a few minutes to get going,” admitted Canton coach Chrissy O’Connor. She noted that things changed after the break, “Totally felt like we had a little momentum. We were correcting some of the things we had gotten wrong. We made some adjustments and overall I was happy with how we played, but unfortunately with Foxboro things end in a tie.”
Canton had a couple of early looks with a cross through the crease and a chance for Shayna Johnson that the senior had bounce off her foot right in front of goal, but the first half largely belonged to the visitors.
Nine minutes into the game, the Warriors took the lead. Jaime Notarangelo created the opening with a run down the right side, something that would become a theme of the half, and she squared it into the middle. After a couple of deflections, the ball dropped to Brooke Connolly and she knocked it in.
Meg Aldrich had a chance to equalize for the Bulldogs after a rush right through the middle of the Foxboro defense, but it was kicked aside by goalie Hannah Trombly (two saves).
The Bulldogs struggled to contain Notarangelo and the Warriors looked to get her the ball on the right wing as often as possible. After the senior midfielder raced past players on both teams, she cut inside and forced a save out of Canton goalie Riley O’Connor (seven saves). A minute later Mikayla Cloherty had a go from distance that was kicked away as well.
“Jaime played out of her mind,” said Foxboro coach Melissa Bordieri. “She was phenomenal. You could see how much she was digging and kept trying. Her ball control tonight was outstanding.”
Inside the final 10 minutes of the half, Canton started to stem the tide and gain a foothold in the game. Maria Femia opened up a chance for Erin Lane, but her shot just went wide and couldn’t be held in at the end line by Ellie Bohane.
The momentum that the home team built at the end of the first half carried over at the start of the second.
It only took four minutes after the break for Canton to find the tying goal. After a corner was cleared by Foxboro, the Bulldogs charged back at the goal again and Kaitlyn Goyetch found room in the left channel. Her backhand effort flicked up over Trombly’s shoulder and the goalie could not keep it out.
“It’s that extra spark of energy,” said O’Connor about Goyetch. “She’s able to flip that switch and when she does and when she gets to that second gear then everyone follows and it raises the level of play on the field.”
Canton took control of the game in the second half. The hosts had the ball in front of Trombly for seemingly the entire 30 minutes, but Foxboro had a handful of chances as well. Notarangelo created the opening with another run down the wing and her cross to Mya Waryas at the back post was kept out by O’Connor, who then scrambled the rebound off the line. Ella Waryas then set up Notarangelo in front but the redirection was blocked by the goalie at close range.
Carly Fitzgerald had a shot from long range that forced Trombly into a stop and the rebound was left in front for several Bulldogs, including Femia, Lane, and Meghan LaBelle, to have a swat at.
Bordieri said, “They put serious pressure on. I couldn’t even see the play, just saw the ball come flying out of the circle, so defense came up big in a lot of places. But, it has to be consistent. We didn’t play 60 minutes tonight and it resulted in another tie.”
Femia was the primary creator for Canton and was a constant menace when in possession. She nearly created the winner with a run up the left side and a cross to Grace Nourse at the back post, but Lauren Foster got in the way to deny the chance.
“She’s a gamer,” O’Connor said about Femia. “She’s a game time player and she wants to get it done and usually she makes things happen. I thought we were in the right positions, I thought the offense was there, we were right there, but they were right there with their defensive stands.”
Riley O’Connor was forced to come up with one more big stop before the end, as Nicole Bubencik had a shot through traffic that was sneaking inside the post until the goalie stuck out a toe to keep it out.
“A tale of two halves,” said Bordieri. “They came out flying in the second half and found us flat. I just felt like we couldn’t find that momentum we had in the first half, we couldn’t continue it and they did a really good job of taking that momentum and running with it.”
Canton (8-2-3, 8-1-3) will try to hold its lead in the division against Stoughton on Thursday, while Foxboro (8-1-5, 6-1-5) will try to keep the pressure on when it hosts Milford.
Canton, 1 @ Franklin, 3 – Final – Franklin took the lead just over 10 minutes into the game and added a pair of insurance goals in the final 12 minutes of the game to beat visiting Canton. Freshman Kaitlyn Carney put the Panthers ahead with an unassisted tally in the 11th minute. Carney took a feed from Stephanie Bell and finished, making it 2-0 with just over 10 minutes to go. Amanda Lewandowski gave the Panthers breathing room, scoring with less than eight minutes to go on assists from Carney and Leila Frankina. Canton freshman Ellie Bohane got the Bulldogs on the board with just over two minutes to play. Neilee Hess made three saves in net for the Panthers while Riley O’Connor turned away seven shots for Canton.
Foxboro, 1 @ Taunton, 0 – Final – Jaime Notarangelo scored the lone of the goal to give the Warriors the win, the 200th victory for head coach Melissa Bordieri.
Milford, 0 @ King Philip, 4 – Final – King Philip senior captain Raegan Simeone opened the scoring just over 12 minutes into the game while teammates Sammy Robison and Abby Nixon each recorded two points in the Warriors’ win over Milford. Robison scored twice while Nixon had a goal and an assist in the win. KP coach Lisa Cropper said Charlotte Colella played an outstanding game in her debut at center back. Milford goalie Paige Reisman made 18 saves for the Scarlet Hawks.
Sharon, 0 @ Mansfield, 6 – Final – Mansfield’s Abby Varricchione and Fiona Katz each scored a pair of goals to lead the Hornets to a big win at home over visiting Sharon. Stori Rounds and Lindsay Devine also scored for Mansfield in the win.
Foxboro, 3 @ Taunton, 0 – Final – Foxboro picked up its first road win of the year with a 3-0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-22) win at Taunton. The Warriors had an impressive day at the service line as Grace Fortune (seven digs) had 17 service points and six aces and Sara Addeche finished with 12 service points and four aces. Maddie O’Brien dished out 12 assists, Grace Boudreau (11 kills) and Emma Keefe (four kills) paced the offense, and Pam Nelson (eight digs) had a strong day defensively.
Milford, 0 @ King Philip, 3 – Final – King Philip defended home court against Milford with a 3-0 (25-17, 26-24, 25-22) win. Nicole Coughlan (two blocks) and Catherine Waldeck (block) paced the Warriors’ offense with 10 kills apiece while Emma Brooks (seven digs) had a terrific day serving with 10 aces.
Sharon, 0 @ Mansfield, 3 – Final – Mansfield picked up its third win in as many tries with a 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-12) win over the visiting Eagles of Sharon High. Olivia McGrath (11 service points, four kills) and Julia Buiser (12 service points) both had strong showings at the service line while Alina Nowakowski finished with six kills.
North Attleboro, 0 @ Oliver Ames, 3 – Final – Oliver Ames opened its home schedule with a clean sweep of the visiting Rocketeers, winning 3-0 (25-12, 25-18, 25-14). Junior Caroline Flynn had a strong day offensively with 12 kills, senior Alison Barth had 33 digs and a pair of aces, and senior Allison Kemp dished out 26 assists to go along with five aces.
Golf
Foxboro, 158 @ Stoughton, 182 – Final – Foxboro won its fifth straight match to start the season with a win over Stoughton at Easton Country Club. Dylan Quinn, Matt Lathrop, and Noah Hicks split medalist honors, each shooting 39 for the Warriors. Anthony Hearn led Stoughton with a low round of 43 while Max Huminik carded a 44.
Milford, 172 @ Oliver Ames, 143 – Final – Oliver Ames’ Tate Hadges shot nine pars to finish at an even 34 to lead the Tigers to a win over visiting Milford. Justin Shapiro also had a strong showing for OA with a round of 35.
Sharon, 196 @ Mansfield, 150 – Final – Mansfield’s Ryan Dow earned medalist honors for the second straight match, this time carding a low round of 36 to pace the Hornets at home. Brian See shot a one-over 37, Jason See followed right behind with a 38, and Ava Haggis had a strong day with a 39 for Mansfield.
Taunton, 202 @ Franklin, 158 – Final – Franklin captain Jack Paterson had his best round of the season, earning medalist honors with an even par 35 to lead the Panthers past Taunton. Nolan Norton followed with a 40, Pat Dolan added a 41, and Brian Sandham finished with a 42.
