Monday, November 14, 2016

Wrapping Things Up on 2016 Season

A very successful 2016 season came to an abrupt end at the hands of a very talented, top-seeded, unbeaten, unscored-upon Nauset team on Sunday, November 6th...but not before the Bulldogs had pulled together and rebounded from our first losing season in 10 years with an impressive run of soccer that led to a final mark of 8-7-5. The team earned its first tournament victory in 4 seasons and finished 2nd in the Hock Davenport Division. 

It is with great honor and sadness that we say goodbye to our graduating seniors- all of whom have left a permanent mark on our program in their own way.  Congratulations and thank you to: Sammy Papakonstantino, Cole Duserick, Matas Leveckis, Sean Mitchell, Danny Hartnett, Marco Mendes, Ben Waterhouse, Patrick McLaughlin, Mohammad Sambo and Matt MacKay! Your hard work and dedication to this program has been 2nd to none!

Members of the 2016 Bulldog seniors with their parents. 
Several members of the team were recognized by the Hockomock League for their fine seasons.  Jake Verille and Paul Corcoran each earned All-Hockomock honors while Griffin Roach receieved Honorable Mention to that team. Abe Garber was also selected by HockomockSports.com to join Corcoran and Verille in the HockSports.com All-Star game in Attleboro on Saturday. 

The large group returning for the 2017 campaign has much to thank the 2016 senior for. They were great role models for all of our underclassmen. 

Saturday, November 5, 2016

'Dogs earn convincing tournament victory

Thanks to an unfortunate coin flip, the Boys Soccer team had to travel on Friday for a preliminary round Tournament game at Bristol-Plymouth as the flip gave the Bulldogs the #17 seed and B-P the #16 seed.  But the 'dogs didn't seem to mind the road trip as they earned a convincing 4-1 win.  

The 'dogs allowed an early goal in the contest but rebounded almost immediately to tie it up and take the lead.  Both goals coming off the foot of Jake Verille- one off a corner and one on a free kick. The game remained 2-1 through the first half and for much of the 2nd, before Simon Cruz blasted a shot from the corner of the 18. The B-P keeper made a great save but Paul Corcoran was right there to tap it in with his left foot.  With just minutes remaining, Sammy Papakonstantino went bar-down from 16 out, icing the tourney win for the Green and White.  Ben Waterhouse was the player of the game, controlling the midfield play for the Bulldogs. 

The Bulldogs now get the opportunity to travel to #1 seeded Nauset Sunday at 5:00pm in Eastham.  The upset-minded 'dogs have quite the challenge ahead of them as Nauset is 18-0-0, having outscored their opponents 94-0 this season. 

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Crazy final regular season game ends in 4-4 draw

It was a back-and-forth game at Stoughton on Monday afternoon as the Bulldogs had to score 3 goals in the final 7 minutes of the game to earn a 4-4 tie with the Black Knights. The draw was all Stoughton needed to qualify for the MIAA state tournament and sends the Bulldogs into the tourney on a 2-game unbeaten streak.

The Bulldogs hit two posts in the first 4 minutes of the game but couldn't manage to find the back of the net and the Black Knights struck first- taking a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute. But just one minute later, Matt MacKay broke through on a breakaway set up by a Paolo Ruggeri clearance and a great challenge by Muhammad Sambo. MacKay calmly poked the ball into the top corner in a beautiful finish.  The game stayed tied at 1-1 until the half. Stoughton scored two early 2nd half goals but the Bulldogs didn't quit. The scoreline stayed at 3-1 for most of the half but with just 7 minutes left, Paul Corcoran sprung free and cut the lead to just one. Two minutes later, Ruggeri buried an open chance from 8 yards out. Just a minute later, Stoughton interrupted the Bulldog momentum with a goal of their own-once again putting the Black Knights on top.  But with just 1:15 remaining, Griffin Roach broke free and tied it a 4-4. Jake Verille was the provider of 2 assists on the day.

The team awaits State Tournament news which will be released on Wednesday.