Category: Hockomock League

2024 Hockomock League Golf Preview

2024 Hockomock League Golf Preview
 
By HockomockSports.com Staff

Home course advantage has always been a factor in Hockomock League golf, but this year more than ever, it could matter most.

The Kelley-Rex division looks to be a two-horse race with King Philip and Franklin vying for division supremacy while the Davenport has five legitimate contenders.

North Attleboro returns to the Davenport after the Hock’s most recent enrollment alignment and the Rocketeers could be the instant favorite in the division. Steve Nelson’s group features a lot of familiar faces and an influx of new talent has provided key depth in the lineup. North finished third in the Kelley-Rex last year and ended up eighth at Hocks without a golfer in the top 10. 

Three of those four Rocketeers are back to highlight this year’s roster: senior co-captains Tyson Laviano (37.1 average last year) and Ishan Kohli (39.6) along with junior Caiden Alberigo (39.1). That trio along with junior Matt Reilly (42.9) have a lot of experience playing at Heather Hill, where North went 6-2 last year with its only two losses to KP (by one stroke) and Franklin (by four strokes. Sophomores Evan Sawyer (42.6) and Thomas Manning have cracked into the North lineup while freshmen Maxx Zides and Lincoln Frisoli have impressed early and could be instant contributors. Seniors Cody Boutilier, Ryan Sawyer, and Sara Maciejewski will provide key depth and could factor into the scoring in any given match. 

If North is hoping to dethrone two-time Davenport champions Oliver Ames and fend off fellow challengers Canton, Foxboro, and Mansfield, getting wins on the road will be important, but that’s certainly easier said than done.

The Tigers went 6-0 against Hock teams at home last year at Pine Oaks and one of the biggest differences between first and second place was their early season win on the road at Blue Hill Country Club against Canton. Oliver Ames will feature a lot of new faces in the lineup this year in search of a three-peat after graduating all but one of their top golfers from last year. The good news is the one golfer back is senior Braden Shapiro, who took first place at the Hockomock League championship meet last year. 

Shapiro, a team captain, will be among the top golfers in the league and will look for some support from co-captain Jordan Diaz as well as seniors Colin Costello, Patrick Dolan, and Anthony Rhodes. Junior Brendan Teehan has varsity experience and should factor into the scoring in most matches while freshman Matthew Drohen could provide important scores right off the bat.

Canton took a step forward last year but finished in third place behind the Tigers and Hornets. With a strong group of golfers, the Bulldogs are aiming to throw their hat back into contention for the Davenport title, which they won five years in a row from 2017 to 2021. Senior Huck McCready has been a consistent top scorer over the past couple of seasons and will be joined by classmate and fellow Hock All Star Travis Thomas, giving Canton a strong 1-2 punch at the top. 

“Both have improved immensely since last season and look to again be top golfers on our team,” said Canton head coach Mike Barucci of his top duo. 

Juniors Teddy Shuman and Joey Ryan were both a part of the starting line a year ago and will be counted on to contribute to each match. Beyond that group, Barucci believes he has six to eight golfers that will battle it out for the remaining four spots in the lineup.

“A lot of new faces this year with a lot of talent should help us compete with anyone in the league,” Barucci said.

Mansfield came up just one match shy of repeating alongside Oliver Ames at the top of the Davenport. While losing some key starters to graduation the Hornets are intending to contend once again this year. Senior Brendan Vokey is a returning Hockomock League All Star and will rank among the top golfers in the league. Head coach Chris Hall is going to lean on his senior class to help set the tone, especially as his squad is on the road for five of its first six matches, including visits to division rivals OA, Canton, and Foxboro. 

“This year’s team is fun to be around,” Hall said. “The majority of them are multi-sport athletes, primarily playing hockey in the winter. Noah Kahan’s hit “Stick Season” must have really motivated the hockey team to continue their ways in the fall. They are determined and know how to win. We are extremely excited to get the season underway and look forward to competing in one of the toughest conferences in the state.”

Senior Declan Foley, one of the top defensemen in the league on the ice, is joined by captain Hayden O’Connor, who has four years of varsity experience, along with Enzo Simonelli and newcomer Thomas Gormley, who could make an instant impact. Junior Chase McDonald and sophomores Chase Jordan, Owen Adams, Gavin Garnett, Austin Ferlazzo, Eddie Kiernan, and Anthony Diieso will all look to contribute throughout the season. 

The dark horse in the Davenport race could be Foxboro. Fresh off an impressive third-place finish at Hocks last year, the Warriors return the majority of their lineup after graduating just two seasons. On top of that, Foxboro might have the best home course advantage as they play at the always-challenging Foxboro Country Club.

Junior Zac Georgantas had a breakout season a year ago that culminated in a second-place finish at Hocks, just one shot off the lead at Thorny Lea. That momentum carried into the spring and summer as Georgantas made it to match play in the Mass Junior Amateur Championship in addition to winning the Foxboro Country Club Championship. His experience, especially at home, will help make the Warriors a threat in the division. 

Captains Dan Jacobs and Ryan Wood will lead the way alongside Georgantas and that duo has been consistent scorers in the past. The addition of four freshman and junior transfer Colin Trimble has bolstered the depth for Foxboro. 

Rounding out the Davenport, Stoughton will look to make some strides forward under second-year head coach Ryan Kilday. The Black Knights have one of the most challenging schedules, playing each of the five Davenport teams twice along with a visit to two-time Kelley-Rex champion Franklin. Stoughton sophomore Gavin Alexson is back after a strong rookie year and will be a key contributor throughout the year along with fellow captains Fred Spintig and Aidan Lewis. Lewis has joined the squad this year and has made a strong impression early. Freshman Kyle Bunker and Major Harding headline a strong group of freshmen that will help carry Stoughton in the right direction. 

In the Kelley-Rex division, there’s been very little separation between rivals Franklin and King Philip at the top. Two years ago, the squads each won at each other’s course and ended up splitting the title; last year they split with each team winning at home but a late slip from KP at Milford handed the Panthers their second straight crown. 

Franklin has a strong senior class looking to make it three in a row this fall. Seniors Liam Lewandowski and Caden Sullivan are the Panthers’ top duo, both talented and consistent players who don’t have many if any weaknesses out on the course. The senior class is complemented by Jack Nelson, who finished in the top 10 at Hocks last year, as well as Cameron LaBrie to give Franklin four seniors who will likely score in most matches. Depth will be key for first-year head coach Dan “Bo” Botelho, who comes to Franklin with a boatload of experience in the game including as an assistant at Brown University. Senior Carter Balducci, juniors Rocco Lampasona and Dylan O’Brien, and sophomore Tyler Perlman will all contribute for the Panthers while sophomore newcomer Ben Burgess is one to keep an eye on. 

“I am extremely excited about my team and the upcoming season,” Botelho said. “We have a great mix of seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen who all will have a chance to contribute this year.”

King Philip is eager to get back to the top of the division and is already off to a strong start, setting a new team course record at Stone-E-Lea in Attleboro in the opening match of the season. The Warriors took third at Hocks last year and have three of their top four golfers back hoping to improve on that finish. Two-time Hock All Star Evan Regan is poised for a big year after showing improvement in each of the last two years and senior Cam Hasenfus, who was a league all star in 2022, is a consistent scorer in the lineup. Junior Jason Silva had a terrific sophomore year after averaging 38.3 and should be a major factor.

Beyond that returning trio, King Philip will feature some new faces but head coach Myles McHugh has been very pleased with the hard work the golfers have put in during the high school offseason. With six players averaging under 40 in the preseason, there’s a lot of internal competition that could propel KP to the top. 

“Every school on both sides of the Hock continues to improve,” McHugh said. “After our first full week of tryouts it is obvious that the underclassmen put a lot of work in the offseason.”

Milford had a very strong year, one of their best since joining the Hock, but will look to some new faces in 2024. The Hawks graduated a talented senior class, including three of their four top golfers who competed at Hocks. The lone returner from that group is senior captain Zach Hipolito, who will look to use his short game to help keep the Hawks in contention. Senior captains David Fleming and Robbie DeGasperis are two other returners from last year and will be looking to lead the way throughout the 2024 campaign. Senior Sean Prevelige and sophomore Lucas Richard round out the small group of returners for the Hawks, who will look to newcomers senior Joe Butler, junior Ricky Nashawaty, and sophomores Ryan Flis and Luke Fraunfelter to contribute to the scoring. 

Sharon is new to the Kelley-Rex division and boasts a young team with just three seniors. That means some inexperience early on, especially as the Eagles travel to some courses that none of the golfers have played on yet. After losing six starters, it’s a bit of a reset but head coach Thor Van Vaerenewyck will lean on senior co-captains Josh Binder and Ethan Spracino, who both picked up some valuable playing experience last year. Juniors Benny Hertzel and Shaun Fireman have impressed early on this preseason while sophomores Kuvum Suppal and Sarah Scappaticci will look to build on some of their varsity experience from last year and become consistent contributors. 

Attleboro and Taunton are both looking to build in the right direction but enter the year with opposite rosters. The Bombardiers lost five players from last year with just a handful of returners, highlighted by senior captain Chris McMahon and senior Jacob Bettencourt. Head coach Mark Bonneau will lean heavily on that duo while senior Matt Silva and juniors Cam Elliott and Tyler Veronesi have the potential to take the next step forward to help the Bombardiers compete. Meanwhile, the Tigers only graduated one player from the roster so the goal is to have an improved season. An influx of new players has helped create some depth and some internal competition, and head coach Brad Koneski has two solid leaders in senior captains Alex Dias and Noah Faidell, who both competed at Hocks last year.

2024 Hockomock League Boys Soccer Preview

2024 Hockomock League Boys Soccer Preview
 
By HockomockSports.com Staff

2024 Hockomock League Boys Soccer Preview

2024 Hockomock League Boys Soccer Preview

Attleboro

2023 Record: 14-2-4
Coach: Peter Pereira

Last year will be a tough act to follow, having lost just two games total, but this year’s Attleboro squad is eager to prove itself.

It’s hard to ignore some of the losses from last year’s squad that finished second in the Kelley-Rex division by just one point, like HockomockSports.com First Team selections Tyler Rocchio and Billy Badger. But it’s easy to see the optimism for this year’s squad with the players on this year’s roster. While it will be tough to replace what Rocchio brought in net, the Bombardiers have a terrific foundation defensively in front of goal. Junior Mason Prive will be one of the top center backs in the league and sophomore Jaedyn Beland quickly established himself on the outside. That duo alone will give Attleboro a strong defense eager to replicate last year’s success of just 14 goals allowed all year, while the addition of junior Aidan Shields will help solidify the backline. Senior Jayden Ordmandy and junior Keagan Gray are battling to fill the massive void left in net.

Up front, last year’s HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year Corvengdjimy Thomas is back to cause havoc for opposing defenses. Thomas is very strong with the ball at his feet and can take on multiple defenders, and he has already displayed his strong finishing skills. Thomas will be complemented up top by junior Drew Ribeiro, who is coming off a 2023 campaign with seven goals and two assists, which means the Bombardiers bring back their top two goal producers from a year ago. Senior captains Lucas Pereira and Jonas Marques bring a lot of experience in the middle of the pitch, and their veteran presence will be key to connecting Attleboro’s defense with its offense. Midfield depth will be provided by seniors Yoryan Esteban, Chris Amaya, Issa Mariko, and Marco Dias along with sophomore newcomer Cristian Ticas.

“We are looking to have a good season, hopefully a little bit better than last season after just missing the league title by one point,” said longtime head coach Peter Pereira.

2024 Hockomock League Boys Soccer Preview

Canton

2023 Record: 4-10-4
Coach: Danny Erickson

Canton has a rich history of success under head coach Danny Erickson, and after battling through some growing pains a year ago, the Bulldogs are aiming to be back in contention in 2024.

It starts with Canton’s four captains this year: senior Owen Morrissey, senior Max Eagles, junior James Howard, and junior Vlad Francoeur. All four boast a lot of varsity experience and will provide leadership both on and off the field. The Dogs are looking to improve on their offense a season ago and all four of these players will be crucial in doing so. Francoeur enters his third season as a target up top while both Howard and Morrissey will patrol the middle of the pitch. Eagles will help stretch the field and use his speed on the outside at winger.

After graduating just five seniors from last year, there are a lot of familiar faces throughout the lineup, and there’s been good competition to crack the starting lineup. Junior Ben Weaver is looking to take the next step and be an impact player in the midfield, and sophomore winger Nawfal Hijou will look to add to the attacking third and get into space out on the wings. Junior Corry Bienamie is a newcomer who could contribute in the offensive third as well. Defensively, Canton will lean on its veteran midfielders to help protect the back line while junior Dylan Wright is set to take over in net as the starting keeper.

“We have a great balance of returning guys who are hungry to improve on last season’s campaign and newcomers who will certainly help us raise our level of play,” Erickson said.

2024 Hockomock League Boys Soccer Preview

Foxboro

2023 Record: 3-13-2
Coach: George Argyrou & Colin Meiselman

After graduating a large senior class, Foxboro coaches George Argyrou and Colin Meiselman will be looking to incorporate some new faces into the lineup and find the right combination to navigate through a challenging Hockomock League.

The Warriors graduated 10 seniors from last year including their top two leading scorers John Hollis and Jack Sullivan, reliable midfielder Ryan Flaherty, and starting keeper Ryan Cotter. While that means this year’s squad will be on the younger side, it’s a hungry group eager to compete with the rest of the teams in the Hock. Senior Chase McGarry highlights a six-member senior group and will be a captain for the squad this year. He’s got plenty of varsity experience and his play up top will be a focal point of Foxboro’s attack. He will be joined up front by sophomore Adam Bougoussa, who got his feet wet at the varsity level last year as one of two freshmen to play. He showed a lot of potential last year after being called up from the JV squad and he will certainly see an expanded role in 2024.

To get the ball up to the attack, Foxboro will lean on junior Tim Kerzner-Greenwell and sophomore Adam Taj. Kerzner-Greenwell is a returner from last year and quickly established himself as a key piece in the middle of the pitch for the Warriors. After graduating some important pieces from last year’s midfield, his presence and role will be crucial on both ends of the field. Taj is a newcomer to the squad after playing football last year, and his speed is something the Warriors are excited about. Junior captain Henry Griffin will take over in net this season after getting in some games last year, and his size and command of the back line will be a positive. Senior Mark Saleh and sophomore Ronan Callahan will provide depth in net.

“Foxboro will be young and hungry in 2024,” Argyrou and Meiselman said. “We are hoping to push the best of the Hock to the limit and surprise some people along the way. Foxboro’s team mentality will put the program over the individual. We are particularly excited that three seniors who had previously stopped playing soccer decided to come out this year. Having a couple more senior leaders will help the young Foxboro team respond to the difficulty of being the smallest school in a tough league. The Warriors have worked hard during preseason to build up their skill, fitness, and chemistry.”

2024 Hockomock League Boys Soccer Preview

franklin

2023 Record: 15-1-5 (Kelley-Rex division champions)
Head Coach: Nick Goldman

For the first time in over 50 years, there’s a new head coach at the helm of the Franklin boys soccer team. After 53 years at the helm, legendary head coach Fran Bositis retired following last year’s incredible season that saw the Panthers go undefeated in the regular season and win the Kelley-Rex division title.

Nick Goldman steps in to lead the Panthers, who are looking to replicate last year’s success. Goldman previously coached in the program for nine years before taking the varsity job at Nipmuc for the past two years. There will be plenty of opportunity after Franklin graduated over a dozen seniors, including the majority of its starting lineup and HockomockSports.com Player of the Year Rex Cinelli. While Goldman tries to fill out his starting 11, he will lean heavily on his three captains: seniors Garrett Scagliarini, Matt Honekamp, and Wyatt Herndon. Those three players also have the most varsity experience after playing key roles on last year’s squad.

Scaglarini finished the regular season tied for fourth in the Hockomock League in points with seven goals and seven assists, earning HockomockSports.com Second XI honors. Honekamp is a versatile player but does very well finding space in the midfield and uses his space and vision to quickly get the Panthers going forward. That tandem in the middle of the pitch will be the backbone to build around. And as Scagliarini and Honekamp help orchestrate everything from the midfield, they’ll have a go-to target up top in the attack in Herndon. After scoring a team-high eight goals last year, he will be someone Franklin can rely on to spearhead the team in the final third. Jason Proencea, Andre Missagia, and Josh Rappa will look to bolster the attack while Goldman will turn to seniors Gabe Terry and Luke Georges to help shore up the defense.

“Our senior captains will need to set the tone on the field for us this year,” Goldman said. “We have a lot of new faces eager to make an impact, and we know we will need to work hard every day if we want to be successful.”

2024 Hockomock League Boys Soccer Preview

King Philip

2023 Record: 9-6-5
Coach: Mike O’Neill

King Philip had a very strong finish to last year’s campaign and the Warriors are hoping that momentum can carry over the 2024 season.

King Philip went unbeaten in its final five regular season games after two competitive losses to division leaders Attleboro and Franklin. Then the Warriors went on the road in the playoffs and upset Barnstable and nearly took out Weymouth before bowing out in an epic showdown in penalty kicks that went 12 rounds. While the Warriors will be without last year’s sizable senior class, they have a lot of key pieces back in key places looking to fight for the top spot in the Kelley-Rex division. Senior captains Sayan Panda and PJ Sullivan will be the backbone of the squad with the former controlling the midfield and the latter anchoring the defense. Both players have a good amount of varsity experience and know what it takes to compete in the Hock.

A pair of juniors looking to build off their contributions last year include Marco Amorim, who is coming off a strong sophomore campaign and will look to use his speed to cause havoc for opposing defenses in the final third, and Mender DiMartino, who will be a key piece in KP’s defensive third with Sullivan. Seniors Brad Lynn and Chimezie James will look to expand on their roles from last year and help the Warriors find the back of the net. Junior newcomer Pranav Srinivasan will also contribute on the offensive end while senior Aidan Alvezi will make his KP debut to help shore up the midfield.

“I think there is a lot of parity in the Hockomock League this year,” said King Philip head coach Mike O’Neill, who begins his sixth year in charge of the Warriors. “It will be another challenging and competitive season.”

Hockomock League Boys Soccer

Mansfield

2023 Record: 6-8-5
Coach: Steve Sheridan

The Hornets were hampered by injuries throughout the 2023 season but are hoping to be a legitimate challenger in the Davenport division this year and get back to the state tournament.

Mansfield struggled to find consistent offense throughout the first half of last year but really picked it up down the stretch. In hopes of continuing that success, Mansfield will ride a sizable 14-member senior class and hope it can infuse some younger talent in to find the right combination to compete at a high level. There’s a talented foundation to build off of, starting with senior captains Tyler Znoj, Cooper Austin, and Matt Sullivan. Znoj will be tasked with anchoring Mansfield’s midfield unit while Sullivan will be one of the most experienced defenders in the league. Austin will factor into both positions with the ability to play in a variety of roles for the Hornets.

Seniors Dylan Mullin and Marco Geminiani will look to build off their contributions from last year, and Sheridan is also looking for seniors Amro Hosny, Justin Cohen, Eamon Doyle, and Shaddy Makran to provide leadership and a spark to the team. Junior Troy Lasbury-Casey picked up a little game experience last year and now will take over in the starting role at keeper. Juniors Brandon Garner and Dom Nassic are also returners who should factor in for the Hornets.

“We have some good talent returning and a few new young guys that will hopefully gel together and more importantly, stay healthy!” Sheridan said.

2024 Hockomock League Boys Soccer Preview

Milford

2023 Record: 5-11-4
Coach: Antonio Pinto

After just five wins last year, Milford is hoping to quickly move on and continue to grow with its young squad in the 2024 season.

It was a tough year to be young and Milford battled through a lot of growing pains in a very competitive Kelley-Rex division. Now, with a year of experience, the Hawks have a large portion of their roster back to try and improve. Junior Danny Da Silva is coming off a breakout sophomore season and finished as the team’s point leader after a team-high seven goals and 10 total points. He will once again be the focal point in the attacking third as Milford looks to return to being one of the top offensive teams in the league.

There’s strength right down the line in the heart of the lineup. Senior Tiko Lourenco is a crafty midfielder who has terrific dribbling skills and does very well with the ball at his feet. His ability to control possession, and to control the tempo of the game, really sets things up for the Hawks, and his connection with Da Silva and the rest of Milford’s attacking players will be vital. Senior Andre Moura has established himself as one of the most physical players in the league and he will set the tone in the back. He’s strong in the air but really shines with his ability to win 50-50 balls and does well handling pressure. Milford will return sophomore Robbie Cappelli in net after a strong debut season.

“We will be a young team again but a gritty tough team to play,” said Milford head coach Antonio Pinto. “Defensively we are looking to stay tight and together and keep scores low. I’m really excited to work with this squad, they are a great group of kids with great attitudes hoping to improve throughout the season and compete for a spot in playoffs.”

2024 Hockomock League Boys Soccer Preview

North Attleboro

2023 Record: 8-9-3
Coach: Geoff Burgess

North Attleboro enters the 2024 campaign knowing it has something to prove after losing some key starters from last year’s tournament team.

The Rocketeers have to replace the offensive production that graduated with its two leading scorers Bryce Newth (nine goals, four assists) and Kaden Burns (11 goals, three assists) as well as some key defensive pieces including starting keeper Owen Goeller and several members of the back line. While North looks to build up into the attack, they have some veteran returners in the midfield that will be crucial in controlling play. Senior midfielder Patrick Etienvre has logged a lot of minutes at the varsity level and is a confident player in the middle of the pitch, and his ability to link the defense to the offense will be key. Another familiar face back in the midfield will be junior Tyler Dameron, who is very technically sound on the ball and does a nice job involving his teammates.

Senior Logan Shiner-McCracken is back after a strong junior season and will be a focal point in the offensive third. After scoring four goals in the regular season a year ago, his ability to finish from inside the box will be an important piece of North’s offense. North will also lean heavily on senior Jeremy Carter, one of the few returners with good varsity experience on defense. On top of keeping the defense organized in front of new keeper Will Rodden, Carter will be a target for North on set pieces. While Oliver Ames has been at the top of the division recently, the Rocketeers have always played the Tigers tough. Despite having a lot of new faces in the starting lineup, North is aiming to be a legitimate challenger this fall.

“This team has lots to prove as it lost its two leading point producers from last season,” said North Attleboro coach Geoff Burgess. “We are going to play solid defense and look to create opportunities via possession as we build out of the back. Lots of new faces in the starting 11, but I believe in their potential and their commitment to our style of play.”

2024 Hockomock League Boys Soccer Preview

Oliver Ames

2023 Record: 19-3-1 (Division 2 State Champions)
Coach: John Barata

It was tough to imagine the target getting any bigger than last year when OA entered the season winning three straight Davenport titles and a Division 2 state championship. But then the Tigers went and won both again.

There won’t be any days off for Oliver Ames this year as the two-time defending state champions and four-time defending Davenport champions will be getting everyone’s best day in and day out. While replacing a strong senior class and an All-American was tough last year, this year’s group will also be tasked with finding the production left by the void from graduation. But a quick look at OA’s roster reveals the Tigers still have one of the most talented groups in the Hockomock League.

There’s a solid core in the midfield with returners Luke Churchill and Craig Churchill. Both have been stalwarts in the lineup for head coach John Barata throughout the last two state championship seasons. Craig Churchill is often an unsung hero who does a lot of the dirty work in the middle of the field while Luke Churchill, who showed off his versatility last year when he returned from injury by playing some defense, has shown the ability get get forward and really spearhead the offense. Senior Jackson Mercieri, a defender in last year’s state title run, could see some time in the midfield to help bolster the attack.

Defensively, it will be the second straight season the Tigers have to replace a good chunk of its back line. Junior Nick Babanikas had a strong debut season for the Tigers last year and his size will give the Tigers a physical presence in the back four. Senior Drew Hall returns for another year between the posts while junior Zach Gilson provides talented depth at the position. Junior Cyrus Hanjani picked up some key minutes last year and could be in line for an expanded role while sophomore Derek Walsh, who saw time in a variety of positions, is another piece that gives Barata some lineup flexibility. After losing over 40 goals from last year’s senior class, offensive production will be the biggest question mark early.

“Very excited to see this new crop of players earn their place in the program,” Barata said. “We are a different feel, look, and team from the recent years, however, we are certainly going to try and compete to be our best. With a little luck, we will make the playoffs and have another shot at the big dance! I am so proud of the attitude and work rate for the boys. Going to be a fun year and hopefully, a few wins will follow!”

2024 Hockomock League Boys Soccer

Sharon

2023 Record: 2-12-4
Coach: Scott Nathan

Sharon battled through some injury challenges and struggled at times to consistently find the back of the net a season ago, but are hoping to have a complete turnaround in 2024.

The Eagles reached the state tournament and won a game two years ago but ended up with just a pair of wins last year. There is a strong core back this year, and with a healthy roster, could be a team that surprises some along the way. Seniors Max Sheng and Owen Soby along with junior Diego Martinez highlight a familiar list of players that featured in the lineup last year. Sheng is a key piece defensively, Soby factored into the midfield, and with two years of varsity experience already under his belt, Martinez is one of the most dangerous players in the league going forward.

James Jennings, Vlad Shkolnikov, Josh Cabral, and Zach Bernstein are all returners from last year’s squad and will look to join Martinez in creating more chances and a more consistent push up front. Alongside Sheng, Sam O’Reilly, Carlos Aguilar, Peter Lerner, Koya Wilcox, and Leo Yin are pieces head coach Scott Nathan has to work with in the back as the Eagles look to thwart opposing offenses. Sharon will have a new twist to the schedule this year as they compete in the Kelley-Rex division and will play those teams twice.

“The Hock is such a great league,” Nathan said. “We get really competitive games week in and week out. To have the opportunity to play against so many quality teams…what more could we ask for? The boys and I can’t wait to get after it this season!”

2024 Hockomock League Boys Soccer

Stoughton

2023 Record: 4-11-3
Coach: Dan Rudulph

There are a couple of new coaches in the Hockomock League this season and Stoughton is one of those teams as Dan Rudolph is now in charge of the Black Knights.

Rudolph comes to Stoughton with coaching experience at the club level and locally at Whitman-Hanson and Hingham. The Knights graduated a sizable senior class so there are spots in the lineup open and the goal is to improve on last year’s season. As Rudolph looks to implement his style, he will look to his senior class to lead the way.

Senior captain Anthony Damasio is a strong player in the middle of the pitch for the Knights and his ability to make plays on the ground, as well as win some challenges in the air, will be key in the midfield. His ability to make plays between the two 18-yard boxes will be crucial for the Knights. Senior Alex Kozak is in his second year as a captain and brings a lot of versatility to the pitch. A four-year member of the varsity squad, Kozak has featured in a variety of positions and can help contribute wherever he plays.

Defensively, the Knights have some spots to fill. They’ll turn to senior Andrew Luyiga to anchor the back line and the Knights are hoping his experience can help keep opposing offenses at bay in front of new starting keeper senior Hasan Hourabi. The Knights also featured a good amount of younger talent last season like Kyle Garrity, Max Pokraka, and Cam Wilson.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such good and coachable kids,” Rudolph said. “It has been a lot of fun so far, and the players are enjoying practices.”

2024 Hockomock League Boys Soccer

Taunton

2023 Record: 7-11-0
Coach: Rui Estrela

With almost 20 years of collegiate coaching experience and over 200 career wins, Taunton has welcomed Rui Estrela to take over the program.

The Tigers are coming off a 7-win campaign and have a solid core of returning players for Estrela to work with. Up top, the Tigers have a familiar face in the attack in Anderson Catley, who had some really strong moments during his sophomore season. Taunton has a big void to fill in its offensive game after the graduation of HockomockSports.com Best XI striker Javonte Fernandes (11 goals), but having a player like Catley who has some good varsity experience will give the Tigers a leg up. On the other end of the pitch, Ian Robicheau is one of the most experienced players in the Hock as he begins his fourth year with the varsity squad. His knowledge and defending skills will be key as Taunton looks to improve on its composure defensively.

In the heart of the field, Taunton will turn to two veterans to lead the way: seniors Xavier Mercado and Daniel Freitas. Both have experience playing elsewhere on the field, like Freitas up front and Mercado in the back, but will see time in the midfield this year and help Taunton try to keep the ball and establish the pace. While both players will be crucial in going forward and contributing on the offensive end, their ability to control the tempo and possession will be even more important. In goal, the Tigers have both Elderson Moriera and Logan Gallinger battled for time.

“Our outlook this season is to try and improve on last season, both as an all around team and as individual players,” Estrela said.

2024 Hockomock League Volleyball Preview

2024 Hockomock League Volleyball Preview
 
By HockomockSports.com Staff

2024 Hockomock League Volleyball Preview

2024 Hockomock League Volleyball Preview

Attleboro

2023 Record: 15-7
Coach: Mary Katherine Blakney
Attleboro has proven that their rise to the top of the Hockomock League wasn’t a one or two year fluke. The Bombardiers, fresh off back-to-back trips to the MIAA Division 1 quarterfinals, have the potential for a big season.

With a ton of firepower returning at the net, Attleboro might have one of the most dangerous attacks in not just the Hock but in the state. Senior Julia Leonardo, a three-time Hockomock League All Star, is the most experienced player in the league and also one of the most talented hitters in the league. Many defenses have struggled with her power and she’s a reliable option on the outside. But the Bombardiers are far from a one-trick pony: senior Addie Shelton had a breakout season in 2023 and quickly established herself as a top attacking option, senior Ellie Shelton is a strong two-way option in the middle that provides good net defense and strong swings, and sophomore Olivia Leonardo showed some flashes as a rookie a year ago and gives Attleboro yet another weapon.

The Bombardiers will have to replace another three-time Hock all star in setter Natalie Brojek, who graduated this past spring. Head coach Mary Katherine Blakney has some good options to work with though with in junior Haley Carter (206 assists a year ago as a sophomore), who has good varsity experience, and in freshman Sophia Jaeger, who has impressed early on. Senior Julia Mondello returns to anchor the defense after registering a team-high 221 digs a year ago while junior Sage Young and sophomore Sienna Quaglia give the Bombardiers good depth defensively. Juniors Nancy Ayesiyenga and Victoria Zaldivia round out a talented attacking group.

“Attleboro is looking to strengthen our mental toughness and play smarter than we have in the past,” Blakney said. “We have so much potential on the roster this year and I look forward to putting in the work to make this our most impactful team yet.”

2024 Hockomock League Volleyball Preview

Canton

2023 Record: 24-1 (Davenport division champions)
Coach: Pat Cawley
It’s always a tough act to follow coming off an appearance in a state championship game, but the current crop of Bulldogs is a talented one, and head coach Pat Cawley is looking at this season as a new beginning.

Canton has a good mix of returners and several players eager to find a spot in the lineup for this season. As the Bulldogs look to fit all of the pieces to the puzzle together, head coach Pat Cawley will lean on some talented returning pieces. Senior captains Sally Hoban (176 kills in 2023) and Charlotte Clyve will be counted on for their leadership both on and off the court, and will set the tone at the net as outside hitters. Canton also boasts one of the best setters in the state in junior Erin Bigham, who has already dished out over 1,000 career assists — just one of five players in program history to do so. With two years of varsity experience already under her belt, Bigham will be the quarterback on the floor for an offense looking to incorporate some new faces.

Two of those new faces are senior middle Ife Ajanaku and junior middle Chloe Dubuisson. Both players got a little taste of varsity last year but after the Dogs graduated both of their middles from last year’s 24-1 squad (Fatima Sidibay, Kaitlin Bigham), they will certainly see expanded roles in the 2024 season. Another new addition to the offense will be junior MJ Robbins, who will get some swings on the outside. Defensively, the Bulldogs have always been one of the top squads under Cawley and they have their centerpiece from last year’s squad back to anchor the back row in sophomore Soley Rodriguez Martinez. Last year’s HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year emerged as one of the best defensive players in the state and the Dogs will turn to senior Jess Hooton and junior Melanie McDonough to help bolster the back row.

“Every year in high school sports is a new beginning and here we are again!” Cawley said. “A new season brings new challenges as well as optimism that this 2024 group can leave their own legacy at CHS. Although we lost much of our 2023 team, with Soley leading the passing and Erin doing the bulk of the setting, we expect to be in the hunt. We have a great group of talented and hard-working players, and we look forward to seeing what the season will bring. Every day in the Hock is a test!”

2024 Hockomock League Volleyball Preview

Foxboro

2023 Record: 1-19
Coach: Dave Griffin
Entering their second year under head coach Dave Griffin, and with a healthier roster this time out, Foxboro is aiming to have a bounce-back season in 2024.

The Warriors boast an experienced senior class eager to show improvement from a year ago. Senior captains Ava Hill, Emma Callahan, and Lauren Avery will lead the way while classmates Lily Arnold and Vittoria Cuscia will provide key depth. Both Hill and Callahan suffered season-ending injuries a year ago but are looking to make their marks in their final seasons. Junior Meghan Kelley is another key contributor with varsity experience who should play a big role this year. Hill is a proven weapon at the net as an outside hitter while Callahan will set the offense in motion from the setter spot. Griffin is also looking for junior Erin O’Malley and sophomore Audrey Magee to play substantial roles for the Warriors this season while freshman Maddie Feetham could make an immediate impact in her rookie season.

“With the leadership of [our] seniors, Foxboro is looking for a much-improved season this year,” Griffin said.

2024 Hockomock League Volleyball Preview

franklin

2023 Record: 19-3 (Kelley-Rex division champions)
Head Coach: Emily Carens
Year after year, Franklin continues to lose some of the top players in the Hockomock League to graduation but these Panthers seem to find a way to reload each fall.

Emily Carens takes over at the helm for the season after spending the past two seasons on Sam Redmond’s staff. Carens was a standout player at Worcester State and was selected to the MASCAC All-Conference First Team three times in her career. While the Panthers will have to find replacements for a handful of key players, like four-year starter Taylor Lacerda, Carens has a strong pool of talented players back in the mix for the 2024 season. Junior Makayla Kuykendall already has two years of varsity experience and has established herself as one of the best all-around players in the league. Junior middle Olivia Alberti is coming off a breakout season and gives Franklin a legitimate threat at the net both offensive and defensively.

Carens also has a strong senior class in Brooke Daniels, Olivia Valante, and Faith Edgehill. That trio of players brings a wealth of varsity experience and their leadership of a team that will feature some new faces will be vital in Carens’ first year at the helm.

“One strength is our balance,” Carens said. “We are focusing on ‘One Team’ mentality this year. Everyone will positively contribute both offensively and defensively.”

2024 Hockomock League Volleyball Preview

King Philip

2023 Record: 12-9
Coach: Kristen Geuss
King Philip featured a lot of new faces last season as they battled to a 12-win season, highlighted by a season sweep of Attleboro and good battles with division champions Canton and Franklin. Many of those new faces are back this year and are looking to use the experience gained last year to get back in the division title hunt.

Captain Fiona Bailey highlights a talented group of seniors eager to make their mark. Bailey, a HockomockSports.com Second Team selection at outside hitter, will be a major weapon at the net for the Warriors. Senior captain Tamanda Clarke brings leadership and experience to the net while classmates Avery Reda (middle) and Anna Vinson (opposite) offer solid depth in the attack. Senior Alex Pauline will anchor the defense and there will be a familiar face back at setter with senior Madison Asprelli, who dished out 216 assists last year, returns to orchestrate the offense.

Junior Cece Kilroy played in a variety of roles last year and showed off some power at the net, adding another experienced hitter at the net for KP. Senior Jessica Hansen, juniors Shayne Dugan and Alli Cleasby, and sophomore Amie O’Neil are newcomers to the squad that will bolster the offense. The Warriors are hoping that having more experience at the net will result an improved offensive attack this year. Junior Cece Mullen is another option at setter, and juniors Caleigh Shore and Mya McCormick round out KP’s defensive group.

“King Philip is working hard to be a stronger team than last year,” said head coach Kristen Geuss, now in her 10th year in charge. “We have a little more experience in key positions which should help us. The team is ready to get the season started!”

Hockomock League Volleyball

Mansfield

2023 Record: 9-8
Coach: Tara DeGirolamo
Mansfield reached the postseason in three straight seasons and with a strong group of returning players, fourth-year head coach Tara DeGirolamo and the Hornets will be looking to make it four in a row.

Not only does Mansfield have experienced players back overall, the Hornets return them to key positions all over the floor. Senior captain Olivia Richard, who is committed to play at Sarah Lawrence College, returns as a threat both offensive and defensively in the middle while senior captain Laurel Campbell provides a veteran option at outside hitter. Junior Gabrielle Moore is coming off a breakout sophomore season and will be the rock in the back row as the libero for the Hornets. Junior Tessa Blacquier has a year of varsity experience setting already and will help set everything in motion for the Hornets.

Another breakout player from last year is Riley Austin, who can make plays all over the court. A six-position player, Austin provides the Hornets with some versatility in the front row with swings from the right side. Senior captain Emma Jakubenas and juniors Amy Zajac and Ava Madeira will be tasked with anchoring the defensive group for the Hornets. DeGirolamo also has a strong group of newcomers pushing for playing time. Junior Abigail King is a versatile option while sophomores Ellie McGrath (middle), Olivia Dubose (setter), Maddy Wisdom (outside), and Maddy Zinn (outside) are all looking to contribute.

“These girls worked hard in the offseason and it showed at tryouts,” DeGirolamo said. “We have a talented mix of returning and new players and I am excited to watch them compete this season.”

2024 Hockomock League Volleyball Preview

Milford

2023 Record: 4-16
Coach: Tammy Webber
After reaching the playoffs two seasons ago, Milford had some struggles a year ago but the Hawks are eager to show improvement this fall.

It’s still a younger group this year but Milford does have some good varsity experience on the roster. Senior captains Claudia Solitro and TJ Downing will lead the charge offensively at the net. Solitro (84 kills) and Downing (80 kills) were Milford’s top two hitters last year and are looking to set the tone at the net again this year. Senior Julianys Rentas is a newcomer to the team and looking to provide depth to the outsider hitter spot. Sophomore Abby Murphy was an instant contributor as a rookie with 56 kills as a rookie and is looking to take the next step this year while junior Layanne Maforte is a candidate to fill the other middle spot for the Hawks.

Juniors Sam Denegris and Dani Darling along with senior Laysa Cunha provide Milford with some good size at the net for blocking. In the back row, sophomore Isa Grady-Harper (73 digs) will bring experience after playing as a freshman while senior Gianna Lebron and juniors Lucia Testa and Emma Ridolfi will look to shore up the defense. After the graduation of Maeve Driscoll, the Hawks will be looking for a new setter for the 2024 campaign. Sophomore Lina Lyubkin and freshmen Brooke Stokes and Aaliyah Campos are battling it out in the preseason to try and earn minutes in the rotation.

“Our strengths should be in our passing and serving this year, as well as in our size,” said Milford head coach Tammy Webber. “We have more athleticism and depth in positions than we have had in a while, which is a positive for us.”

2024 Hockomock League Volleyball Preview

North Attleboro

2023 Record: 6-12
Coach: Rachel Gould
North Attleboro will feature a lot of new faces in its lineup this year so head coach Rachel Gould will look for the team’s senior captains to lead the way.

Noemie Eugene and Natalee Fisher have set the tone and the Rocketeers have followed and the team chemistry has been gelling already this preseason. On top of their leadership both on and off of the court, both Eugene and Fisher will be key contributors during each match. Eugene is coming off a very strong season and was a HockomockSports.com Second Team selection at middle. She was second on the team in kills (108) with a 0.324 hitting percentage and was a force at the net defensively with 64 blocks. Fisher gives the Rocketeers a 1-2 punch as another middle option at the net and another strong defensive (29 blocks piece).

North will have to fill in a lot of other spots in the lineup but Gould has been impressed with the hard work that her team has put in so far. Senior Rebekah Martin and sophomore Ava Kraskous will step in to take swings on the outside and junior Deanna Miconi will take over as the setter and look to orchestrate the Rocketeers’ offense.

“Overall I am excited this year,” Gould said. “We have a younger group of first-time varsity players but I think the leadership from my seniors is going to create some great moments from us. I am impressed with the hard work everyone has clearly put in during the offseason and the work ethic I have seen during our practices.”

2024 Hockomock League Volleyball Preview

Oliver Ames

2023 Record: 17-6
Coach: Chelsea Cunningham
Oliver Ames is coming off a terrific 17-win campaign and the Tigers are looking to pick up right where they left off when the season tips off this week.

The Tigers feature experienced veterans in key spots throughout the rotation which puts them in a good spot for competing for the Davenport division title. Senior middle Addyson Smock enters her fourth year on the team and will be a force at the net. On top of being one of the most powerful hitters in the league, her blocks give OA an edge on the defensive side. Smock will also be the beneficiary of having setter Clare Kavolius back to orchestrate the OA offense. With over 1,000 career assists, Kavolius is one of the more experienced players in the league and already having chemistry with Smock, one of the league’s top hitters, gives the Tigers an immediate boost.

Senior Ava Barth will take on an expanded role to anchor the defense this year. OA lost its top three players in digs from last year, including libero Rachel Fleischman, so having someone like Barth, who has good varsity experience, will help set the tone in the back row. Head coach Chelsea Cunningham will turn to seniors Jamie Finn and Caroline Hansen to help bolster the attack at the net while sophomore Taylor Donohue provides some flexibility at the net and brings a lot of energy. Sophomore Lyla McDonough will also take on some setting responsibility alongside Kavolius while newcomers junior Angelina Romeiro and sophomores Molly Milliken and Chelsea Wagner are all battling for spots in the rotation.

“We have so much potential this season to pick up where we left off last season which is something we will not take for granted,” Cunningham said. “We have many athletes that are willing to do whatever it takes to meet our goals and work together as much as possible along the way. We have so many options offensively and defensively that whoever is out on the court, at any point, is going to make it count. Beyond the skills, the team is just an awesome group of student-athletes- and the energy and competition is a whole new vibe that we are embracing every day.”

2024 Hockomock League Volleyball

Sharon

2023 Record: 4-14
Coach: Matt Laliberte
Sharon volleyball begins a new chapter in program history with new head coach Matt Laliberte. Laliberte brings experience at both the high school and collegiate level, having coached varsity at Middleboro and was an assistant coach at nearby Stonehill College.

As Laliberte gets acclimated with the Eagles, he will look to Sharon’s returning players to lead the way especially early on. Senior Piper Hanna is an experienced outside hitter that can also factor in defensively on the serve receive while senior Thea Caproni brings a veteran presence at the net as a middle, contributing both offensively with some attacks and defensively with the block. Defensively, senior Willow Liu is a leader in the back row that provides a steady presence in both the serve receive and against the attack. Freshmen Lucy Leonardi and Lia Zephrani are candidates to make an immediate impact this season.

“We are in a building year with a new coaching staff,” Laliberte said. “We are hopeful for our young players that will be playing in important and impactful roles.”

2024 Hockomock League Volleyball

Stoughton

2023 Record: 4-16
Coach: Tricia Lewis
The Black Knights enter the season with big hopes of a bounce-back season in 2024.

Stoughton strung together three straight wins at the end of September last season but struggled throughout October and ultimately missed the playoffs. Although the Knights lost their top two kills leaders from last year to graduation, head coach Tricia Lewis is excited about this year’s offensive group. Reagan Lewis, who just recently announced her commitment to play at the collegiate level at Regis, is one of the more experienced hitters in the league and will lead the charge at the net this year. Senior Jina Kim is another veteran option at the net while junior Jacqueline Boutros and sophomore Imani Ashu are newcomers that give Stoughton a lot of options at the net.

Defensively, senior Amy Nguyen returns at the libero spot to anchor the back row. Junior Faith Sekenduyo will be another reliable option defensively while both Lewis and Boutros will contribute in the back row as well. Sophomore Ayla Huang will step in as setter this year while Lewis (171 assists last year) can step in and set while manning the back row.

“Last season we struggled to come together as a team on the court, [but] this year’s team is a completely different team that has a lot of heart and has already shown to work well together,” Tricia Lewis said.

2024 Hockomock League Volleyball

Taunton

2023 Record: 6-14
Coach: Toby Chaperon
There’s some optimism and excitement in the Taunton program, which will feature a lot of new faces and talented younger players eager to compete in the Hock — but also a group that lacks a lot of varsity experience.

One of the players with that varsity experience is senior middle Adrianna Amaral, who will be a key piece at the net both offensively and defensively for the Tigers. Amaral is one of five seniors on the squad along with setter Ali D’Acci, who will help run Taunton’s 6-2 offense, defensive specialist Arianna Boliero, middle and opposite hitter Lea Selfridge, and outside hitter Lily Velsor. With seniors scattered all throughout the court, their leadership will be key for a young squad.

Another player back in the mix with varsity experience is sophomore Sadie Herry. Already entering her third year on varsity, Herry knows what it takes to handle opposing attacks from some of the top hitters in the league and has asserted herself in the conversion for top defensive players in the league. Sophomore Emily Dias is another option in the back row for the Tigers after getting some experience last year. Junior Grace Bennett can play anywhere on the court and will help in the setting game while juniors Jazzlyn Martinez, Brynn Murphy, Lindsey Pena, and Calvinne Dwuye are all looking to solidify Taunton’s attack at the net. While Taunton figures out its offense, it will lean on its serving which has been a strength throughout the preseason.

“Offensively, we are going to be a work in progress as we work with two new setters and still trying to find another outside hitter and middle but our girls have come in with a good attitude and work ethic so we believe we can get that part of the game ramped up,” said longtime head coach Toby Chaperon. “We look forward to another year playing in one of the best and most competitive conferences in the state and hope we can get back to the tournament this year.”

2024 Hockomock League Girls Soccer Preview

2024 Hockomock League Girls Soccer Preview
 
By HockomockSports.com Staff

2024 Hockomock League Girls Soccer Preview

2024 Hockomock League Girls Soccer Preview

Attleboro

2023 Record: 4-11-3
Coach: Steve Santos
Attleboro finished third in the Kelley-Rex division last season, but it was a sizable gap to the co-champions (Franklin and King Philip). The Bombardiers graduated leading scorer Jamie Davies but return a large group that gained valuable varsity experience in 2023 and will be aiming for a playoff berth at the end of the season.

There is plenty of creativity in the attack and head coach Steve Santos is confident that the Bombardiers will be able to pose problems for the opposition defense. Junior Tatum O’Brien is the top returning scorer and the Quinnipiac commit will be the key playmaker. Senior Tatum Leahy is also back in attack after missing all of last season with an injury and she has impressed during preseason. Senior Zenda Gjoni is another midfield creator, junior Jordyn Riley has a strong leg and is a threat on set pieces, and senior Isla Thompson gives Attleboro a speed boost.

Defense will be a priority at the start, as Santos is focusing on shoring things up at that end of the field after allowing 62 goals in 2023. The back line all saw significant action last year. Seniors Ryann Mooney and Jessica Jennison give the team important leadership, while sophomores Sophie Guant and Colie McGilvray are both coming off strong rookie campaigns that saw them get plenty of playing time. Sophomore track standout Kennedy Samuel can add speed to defense or midfield. Goalie is a three-way battle between juniors Madalyn Barber and Ava Gattoni and sophomore Ciara O’Driscoll.

“The key is are we going to be able to tighten up on defense and focus on defense first,” Santos said. “We’ll be able to create chances and score goals, but we need to limit the mistakes at the back. We’ve got good leadership from the senior class, good chemistry, and everyone seems hungry in practice.”

2024 Hockomock League Girls Soccer Preview

Canton

2023 Record: 10-8-2
Coach: Idris Senyonjo
Following an impressive playoff run that saw Canton reach the Div. 2 quarterfinals, the Bulldogs will be hoping to carry that momentum into a new season. With only four players graduated from last year, the Bulldogs have the bulk of the lineup back to challenge for the league title and try to make another tournament run.

in attack, Canton will miss the playmaking of Mekhala Costello, but senior Emma Cahill had a team-high 16 goals last year, including several clutch tallies in the playoffs, and will be the leader up front this fall. Sophomores Gabriella Berardi and Madison McCabe will be counted on for more production after solid freshman seasons. Senior Paige Sullivan, who played last year with an injury, will run things in the midfield, and juniors Georgia Campbell and Alyssa Wong could be ready for breakout seasons in the center of the pitch.

The defense has plenty of experience to call on. Senior Gisella Berardi has been running up and down the left wing for the past three seasons, contributing on both ends of the pitch. Senior Tess Giglio will drop from midfield into the back line and junior Isabella Sanchez will take on a bigger role. Junior Katherine Powers is back in goal and has been a solid shot-stopper and vocal leader at the back.

“Consistency will be key for us this year,” said Canton coach Idris Senyonjo. “With such a tight league, there is really no room for too many slip ups. We had a good run in the postseason and we surprised a few people. I want us to use that as a motivation and determination to go that extra mile this year. It all starts with the first game of the season and we will be ready.”

2024 Hockomock League Girls Soccer Preview

Foxboro

2023 Record: 7-13-0
Coach: Jen Lippolis
Foxboro had a tough 2023 season. The Warriors were hit by the injury bug at various points and finished with only seven wins, but they also had a positive goal difference for the season, lost 10 games by two goals or less (including four by just one goal), and were only knocked out of the playoffs on penalties. With the bulk of the lineup returning, Foxboro coach Jen Lippolis thinks the team could be poised for much more this fall.

The defensive unit returns plenty of experience. Senior Maddy Luck will be one of the key players this year, with her tackling ability, energy, and versatility being used in defense or midfield. Senior Kailey Sullivan returns at outside back and classmate Sophia Pacella will jump in to bolster the back line. Sophomore Julia Luck will return in goal after seeing some time between the pipes as a freshman.

Up front, the graduation of leading scorer Erin Foley will have an impact, but the return of junior Shea Dorney from an ACL injury will help make up for that production. The talented winger had a strong start to last season and the Warriors will be happy to see her back up top. Junior Morgan Riley will join Dorney at forward and senior Lexi Tuohey and sophomore Maeve Casey will run things in midfield.

“Preseason has been off to a great start,” Lippolis said. “Our players have been working hard in the off-season and are ready for the season to begin. With the majority of our team being returning varsity players, we’re hopeful for another competitive season.”

2024 Hockomock League Girls Soccer Preview

franklin

2023 Record: 18-3-0 (Kelley-Rex division co-champions)
Head Coach: Jodi Klein
The Panthers won a share of their fourth straight league title and reached the Div. 1 quarterfinal last season and, despite several key players graduating, the expectations around the program remain just as high coming into the new season.

Franklin’s attack will look a little different after graduating two-thirds of last season’s front three, but senior Kelly O’Connor is coming off an MVP-caliber season in which she scored 26 goals and she will be back to terrorize opposition defenses again. Junior Gwen Holland will support O’Connor up front and freshmen attackers Lily Strong and Claire Michel have both impressed during preseason scrimmages. The midfield should also chip in with goals, with senior Ava Vivella and juniors Morgan Lovell and Vera Hansen all returning and sophomore Sophia Horton being added to the mix.

Last season, Franklin allowed just eight goals in 21 games. Graduations and transfers mean there will be several new faces in the back, but the Panthers still expect to make it difficult for the opposition. Senior Eiley Cinelli will provide leadership in the middle with junior Cassidy Carmignani returning at outside back. Senior Meghan Griffith has moved from midfield to outside back and looks ready to step up in her new role. Freshman Grace Marinella is already looking like a leader in central defense. With Rachel Welch graduating and Jill Hamilton going to prep school, Franklin is turning to sophomore Cami Towers in goal with freshman Devyn Cairns looking to gain experience this year as well.

“This is a new, young group and we are getting acclimated to one another, learning each other’s tendencies and really starting to connect,” said Franklin coach Jodi Klein. “We are fortunate here in Franklin to have so much talent in our program this year at all three levels. They are working hard this preseason and we are improving every day. I see a bright future for the 2024 season as well as in years to come.”

2024 Hockomock League Girls Soccer Preview

King Philip

2023 Record: 16-4-0 (Kelley-Rex division co-champions)
Coach: Gary Pichel
After sharing the Kelley-Rex division crown with Franklin last season, King Philip comes into 2024 with expectations to be right at the top of the standings again. The graduation of record-breaking forward Heidi Lawrence will obviously be tough but the Warriors return a lineup filled with experience and talent from front to back.

Offensively, KP will need to make up a lot of Lawrence’s production from last year but with senior Mikayla Thompson up front, the Warriors have a proven goal-scorer to lead the line. KP also has one of the league’s top creators in midfield in senior Dani Lomuscio who will run the game from the center of the pitch and be the key to KP’s attack maintaining its high levels. Sophomore Donnelle Balunos impressed as a rookie with her versatility in midfield and senior Bridget Scott emerged as a standout defensive mid with her tackling and distribution.

The defense will be led by two-year captain Rhianna Mason. A four-year varsity player, Mason is a stalwart in the center of the back line and provides a steadying influence. Senior Addisyn Lamothe-Vaughn is another versatile player who can be a standout at outside back or in the midfield. Her athleticism, skill on the ball, and physicality make her a threat wherever she lines up. Junior keeper Lauren Obara is in her third season between the pipes and has proven to be a dependable shot stopper.

“I believe that our team will be very competitive in each and every game this season,” said KP coach Gary Pichel. “We are looking forward to starting the season on the right foot against our extremely strong Hockomock League competition.”

Hockomock League Girls Soccer

Mansfield

2023 Record: 17-4-1
Coach: Kevin Smith
Mansfield is coming off a historic run to the program’s first-ever state title game appearance and, despite graduating 11 players from last year’s team, the Hornets return a talented group that will be looking to make more history and win their first Davenport division title.

The Hornets will lean on the attack early in the season. Junior forwards Aly and Maddie Fernandes will be key to unlocking the opposition and creating chances. Aly, the left winger, has been the team’s leading scorer in each of her two varsity seasons and is a dynamic dribbler and good finisher. Maddie plays off the right and her vision and passing range is vital. Junior midfielder Lauren Signoriello does a lot of running for the team and is a deep-lying playmaker. Seniors Lyla Nappa and Meghan McCann give Mansfield different looks up top.

On the other end of the pitch, Mansfield will need to build experience quickly after graduating three of the team’s four starters in the back line. Junior Olvia Dunham was the 2023 Underclassman of the Year from a defensive mid position, but she could slot back into the back four where she played as a freshman. Junior Emma McPherson had an impressive debut in central defense last year and will be relied on to be more of a leader this season. Junior Katelyn Troilo will make her debut in goal.

“We have had to rebuild the defense after graduating three starters and the goalie from the defensive group,” said Mansfield coach Kevin Smith. “We return our starting midfield as well as four of our five attacking players from last year’s team.”

2024 Hockomock League Girls Soccer Preview

Milford

2023 Record: 2-12-4
Coach: Lou Colabello
With only one player graduating from last year’s team, Milford coach Lou Colabello is hoping that a more experienced, battle-hardened roster will be able to adapt to different game plans and pull the Hawks off the foot of the Kelley-Rex standings.

Milford has talent in attack and should be able to produce more scoring chances this season. Sophomore Kyla Nashawaty is coming off an all-star (and All-EMass) season and she’ll be joined up front by junior Ava Baglione, who will be looking to replicate the impressive form that she found as a freshman. Junior midfielder Katelyn Kearnan will be another key player for the Hawks, creating attacks from the middle of the pitch. Seniors Paige Caldon and Olivia Baglione and junior Kayleigh Tourtellot will also be back to give Milford athleticism and creativity in the midfield.

The Hawks will turn to a more defensive outlook against some of the stronger teams in the league and the entire back line returns to help shore things up at that end of the field. Seniors Alexa Landry and Cae Pellegrini provide much-needed leadership and physicality, while freshman Juliana Senna is a player that could step in and make an instant impact. Junior Chloe Murdock will be in her third season as the starter in goal and adds another important layer of experience.

Colabello said, “I feel with the loss of only one player, we have a solid group in which there are many who can play multiple positions, which gives us some diversity. Thus with many players returning with experience we should compete on a higher level than last year.”

2024 Hockomock League Girls Soccer Preview

North Attleboro

2023 Record: 1-13-4
Coach: Dan Burdick
North Attleboro is coming off a difficult season. The Rocketeers managed just one win under first-year head coach Dan Burdick, but they only graduated four players and confidence is high that they can make a leap this fall to move up the standings.

One of the keys to turning things around this year will be creating more in the final third. North scored only six goals in 18 games in 2023, so will be counting on junior Caroline McKenna, last season’s leading scorer, to build on her experience and more consistently find the back of the net. McKenna will get help stretching defenses from speedy sophomore Ava Pratt and junior Amelia Maier. Junior Angelina Bostock solidified things in midfield for the Rocketeers and sophomores Kyla Cincotti and Abby Wholey are ready to step into bigger roles this year.

Sophomore Gracyn Cuzzi was a standout in goal for North last season and she’ll be back between the pipes this year to strengthen a back line that lost key leadership after the graduation of Casey Butanowicz and Abbie Pratt. Seniors Kaylee Hennessey and Angelina Rizzo and junior Madison Burns (the team’s three captains) are back and bring valuable experience along the back line.

“I have been extremely impressed with the team’s commitment to improving this offseason,” Burdick said. “Going back to the winter months in the weight room, the buy-in and dedication from the girls has been awesome, and I believe their efforts this offseason will lead to positive results for our group this season. Everyone in the program is excited to get underway, and the girls have the right attitude and work ethic to go out there and achieve the goals we have set for ourselves this year.”

2024 Hockomock League Girls Soccer Preview

Oliver Ames

2023 Record: 14-4-0 (Davenport division champions)
Coach: Britt Sellmayer
Oliver Ames won the Davenport division title for the third time in a row last season, all of them by just a single point. Although the Tigers weren’t able to repeat 2022’s state final appearance, they incorporated several young players who will play key roles this year and return a deep lineup that looks poised to make some noise in the tournament this fall.

The Tigers return eight players from last year’s team. Senior Taylor deVos is back after injuries forced her to miss the bulk of the 2023 regular season and her leadership and versatility will be a big boost from the start. deVos can play in center midfield or central defense depending on the situation. Sophomore Shelby Hodges stepped in almost seamlessly last year as a rookie and took over deVos’ spot in the back line. Junior Rhiya Fisher returns in defense with senior Victoria Taylor stepping in as well. Senior Janiya Matier will be back between the pipes and is one of the top shot stoppers in the league.

Up front, the Tigers will need to replace last year’s two leading scorers, Lucinda Li Cotter (graduation) and sophomore Siena Fabrizio (injury), but junior Jolie Diaz is a talented finisher and senior Laney Carroll gives OA a solid presence in the penalty area. Senior Emma Gavin, a Bucknell commit, adds scoring punch from midfield along with sophomore Brooke Dean, who is also coming off an impressive freshman campaign. Juniors Caroline Bowers and Kensie Graham will give OA depth on the forward line and senior Lynn Elhayek and sophomore Emily Lopes will be counted on to step up in midfield.

“We are looking forward to the season with one of the deepest and experienced teams we have had in years,” said OA coach Britt Sellmayer.

2024 Hockomock League Girls Soccer

Sharon

2023 Record: 3-11-2
Coach: Becca Borbély
Sharon wasn’t able to follow up its 2022 playoff appearance by making another tournament run last season, but the Eagles bring back nine seniors to try and climb back into the postseason picture this fall in their second season under head coach Becca Borbély.

Although the Eagles only scored 17 times last year, they have plenty of talent to take advantage of at that end of the pitch. Junior Jessica Li was the team’s leading scorer last season and she brings loads of creativity whether lined up as a forward or dropping into midfield. Senior forward Autumn Simon is always a threat in the penalty box with her strength, speed, and finishing ability. Junior Sophia Melpignano and senior Olivia Landstein are able to deliver killer passes from midfield and freshman Linda Jenner gives the Eagles added depth up top.

Seniors Leah Steinberg and Nasiba Alikulova will give Sharon leadership in the back line and junior Unnimaya Sajeev had impressive performances at outside back. Sophomore Penny Wooden had a strong debut season in both central defense and midfield and classmate Angela Bozzuto will take over in goal this year.

Borbély said, “I am excited to return this year and build off of the systems we put in place last year. The players have put in the work in the off-season and are ready to get after it. We have a team of dedicated players who are hungry for success, what else can you ask for as a coach?”

2024 Hockomock League Girls Soccer

Stoughton

2023 Record: 4-9-5
Coach: Jeff O’Sullivan
In 2022, Stoughton ended a long wait for a return to the postseason, but the injury bug hit last year and the Black Knights weren’t able to follow up with another playoff appearance. Under second-year head coach Jeff O’Sullivan, Stoughton brings back an experienced lineup that looks ready to get back into tournament contention.

Stoughton was stout defensively last season, allowing only 29 goals in 18 games, and only three times (even against the top scoring teams in the Hock) did the Black Knights allow more than two goals. Three of the four starters from last year’s back line are returning to keep up that strong defensive record. Seniors Caitlin Driscoll and Lauren Mitchell will be helped out by sophomore outside back Claire Byrne. In goal, junior Molly Fox will get her turn to be the starter after being the backup to Katrina Varnum for the past two seasons.

The attacking group was hard hit by injuries last season but everyone looks healthy at the start of the season. Senior forward Bianca Casna was definitely missed last year and gives the Black Knights a focal point up top, while classmate Makenzie O’Connor is a difference-maker on the left wing with her ability to dribble past defenders. Experience in the midfield will be huge, as seniors Emma Tran and Morgan Cook and junior Laila Bernard provide a balance between attack and cover for the defense. Newcomers to watch this year include freshman Sara Janelli and sophomore Morgan O’Connor.

“I am extremely excited to return for my second year at Stoughton,” O’Sullivan said. “To see the quality of our players this year and the commitment for each other is all I can ask for.”

2024 Hockomock League Girls Soccer

Taunton

2023 Record: 4-10-4
Coach: Dan Borges
Taunton showed great improvement in its second season under head coach Dan Borges. The Tigers jumped from just a single win in 2022 to four wins and 12 points last fall, while doubling the number of goals scored and reducing the amount allowed. Still a relatively young squad, the Tigers are hoping to build on that momentum and keep making forward progress, as they search for a first playoff appearance since 2015.

Attack remains a young group but each of the players gained valuable experience last year and showed the speed and creativity to be a dangerous counter-attacking team. Sophomores Lia Abouyazbek and Kaylee Lopes and freshman Marybel DoRosario all contributed goals last season and will hope to carry that into this new season. Senior Ava Uhl will be a key player this year, controlling the game in midfield and providing the killer passes to spring the quick forwards into space.

The Tigers allowed 10 fewer goals in 2023 than in 2022 and they return plenty of experience and athleticism in the back line. Seniors Mairead Flood and Jalynn Andrews are both back to provide leadership with sophomore Madison Crowley returning after playing every minute of last season as a freshman. Sophomore Ashlyn Hebert is in her third season on varsity and will get support from freshman Sophia Forrester.

“Although the squad will still be very young,” Borges said, “we are looking to continue to improve and battle for playoff contention this season.”

Taunton Announces Inaugural Hall of Fame Class

Taunton Hall of Fame
 
Taunton recently launched its Athletic Hall of Fame which was established to “recognize and remember the outstanding accomplishments of student-athletes, teams, coaches, administrators, and contributors while participating in and contributing to the success of athletics at Taunton High School.” Below is a press release announcing the inaugural class for the THS Athletic Hall of Fame.

TAUNTON – The Taunton High Athletic Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the inaugural class of inductees. The class of 2024 includes eight student-athletes, one team, and one coach.

Inductees are nominated by members of the public and voted on by the Hall of Fame Committee.

The inductees for 2024 are:

Student-Athletes

• David Arieta: Football
• Eric DeMoura: Baseball
• Jeff Gallagher: Hockey
• Kendra Lund: Basketball
• Katlyn Mallette: Softball
• Scott Mitchell: Basketball
• Erin Wade: Softball
• Bonnie Yuen: Cross Country, Indoor & Outdoor Track

Team

• 1967 Football Team

Coach

• David Lewry: Softball

“The committee was truly impressed by the outstanding achievements of these student-athletes, team, and coach,” said Committee Chairman Mike Fox. “Their dedication to their respective sports has left a lasting impact on the Taunton High athletic community, and we are proud to honor them as our first inductees.”

David Arieta: Football, Class of 1981

Arieta was a member of the champion and undefeated 1980 Football Team. That year, the Tigers upset Lynn Classical in the Super Bowl. Arieta, who played as a wide receiver and a cornerback, was named Division Two Player of the Year by the Boston Globe. That season, he caught 20 passes for 520 yards and seven touchdowns. He also recorded 13 interceptions.

Eric DeMoura: Baseball, Class of 1992

DeMoura had an impressive three years for the Tigers at the varsity level, winning the 1991 Old Colony League Championship. The United States Baseball Federation and Topps named him the Massachusetts Baseball Player of the Year in 1992. That same year, DeMoura was invited to the US Junior Olympic Team Trials. DeMoura was named to the All-Scholastic Team by the Boston Globe and Boston Herald in 1991 and 1992. During those same years, he was also named to the Old Colony League All-Star Team and the All-State Team.

Jeff Gallagher: Hockey, Class of 1994

Gallagher played four years of varsity-level hockey for the Tigers, totaling 69 games. Despite an injury-shortened sophomore season, Gallagher still racked up an impressive 139 points, averaging two points per game. He holds the record for the most points in a season, 64, the most assists in a season, 42, and is the school’s all-time leading scorer, 36 goals, and holds the record for most assists, 103. Gallagher is a two-time All-Scholastic from both the Taunton Gazette and the Brockton Enterprise.

Kendra Lund (Drake): Basketball, Class of 1999

Lund holds the school scoring record for girls’ basketball, racking up 1,437 points over the course of four varsity seasons. She is a four-time Old Colony League All-Star and was named Old Colony League MVP in 1999. The Taunton Gazette and Brockton Enterprise also named her a first-team All-Scholastic from 1996-1999. In addition to her impressive performances on the basketball court, Lund also won a State Softball Championship in 1997.

Katlyn Mallette (Gauthier): Softball, Class of 2003

Mallette is the 2003 Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year and was a key player in a dominant Tigers team in the early 2000s. She holds the school record for lowest ERA, 0.19, fewest runs allowed, 19, and perfect games, 5. Mallette’s trophy cabinet includes four Old Colony League Championships, three South Sectional Championships, two City Championships, and two Division One State Championships. Mallette was also a mainstay in All-Scholastic Teams from the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Taunton Gazette, and Brockton Enterprise.

Scott Mitchell: Basketball, Class of 1985

Mitchell scored a school-record 1,615 points in his four years of varsity basketball for the Tigers. He was twice named All-Scholastic by the Taunton Gazette and Brockton Enterprise and a second-team All-Scholastic by the Boston Globe. Mitchell was also a perennial Old Colony League All-Star.

Erin Wade (Hernandez): Softball, Class of 2008

Wade holds an impressive number of school records, including wins, 67, strikeouts, 942, no-hitters, 12, and innings pitched, 588. Wade was impressive at the plate, too, with a career batting average of 388, 11 doubles, 14 triples, four home runs and 61 RBI. Throughout her four-year career, the Tigers won 10 championships: one Division One State Championship, one South Sectional Championship, four Old Colony League Championships, and four City Championships. Wade is the 2007 & 2008 Boston Globe Player of the Year, the 2007 Brockton Enterprise Player of the Year, and was named to 12 first-team All-Scholastic Teams, including the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Taunton Gazette, and Brockton Enterprise.

Bonnie Yuen (Belfield): Cross Country, Indoor & Outdoor Track, Class of 1985

Yuen was a dominant runner, holding school records in several distances for both indoor (600m, 800m, 1,000, and mile) and outdoor track (500m, 1,500m and mile). 800m was her specialty, and she won three consecutive championships at that distance at three different levels: Class A, All-State, and New England. A six-time Boston Globe All-Scholastic, she was undefeated in the 800m for three consecutive years. She placed second at the US Junior Nationals, qualifying her for the US Junior Team in 1985.

1967 Football Team

The 1967 Football Team won Taunton High School’s first state title, winning the Class C Championship. The team was undefeated, outscoring opponents 221-81 in nine games. Head coach George Hemond led the team to the City Championship and the Bristol County League Championship.

David Lewry: Coach, Softball

Lewry’s incredible coaching career at Taunton High spans 20 years. His 407 wins is a Taunton Softball record and qualified the Tigers for the playoffs every year. Under his leadership, Taunton won four Division One State Championships, multiple South Sectional Championships, and several League Championships. Lewry was named Northeast Sectional Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations in 2003, Boston Globe Division One Coach of the Year (2001), Hockomocksports.com Coach of the Year (2014 & 2015), Taunton Gazette Coach of the Year (2007) and Brockton Enterprise Coach of the Year (2003).

The induction ceremony will take place on November 9 at Taunton High School. Detailed information about the ceremony will be released later this summer.

“On behalf of the Taunton Public Schools, I want to congratulate the inductees for their tremendous achievements and well-deserved recognition,” said Superintendent John Cabral. “I’d also like to thank retiring Athletic Director Mark Ottavianelli and the entire Hall of Fame committee for their time, dedication, and hard work to bring this first class to fruition.”

The Hall of Fame will be located in the hallway connecting the Joseph Rabouin Field House to the athletics wing and will include plaques honoring each inductee.

There are six categories for induction into the Hall of Fame: Student-Athlete, Team, Coach, Administrator, Contributor, and Classic. Each category has specific criteria for consideration, including a five-year waiting period. Other criteria may include league, sectional, or state championships, win-loss records, and individual awards and records.

Nominations are considered for five years from initial submission. Nominees who were not selected for induction this year will be eligible for the next four classes. At that point, nominations will need to be resubmitted. For more information about the Taunton High School.

For more information about the Taunton High School Athletics Hall of Fame, please contact thshalloffame@tauntonschools.org

###

Sharon Names Vitelli As New Athletic Director

Mike Vitelli

By HockomockSports.com Staff

Sharon has hired Mike Vitelli as its next athletic director for the upcoming school year. He will also serve as an assistant principal.

Vitelli has administration experience at both Xaverian Brothers High School and Norton Middle School as an assistant principal but is no stranger to the Hockomock League. Vitelli was the head coach for King Philip girls lacrosse from 2002-2007 and guided the Warriors to five straight Hock titles without losing a league game (73-0-1). He returned to coach at North Attleboro for two seasons in 2016 and 2017, going 13-7 in both years including the program’s first playoff win in his first season.

“I’m excited to move into this role after a very rewarding 27 years of coaching lacrosse,” Vitelli told HockomockSports.com. “As my own kids transition out of high school and into college, I’ve got the time now to really dive into being a part of a great community and overseeing an awesome group of teams and coaches. The Hock is such a competitive and passionate league and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

After coaching at KP, Vitelli spent three seasons at the collegiate level as an assistant coach at Stonehill College. Vitelli also coached for Bishop Feehan after his stint with North Attleboro, leading the Shamrocks to a handful of successful seasons. He was an assistant principal at Norton Middle School before moving on to Xavieran – his alma mater – in 2017 where he served as the Assistant Principal for Student Life.

Taunton Names Dowdye As New Athletic Director

Rapheal Dowdye

Taunton Public Schools announced that Rapheal Dowdye will be the new director starting with the 2024-2015 school year. Dowdye takes over for Mark Ottavianelli, who is retiring at the end of this school year after a 22-year career with the Tigers. Below is a release from Taunton Public Schools.

TAUNTON—Superintendent John J. Cabral is pleased to announce that Rapheal Dowdye will be the new Athletic Director for the 2024-2025 school year. Dowdye has over 15 years of experience managing athletic programs, coaching, and leading teams. He is dedicated to helping students succeed and stay involved in the community.

Dowdye is currently an assistant principal at Parker Middle School, where he has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a dedication to enhancing the educational environment. His focus on a positive school climate and culture and innovative approach to discipline led to a 70% reduction in student suspensions and increased student-athlete participation and performance.

Dowdye has a strong background in athletics, including significant contributions to the football programs at the University of Rhode Island, Brown University, Northeastern University, and several colleges in the South. As the recruiting coordinator and linebackers coach at the University of Rhode Island, he implemented practice and game-planning strategies, helped players improve their skills, and managed the recruiting budget and expenditures. He also collaborated with all NFL teams to create comprehensive portfolios for potential NFL Prospects. During his tenure at URI, He coached several players who turned pro.

At Northeastern University, Dowdye was the assistant head football coach. He managed budgets up to $5.5 million and supervised staff on various levels. His leadership and strategic planning were key in creating successful defensive game plans.

“We are excited to welcome Rapheal into this new position,” said Superintendent Cabral. “His experience in both educational leadership and athletic program management makes him uniquely qualified to lead our athletic department. We believe he will continue Taunton’s tradition of athletic excellence.”

Before joining Parker Middle School as assistant principal, he was the dean of students at City on a Hill Charter Public School in New Bedford, where he improved daily operations and curriculum design. His coaching career started at Bethany College, where he helped the team achieve top rankings in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference.

“I am thrilled and humbled to be joining the Taunton Athletic community. The opportunity to be surrounded by so many extraordinary people and help shape future leaders is truly a life-changing opportunity,” said Dowdye. “I am thankful to Mr. Cabral, the School Committee, and the entire search committee for placing their trust in me to lead Taunton Athletics into the future.”

Dowdye has a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Bridgewater State University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Economics from West Virginia Wesleyan College. He is also certified in diversity and inclusion by Cornell University.

In addition to his professional work, Dowdye is active in community service. He has been involved in youth football programs, mentoring, and charitable events.

###

Hockomock League Honors 2024 Scholar Athletes

Hockomock League Scholar Athletes

Below is a release from the Hockomock League regarding the 2024 Scholar-Athletes. These 24 student-athletes were honored at the annual league banquet on Thursday, May 2nd at Lake Pearl.

The Hockomock League Principals and Athletic Directors are pleased to announce the 34th Annual Hockomock League Scholar Athlete Awards. The twenty-four athletes that are being honored have been selected by the Administration of their respective schools and represent the top student athletes in the Hockomock League based on academics, athletic participation, sportsmanship, leadership, and citizenship. They have all successfully balanced a demanding academic schedule along with participation in athletics as well as many extra-curricular activities during their high school career. To be selected for this award represents four years of dedication and commitment, and we are proud of all their accomplishments. We hope that these student-athletes will put all of their experiences over the past four years to good use and that those experiences will help guide them through the challenges ahead. We congratulate the parents and guardians for your contributions and guidance as you have enabled your child to reach this level of excellence. We are certain that the foundation you have given them will carry them through future endeavors.

2024 Hockomock League Scholar Athletes Meredith Bosh and Jacob Blazek
ATTLEBORO: Meredith Bosh and Jacob Blazek

2024 Hockomock League Scholar Athletes Mercia Kolokithas and Dominic Gray
CANTON: Mercia Kolokithas and Dominic Gray

2024 Hockomock League Scholar Athletes Valerie Beigel and Ryan Flaherty
FOXBORO: Valerie Beigel and Ryan Flaherty

2024 Hockomock League Scholar Athletes Liz Hopkins and Andrew O’Neill
FRANKLIN: Liz Hopkins and Andrew O’Neill

2024 Hockomock League Scholar Athletes Hannah Doherty and Ryan Taylor
KING PHILIP: Hannah Doherty and Ryan Taylor

2024 Hockomock League Scholar Athletes Emma Redding and Sirius Li
MANSFIELD: Emma Redding and Sirius Li

2024 Hockomock League Scholar Athletes Sarah Wengal and Liam Blackwell
MILFORD: Sarah Wengal and Liam Blackwell

2024 Hockomock League Scholar Athletes Vivian Racine and Zach Corsetti
NORTH ATTLEBORO: Vivian Racine and Zach Corsetti

2024 Hockomock League Scholar Athletes Katie Sobieraj and Matt Lawson
OLIVER AMES: Katie Sobieraj and Matt Lawson

2024 Hockomock League Scholar Athletes Madeline Hu and David Bondar
SHARON: Madeline Hu and David Bondar

2024 Hockomock League Scholar Athletes Aleksandra Lada and Aadil Khond
STOUGHTON: Aleksandra Lada and Aadil Khond

2024 Hockomock League Scholar Athletes Jenna Pereira and Ethan Harris
TAUNTON: Jenna Pereira and Ethan Harris

2024 Hockomock League Scholar Athletes The Hockomock League Principals and Athletic Directors are pleased to announce the 34th Annual Hockomock League Scholar Athlete Awards. The twenty-four athletes that are being honored have been selected by the Administration of their respective schools and represent the top student athletes in the Hockomock League based on academics, athletic participation, sportsmanship, leadership, and citizenship. They have all successfully balanced a demanding academic schedule along with participation in athletics as well as many extra-curricular activities during their high school career. To be selected for this award represents four years of dedication and commitment, and we are proud of all their accomplishments. We hope that these student-athletes will put all of their experiences over the past four years to good use and that those experiences will help guide them through the challenges ahead. We congratulate the parents and guardians for your contributions and guidance as you have enabled your child to reach this level of excellence. We are certain that the foundation you have given them will carry them through future endeavors. 2024 Hockomock League Scholar Athletes

National Athletic Training Month (March): Hock Edition

Hockomock athletic trainers

EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is a guest post from Canton Athletic Trainer Kristen Aguiar, who is currently serving as Athletic Trainers of Massachusetts Secondary Schools Committee Chair. National Athletic Training Month (NATM) is held every March in order to spread awareness about the important work of athletic trainers.

The Hockomock League leads the way in many aspects of athletics across the state of Massachusetts, and Athletic Training is of course one of them. There are currently 13 ATs across the 12 schools and we want to take this opportunity to highlight all of them and the amazing sports health care they provide to all of our athletes. March was National Athletic Training Month, so we are taking this opportunity to introduce ourselves to you, and educate you on what we can and do provide across the league.

Athletic Trainers are nationally certified through the BOC (Board of Certification) after completing an approved collegiate program. Many of us were in the Bachelor of Science model, but the profession has moved to a Master’s program model. We are required to also be licensed in the State of Massachusetts through the Department of Public Health. ATs are required to recertify every 2 years after completing 50 continuing education hours, as well as maintaining our ethical requirements and CPR/First Aid certification.

Athletic Trainers are highly educated healthcare professionals specifically trained in the prevention, examination, diagnosis, rehabilitation, and treatment of medical conditions, emergent and chronic injuries. We are recognized by the American Medical Association, the Health Resources Administration, and the Department of Health and Human Services. In the State of Massachusetts, we are governed by the Department of Public Health, previously governed by the Board of Allied Health.

Within the Hockomock League, the ATs meet seasonally to discuss any current issues and update each other on current issues within their respective districts. We communicate on injuries as they happen so there is great continuity of care and no athlete is lost in the system. We share Emergency Action Plans, Concussion Care plans, and alert each other to potential high-risk situations in order to provide the best care possible to all of our athletes.

On a daily basis, the Hock ATs provide a wide variety of care. We work under the guidance of an MD who writes our standing orders. We can provide evaluations, treatments, rehab programs, and concussion care as well as creating emergency action plans and giving our coaching staff the best information to help our athletes succeed. Within the high school care system we are bound by both HIPPA and FERPA to protect the privacy of our athletes. ATs try to work closely with the entire care team for their athletes, MD, PA, NP, DO, PT, and others so that the continuity of care is maintained and the success of the athlete remains the primary goal. However, due to our licensure within the state, we can only accept clearance notes from MD. PA, DO, and NPs (under MD supervision) Thus for an athlete with a long-term injury we may ask for a note from the previously stated care team stating that the PT treating them on a more regular basis can clear the athlete when they are ready to return to sport.

Aaron Wolfe – Attleboro
Colorado Mesa University, BA Athletic Training and BA Exercise Science 2000
Aaron joined the Hock in the fall of 2023. Previously he spent 2 years at a high school in Tennessee, 2 years at a high school in Minnesota, 10 years as a Physician extender supporting 9 Orthopedic specialists, 6 years with Arthrex teaching surgeons medical device implant surgical procedures and total joint replacement, and 2 years with ATI Physical Therapy as CEIS for National Grid Overhead Lineman. Aaron is a former competitive/collegiate soccer and baseball player. He also competes as a triathlete.

Kristen Aguiar, MS, LAT, ATC – Canton
Springfield College, BS Athletic Training 2004
Ohio University, MS Athletic Administration 2012
Kristen graduated from Springfield College and was a 4-year member of the Women’s Soccer Program as a goalkeeper. Prior to her arrival 8 years ago in Canton, she worked at Bellingham High School. She has 7 state titles between the 2 schools–and those moments never get old. She loves the variety of working in a high school and seeing her athletes succeed on and off the playing surface. Kristen is currently the Chair of the Secondary Schools Committee for the Athletic Trainers of Massachusetts (ATOM). Kristen and her husband are currently looking for a puppy to rescue since their beloved Widget went over the rainbow bridge this winter after 14 ¾ years of lovable pug life. An avid music lover- Kristen has seen Kenny Chesney at least once every summer he has come to Foxboro. Her favorite coffee blend is Beach Bum Espresso from 3 Fins Roasters in Dennis, MA.

Jen Edmunds, MS, LAT, ATC – Franklin
Wheaton College, BA Psychobiology 2003
Bridgewater State University-MS in Physical Education/Concentration in Athletic Training
TJ as she is more commonly referred to has been with the Panthers for 18 years. TJ has patrolled the sidelines of the Boston Garden and Fenway Park. She has also traveled with Wheaton Baseball to Arizona and Florida. TJ’s favorite moments are any time an athlete returns from an injury to compete again, as well as Franklin Baseball in the Super 8 in the pouring rain and the 2012 girls’ soccer state title! TJ is in a clinical outreach position through Milford Regional Hospital. She was a 5-time NCAA Champion in Track and Field (pole vault!!) while at Wheaton and is in their Athletic Hall of Fame. These days she is married to her college sweetheart, a mom of two aspiring Panthers, and has a dog named Tessie. TJ’s Starbucks order is a Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew with foam.

Amy Leonard, LAT, ATC – Foxboro
Northeastern University, BS Athletic Training
Amy had the pleasure of being a student-athlete at Taunton where she was introduced to the profession by Kris [Coute]. She has been on the sidelines at Foxboro for many years now and is now sharing the responsibilities with Christine. Amy is currently the Clinical Supervisor of Athletic Training at Mass General Brigham as well. She uses her creative juices to produce wonderful keepsakes and decorations for her Etsy Shop.

Christine Dundon, LAT, ATC – Foxboro
Springfield College, BS Athletic Training 2019
Christine graduated from Springfield College. She is one of the “newer” additions to the Hock AT squad joining Amy at Foxboro. Christine was a student-athlete of Amy’s who has followed her footsteps into the profession. She was the first recipient of the Mass General Brigham Athletic Trainer All Star Award in the fall of 2022. Christine has also spent some time working at Tri-County High School in Franklin.

Adam Bennett, MS, LAT, ATC – King Philip
Bridgewater State University, BS Athletic Training 2014
Ohio University, MS Athletic Administration 2018
Adam has loved being part of many playoff runs, including four state championships, and getting to cover games at many different sporting venues around the state, making countless memories along the way with student-athletes has been the highlight of working at King Philip HS. Having a front-row seat to watching student-athletes live their athletic dreams while ensuring they have a healthy and safe experience is such a rewarding experience. Outside of working at KP, has had the opportunity to help with medical coverage at larger athletic events like the BAA 10K in Boston and the Finish at the 50 5K & 10K at Gillette Stadium. He also was a graduate of KP back in 2010. Adam shares a love of coffee with Kristen and TJ–and is constantly perfecting his brewing methods.

Emma Dunlea, LAT, ATC – Mansfield
University of New Hampshire, BS Athletic Training 2022
Emma is currently at Mansfield High School. She is contracted by Mass General Brigham. Emma is another Hock School product-having been a student-athlete at Sharon High School.

Ashley Desko, MS, LAT, ATC – Milford
Syracuse University, BS Health and Exercise Science 2019
Merrimack College, MS Athletic Training 2022
Ashley joined the Hock in the fall of 2022. During her time at Merrimack, she completed a rotation with Holy Cross football and they got to play at the brand-new Woo-Sox Stadium. Ashley has really enjoyed her time at Milford so far, especially football’s run to the final four in both 2022 and 2023, as well as Boys’ volleyball in 2023. She finds it very rewarding to hear of her students becoming interested in Athletic Training to follow in her footsteps and is honored that she has already impacted some enough that they mention her in their college application essays. Ashley is an identical twin who has a dog named Bogey (yes after the golf term!)

Jarrett Sorge, MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS – North Attleboro
Bridgewater State University, BS in Athletic Training 2009
University of Connecticut, MS Kinesiology 2014
Jarrett joined North in 2022. One of his career highlights was receiving grant funding for a Student-Athlete Mental Health, Appearance, Performance Enhancing Drugs/Supplement Use Lecture series. Jarret is helping build the future of athletic trainers by continuing to be a preceptor for both undergraduate and graduate students for 10 years. He is married and has 2 children and a dog named Louie. Jarret is a former collegiate soccer player and an avid golfer in his free time.

Michelle Norman LAT, ATC – Oliver Ames
Merrimack College, BS Athletic Training 2015
Michelle joined the Hock this fall after spending a few years in the TVL with Norton High School. She is contracted by Mass General Brigham.

Tanya Gallagher LAT, ATC – Stoughton
Lasell University, BS in Athletic Training 2004
Tanya came to Stoughton in 2021 after many years at Dover Sherborn. She, like many of the Hock ATs, has had the pleasure of working on the Gillette Stadium sidelines. Tanya has enjoyed many successful teams over her career, no doubt in part due to her hard work. She is contracted by Mass General Brigham. Tanya is married with 2 sons. She loves the beach and vacationing on the beach. Tanya also enjoys hiking up in New Hampshire.

Kris Coute LAT, ATC, LMT – Taunton
Bridgewater State (College) University 1993, BS Athletic Training
Kris won the MSSADA Ando Athletic Trainer of the Year 2024 for all of her amazing contributions to Athletic Training over the past 31 years. It is no surprise that Taunton teams have won 13 state championships with her handling their sports medicine care- Baseball 2019, 2022, 2023, Boys Basketball 1997, and perennial power Softball- 1997, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023. When she is not hard at work-Kris’ happy place is her garden. She and her husband enjoy traveling and spending time with their large extended family. Kris has 4 brothers- 12 nieces and nephews and 1 grand-nephew. Joining the dog-loving squad as well she has a Cavalier King Charles named Tucker.

Lauren Serratorre, LAT, ATC – Taunton
Bridgewater State (College) University, BS Athletic Training
Lauren has been in the Hock for many years. While she was in college Lauren did an internship with the US Naval Academy where she worked with their legendary football program. Prior to diving into her AT career, Lauren coached Lacrosse at Anna Maria College. She then spent 5 years at Mansfield before having children. She then spent a few years working per diem at both Mansfield and Taunton. Kris and Lauren grew a great partnership and Taunton hired her on part time. That part time role grew and she is currently full time with the Tigers. In that time she has worked with 6 State Championship teams! Lauren will be taking a step back from AT at the conclusion of the school year to be on the sidelines for her own children’s events as they get older. However you may still see her occasionally filling in when it works for her schedule.

More Resources

https://www.atyourownrisk.org/what-is-athletic-trainer
https://www.nata.org/
https://www.nata.org/professional-interests/job-settings/secondary-school
https://www.athletictrainersofmass.com/
https://www.athletictrainersofmass.com/secondar-schools

Taunton’s Coute Named MSSADA Athletic Trainer Of The Year

Kristine Coute
Longtime Taunton athletic director Kris Coute (center) was honored by the MSSADA on Thursday evening. (@MSSADA9/Twitter)

By HockomockSports.com Staff

Taunton High athletic trainer Kristine Coute was honored as the Massachusetts Secondary Schools Athletic Director Association (MSSADA) “Yoshitaka Ando” Athletic Trainer of the Year on Thursday at the association’s award banquet held during its annual conference.

The honor, named after the longtime Lincoln-Sudbury AT, is presented annually to an Athletic Trainer for their exceptional service and unique contributions to the athletic training profession. The award reflects a lifetime of servant-like attitude, dedication, and a willingness to go above and beyond what is expected in the field of athletic training according to the MSSADA. Coute has been the head athletic trainer at Taunton for 31 years.

Below is a write up from the MSSADA awards banquet:

The Massachusetts Secondary Schools Athletic Directors Association proudly presented the award for Exceptional Service in Athletic Training to Kristine Coute, ATC, in recognition of her remarkable contributions and dedication to the Athletic Training profession. This award celebrates a lifetime of servant-like attitude, unwavering dedication, and a willingness to go above and beyond in the field of Athletic Training.

Kristine Coute, ATC, has served as the Head Athletic Trainer at Taunton High School for an impressive 31 years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in 1993 from Bridgewater State University and a degree in massage therapy from Bancroft School of Massage Therepy.

In addition to her work at Taunton High School, Coute serves as an Athletic Trainer for the Silver City Football Camp and Taunton 7v7 Football Camp.

The Massachusetts Secondary Schools Athletic Directors Association commends Kristine Coute for her outstanding service, leadership, and enduring impact on high school athletics Her tireless dedication to the health and well-being of student-athletes exemplifies the highest standards of the Athletic Training profession.

Support from the Taunton High athletics community and the Hockomock League poured in over social media: