Boys’ soccer still in the hunt after 2-0 week
By Jay TurnerComing off a tough three-week stretch and a recent three-game scoreless streak, the Canton High boys’ soccer team rebounded nicely with a pair of shutout wins last week over Stoughton and Taunton.
Senior captain Sam Larson (Mike Barucci photo)
The two home victories brought the Bulldogs back to .500 at 5-5-1 and put them within striking distance of third-place Milford (3-3-4) and second-place Foxboro (4-2-4) in the Davenport Division with plenty of soccer still left to be played. The wins also helped restored some of the team’s confidence — especially on the offensive end — heading into a pivotal stretch this week against King Philip, Mansfield, and Milford.
In the Stoughton game on Tuesday, Canton came out fast and carried the play throughout most of the night, winning 2-0 behind goals from juniors Liam Collins and Bart O’Brien.
Collins’ goal came in the first half on what head coach Danny Erickson described as a “great individual effort.” O’Brien then added to the lead midway through the second half with his third goal of the season, assisted by senior captain Sam Larson off an Eric Wong throw-in.
“It was a great team effort,” said Erickson, “with some great play put in by Larson, Georgio Papakonstantino, Danny Klein and Pat Hession.”
Two nights later, the Bulldogs continued their winning ways against Taunton, cruising to a 3-0 victory in arguably their best performances of the season.
Taunton had gone into the game tied with Mansfield and Oliver Ames for the most wins in the Hockomock League with six; however, the hosts played better in all phases, led by O’Brien (2 goals), Wong (2 assists), and junior captain Damian Kozak (1 goal, 1 assist).
The Bulldogs also got strong midfield play from the likes of Sam Papakonstantino, Hession, Collins, and Andre Dorofeev. And the defense was excellent behind Larson, Klein, Georgio Papakonstantino, and senior goalkeeper Art McNally, who earned his third consecutive shutout and fourth overall this season.
Canton will head to Milford tomorrow night for an important divisional showdown and will then play three straight at home, beginning next Tuesday, October 15, at first-place Oliver Ames.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=22647
Posted by Jay Turner
on Oct 10 2013. Filed under High School, Sports.
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