By HockomockSports.com Staff

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.

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?”

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.”

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.”