CHS girls soccer team headed back to postseason

Leianna Brune and Lilah Sullivan compete for the ball against a Mansfield player at Gillette. (Mike Barucci photo)

For the fourth consecutive year the CHS girls soccer team, coached by Kate Howarth, has qualified for the state tournament, finishing the regular season at 8-6-2 and in second place in the Davenport Division of the Hockomock League.

Last week the girls started on a bad note, blowing a 2-0 lead with 26 minutes left in the game and losing 3-2 to Foxboro. The team rebounded with a superlative effort at Gillette Stadium against a 14-0-4 Mansfield team, tying the Hornets 0-0, and then exploded for seven goals, including six in the second half, against Stoughton Monday afternoon.

The win over the Black Knights could boost Canton’s chances for a first-round home game later this week. Seedings will be announced Wednesday or Thursday with the first games of the tournament coming Friday or Saturday.

The loss to Foxboro proved to be a lesson for the team as Howarth preached that no one can relax “or coast” with any lead and that a consistent two-way effort is needed from start to finish. “You have to play the entire game. There must be no letup,” she said.

The message carried over to the Mansfield game as Canton played outstanding defense behind goalie Kathryn Doody, while the offense had its chances against a first-place Mansfield defense. “They had chances, we had chances,” Howarth said. “It was a great game all the way. I think the girls came away with confidence in the way they played.”

Against Stoughton, Canton had contributions from a lot of younger players, including three goals by junior Lilah Sullivan, single goals by sophomores Julia Hamilton and Lauren Fitzpatrick, and a goal and an assist by freshman Ally Reddish. Senior Hannah Link added a goal and three assists while sophomore Leianna Brune also had an assist on one of the goals.

Against Foxboro, Canton received goals from Link, assisted by Sarah Connolly, and Sullivan, assisted by Hamilton.

“This team is in a good spot right now,” Howarth said. “We have had some adversity and learned from it. Our younger players have learned a lot and improved. We are excited for the tournament.”

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Posted by Mike Berger on Nov 4 2016. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.