The Sun Chronicle- Tuesday June 30, 2009
Sports
It's another powerhouse playing out of Alumni Field. The Hockomock League champion Mansfield High girls' lacrosse team had five of its Hornets were selected to the 2009 Sun Chronicle All-Star Team.
Led by 33-goal scorer Carrie Brophy, 28-goal scorer Bryanna Hayes and 27-goal scorer Michelle Navoni, the Hornets won 16 matches overall and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the MIAA Division 2 Tournament.
The 16-member All-Sun Chronicle Team is composed of five members of coach Dawn Kafel's Hornets, four from King Philip High, three from Foxboro and a pair of players each from Bishop Feehan High and North Attleboro High.
And the creme de la creme of the 2009 area all-stars is King Philip High senior attacker Kerry Eaton, a four-time All-Sun Chronicle selection and two-time Mass. State Coaches Association all-star pick. Eaton shattered the Warrior goal-scoring record previously held by Mary Pasquantonio (189) with a mind-boggling total of 254 goals - 97 of which were accounted for this spring.
Over the past two seasons, Kafel's Mansfield High program has been one of the best in Eastern Mass., the Hornets accounting for 31 victories. Mansfield went 15-2-1 during the regular season, earned a No. 3 seed for the Division 2 Tournament and beat Scituate in the first round of the postseason before losing to Norwell in the quarterfinals.
Brophy, Hayes and Navoni - all seniors - are joined on the All-Sun Chronicle roster by teammates Lissy Doherty, the defensive backbone this season and for the future, a freshman goalie along with senior defender and "Unsung Hero" award winner Kailee Moore.
King Philip was the area's only other team to advance into the MIAA Tournament, the Warriors finishing the season at 12-4-1 and earning the No. 5 seed for the talent-laden and powerful MIAA Division 1 Tournament. In the postseason, coach Sue Eaton's Warriors scored 27 goals in two matches, beating No. 12 Marshfield before losing in the quarterfinal round to No. 4 seeded Notre Dame Academy.
Eaton is joined on the team by sister Warriors Hilary Bushway, a 59-goal scorer, defender Kelly Vesty and 54-point producer Janessa Barrett.
Eaton is just one of two repeat selections, along with Foxboro High's 56-goal scorer Sarah Giardino. Foxboro was also represented by midfielder Danielle Warner and 54-goal scorer Rachel Jamieson.
Rounding out the roster are Bishop Feehan High's 43-goal scorer Cori Semple and 26-goal scorer Meghan Leavey along with North Attleboro High's 42-goal scorer Kaylee Henriques and defender Shannon Moore.
In addition to Eaton, Bushway, Giardino and Semple all have eclipsed the 100-goal mark in their careers.
SENIORS RULE
MHS LAX 2009 Senior Class!
Congratulations and best wishes in college!
The Sun Chronicle- Tues June 23, 2009
Sports
MANSFIELD - The Mansfield High School Athletic Dept. was the recipient of the Hockomock League's All Sports Trophy, based upon the final standings of its athletic teams during the 2008-09 calendar year.
The Hornets compiled 185 points to outdistance runner-up Franklin and third place finisher King Philip.
During the recent school year, Athletic Director Pat Burns cited championships taken by the boys' and girls' cross county teams, the boys' and girls' indoor and outdoor track teams, the gymnastics team, the boys' swimming team, the girls' lacrosse team and the golf team.
In addition, Mansfield High was the second place finisher in Hockomock League competition in girls' soccer, football, field hockey and baseball.
Boston Globe-Sunday June 21, 2009
girls' lacrosse-All Stars
Hockomock: Allison Boudreau, Canton; Ari Colella, Rachel Porter, and Ann Versprille, Franklin; Kerry Eaton and Hillary Bushway, King Philip; Carrie Brophy, Bryanna Hayes, Kailee Moore, and Michelle Navoni, Mansfield; Shannon Moore, North Attleboro; Meghan Andrews and Jocelyn Paul, Oliver Ames; Molly Bloom, Sharon; Sarah Giardino, Rachel Jamieson, and Danielle Warner, Foxboro.
The Mansfield News-Sat May 30, 2009
Mansfield girls' lacrosse loses to Norwell in tournament
By Staff reports
Sat May 30, 2009, 08:11 PM EDT
Mansfield - The Mansfield High girls' lacrosse team lost 12-5 to Norwell for the third consecutive year in the Division 2 South tournament in Mansfield Saturday.. Offensively, Kathryn Campbell led the way, posting two goals while Kelley Coughlin, Kristen Tuleja and Kathryn Daisy added a goal apiece. After grabbing a 7-3 halftime lead, the Clippers established a 5-0 run to open the second half before the Hornets responded with a pair of late second half goals. "It was a great season and the girls have nothing to be ashamed of," said coach Dawn Kafel. "Norwell played great defense and they did the things they had to do to win."
The Sun Chronicle, Sunday May 31, 2009
After perhaps the most successful season in the team's history, the Mansfield High girls' lacrosse team saw its magical run come to end Saturday in the quarterfinal round of the Division 2-South Sectional, falling to 11th-seeded Norwell 12-5 at Alumni Field.
After playing to even terms in the first 10 minutes, the Clippers (14-5-1) surged ahead and led 7-3 at halftime.
"We got in a hole and ended up playing from behind," MHS coach Dawn Kafel said of her third-seeded Hornets, who finished the season at 16-3-1.
Kathryn Campbell had two goals for the Hornets while Kelly Couglin, Kathryn Daisy and Kristen Tuleja added the other scores. Paige Harrington had an assist and goalie Lissy Doherty made 14 saves.
Mansfield News, Fri. May 29, 2009
Girls' lax ready for rematch By Kevin R. LaBounty-Correspondant
Teams don't always have the chance to avenge a tournament loss.
But after falling to Norwell the last two years in the MIAA South Sectional Tournament, the Mansfield High girls' lacrosse team was afforded that opportunity after defeating Scituate, 17-8, in the first round on Wednseday afternoon at Alumni Field.
That Hornet victory, coupled with the Clippers 22-9 dismantling of Bishop Stang on Wednesday afternoon set-up a rematch between Mansfield and Norwell in the quarterfinals of the sectionals this afternoon at Alumni Field. It will be the third straight year that the Hornets will host the Clippers in a tournament game. The game will be played on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. (site correction 5:00 p.m.)
With its victory on Wednesday, the third-seeded Mansfield improved to a 16-2-1 overall and also tied the school record for wins in a season as last years team finished 16-6-1.
Norwell, with the 11th seed, improved to 13-5-1 with the win over the sixth-seeded Spartans, which had entered the first-round match with an impressive record of 15-4-1.
"We are happy with the win," said Mansfield coach Dawn Kafel. "It was good for a lot of younger players, who have not been in a tournament game before, to get that experience. It was a good win. But, we also have some things to improve on before our next game."
If the Hornets can defeat Norwell they will play the winner of the quarter-final match between 10th-seeded Dover-Sherborn (14-5-2) and second-seeded Duxbury (18-1-0) in the semifinals next week. Those two teams will play this afternoon in Duxbury.
Mansfield is making its fourth consecutive appearance in the Division 2 South Sectional, having lost to Duxbury in the first round in 2006 and to Norwell (16-6) in 2007. Mansfield reached the sectional semifinals a year ago, falling again to Norwell, this time 20-3.
"We will need to play a much better game against Norwell," said Kafel. "We will have to come out much better than we did today. Norwell is faster and tougher defensively than Scituate. They also have stronger shooters.
"The kids wanted to play Norwell again in the tournament, but maybe not this early. We will need to be more intense and play tougher. Hopefully, the girls will be pumped for that game. We think we can beat Norwell if everyone comes ready to play."
Mansfield has already avenged one tough loss from this year. After completing an undefeated season (14-0) (site correction: 15-0) in the Hockomock League with a 12-3 victory over Sharon, the Hornets avenged a 19-7 setback to Hingham with a 13-7 win on Senior Day at Alumni Field last Thursday afternoon.
"We played much better in the game against Hingham than we did today," said Kafel. "The team we had against Hingham was tremendous. We were hoping to see some of that today, but we can run hot and cold. We did see that team at times against Scituate. The Hingham game was our best game of the year, but we don't want that to be our last excellent game of the year. But these girls work hard. We are the third seed for that reason."
On Wednesday against Scituate, senior captain Carrie Brophy led the way for the Hornets with four second-half goals. Senior captain Michelle Navoni scored three goals, while senior Kathryn Daisy had three first -half goals. Senior Cory Starke scored two second-half goals, while senior captain Bryanna Hayes, juniors Kelly Coughlin and Jacqueline Allen and sophomores Kathryn Campbell and Elissa Sachs all scored one goal. Freshman Elisabeth Doherty made 12 saves to get her first tournament win in net for Mansfield.
The Hornets score three goals over the first five minutes to take a 3-0 lead. Coughlin's goal sandwiched around two scores by Daisy gave them the three-goal lead at 20:13. After a goal by Scituate at 18:46, Daisy's third score gave Mansfield a 4-1 advantage at 17:54.
Another goal by the Sailors closed the gap to 4-2 at 15:05, but the Hornets responded with three scores over the next 10 minutes to take a 7-2 lead. Campbell and Hayes scored 31 seconds apart to make it 6-2 with Michelle Navoni increasing the advantage to 7-2 with her first goal of the match with 5:48 remaining in the first half.
Scituate tried to make things interesting, scoring twice within the span of 14 seconds to cut the deficit to 7-4 with 4:20 remaining in the half. Michelle Navoni's second goal with 2:51 left made it 8-4, but the Sailors scored at 2:11 to close the gap to 8-5 at the half.
Navoni scored her third goal at 23:47 to increase the lead to 9-5 with Brophy's first score pushing the advantage to 10-5 at 19:05. Scituate made it 10-6 at 18:21, but goals by Starke (15:03) and Brophy (11:47) gave the hosts a 12-6 lead. The Sailors would not go away, scoring twicw within a span of 17 seconds to close the gap to 12-8 with 10:11 left.
But, it was all Mansfield after that as the hosts scored the game's last five goals over the final 7:39, Brophy scored at 7:39 and 6:18, followed by a Starke score at 5:22. Goals by Allen (3:52) and Sachs (29 seconds left) gave the Hornets their final margin of victory.
Prior to the start of the MIAA Tournament, Mansfield captured the Hockomock League championship with a pefrect 14-0 (site correction: 15-0) mark to go along with an overall record of 15-2-1. King Philip finished in second place with a 12-4-1 overall record and an 11-2-1 league mark, while Franklin placed third at 10-6-2 overall and 10-3-1 in the league.
Hayes, Brophy, Michelle Navoni and senior defender Kailee Moore were all named to the Hockomock League All-Star Team. Hayes was selected as the team's Most Valuble Player this spring, while Moore earned the team's Unsung Hero Award.
Mansfield finished undefeated in the league with the win over Sharon. Starke, Brophy, Coughlin and sophomore Kiel Anderson all scored two goals. Campbell, Hayes, Michelle Navoni and sophomore Paige Harrington all notched one goal. Navoni also collected three assists, while freshman Rachel Foley made three saves to get the win in net.
The Hornets followed that up two days later with an impressive 13-7 victory over Hingham on Senior Day at Alumni Field. Campbell led Mansfield with four goals, while Moore and Hayes put forth terrific efforts on defense.
The Hornets built a 7-3 lead at the half before outscoring Hingam 6-4 in the second half. Mansfield held the visitors scoreless for a span of almost 20 minutes in the second half.
Brophy collected two goals and two assists, while Daisy had a pair of scores. Starke, Anderson, Harrington, Coughlin and Michelle Navoni also scored goals in the game. Doherty collected a total of 13 saves to get the victory in net for Mansfield.
The Hornets honored eight members of their senior class, including Hayes, Brophy, Navoni, Moore, Starke, Daisy and team managers Christine Curtin and Ashley O'Leary.
"Our team played very well in that game," said Kafel. "It was Senior Night and we had a lot of people at the game. Our transition was awesome. We didn't do anything different or change anything from the first game. We just didn't let them come in and take shots."
The Sun Chronicle, Thurs May 28, 2009
Sports
MANSFIELD - One would have thought that it was "Senior Day" on display at Mansfield High's Alumni Field Wednesday, what with senior captain Carrie Brophy scoring four times and Kathryn Daisy, along with Michelle Navoni, each accounting for a hat trick.
Scoring the first three goals of the match, creating a three-goal lead by intermission, the No. 3 seeded Hornet girls' lacrosse team did what it had to do in turning back Scituate 17-8 in an opening round match.
But, that margin is deceptive. Whereas the Sailors never tied the Hornets (16-2-1), they trailed by two (at 4-2), by three (8-5) at halftime and by four (12-8) with just under 15 minutes remaining. A few loose balls, a few more accurate shots and the Hornets could have been on their heels.
"We were not at our best," related Mansfield coach Dawn Kafel, whose Hornets finished with a flurry, scoring the final five goals of the match, while limiting Scituate to just one goal over the first 14 minutes of the second half.
"That was the bad news, the good news is that we have room to improve," added the Mansfield coach, the Hornet defense without Hannah Melton (ankle) for the match, while midfielders Kiel Anderson and Bryanna Hayes also had gimpy ankles. True to their "team success" this season, the Hornets had nine different goal scorers. In addition to the captains, Brophy and Navoni, scoring four and three goals respectively and Daisy, the formidable senior, hitting the back of the net three times, senior attacker Corey Starke (two goals), Elissa Sachs, Jacquie Allen, Kathryn Campbell, Kailee Moore and Hayes each scored once.
The Sailors won eight of 15 first half faceoffs and seven of 13 in the second half, nearly matching Mansfield in first half shots (10-12), never affording the Hornets a comfort zone. But, ultimately Hornet freshman goalie Lissy Doherty (nine saves), some demonstrative midfield work by Kristen Tuleja and four second-half goals by Brophy kept Scituate at bay.
Goals by Scituate's Taryn Sacchietella (her third of the match) and Meagan Finneran (her second) within a 17-second span at the 14-minute mark of the second half cut Mansfield's lead to four goals. But the Sailors wouldn't get another ball past Doherty.
And in a two-minute span, Brophy made a superb solo effort in front of Sailor goalie Emily Hoffman to score her "hat trick" goal at 17:21. Then Tuleja made two superb plays in setting up Brophy for her fourth goal (at 18:42) and Starke for a goal (at 19:38).
Doherty made two outstanding saves, one on a free start, in protecting a 6-4 lead for Mansfield in the first half, then another on free start by Finneran at the four-minute mark of the second half to preserve a four-goal lead.
The Hornets started strongly, scoring three goals within the first five minutes of the match, Tuleja winning three faceoffs. After a spectacular run from midfield by sophomore attacker Jessica Verbic, Daisy scored the go-ahead goal for Mansfield at 3:37.
After Tuleja won the ensuing faceoff, Moore scored off of a feed from Brophy at 3:59. Then Daisy netted her second goal, on a great set up from Navoni at 4:47.
The Hornets, who advanced to the MIAA Tournament semifinals last season, now advance to the quarterfinal round of play (and host, date TBA) No. 11 seeded Norwell.
"We have a great defense and they (Scituate) found some holes," added Kafel. "Our defense needed to settle in."
The Mansfield News Thurs May 28, 2009
Mansfield girls' Lacrosse moves on in tourney
By Staff Reports
Wed May 27. 2009
MANSFIELD-The Mansfield High girls' lacrosse team defeated Scituate, 19-8 (site correction: 17-8), at home on Wednesday in the first round of the South Tournament. With the win, Mansfield improved to 16-2-1 overall and now will play Norwell, who defeated Bishop Stang, 22-9, at a day and time to ne announced.
The Sun Chronicle-Mon. May 25, 2009
Sports
King Philip, the No. 10 seed at 15-5, will host the No. 23 seeded Warriors (11-7) at Macktaz Field on the KP campus Tuesday at 5 p.m. in a first round match.
At one time or another, the KP Warriors have had five or six starters out of the lineup and heading into round No. 3 against Foxboro, will likely be without its top two scorers - Andrew Sutton (ACL, torn meniscus) and Kyle Lasher (separated shoulder).
Fortunately, Marshall Haughey (separated shoulder), Matt Monahan (bruised shoulder) and Paul Saulner (back spasms) have all been proclaimed healthy enough to come off the injured list and be ready for duty.
KP and Foxboro are two of the area's five teams to be participating in the MIAA Tournament, four in Division 2. In Division 3, the Tri-County Cougars (14-4) are seeded No. 13 and will host Manchester-Essex - the same school which beat them in the MIAA football Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium - Tuesday afternoon at 5 in Franklin. Also on tap that day in Division 2 will be Bishop Feehan (9-3), making its first MIAA Tournament appearance as the No. 24 seed at No. 9 Norwood (16-4), a 3:30 p.m. match. Also, the Mansfield High Hornets, seeded No. 22 with a 9-9 slate travel to No. 11 Wayland (14-6).
The perennial Hockomock League powers among the girls' teams, Mansfield and King Philip, both have opening round matches on Wednesday.
The No. 3 seeded Hornets (15-2-1) entertain No. 14 seeded Scituate in a Division 2-South matchup, while in Division 1, the No. 5 seeded Warriors (12-4-1) will host No. 12 seeded Marshsfield.
"We'll take the pressure," said Mansfield High girls' coach Dawn Kafel of the high seed. The Hornets reached the semifinal round last year, losing to Norwell. The Hornets are an extremely well-balanced offensive machine with 16 players with points, six players with 20 goals or more.
Brianna Hayes and Carrie Brophy have been producing points, but Kafel moved them to low defense and wing defense respectively to generate more offense from everywhere. In addition, Kathryn Daisy, Kathryn Campbell and Paige Harrington have all been tremendously productive.
"We are all over the place," said Kafel of the potential to score from anywhere. "That's been the key, that's what we have going for us. Teams can't mark any one or two of our girls."
On the other hand, Sue Eaton's King Philip girls' team has two of the most prolific scorers in the state in senior Kerry Eaton (86 goals) and junior Hilary Bushway (55 goals).
Meg Marra and Kelly Vesty have been strong defensively, while Janessa Barrett has kept improving and contributing with every match. "This is a team that if we come to play, we'll do well," said Eaton. However, the Warriors are young and not tournament-tested. "There are a lot of kids with not much experience at this (MIAA Tournament) level, that haven't played at a high level of lacrosse. We have a lot of athletic kids, so I just hope that they are not overwhelmed."
The King Philip boys' have found different sources to camouflage their injuries. Losing Lasher (the leading scorer with 58 points) and Sutton ("he was a scoring machine," said Warren) could have been season-damaging. Instead, John Florence (42 goals, 62 points), attacker Pat Dowling, Brett Werner and the defensive crew of Chris Pellichero, Joe Purdon and goalie Andrew Marks have been outstanding.
"It's still been a blow, but we've had other guys step up," said Warren. "Fortunately, that's a solid, veteran unit back there on defense." The KP defense has allowed barely five goals per match and Marks, in his first full-time varsity season, has a save percentage of 65. Pellichero is a tremendous midfielder, Purdon is outstanding at close defense and other likes Kevin Donahue, Ryanh Sullivan, Brent Chapski and Connor Good have stood the challenge.
"We have to play smart against Foxboro," added Warren. "You have guys on both teams that like to hit each other. Most people want to play somebody else, somebody outside of their league. But, this is a great matchup - you have two hard-nosed teams."
The Sun Chronicle-Friday May 22, 2009
Sports
In avenging a 17-10 loss at Hingham earlier in the season, the Hornets completed the regular season with a 15-2-1 record. "We used this game as a springboard for the (MIAA) Tournament," said Mansfield coach Dawn Kafel.
Kathryn Daisy and Carrie Brophy (two assists) each scored twice as Mansfield created a 7-3 halftime lead. Cory Starke, Kiel Anderson, Paige Harrington, Michelle Navoni and Kelly Coughlin each netted single goals.
The Hornets exerted a strong presence defensively on Hingham's 300-goal career scorer M.K. Gorman, who was limited to one goal. "The first time that we played them the defense didn't play well and we didn't get our attack going," added Kafel. Hingham scored the opening goal, but then went scoreless for 17 minutes against Hornet freshman goalie Lissy Doherty (13 saves). "We played a good zone defense."
The Sun Chronicle- Wednesday May 20, 2009
Sports
Cory Starke, Kiel Anderson, Carrie Brophy and Kelly Coughlin each netted two goals for the Hornets, now 14-2-1 overall, 14-0 in the Hockomock League.
The MIAA Tournament-bound Hornets created a 9-1 lead and well protected freshman goalie Rachel Foley (three saves). Kathryn Campbell, Paige Harrington, Bri Hayes and Michelle Navoni (three assists) each had one goal for Mansfield.
The Hornets entertain Hingham Thursday in its regular season, 'Senior Day' festivities finale.
The Mansfield News-Friday, May 15, 2009
Tourney Bound-Girls lax shoots for playoff home game
By Kevin R. LaBounty -correspondant
Having clinched the Hockomock League championship earlier this week, the Mansfield High girls' lacrosse team will now focus its efforts on preparing for the state tournament.
After its first 16 matches, Mansfield has a 13-2-1 overall record, earning the league crown with a 9-8 win over Franklin on Monday at Alumni Field. They continued their perfect league season with a 10-7 win over Foxboro on Wednesday, improving to 13-0.
"Our focus now is on preparing for the tournament," said Mansfield coach Dawn Kafel. "When our midfield transition game is working at a high level, no team has been able to stay with us. We have to keep up our intensity on defense and stay focused on playing our game. We want teams to make adjustments to us. We do not want to adjust to them."
Mansfield opened the year with league wins over Canton (9-7) and North Attleboro (17-4) before battling Notre Dame Academy to a 7-7 deadlock in a non-league match.
The first important victory of the season for Mansfield came in its next game against King Philip at Alumni Field. The Hornets outlasted the Warriors, 9-6 in that match. The Mansfield win ended the league unbeaten streak for King Philip that had stretched back to 2002. In fact, prior to this season, the Hornets handed the Warriors their last league defeat in 2002, when the two teams tied for the title. King Philip had won or tied every league match since that point prior to this season, capturing six consecutive titles.
Unfortunately after that exciting victory over King Philip, Mansfield ran into a talented Hingham team and dropped a 19-7 decision. But that would be the last time the Hornets would taste defeat for a month. They would go on to reel off nine consecutive victories.
In fact, the Hornets got right back to their winning ways with a 14-8 victory over Oliver Ames and then got a 6-2 win over a tough Franklin squad in a pair of league matches.
"We played a phenomenal defensive game against Franklin," said Kafel. "Once we beat King Philip and Franklin, the kids thought it could really happen, winning the league."
Mansfield's offense exploded to close out the month of April as the team scored 14 goals or more defeating Foxboro (14-4), Sharon (17-4 and Canton (20-8) in league contests.
Mansfield began May with a 16-3 win over North Attleboro. Senior captain Carrie Brophy scored four goals, including her 100th of her career. Freshman Kristin Tuleja scored three goals. Junior Kelly Coughlin scored tow goals and senior captain Michelle Navoni had one. Freshman goalie Elisabeth Doherty earned the win with a 10-save effort.
Senior captain Bryanna Hayes then put together a pair of terrific matches for the Hornets. In a 16-5 win over Oliver Ames, she scored five goals and had an assist. Senior Kathryn Daisy and Michelle Navoni each scored two goals, while sophomore Paige Harrington notched the first two goals of her varsity career. Doherty made eight saves for the victory.
It was then a special day for Hayes as Mansfield took control of the Hockomock League race with its second win of the season against King Philip, this time 14-12. Hayes scored three goals including the 100th of her career, while Daisy had three scores. The Hornets held a 10-4 advantage at halftime with junior Jackie Allen, Brophy, Hayes and Daisy each scoring two goals. Tuleja and Coughlin also had first-half goals.
King Philip rebounded in the second half, scoring six of the first nine goalstomak it 13-10. Mansfield pushed its lead back to 14-11, but the Warriors answered with a goal with four minutes left. But Doherty and the Hornet defense held on from there for the victory. The Hornet goalie finished with 16 saves in the game. Senior Corey Starke, Daisy, Hayes and Tuleja all scored goals in the second half, Tuleja finishing with two in the game.
"King Philip was definitely more dangerous the second time around," said Kafel, "but we played one of our best games of the year. We made wonderful adjustments in that game."
On Monday afternoon, Mansfield clinched the outright league title with a 9-8 win over Franklin at Alumni Field. Trailing 8-7, Brophy scored two goals over the final four minutes of the match as the Hornets won their first league crown since 2002.
Brophy scored her first goal with two minutes left in the first half, pulling the Hornets into a 4-4 tie at the break. Sophomore Kathryn Campbell scored twice, while Starke, Coughlin, Allen and Daisy also had goals. Doherty got the win with an eight save effort.
"Franklin is a very physical team and we did not play a great game," said Kafel "We have not been behind that often this year, but we were able to come back and win. It was an exciting way to win the league championship."
On Tuesday, Mansfield headed to Hingham for a rematch with Notre Dame. The Cougars came away with a 12-8 victory, handing the Hornets just their second loss. hayes scored three goals, while Michelle Navoni had two and Daisy, Tuleja and Allen each had one.
"We didn't play our best game against Notre Dame," said Kafel "I was disappointed with our performance. We were two different teams against King Philip and Notre Dame. We didn't have the same flow and intensity against Notre Dame as we did against KP. We had excellent focus against King Philip. We just need to find a way to bring that same type of focus in every game. We also need to get the kids to play more relaxed."
Then, on Wednesday afternoon, in its third match in as many days, Mansfield remained undefeated in the league with a 10-7 verdict over Foxboro. Campbell, Harrington and Michelle Navoni each scored two goals, while Daisy, Brophy, Coughlin and sophomore Kiel Anderson also had scores. Doherty earned the win with a 12-save effort.
After Foxboro scored the first goal at 19:42 of the first half, Campbell, Daisy and Michelle Navoni all scored to give the Hornets a 3-1 advantage at 14:25. A Foxboro goal closed the gap to one 3-2, but Harrington and Campbell both scored to push the lead to 5-2 with 2:50 left in the half.
Foxboro would not go away, scoring at 22:16 of teh second half to close the gap to 6-4. Harrington's second goal pushed the lead to 7-4 at 20:32. The Warriors responded at 14:51 to make it 7-5. Brophy scored at 11:00 to give Mansfield and 8-5 lead, but Foxboro bounced back with two goals, cutting the deficit to one at 8-7 with 6:21 left. Goals by Michelle Navoni and Coughlin put the Hornets ahead 10-7 with 23 seconds remaining.
"The underclassmen stepped up this game"said Kafel. "They showed their stuff. We didn't play well against Notre Dame. This game was important. We needed a good win."
Mansfield will have six days to rest up before its next match, traveling to Sharon for its final league game on Tuesday. The team will then host Hingham in its regular-season finale next Thursday. Hingham began this week ranked fifth in Eastern Massachusetts.
"We want to go undefeated in the league," said Kafel. "But our main priority is to be playing well going into the tournament and work on improving our placement. Hingham is a big game. We want to get a win outside the league. You couldn't aks for a better team to get us prepared for the tournament. We want to end the season on a high note."
Mansfield will the await the pairings for the Division 2 South Sectional, which will be announced next Friday. Last year, Mansfield earned its third straight postseason berth.
The Hornets lost to Duxbury in the first round in 2006 and to Norwell in 2007. Mansfield reached the sectional semifinals a year ago, falling again to Norwell.
"At the beginning of the season, our two goals were to win the league and advance deeper into the tournament that we did last last year," said Kafel. "We are hoping to get a couple of home games in the tournament. To do that, we need a good seed. We have a great fan base, so we want to get as many tournament games at home as we can."
The Sun Chronicle, Thurs May 14, 2009
GIRLS' LAX: Hornets shake off Foxboro
FOXBORO - The Foxboro High girls' lacrosse team gave Mansfield a battle on the Warriors' Senior Day, but the Hornets were just too much for Foxboro, coming away with a 10-7 victory to stay perfect in the Hockomock League.
Foxboro junior Sarah Giardino scored her 100th career goal.
Kathryn Campbell, Navani and Paige Harrington each had two goals for Mansfield (13-2-1, 13-0 league) who look to keep their perfect Hockomock League record in tact Tuesday at Sharon. Foxboro is at Medway on Monday.
The Sun Chronicle Tuesday May 12, 2009
Sports
The Hornets (12-1-1, 12-0) clinched the Hockomock League title with the win.
Mansfield and the Panthers were deadlocked at 4-4 by halftime, Brophy scoring the first of her three goals to tie the match with just under two minutes left.
Kathryn Campbell added two goals for Mansfield, while freshman goalie Lissy Doherty totaled eight saves in goal. Cory Starke, Kelly Coughlin, Jackie Allen and Kathryn Daisy also scored goals for the Hornets, who have a non-league match with Notre Dame of Hingham today.
The Mansfield News-Friday May 8, 2009
Girls' Lax Wins 10th
The Mansfield High Girls' Lacrosse team posted a 16-5 win over Oliver Ames for the 10th win in the Hockomock League. The Hornets are 10-0 in the league and 10-1-1 overall. Brianna Hayes led the way with five goals and an assist. Paige Harrington had a big varsity debut for the Hornets with two goals while Kathryn Daisy and Michelle Navoni also scored two goals. Hannah Melton and Kailie Moore both played strong defensive game, while Lissy Doherty made eight saves in net. (Read more about the Mansfield girls' lacrosse team at www.wickedlocal.com/mansfield.)
The Sun Chronicle-Friday May 8.2009
WRENTHAM - Bry Hayes scored three goals, including the 100th of her career, while Kathryn Daisy also accounted for a hat trick as the Mansfield High girls' lacrosse team held off King Philip 14-12 Thursday at Macktaz Field in a battle of Hockomock League superpowers.
The Hornets (11-1-1, 11-0 league) scored 10 first-half goals - two each from Jackie Allen, Carrie Brophy, Hayes and Daisy -in creating a 10-4 lead by intermission.
However, the Warriors (8-2-1) accounted for eight second-half goals - three off the stick of Hilary Bushway - twice narrowing their deficit to three goals (13-10 and 14-11) before Tufts University-bound senior Kerry Eaton scored her fourth goal of the match, making it a two-goal match with 4:01 remaining.
Mansfield goalie Lissy Doherty made two point-blank saves on both Janessa Barrett and Eaton in protecting the Hornets' last three-goal lead, then another dazzling save on the former off of a free start with 30 seconds left.
"They're a better team," KP coach Sue Eaton said in praise of the Hornets. "They have great transition, they move the ball well down the field and they have a great defense."
Eaton scored the first of her quartet of goals at 2:39 giving KP the lead, but the Warriors never had the advantage again. Kristin Tuleja (at 4:11), Allen (at 4:55), Hayes (at 7:15) and Daisy (at 7:50) scored four consecutive goals for Mansfield.
Six different players scored goals during the first half for Mansfield, which scored four more unanswered goals in taking an 8-2 advantage - Hayes scoring off of a nifty feed from behind the net from Daisy at 10:42; Kelly Coughlin scoring at 13:50; Brophy scoring off of a nice pass from behind the net from Katherine Campbell at 14:55; and Daisy defying the KP defense with a dodge from the right at 15:20.
"Our midfield, our transition was beautiful," said Mansfield coach Dawn Kafel, citing the work of Brophy, Michelle Navoni and Tuleja. "Our zone defense (with Kailee Moore starring) was excellent."
Brophy, Tuleja and Allen each finished with two goals for Mansfield, while Doherty was credited with 16 saves in goal for the Hornets. "They slide well on their double teams and they have a good goalie," added Eaton, the KP coach.
With Barrett taking over the faceoff duties for KP in the second half, the Warriors scored on two of their first three possessions - Bushway making a great run for a goal at 2:08 and then Olivia Fair scoring off of a free start at 2:37.
Fortunately for the Hornets, they responded immediately three times after KP scored - Corey Starke scoring off of nice Jess Verbic pass at 3:58 for an 11-6 margin; Daisy scoring at 10:47 for another five-goal lead; and Hayes making it 13-8 at 12:48.
But, within a 20-second span, Barrett gave KP a chance for victory. She won a faceoff and scored from the left side at 15:30, making it a four-goal deficit. Then she won the ensuing faceoff and scoring on another defense-deyfing run to reduce Mansfield's margin to 13-10.
"In the second half, we wanted to slow it down a bit, to focus on possession," added Kafel. Fortunately, Tuleja's second goal of the match, at 16:04, regained a four-goal lead for the Hornets, who then went scoreless for the final nine minutes.
KP will entertain North Attleboro in its next match Monday, while Mansfield will entertain Franklin at Alumni Field that day.
The Sun Chronicle- Thurs May 7, 2009
EASTON - Brianna Hayes scored five goals and added an assist as Mansfield (10-1-1) stayed unbeaten in Hockomock League play, improving to 10-0 with a win over Oliver Ames.
Kathryn Daisy, Michelle Navoni and Paige Harrington added two goals apiece for the Hornets. For Harrington, those were her first varsity goals.
Lissy Doherty made eight stops in the net for Mansfield, which visits King Philip today.
The Sun Chronicle Sat May 2, 2009
Brophy hits century mark in Hornets' win
NORTH ATTLEBORO - Carrie Brophy netted four goals, boosting her career total to 100 as the Mansfield High girls' lacrosse team crushed North Attleboro 16-3 Friday in a Hockomock League match.
Kristyn Tuleja scored three goals and Kelly Coughlin added two for the MIAA Tournament-bound Hornets, who improved to 9-1-1 overall, 9-0 in the Hockomock League. North fell to 2-8.
Kaylee Henriques scored twice for North, while Karley Lafond had a single tally. Shannon Hewitt totaled 11 saves in goal for the Rocketeers, while Lissy Doherty had 10 at the Mansfield end of the field.
Michelle Navoni had a goal and two assists for the Hornets, who held a 6-1 halftime lead. Mansfield entertains King Philip Monday, while North has a date at Sharon.
The Sun Chronicle, Thurs, April 30, 2009
MANSFIELD - The Mansfield High girls' lacrosse team scored 10 goals in each half and routed Canton 20-8 Wednesday in a Hockomock League match at Alumni Field.
The Hockomock League-leading Hornets (8-1-1, 8-0) moved to within two points of qualifying for the MIAA Tournament. Lissy Doherty totaled 14 saves in goal for Mansfield, which visits North Attleboro Friday.
Kristyn Tuleja scored four goals for Mansfield, which created a 10-5 halftime lead. Katheryn Daisy, Brianna Hayes (three assists) and Kelley Coughlin (two assists) each netted three goals for Mansfield. Katherine Campbell and Carrie Brophy (two assists) each had two goals.
The Sun Chronicle-Tues April 28, 2009
Mansfield 17, Sharon 4
MANSFIELD - Kiel Anderson and Michelle Navoni scored four goals apiece and Maureen Navoni added two more as the Hornets (7-0, 7-1-1) raced to the Hockomock League win.
The Sun Chronicle, Weds, April 22, 2009
Mansfield girls 14, Foxboro 4
MANSFIELD - Kelly Coughlin scored three goals and Carrie Brophy produced three points (one goal, two assists) as the balanced attack of the Hornets overtook Foxboro in a Hockomock League match.
Katherine Campbell scored two goals for Mansfield (6-1-1), which had 11 different players score goals. Katherine Daisy, Cory Starke, Elisa Sachs, Michelle Navoni, Jacki Allen, Bri Hayes, Kiel Anderson and Kristen Tuleja each had a single tally.
Rachel Jamieson scored twice for Foxboro (3-2), while Sarah Giardino and Ashley Appel each had one goal. Lizzy Doherty, the Hornet goalie, totaled 11 saves.
Mansfield, unbeaten (6-0-0) in the Hockomock League, is off until a match Monday at home against Sharon, while Foxboro has a non-league match Friday with Medway.
Mansfield News , Fri. April 17, 2009
Bring on the Panthers
Girls to face Franklin today
-by Kevin R. LaBonty
Correspondant
If there was any doubt that the Mansfield High girls' lacrosse team would be a serious contender for the Hockomock League championship this spring, those doubts were erased with a hard-fought victory over league power King Philip last week.
The win ended the league unbeaten streak for the Warriors that had stretched back to 2002. In fact, Mansfield handed King Philip its last league defeat in 2002, when the two teams tied for the league crown. The Warriors had won or tied every league match since that point prior to last week, capturing six consecutive league titles in the process.
A year ago, King Philip won the league title with a 14-0 record, while Mansfield and Franklin tied for second with identical 11-3 marks. The Hornets finished 2008 with a 16-6-1 overall mark with the 16 wins being a school records for the program. This spring, Mansfield was 3-1-1 overall and 3-0 in the league after its first five matches of the year.
"Two of our goals this year are to win the league and advance deeper into the tournament than we did last year," said Dawn Kafel, who is in her second season as head coach of the Hornets after being the junior varsity coach for seven years. Ashely Alabiso is the assistant varsity coach and junior varisty head coach for Mansfield this spring.
Last year, Mansfield made its second consecutive appearance in the state tournament. After being knocked out in the first round of the Division 2 South Sectional Tournament in 2007, the Hornets reached the semifinals of the Division 2 South Sectional last spring. Unfortunately, Mansfield was knocked out of the postseason both years by Norwell.
The victory over King Philip last week completed a crazy few days, which saw the Hornets earn an impressive come-from-behind 7-7 deadlock with Notre Dame Academy of Hingham before registering the exciting 9-6 win over the Warriors the next day.
Mansfield was scheduled to face King Philip on Monday of last week, but the match was postponed due to rain. The site was also moved from Wrentham to Alumni Field. But, before the Hornets could battle the Warriors they had to deal with the Cougars on Wednesday at Alumni Field. Notre Dame Academy held a 3-2 advantage at the half and pushed its lead to 7-4 with just 2:25 remaining in the match.
Sophomore defender Jessica Verbic began the Hornet comeback with a goal with 2:20 left in the match to cut the deficit to two. Senior attack player Kathryn Daisy notched two goals to tie the match, scoring one with just 18 seconds left. Daisy finished with four goals, while senior attack player Corey Starke and sophomore Elissa Sachs also scored goals.
"We knew it was going to be a tough game against Notre Dame," said Kafel. "The kids showed a lot of composure, coming back to tie. The girls were really fired up. They were pumped up and focused for King Philip and we carried the momentum into that game."
Mansfield held a 5-4 halftime advantage over King Philip the next day, but expanded the lead to 8-6 with eight minutes left in the match. The Hornets later added an insurance goal to make it 9-6, improving to 3-0-1 overall and 3-0 in the league with the win.
"The kids were really excited after the game," said Kafel. "it was a really good win for us. It has been our goal the past couple of years to beat King Philip and we have played them tough the last couple of years. The win was especially nice for the seniors. If we want to win the league, one of the hurdles we had to get over was beating King Philip."
Senior captain, Michelle Navoni, who plays midfield and attack, led the Mansfield with three goals, while Daisy had two goals and one assist. Daisy scored six goals combined in the games against Notre Dame and King Philip. Senior captian, Carrie Brophy, who plays midfield and attack, had one goal and one assist as did Starke and Sachs.
The Mansfield defense did an outstanding job containing the Warriors. In the best effort of her young career, freshman goalie Elisabeth Doherty made eight saves to get the win.
"She has been a pleasant surprise," said Kafel of Doherty, who made her fourth career start against KP. "She is a good athlete. Her play and confidence has improved in each game. She has been excellent so far. I only see her getting better as the season goes on."
Senior captain Bryanna Hayes, a midfielder, played a big role in containing a potent Warrior attack as did senior defender Kailee Moore and junior Jackie Allen.
Mansfield opened the season with a 9-7 league victory over host Canton. Michelle Navoni scored two goals as the Hornets led 7-3 at halftime. Canton outscored Mansfield 4-2 in the second half, but the visitors held on for the win. Freshman Kristin Tuleja scored her first varsity goal in the match. In her first varsity start, Doherty got the win with a seven-save effort. Allen played well on defense from her midfield position.
The Hornets made it two straight victories with a 17-3 win over North Attleboro at Alumni Field. Michelle Navoni and Hayes each scored three goals. Junior attack player Kelly Coughlin, Tuleja, Brophy and sophomore midfielder Kiel Anderson all scored twice, while freshman midfielder Katherine Nash, Allen and Moore each scored one.
Coughlin registered three assists, while Michelle Navoni, Allen and Brophy all had two. Hayes had an assist with Doherty getting the victory in net with a 10-save performance.
During the first five games of the season, Mansfield got offensive contributions from several of its members, having 13 players score at least one goal. "That is important," said Kafel, "because the other teams can't focus on just one of our players on offense."
Starke, Daisy and Coughlin play attack. Brophy and Michelle Navoni play both attack and midfield. The defense is led by Moore. She is joined in the back by sophomores Hannah Menton, Maureen Navoni and Verbic.
Doherty takes over the reins in net. Coming off the bench is sophomore defender Kara Grandin, along with Anderson, Nash and freshman, Sarah Marcotte. Junior Julie St. James and freshamn Rachel Foley could also see playing time this spring.
"We lost a lot of starters from last year," said Kafel, who has new starters this year at seven positions. "We had some question marks going into the season, but we knew the kids would be focused. In the pre-season, our focus was on doing the basic things right."
It is a busy week for Mansfield. It began with a trip to Hingham for a non-league match on Monday. In that game, the team sufferred its first loss, 19-7, dropping them to 3-1-1.
Mansfield hosted Oliver Ames in a league match on Wednesday before heading to Franklin for a league contest today at Pisini Field. It will also be a tough week for Franklin as the team will travel to King Philip on Wednesday before hosting Mansfield.
Heading into Wednesday, Mansfield was first in the league at 3-0. Franklin was second at 2-0 overall in the league, while King Philip sits third at 2-1 overall in the league.
Mansfield did well against Franklin last year. The Hornets lost 10-8 at Alumni Field, but won 9-8 at Pisini Field. Mansfield went to Franklin for the quarterfinals of Division 2 South Sectional with the sixth-seeded Hornets defeating the third-seeded Panthers, 7-4.
"Our eyes are on Franklin now," said Kafel. "That will be our focus this week. Franklin is a huge game. We have to beat King Philip and Franklin if we want to win the league."
The Boston Globe, Sat April 18, 2009
Ths Sun Chronicle, Sat. April 18, 2009
MANSFIELD - "We played conservatively and smart," related Mansfield coach Dawn Kafel, whose unbeaten (5-0) Hornets did a masterful job of ball-possession in beating the Panthers in a Hockomock League match. Low defenders, Kailee Moore, Jess Verbic, Jacki Allen and Bri Hayes were brilliant in front of freshman goalie Lissy Doherty (six saves), while Michelle Navoni was outstanding in gaining control of ground balls.
Katherine Campbell scored twice for Mansfield, which held a 3-1 halftime lead. Krista Tuleja, Carrie Brophy, Kelly Coughlin and Kathryn Daisy each netted single goal. "It was a complete game, we clicked," said Kafel, whose Hornets visit Foxboro Tuesday for a noon faceoff.
Mansfield News, Friday April 17, 2009
Mansfield Sports Roundup
By Staff reports
Fri Apr 17, 2009, 07:32 PM EDT
Mansfield - Jacki Allens scored three times, while Carrie Brophy added three assists and two goals as the Mansfield girls’ lacrosse team defeated Oliver Ames, 14-8, staying unbeaten in the Hockomock League, going into today’s big match at Franklin. Freshman Rachel Foley made her start in net, sharing the duties with Lissy Doherty to get the win. Brie Hayes had three assists, while Kellie Coughlin added two. Both also scored along with Katherine Campbell, Elisa Sacks, Cori Starke, Michelle Navoni and Kristin Tuleja
The SunChronicle April 16, 2009
MANSFIELD - Jacki Allen scored three goals, while Carrie Brophy set up three goals and scored twice as the Hornets (4-1-1) routed the Tigers in a Hockomock League match. Katherine Daisy also had two goals for the Hornets, 4-0 in Hockomock play.
Rachel Foley and Missy Doherty shared goaltending duties for the Hornets. Kelli Coughlin (two assists), Briana Hayes (three assists), Kristin Tuleja, Michelle Navoni, Katherine Campbell, Elisa Sacks and Cori Starke also scored goals for Mansfield.
The Hornets visit Franklin on Friday.
The Sun Chronicle-Friday April 10, 2009
LACROSSE: KP suffers rare loss
MANSFIELD - For the first time since 2002, the King Philip Warriors girls' lacrosse team has a Hockomock League loss.
And this time, just like in 2002, it was at the hands of the Mansfield Hornets, who stretched a one-goal halftime lead into a 9-6 victory over the Warriors, improving to 3-0-1 on the year.
"It's a long time coming," Mansfield coach Dawn Kafel said. "This was a big, big game."
Mansfield was up 5-4 at halftime and were up two goals with eight minutes left when they began to slow things down, sensing a big league victory over the favored Warriors.
"We tried to slow our attack down," Kafel said. Michelle Navoni led the way offensively for the Hornets with three goals, while Catherine Daisy had two goals and one assist. Corey Starke, Elissa Sachs and Carrie Brophy each added a goal and an assist for the Hornets.
Lissy Doherty made eight saves in goal for Mansfield while Kailee Moore, Bryanna Hayes and Jackie Allen did well to help contain a strong King Philip attack. Kerry Eaton led the way for the Warriors with three goals and an assist.
Mansfield takes on Hingham on Monday.
Mansfield News -April 7, 2009
Good start for Mansfield girls' lacrosse team
By Staff reports
Tue Apr 07, 2009, 06:25 PM EDT
Mansfield - It was a good start to the season for the Mansfield High girls’ lacrosse team. The Hornets started off 2-0 after being Canton in the season opener and North Attleboro in the second game of the season.
In the opener, Mansfield edged out the Bulldogs, 9-7. Michelle Navoni led the way for the Hornets with a pair of goals, while Kristen Tuleja scored the first varsity goal of her career. Jackie Allen was a standout on defense, while freshman Lissy Doherty made seven saves in her first varsity game.
On Saturday, the Hornets took care of North Attleboro with a 17-3 win. Navoni had two goals and two assists, while Bry Hayes netted three goals and an assist. Doherty made 10 saves to get the win.
Back to Top
Mansfield - It was a good start to the season for the Mansfield High girls’ lacrosse team. The Hornets started off 2-0 after being Canton in the season opener and North Attleboro in the second game of the season.
In the opener, Mansfield edged out the Bulldogs, 9-7. Michelle Navoni led the way for the Hornets with a pair of goals, while Kristen Tuleja scored the first varsity goal of her career. Jackie Allen was a standout on defense, while freshman Lissy Doherty made seven saves in her first varsity game.
On Saturday, the Hornets took care of North Attleboro with a 17-3 win. Navoni had two goals and two assists, while Bry Hayes netted three goals and an assist. Doherty made 10 saves to get the win.
Thrusday April 9, 2009-The Sun Chronicle
GIRLS
Mansfield 7, Notre Dame 7
MANSFIELD - Senior attacker Kathryn Daisy scored four goals, two within the final minute of the match to rally the unbeaten (2-0-1) Hornets into a tie in the non-league match at Alumni Field. Facing a 7-4 deficit with just over two minutes left, Jess Verbic began the Hornet comeback by scoring with 2:20 remaining.
Daisy scored with a minute left and then tallied the tying goal with 18 seconds to go. Corey Starke and Elissa Sachs also scored goals for Mansfield, which trailed 3-2 at intermission. The Hornets entertain King Philip today.
The Sun Chronicle-April 5, 2009
MANSFIELD - Michelle Navoni and Bryanna Hayes each scored three goals as the Mansfield High girls' lacrosse team routed the Rocketeers in a Hockomock League match.
The Hornets (2-0) "were able to spread the goals around," said coach Dawn Kafel of the entire roster contributing to the team's success.
Kelly Coughlin (three assists), Kristin Tulega, Kiel Anderson and Carrie Brophy (two assists) each scored pairs of goals for Mansfield. Katherine Nash, Jackie Allen (two assists) and Kailee Moore each netted single goals for the Hornets.
For North Attleboro, Ashleigh Chretien and Brianna Doherty had goals while Kaylee Henriques had two goals, her second coming with just one second left in regulation time. Shannon Moore, who had a solid game defensively for the Red Rocketeers, also chimed in at the other end with an assist.
Mansfield has its next match Monday at King Philip, while North will entertain Sharon. Back to Top
Sunday April 5, 2009
WRENTHAM - A changing of the guard in the Hockomock League?
Maybe.
So long as there has been a Hockomock League for girls' lacrosse, the road to the division crown has always gone through King Philip. Since attaining varsity status, the Warriors have become one of the elite programs in the state, and in doing so, have never lost to a league opponent. But this year could be different, as the team has a new coach and pretty much a whole new roster, what with 11 players lost to graduation.
Whereas the Warriors may have come back to the pack a notch or two, programs like Franklin High and Mansfield continue to get strong and figure to seriously threaten King Philip's league unbeaten streak.
Budding lacrosse programs in Foxboro and North Attleboro won't make things any easier on KP.
Meanwhile, outside of the Hockomock League, Bishop Feehan continues to make strides with its program as well.
King Philip Warriors
First-year coach Sue Eaton knows her team has a target on its back each time out, and this year things could be a little different. For the first time in a long time there is no one on the team named Pasquantonio - as in perennial all-stars Kelly, Julie and Mary - and gone is Hockomock MVP goalie Katie Florence.
Also gone is longtime coach Mike Vitelli, who returned to his alma mater Stonehill College to take an assistant's job with the women's lacrosse team, that after amassing an 85-12-3 overall record with a state championship in 2006.
Eaton also realizes that no one is feeling bad for her team, which graduated 11 seniors and has just five returnees.
"It's going to be tough, really hard," Eaton admitted, of her team's prospects of running the table in the Hockomock League again. "KP hasn't lost a Hockomock League game since they first started playing and it's going to be tough for us to keep that going. Other teams in the league, like Franklin and Mansfield, have good programs and good players and gotten really competitive.
"I think things are going to be a lot closer this year," added Eaton, whose coaching experience aside from lacrosse also includes a 16-year tenure as head swimming coach at Needham High School. "We lost an all-star goalie and a lot of offense, so we have our work cut out for us."
The team's top returnees are seniors Allie Lomp (defense), Megan Marra (defense) and Kerry Eaton (midfield) as well as juniors Hillary Bushway (midfield) and Janessa Barrett (attack).
A majority of King Philip's offense from last season is in the college ranks now, as Kendall Hardy (Hockomock League's leading scorer) is playing at St. Lawrence University and Mary Pasquantonio (Team MVP senior year, 360 career points) is suiting up for Merrimack College.
"We're not going to have a lot of 15-5 games this year, I don't think. We're probably going to have a lot lower scoring games," said Eaton, whose team is off to a 2-0 start. "The girls are working hard, though, to pick up the slack."
Eaton likes the play of defender Sarah Annis and sophomore Cathryn Winslow, a solid two-way player. Junior Megan Foley has stepped in to play net for the Warriors while fellow junior Christine Walker, who was pencilled in as the starter, is already out indefinitely with a concussion.
Other team members include seniors Caroline Ouimet (midfield), Becca Brooks (attack), Michelle Daley (attack) and Kelly Vesty (defense) as well as freshmen attackers Olivia Fair, Olivia Florence and Katherine Riley.
Mansfield Hornets
Should King Philip falter, the Hornets might be the team to assume the top spot in the Hockomock.
Coming off of their second-straight MIAA Tournament appearance and a school-record for wins (16-6-1), the Hornets should be among the league's elite once again, and so hopes second-year coach Dawn Kafel.
Mansfield has a solid nucleus returning, made up of senior tri-captains Michelle Navoni, Carrie Brophy and Bryanna Hayes. All are four-year members of the varsity and three-year starters, Navoni and Brophy manning midfield while Hayes will do much of her work in the defensive zone. She'll have help from another senior and four-year starter, Kailee Moore. The two will play a big role in helping the development of freshman goalie Elisabeth Doherty.
Offensively, Mansfield will look to seniors Cory Starke and Kathryn Daisy as well as junior Kelly Coughlin.
Also suiting up for the Hornets will be juniors Jackie Allen and Julie St. James as well as sophomores Jessica Verbic, Elissa Sachs, Kiel Anderson and Maureen Navoni, freshman Kristin Tulega as well as Katherine Nash and Sarah Marcotte.
Foxboro Warriors
Another year of varsity experience, a new coach and a new attitude should make the Warriors all the more of a handful this season, their fifth at the varsity level and their first under the guidance of Alison Gugliotta.
The 23-year-old recent graduate of Bridgwater St. College takes over for Lindsay Bruno and she inherits a team still looking for its first postseason appearance. Gugliotta was a two-time captain of the Bridgewater women's lacrosse team and before that she was a four-year standout at Norwood High.
"I'm just excited to keep playing," said Gugliotta, whose team is 1-1 after a season-opening win (12-4) over Sharon and a closer-than-the-final-would-indicate, 17-6 loss to King Philip. "I'd just like the girls to have a better record than they had last year."
If the Warriors are to improve on last year's mark they'll have to do so without All-Hockomock attack Lindsay Felix, who is now playing at Merrimack College. Gugliotta is hoping the play of junior Rachel Jamieson will make up for that loss. Look for Cydney Viventi, Sarah Giardino and Kristen Hoffman to figure in the offense as well.
Foxboro does have some experience in the back, led by junior returnee Callie McLaughlin at goalie.
Also suiting up for the Warriors are seniors Ashley Appel, Kelsie Bromberg, Lindsey Comeau and Jenna Weiskerger; juniors Hillary Carlson and Courtney Cappadona; sophomores Nicki Comeau, Kristen McMullen and Danielle Warner; freshman Abby Tepper as well as Mandy Butterworth and Maggie Brown.
North Attleboro Red Rocketeers
The goals over at North Attleboro remain modest for now, the Red Rocketeers entering just their second season of varsity play and fourth overall.
"Last year we won one non-league game, now we'd like to get that first league one," said coach Karen Folan. "We were happy to be varsity last year and co-recipients of the Sportsmanship Award with KP, now we want to get that first league win and go from there."
North has a solid nucleus of nine players returning, that despite graduating last year's leading scorer.
Anchoring the defense will be senior captains Shannon Moore and Ashley Eustis. " I played defense, so I've let the girls know that to be a well-rounded player you have to realize that defense is what starts the offense," Folan said. "We have most of our attack coming back and we're young at midfield, but we have speed, and I think our captains will step up on defense."
Key midfielders are junior Ally Achin and sophomore Lindsay Patruno while sophomore Brianna Doherty and junior Jessica Perilli will lead the attack up front. Sophomore Shannon Hewitt will do the work between the pipes for the Rocketeers.
"The fact that we have a lot of returning players and a lot of girls who are used to playing with each other helps," Folan said. "That's allowed us to work on different things, like running more offensive plays. They did some work out of season and over the winter and you can already see the improvement."
Bishop Feehan Shamrocks
Three years ago, Shamrock coach Nancy Anderson-Semple greeted 87 candidates and in the first year of the program kept everyone on board for the first half of the season. Last year, the Shamrocks had 105 girls register and the roster was shaved down to 60 by midseason.
"This year we got the word out early that there would be cuts. Sixty one girls went out for the team and we kept 43," said Anderson-Semple of her roster which has 19 juniors and a dozen freshmen.
"In the past, the majority of the girls on the team have had no prior experience playing lacrosse," added Anderson-Semple. "This is the first year that we are seeing the majority of the new girls coming out for the team with prior experience on youth programs."
Among the notables are Julie Skaff, a product of having played five seasons in the Foxboro youth program; Kelly Byrne, who has played three years with the Wrentham-King Philip lacrosse program; Hailey Paris, who has played five years for Cumberland youth teams and Kerrin Gallagher, who has played five years for the Tri-boro Titans.
"It has been a nice change for the coaching staff not to have to teach the new players how to hold the stick," added Anderson-Semple. "They know the basics and just have to adapt to high school rules so we are looking forward to an action-packed season."
One casualty already is co-captain Liz Farrell, out for the season recuperating from knee surgery. Seniors Jamie Coyne and Alanna Murphy are the team's two goalkeepers who will likely alternate starts. Senior Meg Moran will be the leaded on defense, while co-captain Michelle Flannery will patrol midfield.
Anderson-Semple likes the speed and transitional play of Allison Clemmey, Maggie Ross, Samantha Mason and Erin Hines.
On offense, the three key players are junior Cori Semple (team-leading 47 goals, nine assists), sophomore Meghan Leavey (27 goals, 15 assists) and junior Ashley Rainha (17 goals, seven assists).
Staff writer Peter Gobis contributed to this preview
2009 SEASON The Sun Chronicle 4/1/09
CANTON - Michelle Navoni was the only Hornet to score multiple goals in Mansfield's opening victory.
Navoni's two goals helped Mansfield to a 7-3 halftime lead. Freshman Kristen Tulega added her first varsity goal, and in her first start, fellow freshman Elisabeth Doherty made seven saves in the Hornet net.
Jackie Allen also played well on defense for Mansfield, which entertains North Attleboro Friday.
Tourney 2008
Chronicle 
By David Morrison
The stifling Norwell defense was all over junior Bryanna Hayes and the Hornets’ attackers in Tuesday’s 20-3 win by the Norwell Clippers
Tournament run comes to a halt
By David Auguste
Sat Jun 07, 2008, 01:27 PM EDT
Mansfield -Mansfield News Wesnesday June 4, 2008
Norwell eliminates Hornets
By Staff reports
Wed Jun 04, 2008, 01:05 AM EDT
SunChronicle Wednesday June 4, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008 2:36 AM EDT
MANSFIELD - The Mansfield High girls' lacrosse team has, generally, demonstrated the ability to maintain possession of the ball and create plenty of offense this season.
But, the Hornets were playing chase for most of Tuesday afternoon at Alumni Field.
The No. 10 ranked Norwell Clippers bolted out to an 11-1 lead by intermission and routed the Hornets 20-3 in the semifinal round of the MIAA Division 2-South Tournament.
"They were very fast and they ran some great plays," said Mansfield coach Dawn Kafel of Norwell applying pressure on the Hornet defense throughout the first half and never relenting. Were it not for some spectacular saves by Julie Verbic (eight) in goal, the margin might have been greater.
Lindsay Quinn scored twice for the No. 6 seeded Hornets, while Michelle Navoni had a single tally.
The Hornets had a terrific season (16-6-1), a single-season record for wins, but Norwell never allowed Mansfield to settle into an offensive flow. "We were never able to get our transition going," said Kafel. "It was a tough way to end the season."
SunChronicle Sunday June 1, 2008
Mansfield 7, Franklin 4
MANSFIELD - The Hornets switched their defensive posture and limited the Panthers to pairs of goals in each half in winning the MIAA Division 2 Tournament quarterfinal round match at Alumni Field.
Lindsay Quinn netted two goals for the No. 6 seeded Hornets (16-5-1), who held a 3-2 lead at intermission.
Then goals by Ciara Pisano (at the six-minute mark) and by Kerri Kiley (at the nine-minute mark) gave the Hornets a three-goal advantage in the second half.
Mansfield lost a 10-8 decision to Franklin earlier in the Hockomock League season, but then beat the No. 3 seeded Panthers 9-8 last week.
"We beat them before playing man-to-man (defense), but we wanted to try something different," said Mansfield coach Dawn Kafel. "We adapted."
In front of goalie Julie Verbic (12 saves), the Hornets received outstanding defensive work from Kailee Moore and Jacki Allen. The result was Mansfield shutting out Franklin through the first 15 minutes of the match.
Michelle Navoni, Carrie Brophy and Moore all netted single goals for the Hornets, who created good ball control during the second half, to such an extent that Franklin went scoreless through the first 21 minutes.
Mansfield News, Thursday May 29, 2008
Quick hitters
By David Auguste
Thu May 29, 2008, 06:37 PM EDT
By David Morrison
Tight defense like this from Meredith Maroney and a balanced offensive attack has the Hornets surging at 6-2.
SunChronicle Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008 2:08 AM EDT
MANSFIELD - Lindsay Quinn collected five goals and three assists as the Mansfield High girls' lacrosse team defeated Cape Cod Academy, 22-2, in the first round of the MIAA Division 2 South Sectional Tournament on Tuesday afternoon at Alumni Field.
Sixth-seeded Mansfield built a 12-2 lead at the half and outscored the visitors 10-0 in the second half.
Carrie Brophy contributed three goals and two assists for the Hornets, while Samantha Doucette had three goals and Kelley Coughlin had two goals and three assists. Ciara Pisano collected two goals and two assists with Michelle Navoni and Kathryn Daisy each scoring a pair of goals. Kerry Kiley had one goal and one assist, while Bryanna Hayes and Elissa Fachs also had scores. For Fachs, it was her first varsity goal.
Julie Verbic made seven saves to register the victory in net for the Hornets (15-5-1).
Mansfield News Friday May 23, 2008
Ready for the postseason?
Girls Lacrosse
Year one for Dawn Kafel and her team has been a bold statement to the league. But the team is hoping to make a bigger declaration to prove it is an elite squad in next week's state tournament. The girls finished off the season in style with four straight wins-including a scintillating one-point win against Franklin, and routs of Dartmouth, Sharon and Scituate-to finsih the year at 14-5-1.
The girls began the streak with a 16-4 thumping of Sharon. Prolific scorer Ciara Pisano tallied four goals and three assists while Bryanna Hayes recorded a hat trick. Michelle Navoni, Linsday Quinn, Kelly Coughlin, and Samantha Doucette all found the back of the net twice.
Behind a breakout performance by Coughlin, the Hornets dropped Scituate, 18-4, Monday. Coughlin recorded a team-high four goals and an assist in leading the team in scoring for the first time this year. Senior captain Kerry Kiley added a hat trick, and Hayes, Doucette and Pisano all added two goals and an assist apiece.
In the Franklin victory Tuesday, Brophy struck for a game-winning goal with 6:34 remaining in the contest to propel the Hornets to a 9-8 victory that clinched a tie for second place in the league. Kailee Moore made a key defensive stop to secure the win for Mansfield. Kiley led the way with three goals and an assist while Lindsay Quinn added a pair of goals. Goalie Julie Verbic stopped 12 shots while Kim Young played terrific defense in front of her.
The girls closed out the regular season with a 17-4 win over Dartmouth Wednesday. Quinn buoyed the offense with five goals while Navoni struck the net four times. Coughlin and Brophy each tallied a pair of scores with an assist while Doucette, Corey Starke and Kathryn Daisy notched a goal apiece.
SunChronicle Thursday May 22, 2008
Mansfield girls 17, Dartmouth 4
MANSFIELD - The MIAA Tournament-bound Hornets roared out to a 10-2 lead by intermission and crushed Dartmouth in a non-league match at Alumni Field. Lindsay Quinn scored five goals and assisted on two others for Mansfield, while Michelle Navoni netted four goals.
Kelley Coughlin and Carrie Brophy each scored twice for Mansfield, while Corey Starke, Katherine Daisy, Kerri Kiley and Samantha Doucette had singles scores. Julie Verbic totaled eight saves in goal for the Hornets (14-5-1).
SunChronicle Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Mansfield girls 9, Franklin 8
FRANKLIN - Kerry Kiley collected three goals and one assist as the Hornets edged Franklin in a Hockomock League match.
The teams battled to a 5-5 deadlock in the first half, but the Hornets outscored the Panthers 4-3 in the second half for the victory.
Lindsay Quinn scored a pair of goals in the match for Mansfield, while Samantha Doucette had one goal and two assists. Michelle Navoni and Ciara Pisano each contributed one goal and one assist with Carrie Brophy also notching a goal. Julie Verbic made 12 saves to register the win in net for the Hornets.
Mansfield (13-5-1 overall, 11-3) hosts Dartmouth in a non-league match today.
MetroWest Daily News Wednesday May 21, 2008
MANSFIELD 9, FRANKLIN 8: Visiting Mansfield avenged an earlier loss and earned a share of second place in the Hockomock League with slim victory over host Franklin.
Caileigh Grove had two goals and two assists for the Panthers (14-4, 11-3 Hock), while Eliza Scoba had two goals and an assist. Rachel Porter and Jen Heisner were strong in defense, but Mansfield (13-5-1, 11-3) got the winner with six minutes left.
SunChronicle Tuesday May 20, 2008
MANSFIELD - Kelley Coughlin scored four goals and Kerri Kiley three as the MIAA Tournament-bound Hornets crushed Scituate in a non-league match. Mansfield (11-5-1) created a 10-3 lead by halftime, creating ample support for goalie Julie Verbic (seven saves). Kailee Moore starred defensively.
The Hornets visit Franklin today.
SunChronicle, Saturday May 17, 208
Mansfield girls 16, Sharon 4
MANSFIELD - Senior attacker Ciara Pisano scored four goals and set up three others as the MIAA Tournament-bound Hornets shellacked Sharon in a Hockomock League match on rain-slickened Alumni Field. "The kids didn't mind the rain too much in the first half, but it got cold in the second half," said MHS coach Dawn Kafel, whose Hornets created a 9-2 halftime lead.
Mansfield goalie Julie Verbic (six saves) didn't face much pressure as the Hornets had consistent ball possession at the other end of the field. Brianna Hayes added three goals, while Kelly Coughlin netted two goals and collected two assists.
Lindsay Quinn, Samantha Doucette and Michelle Navoni each scored twice for the Hornets, now 11-5-1. Mansfield plays the first of three matches in three days Monday at home against Scituate.
Mansfield News Friday May 16, 2008
HORNETS SPORTS SHORTS
Girls Lacrosse
A pair of trends have been prevalent in the last week of play for the Hornets lacrosse team. The first has been a rash of injuries to Jackie Allen (concussion), Bryanna Hayes (ankle), Jessica Verbic (leg), Kailee Moore (shin), and Kim Young (site correction-Kim Young was not injured, other injured player is Sam Parsloe (foot)). Luckily for the Hornets, the second is the emergence of scoring threat Lindsay Quinn. The senior averages three goals a game in wins over Foxboro and Dartmouth and a loss to Notre Dame as the girls qualified for the postseason by winning three of their last four.
Mansfield scored a 13-5 win over Dartmouth Saturday asfternoon behind a three-goal two-assist effort by Quinn. Samantha Doucette, Kerry Kiley and Hayes all tallied two goals in the win. Senior goalie Julie Verbic recorded nine saves.
Monday, the Hornets defeated (site correction, they lost) to Notre Dame Academy 11-9. Quinn tallied three goals and three assists and Ciara Pisano added a pair. Verbic stopped 11 shots as Mansfield never recovered from a 6-5 halftime deficit.
With a 20-4 win over Foxboro Wednesday, the girls sent new head coach, Dawn Kafel to the postseason. The 1-2 combination of Verbic (5 saves) and O'Leary (6 saves) combined for 11 stops as 15 different girls found the back of the net. Quinn led the way with three goals and two assists whle Doucette, Kiel Anderson and Kathryn Daisy all notched two goals and an assist. The game also marked first varsity goals for senior Meredith Maroney, Kim Young and freshman Maureen Navoni. The girls willnow look to improve on their playoff positioning as they currently stand 10-5-1.
"I have injuries but I am hoping everyone heals," Kafel said. "We had a nice team effort against Foxboro and everyone scored but three girls. It is nice to qualify."
SunChronicle Thursday, May 15, 2008
MARK STOCKWELL-Foxboro’s Brisa Shaw, left, is guarded by Mansfield’s Kailee Moore.
The Hornets won, 20-4, to qualify for the MIAA Tournament.
GIRLS
Mansfield 20, Foxboro 4
MANSFIELD - Fifteen Hornets, including goalie Julie Verbic, posted goals as Mansfield (10-5-1) qualified for the MIAA Tournament with a Hockomock League victory.
Lindsay Quinn scored three goals and assisted on two others, and Samantha Doucette, Kiel Anderson and Kathryn Daisy all had two goals and an assist apiece. Meredith Maroney, Maureen Navoni and Kim Young all added their first varsity goals.
Verbic made five saves in the first half as Mansfield took a 13-3 lead by the break. She scored her goal as an attacker in the second half, while Ashley O'Leary turned aside six Foxboro shots.
Mansfield, 8-3 in league play, entertains Sharon at 5 p.m. Friday.
SunChronicle -Tuesday May 13, 2008
Notre Dame 11, Mansfield 9
HINGHAM - Lindsay Quinn scored three goals and collected three assists, but the Hornets were unable to wrestle a second-half lead away from Notre Dame Academy in losing the non-league match. Mansfield (9-5-1) trailed 6-5 at intermission. Ciara Pisano added two goals for the Hornets, while Kelly Coughlin, Brianna Hayes, Samantha Doucette and Michelle Navoni each scored once. Kerry Kiley starred defensively for Mansfield in both a low post and wing position. The Hornets are in need of one point to qualify for the MIAA Tournament and seek that Wednesday at home at Alumni Field against Foxboro.
SunChronicle-Sunday May 11, 2008
LACROSSE: Mansfield closing in on tourney
Sunday, May 11, 2008 1:21 AM EDT
DARTMOUTH - Lindsay Quinn collected three goals and two assists as the Mansfield High girls' lacrosse team moved within one point of securing a berth in the MIAA Tournament with a 13-5 victory over Dartmouth in a non-league match on Saturday afternoon.
The Hornets took a 9-1 lead at the half and the teams battled to a 4-4 deadlock in the second half.
Samantha Doucette and Bryanna Hayes had two goals and one assist for Mansfield, while Kerry Kiley scored a pair of goals. Ciara Pisano contributed one goal and one assist for the Hornets, while Kailee Moore, Kiel Anderson and Michelle Navoni also had goals.
Julie Verbic made nine saves on the way to the victory in net for Mansfield, which improved to 9-4-1 overall. The Hornets are scheduled to travel to Hingham to face Notre Dame Academy in a non-league match on Monday afternoon. A win or tie earns a postseason berth for Mansfield.
Mansfield News May 9, 2008
SunChronicle-May 8, 2008
Mansfield 15 Oliver Ames 3
MANSFIELD - Samantha Doucette scored three goals as the Hornets bolted out to a 10-2 halftime lead to beat the Tigers in the Hockomock League contest.
Kailee Moore, Ciara Pisano and Lindsay Quinn each added two goals for Mansfield. The Hornets had 10 players contribute points on the scoresheet with goalie Julie Verbic (four first half saves) coming out of net for the second half to score her first career goal. Ashley O'Leary took over in the second half in goal and made four saves. The Hornets (8-4-1) meet Franklin Friday.
SunChronicle-Saturday May 3, 2008
WRENTHAM - The King Philip Regional High girls' lacrosse team may be the best in the Hockomock League, but the Warriors survived a test to their supremacy Friday by holding off Mansfield, 12-9.
"Any game that you have to fight for a win is a good game," said King Philip coach Mike Vitelli. "Mansfield played really well - that's a program with a good young coach (Dawn Kafel) and a team with some great athletes."
Mary Pasquantonio netted five goals for KP (11-2, 10-0 Hockomock) which held just a 6-4 halftime lead.
Kendall Harty added three goals for the Warriors and Kerry Eaton had two. Hilary Bushway and Sarah Biron both scored single goals for KP.
Lindsay Quinn scored three goals and Brianna Hayes had two for Mansfield (7-3-1). Katherine Davey, Carrie Brophy, Samantha Doucette and Kerri Kiley each had single goals.
"We were frustrated the first time that we played them," said Mansfield coach Dawn Kafel. "We played a good first half, but we let ourselves fall apart. Our quality of play raised the bar for us." Julie Verbic totaled 12 saves in goal for Mansfield, with some outstanding defensive work from Kailee Moore and Meredith Maroney.
KP created a 10-6 lead early in the second half and Mansfield was never able to cut the gap to fewer than two goals. Katie Florence totaled nine saves in goal for the Warriors, with Ali Lomp turning in a solid defensive effort.
KP entertains Canton Monday, while Mansfield has a home match against Hopkinton.
Mansfield News May2, 2008
New Coach, same results
Hornets continue winning tradition in first half of season
By Christopher Tremblay
The Mansfield girls lacrosse team is currently sitting in third place in the Hockomock League behind King Phillip and Franklin. Despite dropping two earlier contests to the two teams ahead of them, Hornets coach Dawn Kafel is optimistic about her team's chances the second time around.
"We played very well against both teams the first time," she said. "King Phillip is a powerhouse with a relentless attack. We were not catching and cutting to the ball, but we managed to stay with them. Unfortunately, once they scored a few goals things seemed to go tumbling down. The second time around we're going to be prepared."
The Hornets will get to square off aginst the undefeated Warriors in Wrentham tonight under the lights at 6:15 and will try to knock off the team in front of them next Friday when they travel to Franklin.
Against KP the first time around, goalie Julie Verbic recorded 16 saves. According to Kafel, the senior keeper has only seen a steady diet of between 6-9 shots per contest before taking the field against the Warriors.
"We're right on track," said the coach. "I am disappointed with the Notre Dame of Hingham tie and the loss to Franklin, but I know that we have the potential to play with everyone in the league."
Mansfield, which returned nine seniors and eight juniors, is led by tri-captains Ciara Pisano (forward), Samantha Doucette (center midfield) and Kerry Kiley (defense). The trio not only gives the Hornets the leadership it needs to succeed, but it also gives the team captains on all three areas of the field.
Pisano is currently the leading scorer on the squad with 23 goals and nine assists; Doucette is a four-year starter that Kafel calls the workhorse due to her time spent on the field and Kiley has one of the better understandings of the game while picking up a lot of interceptions.
Outside the senior captains, juniors Bryanna Hayes (attacker) and Carrie Brophy are part of the talented group of juniors that will inherit this team come next spring. Hayes continues to bring her game up a notch and has been very noticable on the field, while Brophy has notched 17 goals and seven assists, good for third on the scoring depth chart.
Lindsay Quinn falls in between Brophy and Pisano in regards to scoring with 19 goals and six assists through the first nine outings.
"Our scoring this year has been very balanced," Kafel said. "Any attacker or midfielder can score. We've had seven games with at least nine different scorers."
Having already notched six wins, Mansfield is not all that far from securing a spot in the state tournament, However, once the team gets there Kafel wants to improve upon past performances.
"Our goal is to qualify for the tournament and we should definitely do that," she said. "Only once have we made it into the second round. We're looking to focus and prepare ourselves to get to that next level."
Mansfield News May 2, 2008
HORNETS SPORTS SHORTS
Girls Lacrosse
Senior goalie Julie Verbic notched her first shutout of the season with 11 saves, propelling Mansfield to a 14-0 win over North Attleboro Wednesday. Ciara Pisano and Michelle Navoni taillied three goals apiece, while Lindsay Quinn chipped in two. Six Hornets scored solo goals as Mansfield (7-2-1) earned its seventh win of the season. Seniors Meredith Maroney and Samantha Doucette also played well defensively and in the midfield. Mansfield will look to avenge a 15-5 loss to King Phillip this afternoon.
SunChronicle May 1, 2008
MANSFIELD - The Hornets pitched a shutout, with Julie Verbic turning away 11 North Attleboro shots to earn her first career blanking.
Ciara Pisano and Michelle Navoni scored three goals apiece for Mansfield, which led 10-0 at halftime. Lindsey Quinn added two goals, and Meredith Maroney and Samantha Doucette also had excellent efforts.
Mansfield News Friday -April 25, 2008
Girls Lacrosse
The Mansfield offensive attack has been blessed with great balance this spring-and road contests against Sharon and Canton just gave the ladies an opportunity to hone their craft. In the two contests, the ladies outscored their opponents 40-6, utilizing eight different scorers in a 13-3 win over Sharon, and 11 scorers in a 17-3 win over the Bulldogs.
"Our transition was great in both games and we moved the ball around well," said head coach Dawn Kafel
Freshman Kiel Anderson, just called up to varsity, added to the team's versitility on offense and netted her first varsity goal against Canton. Michelle Navoni and Lindsay Quinn added three goals each in the rout. Samantha Parsloe and Carrie Brophy notched a pair of goals while Kim Youngsparked the transition game. Senior Kerry Kiley was a rock defensively helping the girls to their sixth win of the season.
In the Sharon win, Ciara Pisano (assist) and Quinn taillied three goals apiece, ans Samantha Doucette added two goals and an assist. The girls will enjoy some time off before battling North Attleboro next Wednesday.
The SunChronicle-April 23, 2008
Mansfield girls 17, Canton 3
CANTON - Lindsay Quinn and Michelle Navoni each scored three goals as the Mansfield girls' team crushed Canton in a Hockomock League match. Carrie Brophy and Samantha Parselow each netted two goals, while Kiel Anderson scored her first varsity goal.
Kim Young and Colleen Anderson at midfield and the coast-to-coast play from Kerry Kiley guided the Hornets' defensive strength. Mansfield visits North Attleboro today.
The SunChronicle-Saturday April 19, 2008
Mansfield 13 Sharon 3
SHARON - Ciara Pisano and Lindsay Quinn each scored three goals as the Hornets routed the Eagles in a Hockomock League match.
Samantha Doucette also netted two goals for the Hornets (5-2-1). Julie Verbic (five saves) and Ashley O'Leary (three saves) shared the goaltending duties, splitting the first and second half chores. The Hornets meet Canton Tuesday.
Mansfield News -Friday April 18, 2008
Girls Lacrosse
No lead is safe on the lacrosse field and the Mansfield girls lacrosse team was a living testiment to that last week. After jumping out to early leads, the team was forced to settle for a loss and a tie in dropping tp 3-2-1.
Dispite a balanced offense attack, the Lady Hornets dropped a 10-8 decision to league power Franklin. Michelle Navoni, Samantha Doucette, and Carrie Brophy all tallied ywo goals apiece, while Brianna Hayes and Ciara Pisano (two assists) scored a goal each. Julie Verbic recorded six saves as the ladies fell to 3-2 on the season.
Mansfield followed up the loss with a tough-luck tie against non-league opponent Notre Dame of Hingham, 14-14. Again, the girls showed balance with Lindsay Quinn, Pisano, Navoni, Brophy and Hayes allnetting two goals apiece. Samantha Parsloe, Doucette, senior Kerry Kiley and Kathryn Daisy each scored a goal in the tie. Kailee Moore played well defensively in front of Verbic who stopped 12 shots.
'"We should've won both games" said head coach Dawn Kafel. "Moore had an excellent game coming up with a lot of ground balls and interceptions."
SunChronicle-Thursday, April 17, 2008 1:57 AM EDT
GIRLS: Mansfield 18, Foxboro 2
FOXBORO - Scoring 11 first-half goals and shutting out the Warriors through the second half of play, the Hornets raced to an easy victory in Hockomock League play.
Lindsay Quinn and Carrie Brophy each scored four goals for the Hornets, who scored the first three goals of the match and held an 11-2 lead at intermission.
Ciara Pisano added two goals and three assists for the Hornets, while Julie Verbic totaled nine saves in goal. Lindsey Felix scored both goals for Foxboro. Mansfield (4-2-1) visits Sharon Friday, while Foxboro visits Franklin
SunChronicle Wednesday, April 16, 2008 1:43 AM EDT
MANSFIELD - Notre Dame Academy scored a pair of goals in the final six minutes of play - netting the tying goal with just six seconds left - to leave Alumni Field with a 14-14 tie against the Mansfield High girls' lacrosse team in a non-league match Tuesday.
Kerry Brophy netted two goals and collected three assists for the Hornets while Michelle Navoni had two goals and two assists. Ciara Pisano, Lindsay Quinn and Brianna Hayes each also had two goals for Mansfield. Julie Verbic totaled a dozen saves in goal for the Hornets, while Kayleigh Moore was outstanding on low defense. The Hornets visit Foxboro today.
SunChronicle 4/11/08
Franklin 10, Mansfield 8
MANSFIELD - The Hornets rallied from a 3-0 deficit, taking a 5-4 lead by halftime, but could not hold off Franklin during the second half of the Hockomock League match.
Michelle Navoni, Samantha Doucette and Samantha Brophy each had two goals for the Hornets, while Ciara Pisano had a goal and two assists. The Hornets (3-2) return to action Tuesday at home against Notre Dame Academy.
Mansfield News-Thu Apr 10, 2008, 03:34 PM EDT
Hornets Sports Shorts
SunChronicle- Thursday, April 10, 2008 1:35 AM EDT
Mansfield 16, Oliver Ames 9
EASTON - Overcoming an 8-5 halftime deficit, allowing the Tigers merely one second-half goal, the Hornets rallied to victory in the Hockomock League match.
Kaley Moore scored four goals and Kerry Brophy three for the Hornets (3-1), who tightened their grip defensively on OA during the second half due to the work of Meredith Maroney and Kerry Kiley. The Hornets entertain Franklin Friday.
GIRLS LACROSSE PREVIEW--Mansfield News April 4, 2008
Ladies shooting for consistancy
By David August (DAUGUST@CNC.COM)
New Mansfield coach Dawn Kafel just can't get enough of the Hornet's athletics program. As a student at MHS, she competed on the field hockey and lacrosse club teams in the late 90s. After an injury shortened her college career at Stonehill College, she returned to Mansfield to assist in coaching both sports. So when last year's girls lacrosse coach Courtney Leonard departed for Boston College, Kafel saw an opportunity to return to Mansfield again.
The team has responded to their new coach with a pair of victories by a combined score of 37-10. Kafel inherits a team that finished third in the league a year ago behind team MVP Jill Hallgren. With Hallgren now at the colligiate level, Ciara Pisano and Lindsay Quinn have elevated their play on offense, combining for 15 goals in the two wins. "Pisano (nine goals) has been the real catalyst of our attack," Kafel said. "Quinn was one of our top scorers last season. They have good movement and timing and transition game is their strength. They are very skilled at putting it all together."
Back in net for Mansfield will be senior goalie and two year-starter Julie Verbic, who has made 13 saves in the first two games. "She is very vocal with the defense and has a good eye on the field." Kafel said.
The defense in front of Verbic has also been tight with junior Kailee Moore and Meredith Maroney both playing well. "They have shut down the transition games and have come up with big interceptions," Kafel said.
Several other players are primed for major contributions, according to Kafel. Junior Kathryn Daisy has stepped in and executed the game plan in her first foray into lacrosse. Sophomore attacker Kelly Coughlin has helped alleviate Hallgren's loss, and has formed a nice tandem with Pisano and Quinn. Midfielder Brianna Hayes has also shown her versatility with her solid play on both sides of he ball. Junior Carrie Brophy has also has success in the early season in the early season and possesses a strong and accurate shot.
Nine seniors and nine juniors will assist Kafel as she assimilates to the varsity level after coaching the junior varsity squad the last six years. Senior captians Pisano, Samantha Doucette (four year starter), and defender Kerry Kiley will be instumental in the teams success. "I want them to really communicate and motivate the girls," Kafel said. "we are looking for a consistent season."
"We want to make a big statement," she added, "we really want to be one of the top teams in the league but consistency is a question mark."
The team will battle King Phillip and Franklin for the league title, and will face tough non-league opponents in Scituate, Dartmouth and Hopkinton.
SunChronicle-Friday, April 4, 2008 1:18 AM EDT
KP girls lacrosse finishes strong
MANSFIELD - Deadlocked at one goal each for 14 minutes, the King Philip Regional High girls' lacrosse team was beginning to feel the heat placed upon it from the Mansfield High Hornets Thursday.
"We proved that we can play with them," said Hornet coach Dawn Kafel after King Philip left Alumni Field with a 15-5 victory in the Hockomock League match. "It wasn't as if they overpowered us, we just didn't do some of the simple things."
Mary Pasquantonio and Kendall Harty each netted four goals for King Philip, which gained a 9-1 lead by intermissionn. Freshman Sarah Biron contributed a "hat trick," while Kerry Eaton, Janessa Barrett, Hilary Bushway and Jacki Lomp each had a single goal.
"Mansfield is a good team, they were very competitive," KP coach Mike Vitelli praised the Hornets, who were stumped by Warrior senior goalie Katie Florence, who totaled 10 saves. Mansfield senior goalie Julie Verbic had 16 saves in goal for the Hornets.
Ciara Pisano and freshman Jess Verbic each had two goals for the Hornets, while Brianna Hayes had a goal and Kerry Brophy had two assists.
The Hornets have a non-league match Saturday at Dartmouth, while King Philip has a big early season test Monday in a non-league match at Lincoln-Sudbury, "they're one of the top three or four teams in the state," said Vitelli.
SunChronicle-Thursday, April 3, 2008 1:03 AM EDT
KP girls an elite program
Is there any team in the Hockomock League, perhaps not even a collection of all-stars, who might be able to contend or just be competitive with the King Philip Regional High girls' lacrosse team.
En route to the MIAA Division 1 championship match, coach Mike Vitelli and his Warriors won 20 matches. The leadership, the core of veterans in all-state players Katie Florence, Kendall Harty and Mary Pasquantonio, an influx of skilled newcomers and the tradition of success don't leave much margin for error for foes.
Meanwhile, the Mansfield High program has new coaches in Tim Frias and Dawn Kafel, the Hornets also having established a winning tradition and the likelihood of postseason play.
The North Attleboro High boys' program is in its second season of varsity play while the girls embark on their maiden voyage, the Bishop Feehan High program is in its second season and is booming, while the Foxboro High Warriors are looking to reverse a recent down cycle.
Mansfield boys
There are a lot of positives to the Hornet program - a strong nucleus, leadership, high expectations and an infusion of young talent. Not to mention a new head coach in Tim Frias (via Dartmouth High and Salve Regina University). "We have a lot of very reliable players, there are a lot of good things," said Frias.
Most notably, the Hornets can run and score with most anyone, especially up front with senior Mike Morrill (34 goals, 35 assists last year), senior Tommy Giannaloudis and sophomore Ryan Murphy. "They play off each other very well," said Frias.
The midfield troop consists of seniors John DiFlaminies, Jordan Marks, Kevin Coughlin, Mike Blanchette and Russ Corcroft along with junior Doug Corcroft.
Senior and four-year starter Adam Bourget is a fixture in goal and he is well-protected by his Hornet football teammates - Dan Pannelletore and Mike Willhauck - along with senior Jake Doyle, sophomore Matt Schepis and freshman Kevin Murphy.
Mansfield Girls
Former assistant coach Dawn Kafel takes charge of a Hornet team which bowed out in the first round of the MIAA Tournament (to Norwell) last year, one that has experience and lofty goals. "We have a lot of seniors (nine) and a lot of the other girls have improved," said Kafel.
The Hornets are strong up the middle with senior captain and attacker Ciara Pisano, four-year starter Samantha Doucette at midfield and senior captain and four-year starter Kerry Kiley anchoring the defense.
Senior Julie Berbic returns in goal for Mansfield, while the rest of the defense is strong with senior and three-year starter Brianna Hayes (sister of former Hornet scoring whiz Connor Hayes) and senior Meredith Maroney.
Working with Doucette at midfield will be senior Lindsay Quinn and junior Michelle Navoni. Up top, senior Samantha Parselow, junior Catherine Davey and sophomore Kelley Coughlin have a nose toward the goal.
King Philip boys
Dan Warren and the Warriors had a bitter taste about the way the 2007 season ended, a one-goal loss at Falmouth in the MIAA Tournament. After winning 10 matches last year, the Warriors want more. "We have a lot of third-year players, but we're just not deep," said Warren of KP's depth, so much so that the Warriors might run just one midfield.
Captain John Cuozzo, faceoff specialist Alex Katapodis and Cam Olean head that midfield unit, with Dan Speney, Mike Saulnier, Joe Rose and Marshall Haughey also set to be on the field.
Senior captain Dave Robeson opens in goal with a cast including juniors Andrew Sutton (159 ground balls taken in '07), Chris Pellichero and Joe Purdon being the defensive cast for protection.
Up front, senior captain Kyle Lasher has a good scoring touch, paired with senior Matt Schairer and sophomore John Florence. "We should be able to do well, but it'll be a challenge," added Warren of not overworking the starters.
King Philip girls
"There's a lot of senior leadership, this could be the best team we've ever had," surmised KP coach Mike Vitelli, whose Warriors advanced to the MIAA Division 1 title match (losing to Westwood) last year, en route to a 20-2 season. And three of the best players in the Commonwealth return to the field - goalie Katie Florence, attacker Kendall Harty and midfielder Mary Pasquantonio.
Florence, a four-year starter, has a 40-3-1 career record and posted a 3.45 goals against mark last year. Harty was the No. 1 scorer in the Hockomock League with 74 goals and 40 assists and Pasquantonio has 100 career goals, netting 53 last year.
"We're strong top to bottom," said Vitelli of his roster. "The seniors are all product of the youth program and the kids coming into the program are better and better."
Freshman Sarah Biron and sophomore Hilary Bushway have proven to be prime-time players already. The defense is very strong with Meg Marra, Missy Colcord, Amanda Dion and Arielle DiPlacido.
North Attleboro boys
"We're trying to aim at what other Hockomock League programs have done, like Mansfield and Franklin," said North coach Jeremy Nodelman of the Rocketeers' status. In just their second varsity season, "the bar has been set high," said the North coach.
The North attack had senior soccer star Scott Macedonio working with juniors Matt McCaughey and Steve Rollins. The midfield cast is led by senior co-captains Kyle Bainton (the MVP last season with 28 goals) and Mike Curren along with senior Ben Rickard.
Junior Dan Reissarth will open the season in goal, while senior Jason Dobbins, junior football-wrestling standout Chris Chretien and sophomore hockey star Barrett Holden are the mainstays of the defense.
"We're young," said Nodelman, who had some 60 candidates for the team. "We're in a good place. We'e trying to find that balance between athletic skills and lacrosse skills."
North Attleboro girls
With over 50 girls out for the Rocketeer girls' team, North coach Karen Folan is seeing some of the fruits of the labor from the TriBoro Titans youth program. The Rocketeers are very capable of holding their own against most anyone, save for the upper echelon teams of the Hockomock League.
"We have some kids who can bring it to the net, but we're going to need to have strong defensive play against the better teams," said Folan. To that end, sophomore goalie Emily Hickey and the defensive cast of seniors Lauren Sexton (of basketball fame) and Tierney Richardson (of field hockey fame) and junior Shannon Moore have a lot of responsibility.
Senior Katie Noll (of hoop fame) and junior Shannon Morse have worked well at midfield, while senior Nicole Marceau and junior Julian Barry are the primary attackers.
Bishop Feehan boys
The Shamrocks have had success playing football, basketball, hockey and track and now some of those athletes have turned to lacrosse. Three key members of the Super Bowl championship football team - Jake Curren, Chris Paine and Kyle Schmitt - are mainstays for new head coach Kevin Young on the defensive backline.
The Donovan brothers, seniors Mike and Keith, are the attackmen. "The biggest challenge is we're playing against more experienced teams," said Young, the Shamrocks in their second year as a program.
Freshman Jake Pettine will get the starting nod in goal, while the midfield will be directed by Bryan Webb and Brian Canesi. With better than 50 players, gaining experience and improving depth will be a key. "I'm not excited about the wins and losses as I am the improvement," said Young.
Bishop Feehan girls
Watch out for the Shamrocks in the future! Coach Nancy Semple had 105 girls come out for the team, "even though 33 had never played before. The response has been overwhelming." So much so, that Semple has six teams playing against each other in practice.
The Shamrocks will play a 12-match schedule, "we're accelerating things, we're making some cuts," said Semple. "What I've been impressed with is that all the girls are trying so hard."
The key players will be senior captain and attacker McKenzie Cuddy, senior captain and defender Emma Creeden and sophomore midfielder Cori Semple, who plays with the Mass. Elite program.
Foxboro boys
The pieces are in place for coach Matt Noone and his Warriors to become much more competitive, through their non-league and Hockomock League season. Foxboro has a superb goalie in junior Dave Santos (.630 save percentage) and strength up the middle in seniors Matt McCarthy and faceoff specialist Tim Mogan (17 goals, five assists).
"They understand the fundamentals," said Noone, whose Warriors won three games last season, but are now in the turning the corner phase of the program. Defensively, Luke Soccorso and Zach Zupanick are the primary long sticks.
The transitional team includes Dan McCarthy, Connor Whalen, Ed Noonan, Bill Roberts and Pat Martin.
Foxboro girls
Like the Warrior boys' team, there are players in place now in their third varsity seasons, players with a much better concept of the game and much improved skills. "As we move on, we have kids who have played youth (programs)," said coach Lindsay Bruno.
Callie McLaughlin, the Foxboro goalie, will be the beneficiary of having some veterans around to defend. That cast includes senior captain Lauren Butterworth, juniors Jenna Weiskerzer and Kelsey Bromberg, sophomores Rachel Jamieson, Kristen Hoffman and Lindsay McGeary along with freshman Kristen McMullen.
The midfield cast has senior captain Jen Marves and senior Lindsay Felix (17 goals, 12 assists last year) along with combo midfielder-forwards Sarah Giardino and Brisa Shaw.
Improving depth and improving conditioning will be the early season keys according to Bruno. "We should be getting better and better."
Mansfield News-March 28, 2008
Ciara Pisano, Lindsay Quinn and Samantha Doucette each scored two goals for the Hornets, who staked themselves a 7-1 halftime lead. Katie Noll netted two North goals, while Shannon Morse had a single tally. Emily Hickey had seven saves in goal for the Rocketeers.
Mansfield (1-0) returns to action Saturday with a non-league match at Dartmouth, while North (0-2) visits Sharon Friday.
SunChronicle_Saturday, March 29, 2008 1:00 AM EDT
Hornets start off with rout; North plays 1st varsity match
MANSFIELD - Ciara Pisano netted seven goals as the Mansfield High girls' lacrosse team began its 2008 season with a 20-7 rout of Canton Friday in a Hockomock League match at Alumni Field.
In presenting new head coach Dawn Kafel with a victory in her debut match, the Hornets raced to a 12-1 halftime lead. Hornet goalie Julie Verbic totaled seven saves, while Kerry Kiley was a workhorse in the defensive end of the field.
Lindsay Quinn added four goals for Mansfield, while Kathryn Daisy (three goals) and Brianna Hayes (one goal, three assists) also figured significantly for the Hornets. Mansfield returns to action Wednesday at North Attleboro.
