2025 Hockomock League Girls Soccer Preview

 
By HockomockSports.com Staff

2025 Hockomock League Girls Soccer Preview

Attleboro

2024 Record: 8-7-4
2024 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Round of 32
Coach: Steve Santos
Attleboro has made the playoffs in three of the past four seasons and the Bombardiers are looking to take another step this fall and bring home a tournament victory. With experienced players all over the pitch, Attleboro coach Steve Santos has high hopes that the Bombardiers can be among the top teams in the league this year.

The key for Attleboro will be senior Tatum O’Brien. She is one of the most dynamic attacking midfielders in the league and she can expect to see plenty of the ball when the Bombardiers go forward. Senior Jordyn Riley will help out in midfield with her set piece prowess and long-range shooting. Junior Kennedy Samuel can contribute in any position and her pace is hard to contain. Senior Alexis Clark will play up top, junior Daphne Bono adds energy and depth, and sophomore Mia Cooper is a new face who can make plays on the wing. Freshman midfielder Yvette Fontaine is a newcomer with a lot of playmaking potential and should step in immediately after senior Hailey Desper was ruled out with an injury.

Attleboro’s defense picked up valuable experience last season. Juniors Colie McGilvray and Sophia Gaunt and sophomore Jamie Riley all return and give the Bombardiers a strong foundation in the back line. There is also enviable depth in goal with junior Ciara O’Driscoll in her third varsity season as the starter and senior Ava Gattoni ready to step in and perform. Sophomore Mya Dozier and senior Sofia Sprovieri add to Attleboro’s defensive depth.

“I think we’re going to be pretty competitive in the Hock this year,” Santos said. “We have a good group of girls who all work hard. Our focus is going to be on team defense, working together and defending as a team.”

Canton

2024 Record: 5-10-2
2024 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Idris Senyonjo
Canton narrowly missed out on a playoff spot last year, dropping just outside the top 32 in the final week of the regular season. The Bulldogs bring back 15 varsity players from 2024 and look poised to make a quick return to the state tournament and potentially challenge the top teams in the Davenport division.

Senior forward Alyssa Wong is a big addition to the roster this season after missing most of 2024 with an injury. She has impressed in preseason and could be ready for a breakout fall. Senior Georgia Campbell is the team’s engine, making everything tick with her energy and skill in midfield. Junior Madison McCabe remains a strong presence in the center of the pitch. Seniors Isabella Sanchez (center back) and Katherine Powers (goalkeeper) provide experience and leadership on the defensive end of the field.

The Bulldogs want to utilize their overall depth, controlling possession and utilizing their speed on the wings to put pressure on the defense. Several newcomers could make immediate impacts and help Canton make a leap this season. Freshmen forwards Juliana Cabrera and Natalie Erickson, freshman midfielder Brennan Williams, and juniors Madeline Wong (defense) and Lyla Tortorella (forward) will all get their opportunities to impress this season.

“Our strength is not only in our individual talent, but in how we connect as a team,” said Canton coach Idris Senyonjo. “We’ve built great chemistry off the field, and now we’re focused on the details on the field that will help us succeed against tough competition in and out of our league.”

Foxboro

2024 Record: 7-10-4
2024 Finish: Reached Div. 3 Round of 16
Coach: Jen Lippolis
Foxboro showed a lot of grit and determination last season, battling through a season that saw 18 of its 21 games decided by two goals or fewer and reaching the Div. 3 Sweet Sixteen. The Warriors bring a talented core of players back at both ends of the field to try and make another playoff push and compete with the top teams in the league.

The attack blends physicality and creativity and could be prolific this season. Senior Shea Dorney is a tricky winger and midfielder who can be the team’s primary playmaker. Classmate Morgan Riley is a handful for defenders in the penalty area and junior Ava Picard is coming off a breakout season as the team’s leading scorer. Junior Madi Turner and sophomore Mia McElroy will give the Warriors additional speed up top.

Senior Ashley Goldstein is ready to step into a bigger role this season and will be the leader on defense along with classmate Mia Flanagan and junior Keira D’Arcy, who is coming off an impressive sophomore season. Senior Julia Luck is back in goal and has been a consistent performer for the past two seasons. Freshman Brenna Turner will add depth in the midfield along with junior Maeve Casey.

“Our style is built around playing with pace and moving the ball quickly,” said Foxboro coach Jen Lippolis. “Offensively, we have multiple players who can create and finish, so we feel we’ll be tough to defend. Defensively, our back line has been organized and disciplined, and we expect that to be a real strength this season.”

Franklin

2024 Record: 13-2-5
2024 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Round of 16
Head Coach: Jodi Klein
Franklin went unbeaten in league play last season, but ended up finishing second in the Kelley-Rex by a single point. The Panthers also took eventual finalist Bishop Feehan to penalties in the Sweet Sixteen. This year, Franklin will be leaning on a lot of new faces to produce, especially in attack where there is a Kelly O’Connor-sized hole at forward (she scored 31 goals in 2024), but the Panthers have plenty of returning talent and are the favorite to bring home the league title.

Senior Morgan Lovell will be one of the key players for Franklin this season, controlling play in the midfield, winning the ball back, and springing the Panthers into attack. Sophomores Lily Strong and Claire Michel will lead the line and both are coming off impressive freshman campaigns. Sophomore Phoebe Cuneo will give Franklin added speed and trickery on the wing and classmate Laila Rosen should add goal-scoring from midfield.

Defensively, senior Cassidy Carmignani will be the leader. A dynamic outside back who contributes on both ends of the pitch, Carmignani will be critical to the organization of the back line. The center of defense is young with sophomores Grace Marinella (who was a starter as a freshman) and Ryleigh O’Brien, but it’s a pairing that has looked solid in preseason. Junior Cami Towers and sophomore Devyn Cairns are both battling for the starting role in net. Senior Gwen Holland will bring her pace either as a winger or as a defender and her versatility is important over the course of a long season.

Franklin coach Jodi Klein said, “This is a brand new team with a lot of young talent and we are just getting to know each other. We are coming off of three strong scrimmages and, although we have much to improve upon, I am very excited to see how far this team can go.”
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King Philip

2024 Record: 18-3-0 (Kelley-Rex division champions)
2024 Finish: Reached Div. 1 state quarterfinals
Coach: Gary Pichel
Coming off a second straight league title and a spot in the Div. 1 quarterfinal, King Philip finds itself in a rebuilding season after graduating a strong senior class (including 79 points combined between Dani Lomuscio and Mikayla Thompson). Head coach Gary Pichel is confident from what he’s seen in preseason that KP has the talent to be a tough out by the time playoffs roll around.

A lot of scoring punch graduated from last fall, but junior Ella McDonald is coming off a breakout season in which she was one of the leading scorers in the league and she will be the focal point of this year’s attack. Senior Ella Lussier will be a key support player delivering energy and playmaking in midfield. Sophomore Claire Astorino impressed as a freshman and should see more time this year on the wing.

While a lot of the focus will be on replacing the offense, KP also graduated its starting back four. Junior Donnelle Balunos will move into the back line this season to provide leadership and passing range. Senior Lauren Obara is back in goal after recording eight clean sheets last year and she will be an important vocal leader to help a relatively inexperienced defensive group.

“I have seen tremendous progress in our preseason play that gives me the feeling that we will put a very competitive team on the pitch,” said Pichel. “I really look forward to continuous improvement made by this team throughout the season in the great Warrior tradition!”

Mansfield

2024 Record: 15-3-3 (Davenport division champions)
2024 Finish: Reached Div. 2 state semifinals
Coach: Aaron Salter
Mansfield is coming off two of the best seasons in program history and has an impressive array of experienced players returning to try for a third straight Final Four. While there are a lot of familiar faces on the pitch, there is a new face on the sideline. Former Stoughton boys coach Aaron Salter, who was a Mansfield assistant the past two seasons, takes over from longtime coach Kevin Smith. There is familiarity between Salter and the players, which should ease the transition but it will still be an adjustment early in the season.

Salter will be helped by the talent on the pitch. Seniors Aly and Maddie Fernandes are dynamic wingers who attack on opposite flanks and put constant pressure on defenses with their trickery and pace. Senior Olivia Dunham has been a standout for the past three seasons playing both in central defense or as a defensive midfielder.

Junior Sophia Foley had an impressive sophomore campaign and gives the Hornets size and strength in the penalty area. Senior Maddie Buckley is a creative playmaker in midfield who can open up opposing defenses. Senior center back Emma McPherson battled injuries last year but her return will be welcome and classmate Katelyn Troilo is an athletic keeper heading into her second season as the starter.

“Our focus is on continuing the tradition of success while building off a strong preseason,” Salter said, “We want to grow our game with an attack-minded style, using our speed up front, but our real key to success will come from the experience and organization we have at the back.”
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Milford

2024 Record: 5-11-2
2024 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Lou Colabello
After staying in the postseason hunt for the first half of 2024 before falling out of contention late, Milford coach Lou Colabello is open about his desire to see the Hawks get to the playoffs for the first time in a decade. With nine seniors and six juniors, plus an exciting group of young talent coming in, Colabello may have the roster to break that drought and end the season in the state tournament.

Junior Kyla Nashawaty is the key player for Milford. The reigning HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year was one of the leading scorers in the league last year and will lead the line again for Milford this year. Seniors Katelyn Kearnan and Kayleigh Tourtellot will support Nashawaty on the wings and senior Ava Baglione will be one of the playmakers in central midfield to help spark the attack. Freshman Anela Lefter is a newcomer to watch. Colabello has high hopes that she can step into midfield and be the team’s main creator and has star potential.

Defensively, Milford will lean on sophomore Juliana Senna, coming off a breakout rookie campaign, and senior Isabella Loscerbo to keep things solid in the middle. Four-year starter Chloe Murdock will be back between the pipes and on her day can be a difference maker in goal. Sophomore Sabrina Soares is a new addition to the starting defense and brings a strong soccer IQ.

“We’re going to try to be a little more offense-oriented,” Colabello said about his approach this season. “We have a lot of interchangeable parts, a lot of versatile players who can move around to different positions, and that gives us time to feel things out early in the season.”

North Attleboro

2024 Record: 0-17-1
2024 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Kempton Mood
It has been a difficult couple of seasons for North Attleboro, particularly in front of goal. The Rocketeers have won only once in the past two years and scored only 11 goals combined. With eight seniors returning, new head coach Kempton Mood is hoping to lean on that experience to turn things around in 2025 and get North back into the playoff mix.

Seniors Angelina Bostock and Rhylee Lagor are both back to give North strength and passing in the midfield. Senior Caroline McKenna will provide pace and trickery on the wing to cause problems for opposing defenses. One of the key players returning is junior keeper Gracyn Cuzzi, who has been one of the most underrated goalies and top shotstoppers in the league for the past two seasons.

The junior class is also deep for the Rocketeers including speedy forward Ava Pratt and midfielders Abigail Wholey and Kyla Cincotti, who will be important contributors with the new coach’s system. Sophomore Addie Ruster was a big addition to the defense after coming up midseason in 2024.

“We will be playing a possession-based style of play,” Mood said. “Using the experience of seniors with a solid junior class to help us build.”

Oliver Ames

2024 Record: 11-4-4
2024 Finish:
Coach: Candice Spiniolas
For the first time in three decades, there will be a new face on the sidelines for the Tigers. Former University of Memphis player and current NEFC coach Candice Spiniolas takes over from Britt Sellmayer, who established Oliver Ames as one of the premier programs in the area with more than 400 wins over 30 years. Inevitably, this means a big adjustment for the OA players, especially early in the season, but Spiniolas is counting on an athletic, experienced lineup to contend for the Davenport title.

Senior Jolie Diaz will be one of the key players this season, giving the Tigers energy and creativity in the final third. Classmate Jess Keane will play a big role in midfield with her leadership. Junior Siena Fabrizio is a big addition this season, after missing 2024 with a knee injury. She will make an immediate impact on the OA attack.

Juniors Brooke Dean and Shelby Hodges are entering their third seasons as starters and have evolved into veteran leaders in the midfield and defense. Both are strong ball-winners and passers, who will help OA quickly transition from defense to attack. There will also be a new face in goal this year, as junior Juliana Fernandes and sophomore Olivia Zaniboni will compete for the starting job.

“We have a motivated group that is ready to take on the challenges of a new season,” Spiniolas said. “We are building a strong culture, developing depth across the roster, and I am excited to see how this team grows and competes as the season unfolds.”

Sharon

2024 Record: 7-8-3
2024 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 32
Coach: Becca Borbély
Sharon had to wait until the final day of the regular season to be sure it had clinched a second playoff appearance in the past three seasons and the Eagles made that tournament berth count with an opening round win and near upset of Nashoba. Even after graduating nine players, Sharon has the returning talent to aim for another postseason trip.

The graduation of top scorer Autumn Simon will be a big loss for the Eagles, but they should still have the quality to be dangerous in the attacking third. Senior Jessica Li pulls the strings in midfield and will be the key for Sharon to unlock opposing defenses. Sophomore Linda Jenner had an impressive rookie campaign and her speed and physicality are tough to contain. Senior Sophia Melpignano is another creative threat in midfield and classmate Matilde Ciscato was a super-sub last year who could come in and create chances in the penalty area.

Juniors Penny Wooden and Ashlyn Kelleher can dominate in the air and win the ball back with a crunching tackle, whether lined up in midfield or central defense. Senior Unnimaya Sajeev adds pace on the outside and is a solid, technical defender. Junior Angela Bozzuto returns in goal for her second year as the starter and leader in the back.

Sharon coach Becca Borbély said, “We’re returning a strong core with Jessica, Sophia, and Ashlyn in the midfield, and I am excited about the energy and talent of our younger players up front. Defensively, we are led by Angela Bozzuto returning in goal, and have a lot of leadership and experience from our players in the back line. Overall, I feel confident in our balance and eagerness to compete this season.”
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Stoughton

2024 Record: 6-10-4
2024 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 32
Coach: JJ Battaglia
Stoughton graduated a core group of players who helped the Black Knights end a decade-long tournament drought and secured not only two playoff appearances in three years but also two playoff wins. JJ Battaglia takes over this season, Stoughton’s third coach in four seasons, and he looks to build on the team’s existing defensive identity to try and make another run to the state tournament.

With seven starters graduating from last year’s roster, there will be plenty of opportunities for players to step into bigger roles and contribute. Senior forward Laila Bernard will lead the forward line and classmate Julia Vasconcelos returns to provide energy in the midfield. Senior Molly Fox will be back for her second season as the starter in goal and will be key to organizing a relatively inexperienced but athletic group of defenders.

Senior Maddie Burke returns in the heart of the Stoughton defense and will be asked to maintain the pressure and physicality that made the Black Knights so difficult to score against last year (26 goals allowed in 2024, fourth-fewest in the league). Up front, juniors Lindsey Mitchell and sophomore Sara Janelli will be the focal point of the attack and have to cope with more attention from opposing defenses.

“With some key returning players and a blend of new talent, we will aim to develop our offensive identity early on in the season,” Battaglia explained. “We want to continue the defensive progress made in previous years under the former head coach. I am looking forward to an exciting season in my first year with Stoughton and working with this awesome group of girls!”

Taunton

2024 Record: 5-10-3
2024 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Dan Borges
Taunton stayed in the mix for a postseason berth until the final few games of the regular season, hanging around the edge of the top 32 but unable to collect the wins it needed down the stretch to get in the tournament. The Tigers were a very young team last year and head coach Dan Borges is hopeful that they can build off 2024 to reach the playoffs for just the second time in program history.

Defense should be a strength for the Tigers, as they return the bulk of last year’s back line. Seniors Abby Constantino and Meaghan Cunningham are leaders in the defensive third and will be joined again by junior Madison Crowley, who had a strong sophomore campaign at center back. Junior goalie Ashlyn Hebert is also back and she is one of the league’s top shot stoppers. Senior midfielder Mia Torres will help shield the defense with her tenacity and tackling in the center of the pitch.

On the other end, sophomore Marybel DoRosario enters her third year as a starter at forward and she is coming off an all-star freshman campaign where she was the team’s leading scorer. Junior Kaylee Lopes is a fast, physical forward and a good counterpart for DoRosario in the final third. The Tigers will miss the creativity of junior midfielder Lia Abouyazbek, who is out with an injury, but senior Olivia Mather, a transfer from Middleboro, will step into the attacking-mid role this season.

“Our goal for this year is to qualify for the postseason,” Borges said. “The Taunton High girls soccer program has only accomplished this once in school history, and this has been our driving motivation. The girls believe in themselves and believe they can accomplish it this year.”
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