Boys Soccer Bulldogs earn post-season honors

A great season that saw the Bulldog Boys Soccer team earn a record of 6-3-3 and advance to the semi-final round of the Hockomock Cup came to a close last week, but the post-season honors are starting to pour in. 

The Hockomock League recently announced their 2020 Boys Soccer All-Star teams and the Bulldogs were certainly well-represented, as FIVE Bulldogs were honored. 

Earning All-Hockomock League honors for the 'dogs were:

Abdul Barrie- In his first and only year as a Bulldog, Barrie made quite an impact in his holding midfield role, controlling the pace of the game for many of the team's best performances. His presence in the midfield will certainly be mixed by next year's team.  He scored 3 goals and added an assist as well as netting the winning goal in the Bulldog's penalty shootout win over KP in the Hock Cup quarters. 

Jacob Crugnale- Crugnale, a junior, led the team in scoring with 1 goal and 7 assists for 8 points in this shortened season. A quiet but fierce competitor, Crugnale was a consistent threat all year long.  His ability to eliminate defenders while maintaining possession in a crowd is truly amazing. 

Giovanni Ruggeri- Ruggeri, a junior, was honored as the strongest goalkeeper in the Davenport division of the Hockomock League for his fine season.  He posted a regular-season goals-against-average of .700 while earning 5 shutouts in 10 games. His performance in the team's PK-shootout win over KP will be talked about for years to come. 

Erik Valdovinos- Valdovinos, a junior, becomes the first Bulldog in the history of the program to be named a Hockomock All-Star while predominantly featuring in games coming off of the bench.  Valdovinos would typically enter the game mid-way through the first quarter and immediately infuse the Bulldogs with an attacking mindset.  His speed and ability on the ball separated him from most forwards in the league. 

HONORABLE MENION- Jorge Sanchez- Sanchez, a sophomore, made a huge impact on the left side of the field this fall.  His ability to play effectively on both sides of the ball is rare, let alone in a sophomore. His service was key to many Bulldog chances this year with so many restarts given the rule modifications. Hard to believe he is only half-way through his Bulldog career. 

The Eastern Massachusetts Soccer Coaches Association recently announced their All-Star team and Jacob Crugnale was named this that elite team. 

Dog's end season in Hock Cup Semi-Final

The Bulldog Boys Varsity Soccer team earned 2nd place in the Hockomock Davenport regular season during this pandemic-shortened season, earning a regular season mark of 5-2-3.  In lieu of a state tournament, the team was invited to participate in a Hockmock League Cup that included the top four teams from each of the Hockomock League's divisions- the Kelley-Rex and the Davenport. 

As the 2nd place team in the Davenport, the Bulldogs drew King Philip- the Kelley-Rex 3rd place team.  The game was a classic high school soccer contest featuring great defending, excellent possession and plenty of attacking by both sides.  The visiting KP Warriors scored first, taking advantage of an early Bulldog miscue in the back.  However, the Bulldogs did not let that bother them as they played one of their most complete games of the season against the upset-minded Warriors. 

The 'Dogs would finally got on the board to even things up in the 3rd quarter when the Bulldogs collected a clearance off a corner kick, worked it around the back and found Erik Valdovinos ('22) who beat his defender to the endline and found Jake McCabe ('23) for a tidy finish.  

The game would remain tied through the rest of regulation as well as through two 10-minute sudden victory overtime periods that featured MANY Bulldog scoring chances and KP hitting the Bulldog crossbar.  The game would be decided on penalty kicks. 

The shootout started in dramatic fashion as Bulldog goalkeeper Giovanni Ruggeri ('23) shot the first kick for the Bulldog and calmly finished it. He then took to keep the Bulldog goal and made a HUGE save on the first KP shooter. Valdovinos, Dylan Baird ('22) and Barrie ('21) joined Ruggeri in the "made" category, leading the Bulldogs to a dramatic 4-2 PK win. 

Got Twitter? Here's a great video recap of the shootout. 

Things didn't go as well for the Bulldogs as they headed to undefeated Kelley-Rex champion Milford on Friday night to battle for a spot in the Hock Cup Final.  The 'dogs came out of the gates a bit sluggish and a high-flying Milford Hawks team took full advantage, ultimately downing the 'dogs 5-0. A Jake McCabe free-kick goal was waived off and was the Bulldog's best chance of the night. 

The team has nothing to be ashamed of as this season turned around the program's fortunes, posting a final mark of 6-3-3 and establishing a great foundation for the next couple of years.  Shout out to our seniors who were the heart and soul of this team- Will Keefe, TJ McCabe, Matt Giglio, Nam Pham, Wes Lee, Matt McDonough, Huy Hong, Colton Mirliani, Patrick O'Leary, Dom Sica, Abdul Barrie, and Ryan Mullen. 

Dogs wrap up unbeaten week with 5-goal win at Foxboro

Highlights of Canton at Foxboro from Wednesday, November 4th. 

The Bulldogs Boys Soccer team wrapped up the regular season on Wednesday earning a 5-1 road win over Foxboro earning the Bulldogs a record of 5 wins, 2 losses and 3 draws, good enough for sole possession of the Davenport's 2nd seed in the upcoming Hockomock Cup.  

The Bulldogs came out flying in the first quarter at Foxboro Wednesday, earning many early chances and putting the Warriors under a great deal of pressure. Erik Valdovinos ('22) netted a hat-trick for the Bulldogs converting on an early penalty kick and finishing two other quality chances.  Jake McCabe ('23) was strong throughout the game, netting two goals of his own while earning the penalty try for the 'dogs and banging the crossbar on a brilliantly struck free-kick.  Jacob Crugnale ('22), the team's leading point earner on the season, was busy on the day, creating havoc and setting up two of goals. 

Earlier in the week, the 'dogs hosted Foxboro and played a strong game but failed to create many chances in what was a frustrating 0-0 draw in 30° temperatures at CHS's WWII Veterans' Memorial Field. A huge bright spot for the Bulldogs on the day was the emergence of Charlie McKinney ('22) who came in early in the 2nd half and charged up the Bulldog attack. 

Click Here for Team Statistics

The 'dogs await official news on who they will draw in the Hockomock Cup. This news should be out on Friday, Nov. 6th.  Play is expected to begin next week.