North Attleboro
2013 Record: 12-4-4 (9-3-4)
2013 Finish: Lost in MIAA D1 South Quarter finals
Coach: Doug Weldon
“I like that word - reloading,” said coach Doug Weldon on Monday afternoon. That is what North Attleboro will hope is the story of the season when it is all said and done. And, according to Weldon, there is reason for optimism for a team that lost six starters from 2013 including four-year starter and HockomockSports.com Best XI defender Laura Patruno.
He said, “The kids stepping in were alternates last year so they were here but now it’s step up time.”
Weldon admitted that for the program to be considered among the elite in the league, and here he mentioned Franklin, Canton, OA, and Mansfield as examples, then reloading is imperative. If the new freshman program, which has more than 20 players on the roster, is an indication, then certainly steps are being made to ensure that is the case going forward.
As for this season, Weldon and his players understand there will be some changes particularly in the defense and midfield, where Jill Costello’s leadership will be missed. Weldon said that senior captain Marissa Moore would step into the central defensive role full-time after deputizing for Patruno at the end of last year. She will be joined by Hannah Kane, Julia Mark and Allie Grinavic (sister of former North captain and current Bentley player Jamie).
Although some of those players will be starters for the first time, all were on the varsity roster last season and saw action at one point or another. Now, Weldon is hoping that they can build on that experience. He explained, “We have some kids with a little bit of experience, but when the varsity schedule begins that little bit needs to turn into a lot through on the job training.”
Weldon continued, “We’ll be a little young this year in some spots, but hopefully as the season goes the experience will start to come through… We’re learning on the fly.”
One area that isn’t young and inexperienced is the attack. Although Allie Blanchette’s nine goals will be missed, Courtney Hewitt and the “Chretien-Caster combo” (senior Nicole Chretien and junior Hana Caster) have proven to be prolific in front of net. The key will be getting the ball to Hewitt, so that she can spread the play out to the two speedy forwards that will attack from the wings.
The players are excited for the challenge and will have to be ready right from the start with a trip to Canton waiting for the Rocketeers on opening day. Weldon admitted that he feels much more comfortable in his second season as head coach and can’t wait to see how his players react to the added responsibility.
He said, “We’ve done a lot of conditioning and hopefully that pays off. We’ll be competitive."
2013 Record: 5-12-2 (4-11-1)
2013 Finish: Missed playoffs
Coach: Steve Santos
Fourth-year head coach Steve Santos continues to set reaching the postseason as a team goal and he believes that getting the Bombardiers into the playoffs will be a huge boost for the program. Attleboro will be missing a few important pieces through graduation and injury. Defender Bri Laplume graduated, although her sister Morgan is now on the roster, as did keeper Beth Clifton and senior midfielder Kerri Beland tore her ACL, which ruled her out for the year.
Santos will start the season with Player to Watch Erin Grimes in the heart of the defense, but he may need to mover her up into the midfield in order to get control of games. He is also optimistic about the development of midfielder Paige Medeiros, who has imposing size and a strong shot for opponents to fear. There was an injury boost as well, with Elizabeth Gulino returning to add speed and scoring up front.
Although there are still question marks, Santos is pleased with the progress that the team has made in its time at Camp Manitou in Maine. With a group of young players, with last names familiar to followers of Attleboro soccer, he believes that the program is moving in the right direction.
2013 Record: 17-2-3 (12-1-3)
2013 Finish: Lost in MIAA D1 State Semifinal
Coach: Tom Geysen
In 2010, Franklin coach Tom Geysen said he stopped setting season goals for his team and told his players to focus on one game at a time. The focus seems to have had the right effect with a state title in 2012 and sectional titles in three of the past four seasons. This year, that focus will be even more important with Franklin drawing not just statewide admiration but also national attention. After the first few days of practice, Geysen said that he wasn’t worried because the players “had the right attitude” and “came to work hard” this preseason.
The Panthers return 10 of 11 starters from the team that reached the state semifinal last season, including 2013 HockomockSports.com Player of the Year Taylor Cogliano. In addition, Franklin brings back senior Eastern Mass. all-star Nicole Ellin at the back and a host of juniors that are motivated to return to the state championship game. Among the juniors are forwards Alexis Stowell and Bailey Knous and Underclassman of the Year Victoria Stowell. With Lexi Martin, Julia Mastaj, Jane Scafati and goalkeeper Dani Lonati also back, it’s no wonder that Franklin is considered among the favorites for the Hockomock title.
Geysen raved about the fitness levels of his team in the preseason and credited the players for the willingness to share minutes to make the team better. He also said that he intends on using a lot of players over the course of the season so that the bench will be prepared if needed during the tournament. With the players Franklin has back, another tournament run seems guaranteed.
2013 Record: 9-7-2 (8-6-2)
2013 Finish: Lost in MIAA D1 South First Round
Coach: Gary Pichel
Last season, KP returned to the postseason and although its playoff run ended in the first round against Bay State divisional champ Natick, head coach Gary Pichel was proud of his team and the progress it represented for the program. He said, “The Hock is one of the most competitive leagues in the state. I am very proud of the progress we have made in the last two years to be able to have a winning record while playing some of the best teams in the state.”
This season, Pichel and the Warriors will need to replace several important pieces, including Eastern Mass. all-star defender Audrey Foxx, but he is confident that he has the players to fill in. “I can tell you though that at the end of our season there were a bunch of girls that committed themselves to work hard over the off-season to help our team fair even better for this upcoming season,” said Pichel. “I have been pleased and even surprised by just how much they accomplished.”
Senior captains Kelly Halnen, Madison Whitney, and Erin Machado return and will provide important leadership for the younger players in the program. In addition, Brooke Thomas, Rachel Hogan, Madison Whitney, and Kate Sexton will all be players that Pichel noted as ones to watch. The coach added, “We will have a different look this season and a different intensity that I believe will improve our chances overall.”
2013 Record: 9-5-5 (7-4-5)
2013 Finish: Lost in MIAA D1 South First Round
Coach: Kevin Smith
The Hornets had a strong 2013 campaign before bowing out to a talented Marshfield. In 2014, Mansfield could be true contenders for the Kelley-Rex crown. They return three Hockomock League All Stars in Abby Broyles, Melissa Bongarzone and Molly Shield (who also an EMass All Star).
"We are hoping to improve on our record and league placement from last year and advance further in the state tournament," head coach Kevin Smith said.
Mansfield will boast one of the deepest teams in the entire Hockomock, not just the Kelley-Rex Division. To complement Broyles, Bongarzone and Shield, the Hornets have senior captain Lindsey Bjorkman in the midfield, juniors Jackie Carchedi and Jennifer Kemp as strikers and Tricia Murphy returning in the back. Another big plus will be the return of goalie Ashley Cueno, who has plenty of experience.
2013 Record: 1-14-4 (0-13-3)
2013 Finish: Missed playoffs
Coach: Edith Dixon
It's been a tough couple of years for the Tigers these past two seasons, picking up just two wins in 2012 and just one last year. But new head coach Edith Dixon has been a breath of fresh air for the program and spirits are high for Taunton.
"We fully expect to gain enough points to make the conference tournament this year," Dixon said.
One reason behind that confidence could be the addition of Alana Vincent, a transfer from Bristol-Plymouth that tore up the Mayflower League in her two years. Just a junior, Vincent already has 39 career goals, including 28 goals last year. It will be a welcome addition for the Tigers, who had just six goals last season.
"We have a bunch of young players with strong skills as well as several upperclassmen who are developing into strong leaders," Dixon added.
Two of those upperclassmen are senior Laura Hoder and junior Kayla Wentworth. Hoder will be a strong presence in the midfield and will likely pace the Tigers while Wentworth will be in net again, anchoring the defense.