Boys soccer falls to reigning champs in tourney opener

Riding high after a strong third-place finish in a crowded Davenport Division, the CHS boys soccer team traveled to Walpole last week in search of a postseason upset — and they nearly pulled it off, battling the defending Division 2 south champions through two overtimes before losing on penalty kicks 2-1.

Junior Joey Basile (Mike Barucci photo)

Entering as the No. 10 seed in the 22-team field, the Bulldogs knew they would have their work cut out for them in a first-round matchup against the seventh-seeded Rebels (10-4-4), and they mostly proved up to the task.

After being outplayed by their hosts for a good portion of the first half, Canton seized the momentum when senior captain Damian Kozak found freshman Jake Verille for the go-ahead goal with only 20 seconds remaining in the half.

It was a perfect finish by Verille, who came on strong down the stretch and ended the season as the team’s third-leading scorer. The play also highlighted the brilliance of Kozak, this year’s Hockomock League MVP and the “best player on the field for either team,” according to head coach Danny Erickson.

“Damian was incredible,” noted Erickson afterwards. “He was incredibly dangerous anytime he got the ball and he played very well throughout the game.”

The big story for Canton, however, was the play of the Bulldog defense, which allowed the game-tying goal in the second frame but nothing else over 80 minutes of action, including two exhausting overtime periods.

“We defended very hard and very well the whole game,” said Erickson. “And much of the credit goes to our senior back line of Georgio Papakonstantino, Danny Klein, Liam Collins, and Brian Regan.”

Erickson was also effusive in his praise for senior goalkeeper Aidan Carr, who made several big stops, especially late in the game.

“Aidan played out of his mind in the game,” said Erickson. “He made two unbelievable, game-extending saves in the two overtimes and played tremendously well overall. He was phenomenal.”

Ultimately, however, the game came down to penalty kicks, and the Rebels simply executed better as they knocked home all five attempts while the Bulldogs converted four — one each by Kozak, senior captain Bart O’Brien, Sammy Papakonstantino, and Pat Hession.

It was a heartbreaking ending to what had been a “very good season,” according to Erickson.

“It was a very competitive year in the Hockomock League, and even though the Davenport Division is made up of smaller schools, the Davenport had the stronger side this year,” he said.

Erickson praised the leadership of his nine seniors, who helped guide the team to a 5-2 finish and a 9-7-2 mark overall. “I’m really proud of the fight we put in this year,” he said.

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Posted by Jay Turner on Nov 13 2014. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.