Four Dogs set to Captain 2024 team

The CHS Boys Varsity Soccer Team is excited to announce the naming of our captains for the 2024 season- Max Eagles- '25, Owen Morrissey- '25, Vlad Francoeur- '26, and James Howard- '26. All four of these young men are wonderful role models.  All four earned Honor Roll status during the first academic term this year. 

This quartet takes the leadership reigns from Matt De Vito, Zaza Francoeur, Connor Harney and Nick Ruggeri, who have all joined the ranks of CHS Boys Soccer alumni!

Max Eagles

The four new captains have a big task ahead of them as they look to lead the team in bouncing back from a frustrating 3-11-4 campaign this past fall. The combination of two seniors and two juniors is designed to help next year's young team build strong culture and to encourage more off-season work. 

Max Eagles- Class of 2025

Max has been around Canton Soccer for his entire life. Max really found his groove this past season as a permanent fixture on the right side of the Bulldog lineup. By season's end, he was really making a big difference in all facets of the game. His older brother Carson captained the 2022 team and it is now Max's turn to inspire and lead his teammates.

His teammates felt he would be a great captain because of his care, intensity, and love of the game. 

Vlad Francoeur

Vlad Francoeur- Class of 2026

Vlad has made quite an impact in the Bulldog attack over the past two seasons notching 7 goals and adding 4 assists during his 9th and 10th grade seasons. A natural striker- who has bounced around outside of his natural #9 position quite a bit his first two seasons- Vlad is poised to have a big season in 2024.

He plays his club soccer for Seacoast United and will be working hard this spring to take his next step as a goal-scorer. His older brother Zaza was a captain of this past season's team. 

His teammates felt he would be a great captain because of his voice, passion and commitment to training. 

James Howard

James Howard- Class of 2026

James emerged this fall as a dominant force in the Bulldog midfield.  His ability to dominate the air while also maintaining possession for his teammates separated him from many of his peers this season. Two consequential head ball goals during the 2nd half of the season really highlighted his growth. James is a very hard worker in practices.  He has a great will to win and to compete. He is a poised yet passionate competitor who demands the most of himself and his teammates. 

His teammates felt he would be a great captain because he is a GREAT soccer player, who knows the game, and cares greatly about what the next two years of our program are going to look like. 

Owen Morrissey

Owen Morrissey- Class of 2025

The heart and soul of our central midfield over our past 30ish games, Owen has been the one consistent force in that area of the field during that stretch. A true Bulldog, Owen has shown that he is willing and committed to doing whatever is necessary during season and on game day, to help his team succeed. Adding the element of a dominating off-season of training and hard work is the final remaining piece to Owen leading his team to great heights during his senior season.

Owen was a unanimous choice of his teammates to be a captains. Just some of the reasons his teammates gave as to why they felt he would be a great captain were- He fights. He cares. He will hold us to a high standard. He knows the game and he pushes you to be better. 

If these four young men work together and commit to success, there is little doubt that CHS Boys Soccer will have a great fall in 2024!

Three Dogs honored by Hockomock

Big shoutout to three of our Boys Varsity Soccer players for recently being honored by the Hockomock League. 

Zaza Francoeur and Nick Ruggeri were selected as Hockomock League All-Stars. while Brennan Vallely received Honorable Mention. 

Francoeur- a senior- led the 'dogs in scoring this season, posting 6 goals. He served as captain of the team and lead this group with class and positivity. 

Ruggeri- also a senior- was the Bulldogs keeper all season long. He kept the team in many games throughout the season with brilliant goalkeeper performances.  Also a captain, Ruggeri's passion for the sport is unmatched. 

Vallely- just a freshmen- played virtually every minute of every game as a center-back for the 'dogs. His ability to neutralize our opponent's transitional play was sublime, while his vision on either side of the ball is exceptional. His future is bright!

Season update- 9/21/23

The Bulldog Boys Soccer team has played well and been competitive in each of the past three games since opening the season with a 1-0 win over North Attleboro, but the results have not followed suit.

Canton 1, Sharon 1 at CHS on Sept. 12th

Dogs struck first with a goal by Zaza Francoeur but the Eagles netted a goalazoo to earn the draw. 

Canton 0, Taunton 1 at CHS on Sept. 14th

Dogs had a great night playing some of their best soccer of the young season but could not find the net and allowed a lone goal to determine the game. 

Canton 1, Stoughton 2 at SHS on Sept. 19th

The Dogs walked through the first half, ultimately surrendering two goals before waking up in the 2nd frame- playing some great soccer and cutting the lead in half on a Zaza Francoeur goal with five minutes to play. Some late pressure almost resulting in the game-tying goal but the game ended in a tough loss. 

Things don't get any easier as the squad travels to Milford Friday. 

Dogs start season with big road win

The CHS Boys Varsity Soccer team took to the field at North Attleboro Thursday night with a whole new look- 7 new members of the starting line-up from the 2022 seaason. The team certainly had some uneasiness to start, but settled down throughout the game and ultimately took home a hard-fought 1-0 win. 

Despite losing sophomore James Howard to a knock on the ankle just 15 minutes into the game, the 'dogs figured some things out and battled the senior-laden Red Rocketeers for 80 minutes. The goal came midway through the 2nd half when freshman Sam Siegal attacked a head ball in the box and sophomore Vlad Francoeur nailed a side-volley just inside the far post on a beautiful finish. 

Too many great performances to acknowledge but shoutouts to Miles Jereb, Brennan Vallely and Matt De Vito who were very efficient in the back in front of keeper Nick Ruggeri. Those four were critical to the clean sheet. 

The 'dogs host Sharon and Taunton next week on Tuesday and Thursday night respectively. 

Important Meeting for those looking to Join CHS Boys Soccer

We are excited to be hosting an informational meeting for any CHS student looking to join the Boys Soccer program in the fall. 

All of the info you need for the meeting can be found on the flyer found at the link below. 

CLICK HERE for a flyer 

Bousquet stepping down

Coach Bonnie
Bousquet

It is with mixed emotions that we announce that CHS Boys Soccer JV Coach Bonnie Bousquet is moving on from her coaching duties to focus on other professional endeavors at CHS.

Coach Bousquet has been one of the longest serving JV coaches (if not the longest serving) in our program's history.  She joined our Bulldog staff as a first year teacher/coach in 2017 and has dedicated the past six autumns to working with our JV Boys Soccer student athletes.  Prior to joining CHS, Bousquet had a great soccer playing career culminating in her contributing greatly for the Western New England University Golden Bears. 

Despite our JV program almost always facing opponents with older players (our program primarily being made up of Freshmen and Sophomores while our opponents are primarily made up of Juniors and some sophomores), Bousquet has worked tirelessly to help develop the boys and give them the best soccer experience possible. 

Coach Bousquet with her 2021 Bulldogs

CHS Boys Varsity Soccer Coach and Athletic Director, Danny Erickson had this to say upon Bousquet's announcement- "Bonnie has been so important to our program.  She has been a great role model. Her professionalism and care have combined to make her an impactful coach. She has always worked to develop her players for the next level but never forgotten that their experience at JV is also something they should cherish and enjoy. She really has been the perfect JV coach.  We will miss her more than she could imagine. I want to thank her publicly for all she has done for the program and our student athletes and wish her the best."

Alumni Spotlight- Roach with a Season to remember

Patriot League Defensive
Player of Year
That's a BIG honor!

The entire CHS Boys Soccer community was so proud of Griffin Roach (class of 2019), when he headed off to play NCAA D1 Soccer at Boston University after finishing up an amazing Bulldog high school career.

After playing a major role in the squad during his freshmen season under legendary Terrier coach Neil Roberts, many things would shake up the next few seasons included Covid-19 and the retirement of the coach who recruited him. Griffin showed amazing grit and resilience through that stretch and it paid off in a big way during this, his 4th season at BU. 

After a slow start to the 2022 season, the Terriers caught fire down the stretch falling in only 3 of their final 12 games. Much of that success was thanks to a stingy defending core that was anchored by Griffin. The Terriers recorded 9 shutouts on the season (9th nationally). Griffin was recognized by the Patriot League as the first player in the history of the conference to earn three straight Defender of the Week honors. 

Griffin, who currently stands as the 5th all-time leading scorer for the Bulldogs, has represented his family, school and high school team with class and excellence.

Griffin in action for the Dog's

Check out some of his additional accomplishments-

• 2022 Scholar All-American- 2nd in BU History
• 2022 Patriot League Defender of the Year- 5th in BU History
• 2022 All-Region Third Team
• 2022 Scholar All-Region First Team
• 2022 All-Conference Team
• 38 games played, 32 games started, 2,948 minutes (career)
• Despite playing in the back, he scored his first collegiate goal in a win over Bucknell 
• Accounting Major with a 3.54 GPA

We caught up with Griff recently and he had this to say about his memorable season-

"This was definitely the most memorable year I've had at Boston University.  I am planning on returning to BU in the fall and take advantage of my 5th year of eligibility*. I couldn't be more excited.  I'm happy to continue to represent CHS soccer at this level for another season. We have a lot of guys returning and we look to build on the success we had this year. I know all of us have eyes on the Patriot League Championship."

Everyone in the Bulldog Soccer community is behind Griffin as he and his teammates look to 2023. Good luck Griff!

*Note- Due to the lost season caused by Covid-19, NCAA collegiate athletes were all granted a 5th year of eligibility. 

Captains named for 2023 campaign

Matt DeVito containing a 
dangerous Milford player

The CHS Boys Soccer program is proud to announce our 2023 team captains- Matt DeVito, Zaza Francoeur, and Nick Ruggeri.

This group of three rising seniors all bring their own leadership styles with them to the role of captain. They have been handed the important responsibility of helping to lead the program on to our next chapter- a chapter that will be new, exciting and challenging- as the program is saying goodbye to a class of 13 seniors who have made a major impact in the past few seasons.  They have a great opportunity to make a big difference as we begin a new journey. 

Zaza Francoeur skying
over a Milford player 
winning a head ball

Congratulations to all three of them as they begin this important work as leaders and difference-makers! 

Matt DeVito- It's hard to point at another Bulldog who worked harder last off-season at improving his game than Matt.  His drive and commitment are only part of what makes him a great leader.  Matt has a very high standard for himself and provides a great model for his teammates on how to be accountable. His teammates certainly know how much Matt cares about them and the success of the team. Matt trains and plays in the off-season with Scorpions soccer club. 

Zaza Francoeur- Zaza is a great teammate who knows how to put team first. He also has a very positive and thoughtful leadership style. He has the unique ability to hold those around him accountable to high standards while also building them up. He is all upside! He is also a physical presence that earns the respect of those around him. Zaza is currently excelling on the hardwood for the Bulldog Boys Basketball team. 

Nick Ruggeri- Nick started every game in goal for the Bulldogs during the 2022 season. Having someone with his soccer IQ and passion in the goalkeeping position is such a huge positive for our team. Nick knows how to balance his voice with fire and support of his teammates. He currently is competing for the CHS Swim team.  He also trains and plays in the off-season with Commonwealth Football Club. He is the third Ruggeri brother to serve as a CHS Boys Soccer captain- a program first!

Nick Ruggeri in action in the Bulldog goal during the 2022 season