Girls’ soccer team dismantles Dighton-Rehoboth in tournament opener

Update: The Bulldogs defeated No. 5 Scituate 1-0 in the quarterfinals on Tuesday and will now face No. 8 Duxbury on Thursday, November 8, at 5 p.m. at Quincy’s Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Senior captain Jessie Brooks (Mike Barucci photo)

After dominating opponents all season long to the tune of a 14-1-1 overall record, the Canton High girls’ soccer team kicked off its south sectional title defense on Saturday with yet another convincing win, knocking off No. 13 Dighton-Rehoboth 7-1 to advance to the tournament quarterfinals.

The fourth-seeded Bulldogs were due to host fifth-seeded Scituate on Tuesday night in a rematch of last year’s quarterfinal game, which ended in a 6-0 victory for Canton.

Head coach Paul Turner was expecting a much tougher battle from Scituate the second time around. Still, it’s hard to bet against the Bulldogs with the talent they have on the roster and the way they have been playing as of late.

Saturday’s game was the most recent example as they peppered the D-R goalie with shots and converted at an impressive rate. Senior standout Lauren Berman had an “off day” according to Turner, and yet she still managed a hat trick plus one in the lopsided victory.

Turner said Dighton was a talented, albeit young squad, and for the first 20 minutes the D-R defenders were able to keep the Bulldogs in check. But senior captain Brianna Duserick eventually broke the scoreless tie and then Berman added a pair of goals just before the half to give the hosts a commanding 3-0 advantage.

Dighton did manage to get on the scoreboard halfway through the second frame to make it a 4-1 game; however, the Bulldogs answered right back with a goal by sophomore Hailee Duserick that effectively sealed the win.

“I thought we looked absolutely brilliant for most of the game,” said Turner. “We’re a fun team to watch when we play like that.”

Turner said senior captain Meg Lennon, who scored the team’s fourth goal early in the second half, was the “best player on the field,” and he also praised the efforts of his defenders, including Hailee Duserick, Jessie Brooks, and goalkeeper Kristen Burns.

In assessing his team’s chances moving forward, Turner said the Bulldogs do indeed have what it takes to repeat as Division 2 south champions — and perhaps even win it all — as long as they continue to play to their capability.

“If we play the way we are capable of playing,” he said, “I think we can beat anyone.”

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Posted by Jay Turner on Nov 7 2012. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.