1997 Hock Championship Team to be honored at halftime- Oct. 14th

Members of the 1997 Boys Varsity Soccer team will be honored at a ceremony during halftime of the October 14th game vs. North Attleboro.  Kick-off is 6:30pm.

The 1997 team was the first in the history of the program to win the Hockomock Championship.  The team earned an overall record of 17-3-1 and advanced to the South Sectional Semi-Final before falling to perennial power Duxbury, 2-1.

The season stands as the 3rd best record recorded in the history of the program- and that is stacking up against some other great teams. (See history of the program for great stats about the program.) 

On a personal note- So much of that season is forever etched in my brain.  I will never forget those rainy day games against Old Rochester and Duxbury and the OA win:

• Brendan Ryan's "old school MLS" shootout saves (and fist pump)
• Michael Quin's near post goal on the corner kick (just like I drew it up!)
• AJ MacDonald's bomb from the right flank skimming off the post
• Keith Conroy's calmness in the back
• Richie Daniel's frenetic ferocity up front
• George Thomas leaping into AJ's arms after his amazing header goal 
• The CHS stands filled with a loud, proud crowd
• TOO Many to list them all!

The team established so much for the CHS Boys Soccer program- not the least of which is that hard work can lead to great improvement- as is evidenced by the fact that the 1996 team had posted only three wins.  Great resiliency. A core principle of our current program!

The season also started a 7-year run of tournament qualification and firmly planted the Bulldogs as a top-notch program in the state.  In the twenty years since the historic season, the team has amassed some amazing successes thanks to the foundation laid by this group:

• 17 tournament appearances in 20 years
• 9 tournament runs to the Sectional Semi-Finals
• Overall record of 208-114-69

We are doing our best to locate and notify as many members of the team as possible. If you know anyone from this squad- please share this with them.

The ceremony will take place at halftime of the game on 10/14. A get-together of the team and any family members, after the game. It would be great if members of the team who are planning on attending could reach out to me at ericksond@cantonma.org.