Central Mass Tournament Roundup

FIELD HOCKEY

HINGHAM – The Doherty Memorial field hockey team had several obstacles to overcome in the second round of the MIAA Division 1 field hockey tournament on Friday. As the 24th seed, the Highlanders were considerable underdogs to the ninth ranked Hingham squad. Giving up an early first quarter goal to the Harbormen did not help the Doherty cause, who seemed to let their nerves affect their gameplay.

Soon those nerves dissipated and the Highlanders settled down and began to play the fast and aggressive style that helped earn them a 14-2-2 record this season. Doherty came back to score two unanswered goals to knock off Hingham (14-4-4) on their home field, 2-1. Doherty advances to the next round against (8) Shrewsbury on Tuesday.

“The key was absolutely the pickup in intensity,” Doherty head coach Megan Brunelle following the come-from-behind victory. “[When] the nerves settled down, they made some adjustments pressing higher up the field and picked up the intensity together.”

The comeback was sparked by the fast play of seniors Elle Murray and Lauren Harper on the frontline. “Our strong seniors are not done playing together yet,” said Brunelle. She said Murray capitalized on her speed through the circle and sent a perfect cross to Harper who finished the play by shooting the ball into the back of the goal. Murray then tallied the game-winner off a penalty corner. 

“We knew Hingham was going to be strong and fast,” said Brunelle. “We had watched film on them and incorporated some strategies. We have a great group of girls – strong players and leaders. Going into the game we didn’t feel like the underdog. We knew we could play with them.”

“We’re very excited to be moving on,” she said. “We were down 1-0 as Hingham scored early in the first quarter. Proud of how we came back and picked up our intensity.” 

Harper was a key contributor all season and it was fitting she was able to make an impact on the score sheet. She had to fill the shoes of starting forward Nora Murray, Elle’s cousin, who tore her ACL before the start of the season. “She works super hard and always shows up for her teammates,” Brunelle said about Harper. 

There were several other seniors contributing to the victory, despite not appearing on the stat sheet. Brunelle said midfielders Maggie Dowd, Abby Antonelli and Lily Zavras all played well to beat Hingham. “They make a lot happen on all ends of the field,” she said. “Maggie, Lily, and Abby do not leave the field.”

Doherty goalkeeper Emma Gnaidek also made six second half saves to preserve the victory. The best one came just prior to time expiring at the end of the game when Hingham sent a penalty corner into the circle, but the Gnaidek along with her defenders were able to clear the ball out of danger to preserve the victory. 

The Highlanders travel to (8) Shrewsbury, who finished third in the tough Midland Wachusett A Conference with a stellar 13-2-3 record, on Tuesday at 6 p.m. This will be Doherty’s second trip to Shrewsbury and now they can compete with the Colonials after finishing with a 2-2 draw back on Oct. 1. Shrewsbury easily advanced past (25) Durfee, 6-1, behind goals from Lexi Kent and Kate Hitchcock. “I know Shrewsbury is strong, fast, and physical,” Brunelle said. “We are looking forward to a fun, fast, competitive game … We’re thrilled to be in the second round.”

Central Mass Tournament Roundup

Field Hockey

Division 1

Wachusett (7) beat Marshfield (26), 7-0 behind six different goal scorers, including two from Lilly Chaisson, and a clean sheet by goalkeeper Julia Kirton to advance. Wachusett will host (10) Arlington on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

Division 2

Nashoba Regional (4) cruised past Whitman-Hanson (29), 8-0, which included a hat-trick and an assist by Graham Straface, two goals and an assist by Lela Boermeester, and a goal and two assists from Ali Vanasse to advance to the next round. Nashoba will host Notre Dame of Hingham (13) today at 5 p.m.

Grafton (21) upset Nauset (12), 2-1, behind two goals by Anneliese Oetsen, including the game-winner in overtime to advance to play at Holliston (5) today at 3:45 p.m.

Leominster (23) were shutout by Canton (10), 2-0. The Blue Devils finish the season 10-3-4.

Division 3

Quabbin Regional (33) advanced past Smith Academy (32), 2-1, behind senior captain Shelly Tremblay’s game-winning goal on Thursday. Unfortunately, Quabbin lost to Sandwich (1), 4-0 in the next round on Sunday. The Panthers finish their season with a 8-7-3 record.

Gardner High School (36) fell to Old Rochester (29), 3-0, and finished with a 7-6-3 season record.

Oakmont Regional (15) shutout Gloucester (18), 3-0, in a second-round match on Sunday. They travel to Watertown (2) on Wednesday for a 4 p.m. game.

Nipmuc Regional (20) lost to Hanover (13), 1-0, on Thursday to finish their season at 10-6-2.

Notre Dame of Worcester (25) upset Dennis-Yarmouth (8), 2-0, in the second round and will travel to Austin Prep on Thursday to play in the next round at 5:30 p.m.

Divison 4

Uxbridge (3) eased past Narragansett (30), 8-0 on Saturday behind Central Mass scoring leader Chloe Kaeller. Uxbridge remains undefeated (16-0-2) and will host Lunenburg, who shutout Nantucket, 2-0, on Sunday, in the third round at a time and date yet to be determined.

Sutton (5) also remains undefeated (17-0-1) after beating Carver (28), 5-0, behind a stellar four goal performance from Emma Farrell and a clean sheet by Carol Lambert on Saturday. The Suzies will host Hamilton-Wenham (21) on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.

 

Hopedale (18) lost a close 1-0 game to Frontier Regional (15) on Saturday and finished 9-7-2.

 

Blackstone Valley Tech. (22) fell to Joseph Case (11), 3-2, Saturday and finished 13-4 on the season.

 

Northbridge (23) to Georgetown (10), 3-2, finish 7-9.

 

Leicester (24) was shutout by West Bridgewater (9), 4-0.

 

North Brookfield (26) lost to Lynnfield (7), 6-1, and finished their season 11-4-3.

 

FOOTBALL

 

Division 1

 

Wachusett (6) rolled over Andover (11), 35-19. Angelo Smith was key to the Mountaineers’ rushing attack with 167 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. Quarterback Tucker McDonald also connected with Adam Bates for two touchdowns through the air. Wachusett advances to face St. John’s Prep. (3) in the next round on Friday at 6 p.m.

 

Saint John’s High School of Shrewsbury beat Taunton (10) by a touchdown to advance to the next round against Central Catholic (2) on Friday at 7 p.m. Ryan Miller caught three touchdown passes in the victory.

 

Shrewsbury High School (14) was shutout by St. John’s Prep (3), 28-0, and eliminated from the tournament.

 

Division 3

 

Fitchburg High School (12) was edged out by Westfield (5), 7-6, to be eliminated from the tournament.

 

Division 4

 

 

Grafton High School (4) beat Marlborough (5) for the second time this season, 35-7 to remain undefeated (9-0) and to advance to the next round. Tyler Dimond ran for a touchdown and threw for a score in the win. The Gators will host Bedford (12) Friday at 7 p.m. 

 

Division 5

 

Hudson High School (11) beat Austin Prep. (6), 27-6, with the help of two touchdown receptions from Kyle Areias. Hudson advanced to the next round and will travel to Bishop Fenwick (3) on Friday at 7 p.m.

 

Division 6

 

Blackstone Valley (8) routed Oakmont Regional (9), 41-6, to advance to play Stoneham (1) on Friday at 6:30 p.m.

 

Division 7

 

Northbridge High School (4) routed Greenfield (13), 41-7, with the help of three touchdown passes from Rory Schofer. Northbridge will host West Boylston High School (5), who beat St. Bernard’s (12), 29-8, on Friday at 7 p.m.

 

Clinton High School (8) edged Boston Latin Academy (9) by a touchdown, 27-20 to advance against Wahconah (1), who beat Lunenburg High School (16), 38-0, on Friday at 6 p.m. Clinton’s Cole Nelson scored three rushing touchdowns, including the game-winner against Boston Latin.

 

Leicester High School (14) fell to Hamilton Wenham (3), 28-14 to be eliminated from the tournament on Saturday.

 

Division 8

 

Oxford High School (11) upset Quaboag Regional (6), 28-14, to advance to the next round to face Palmer (3) on Friday at 7 p.m.

 

GIRLS SOCCER

 

Division 1

 

Wachusett Regional High School (26) shutout Medford (39), 5-0, with the help of two goals by Wiki Ucher on Thursday. Wachusett then fell to Wellesley in the next round by that same 5-0 score.

 

Doherty Memorial (40) lost in the first round to Lincoln-Sudbury (25), 5-0.

 

Algonquin (8) beat Lincoln-Sudbury (25), 1-0, Saturday on a Caroline Alcock goal off a penalty kick late in the second half. Algonquin hosts Andover (24) on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

 

Shrewsbury (19) was shutout by Arlington (14), 4-0, on Saturday.

 

Division 2

 

South Worcester High’s (36) Cinderella season ended Thursday to Wilmington (29), 6-0. The Colonels finished the season 9-3-5.

 

Westborough (7) beat Marblehead (26), 2-1, with the help of two Elsi Aires second half goals. Westborough will host Masconomet on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

 

Grafton (8) beat Wakefield (25), 2-0, and will host Walpole High School (24) on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

 

Nashoba (18) lost to Westwood (15), 2-1, and finished their season at 5-7-5.

 

Division 3

 

Tantasqua Regional (25) beat Boston Latin (40), 5-0, and will visit Bishop Fenwick (8) today at 5 p.m.

 

Auburn High School (34) lost to Cardinal Spellman (31), 4-0.

 

Nipmuc (7) was upset by E. Bridgewater (26), 2-1, and eliminated from the tournament.

 

 Division 4

 

 

Assabet Valley Regional (30) lost to Monomoy Regional (35), 2-0.

 

Millbury (4) beat Blackstone-Millville (29), 4-0, and will host Wahconah Regional (13) on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

 

Blackstone Valley (5) beat Clinton (28), 4-0 and will host Mashpee (12) on Tuesday at 2 p.m.

Uxbridge (7) beat Bay Path (26), 5-0, and will host Northbridge (10), who beat Southwick Regional (23), 2-1, on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.

 

Leicester (9) beat Mahar Regional (24), 4-1, and will travel to Hampshire Regional (8), who beat Notre Dame of Worcester (25), 2-1, on Tuesday at 5 p.m. The Wolverine’s leading scorer had three assists in the win.

 

Lunenburg (27) lost to West Bridgewater (6), 8-0.

 

Division 5

 

Quaboag Regional High School (20) lost to Georgetown (13), 4-1.

 

Gardner High School (23) beat Mt. Greylock (10), 2-1 on PK, and will visit Tahanto (7), who beat McCann Tech., 8-0, on Tuesday with the time TBD.

 

Hopedale High School (32) lost to St. John Paul II (33), 2-0.

 

Nashoba Valley Tech. (44) lost to Frontier Regional (21), 4-0.

 

Whitinsville (2) beat Norfolk (34), 6-0, and will host Carver on Tuesday at 2 p.m.

 

Sutton (4) beat Oxford (29), 4-0, and will host Georgetown on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

 

Bromfield High School (5) beat Holbrook (28), 5-0, and will host David Prouty (12), who beat Frontier Regional (21), 3-0, on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

 

Douglas (9) beat Rockport (24), 3-0 and will travel to Medway to face Millis High School (8) on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

 

West Boylston (11) beat Mt. Everett (22) and will travel to BCC to face Lenox on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

 

BOYS SOCCER

 

Division 1

 

Shrewsbury High School (29) lost to Durfee (36), 1-0.

 

Doherty Memorial High School (41) lost to North Andover (24), 4-0.

 

Leominster (5) beat Peabody (37), 3-2 OT, and will host Algonquin (12), who beat Acton-Boxborough (21), 2-1 OT, on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

 

Saint John’s (11) beat Lincoln-Sudbury (22), 3-1, and will host Wellesley (27) on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

 

Division 2

 

Fitchburg High School (37) lost to Ashland (28), 4-1.

 

North High School (38) lost to Milton (27), 5-0.

 

Grafton High School (39) lost to Duxbury (26), 2-0.

 

Westborough (7) lost to Westwood (17), 1-0.

Nashoba (19) lost to Hopkinton (14), 2-1.

 

Shepherd Hill Regional (22) lost to Oliver Ames (11), 2-1. 

 

Division 3

 

Auburn High School (33) lost to Pittsfield (32), 2-1 PK.

 

Oakmont Regional High School (34) lost to Pembroke (2), 4-1.

 

Nipmuc (7) beat Watertown (21), 2-1 OT, and will travel to Cardinal Spellman (5) on Wednesday at 5 p.m.

 

Tantasqua Regional (14) beat Martha’s Vineyard (19), 1-0, and will visit Norwell on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Thurs. Nov. 4, 4 p.m.

 

Division 4

 

Lunenburg High School (28) lost to Cohasset (5), 3-0.

 

Bay Path Regional (33) lost to Ipswich (32), 2-0.

 

Northbridge High School (34) lost to Bellingham (31), 2-1.

 

Blackstone Valley (15) beat Tech Boston (18), 4-2, will visit Easthampton (2) at South Hadley on Wednesday at 5 p.m.

 

Whitinsville Christian Academy (22) lost to Lynn Vocational (11), 2-0.

Division 5

 

West Boylston High School (26) lost to Taconic (39), 4-0.

 

Nashoba Valley Regional (37) lost to Atlantis Charter (28), 3-1.

 

Bromfield (1) beat Pioneer Charter (33), 7-0, and will host Tahanto (17), who beat Georgetown (16), 1-0, on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

 

Douglas (3) beat Quaboag Regional (30), 4-0, and will host Granby (14) at Millbury on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

 

Hopedale (4) beat Blue Hills (29), 6-0, and will host Springfield (13) on Wednesday at 2 p.m.

 

Sutton (5) beat Atlantis Charter (28), 8-0, and will host Oxford (29), who beat Holbrook (12), 2-1 OT, on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

 

Maynard (6) beat Gardner (27), 2-0, and will host Keefe Tech. (11) on Tuesday at 6 p.m.