Boys soccer snaps early season losing skid
By Jay Turner
Senior captain Pat Hession has been an anchor in the midfield for the Bulldogs. (Mike Barucci photo)
A young and improving Canton High boys soccer team picked up its first victory of the season last week, snapping a four-game winless streak with a 2-1 win over Milford.
The win came Thursday night at home and was even more convincing than the score would suggest, as the Bulldogs controlled possession and did not allow a Milford goal until the final seconds of the contest. Canton, meanwhile, scored early in each half — one by Sam Papakonstanino and the other by Ben Waterhouse, with assists going to freshman Griffin Roache and sophomore Jake Verille. Senior captain Pat Hession also played a good game and continues to be a steadying presence in the midfield for the Bulldogs.
“We played well and we’re thrilled we got a win,” said head coach Danny Erickson after the game. “We’re a young team and we’re learning our way. We’re moving on now and excited to continue to be competitive.”
While the Bulldogs currently still occupy the cellar of the Davenport Division at 1-4-1 overall, the team has played better as of late, with recent close losses to second-place Foxboro and first-place Oliver Ames.
Erickson was especially encouraged by their September 19 performance at home against Foxboro, as the Bulldogs went toe to toe with the reigning division champs until a last-second goal spoiled it for the hosts.
The team then went to Easton a few days later and played a competitive game against a very good Tigers squad that entered the week unbeaten at 6-0.
“[Oliver Ames was] better on the day, but I was really proud of our fight,” Erickson said of the 2-0 loss. “It was one of those days where we weren’t our best by any means, but we were still able to stay alive and keep it a game.”
Reflecting on the Bulldogs’ performance through the first six games, Erickson said they have been a mixed bag thus far, which is pretty much to be expected out of a team starting three freshmen and generally lacking in varsity experience.
“Any time you’ve got a young team like this, the first half of the season is really a test of how quickly you can get yourself settled in and sorted out,” he said. “But our team is going to figure it out. We’re just focusing on one game at a time and one practice at a time and trying to get better every day.”
This week, the Bulldogs were due to visit Stoughton on Tuesday and then travel to Sharon on Thursday (today). The boys will then host Attleboro on Monday before squaring off against unbeaten Mansfield at Foxboro’s Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, October 7.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=30994
Posted by Jay Turner
on Oct 1 2015. Filed under High School, Sports.
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