AWHS Fall Sports Blog #2

AWHS Sports Blog #2

Welcome to our second edition of our Fall Sports Blog, courtesy of our two senior interns (Liam Barnicle and Abby McCulloch). As playoffs approach for a majority of our fall sports, we must look back at all the major accomplishments that have occurred within the past few months. Both Barnicle and McCulloch worked hard to keep up with the statistics for each team, as well as, landing some fantastic interviews from various student-athletes involved with athletics in the fall.

Just a couple quick points before we dip into the outlook of each team... Winter registration is here! The end date is this week (November 1st) so make sure you get on that if you have not already done so. Also, the Dignan Center continues to be a big hit. All students here at AWHS can work out M-TH from 2:30 to 4 pm. Make sure you have registered for that and your physical is up-to-date. 

Impact Testing will be taking place on November 14, 15, and 16th from 2:30 pm until 3:30 pm with Stephanie. Many newcomers need this completed, so please double-check to see if you need this completed in order to participate in a Winter sport.

The school store will open up on November 24th and will remain open until November 30th (end of tryouts). Delivery should arrive in time for the holidays.

Now lets take a look at the breakdowns from each Fall sport:

Boys Soccer

The boys soccer team now awaits a first round opponent (will find out on Wednesday) after clinching a playoff spot for an amazing 10th straight season. On their senior night against Bishop Fenwick, the Bishops went on to tie the Crusaders with a score 1-1, but that point pushed them into playoff contention. Senior goalie Sam Hamer was ecstatic.. "It felt great to clinch a playoff spot for a 10th straight season. We had a goal going into this season and getting to clinch with a few games left, gets us one step closer to that goal." After clinching a playoff berth, the Bishops had two final regular season games to improve their seeding and they certainly did that. The boys collected two wins against the likes of Sacred Heart and Innovation Academy, by a combined score of 9 to 1. With that finish, the Bishops finished with a 10-6-2 record... pretty amazing considering the talent they lost last season. As the postseason approaches, the Bishops will look to take their 43 goals in total and Hamer's 1.17 GAA to the first round. No matter who they draw in round one, that opponent better be ready to bring their A game. Check GOBishops and Twitter for updates on the first round of the MIAA tournament.

At the sub-varsity level, both teams completed their season and ended it with a friendly inter-squad scrimmage under the lights.  Coach Hobbs led the JV team to an extremely impressive 10-1-2 record on the season. Coach Berman did an outstanding job with the freshman team.. their last game was amazing as they captured a 1-0 victory over a very talented Quincy sub-varsity team.

Girls Soccer

The girls soccer program had a regular season for the ages, finishing with an extremely impressive 15-1-2 record. Unfortunately, the luck of winning a CCL title didn't fall into their hands, and Austin prep prevailed to capture the title. Despite not winning the CCL title, the girls' only lost 1 game all year long! They also finished the regular season in the Boston Globe's top-20. Senior goalie and captain Kaylee Walsh had this to say... "The girls work really hard on and off the field and I believe that has been displayed through our record. This has been one of the best seasons for the AWHS girls soccer team and I believe this is our year for a D3 state championship.” That confidence will be needed as I am sure many teams will be gunning for the Lady Bishops. The team finished the season with 65 total goals scored and only 15 goals given up. That recipe is going to be super tough to beat come playoff time. Seniors Asiah Dingle and Chigozie Sumani finished the regular season with a combined 37 goals. The Lady Bishops will also find out on Wednesday who their first round opponent will be. They will have at least one home playoff game, which hopefully will draw a big crowd. Check GOBishops and Twitter for updates on the first round of the MIAA tournament.

Coach Curley and Coach Killian led the JV program to a 9 win season. The girls worked extremely hard all season long and it showed in the end as the girls won their last two games on the season (against Bishop Fenwick and Fontbonne). 

Football

The playoff run has already started for the Bishops, as they opened up as a 5-seed traveling to the #4 seeded Case Cardinals last Friday night. The Bishops came out of the gate firing and never looked back... winning their first round matchup 42-12 against the Cardinals. Coach Kinsherf had this to say about the end of the regular season/first round of the playoffs... "It's a great feeling to make the playoffs for a third consecutive season and it was an outstanding team effort last Friday night. We know we have a goal to reach and we know we are going to have our work cut out for us next Friday. It should be a great week of practice." So who do the Bishops have to get by next Friday night in their quest for a Super Bowl? Oh just #1 seeded Mashpee. Mashpee enters the game undefeated and has only had one game all season long in which they haven't won by at least 20 points. The Bishops will have their work cut out for them, but an extremely tough regular season schedule should have them ready to go for this Friday night. The boys held an undefeated St. Mary's team to just 20 points earlier in the season and will look to do the same against Mashpee. Head down to the Cape on friday and support the Bishops in what will be an outstanding game. Kickoff is at 7 pm!

At the freshman level, the Bishops stand at a .500 record (4-4). The freshman squad has battled tough all season long.. In four wins this season, they have scored at least 30 points in 3/4 of the games. 3/4 of their losses came against two essentially JV teams and an undefeated Rockland freshman team.

Cheerleading

Last Saturday was an awesome day for our Cheerleading squad. The girls have worked hard all season long and was finally able to put that on display at the 2017 Fall Cheer Invitational at Braintree HS. The girls finished 3rd on the day. Also, they continue to shine on Friday nights, cheering loud and proud at the football games... while also facing a task of matching pushups with points. Senior captain, Andrina Marini had this to say about the season... "For having a later start than most sports this year, I think cheer has come a long way. We have practice everyday and have achieved so much in such little time.” The girls will continue to work hard in practice and on the sidelines Friday nights, as they now turn their focus on the CCL's. Keep up the good work girls!

Golf

Congrats to Mark Blaney, Riley Salani, Matt Menzel, Jared Marini, Brendan Donovan, and Jack Cesarz who not only crushed it at the CCL All-Star Tournament, but also did amazing work at the MIAA Division-3 South Sectionals posting a final score of 333, good enough for 2nd overall. This now qualifies them for the State Championships at Wyantenuck Country Club on Tuesday morning. The six will travel today and stay overnight... Tee times will begin tomorrow morning at 10 am. Senior Matt Menzel seems very confident going into tomorrow, even paraphrasing Red Sox great, Kevin Millar in the process.. ."I feel good about our chances, we got Salani at the one, Blaney at the two, and Marini at the three, anything can happen four through six.” Junior Mark Blaney states, "I'm very excited to represent AWHS at the State Championships, playing alongside the five best dudes I can ask for." Good luck to the boys! 

Cross Country

The boys cross country team finished with a record of 3-6, while the girls cross country team finished with a record of 4-5. However, the program represented themselves extremely well last Thursday at the CCL Championship meet. In fact, so well that 10 out of 15 runners finished with personal best times. That is an incredible feat, and both teams will look to have that carry into their final two meets. Both meets coming up are qualifying meets so it is crucial that all runners have a good week of practice and push themselves to limits they have not yet done. Senior Hannah Kelley stresses the importance of pushing each other every day... "Both teams have had very competitive seasons. We work hard every day and look to improve our times every chance we get. That has to come with the help of each other pushing one another." All runners will look to have an awesome week and qualify for the State Class Meet and All-State Class Meet.

Ps- Make sure to check the sidewalks tomorrow for the team's Halloween run! Always a fun time.

Volleyball

It was a rollercoaster ride for the girl's volleyball team this season. The team finished with a 6-13 record on the season, losing its last match against Spellman. However, despite many tough losses, the team found many positives that came out of the losing season. Once again, the Kate McCarthy scholarship game was a huge success. The girls managed to battle with Norwell and Braintree, two very strong opponents. Coach Lewis got a lot of success out of girls' that didn't have a lot of experience, both at the varsity level and even just playing the game. And we can't forget Senior night... The Lady Bishops managed to take an extremely tough Milton program to four sets, after winning the first set in which may have been the most exciting 25 points in the last couple of years. Senior Jamie Herrick is very happy with the way the team has played all year long and thinks the future is bright... "Although our record wasn't too good, I believe we have a very young team that will excel next year. We are still so proud of everything that we have accomplished this season." Thanks for a great year girls.

Captains Council

Our captain's council has been a big hit so far this year and it has been amazing to see the leaders of the athletic program come together every Wednesday morning and discuss their ideas and various topics among high school athletics. Here are some quotes from the Fall athletes:

"I believe our brightest moment was beating Spellman twice for the first time since 2003. Even though it wasn't a huge game in our season, it still meant a lot to all of us." ~ Sydney Shuttleworth, Girls Soccer captain

"Gillette Stadium baby!" & "Make Gillette" ~ Seniors Sean LaVallee and John Connolly on the goals of the football team

"This has been an extremely fun season and one of the best teams that I have been apart of." ~Senior Ryan Brady on the Boys Soccer season

"Put AWHS golf on the map. If we put a good showing at the State Finals, I believe we have a chance to do that." ~ Senior Jared Marini on the golf team and their season