HHS fall sports teams have shown grit and determination, overcoming injuries and tough opponents, to have memorable seasons. Below is a recap of each team:

 

Senior Flynn Posts Strong Finish at XC States

Senior Steph Flynn finished 38th out of 178 runners in the All-State Championship held Nov. 21 at Franklin Park. She completed the 5K course in 19:34.07, averaging 6:17.9 per mile. Flynn was the team’s sole qualifier for states after running well at the Eastern Mass. Cross Country Championships held Nov. 14 in Wrentham.

 

At Wrentham, the Hanover girls team finished 7th out of 23 teams in Division 5 and the boys finished 18th out of 28 teams. Flynn placed seventh in a field of 165 runners with a 5K time of 19:51.8. Freshmen Jordana Laprise, Erin Flynn and Alyssa Nee and senior Joy Replogle finished in the top 55. Nick Courtney finished 47th out of 188 runners with a 5K time of 18:16.1, just missing the chance to qualify for All-states. Juniors Will DeBoer and Nate Collins also had strong performances.

On Halloween, the team competed in the Patriot League Championship Meet at Silver Lake Regional High School. The girls finished 5th overall and the boys finished 9th.

Cheerleaders Celebrate Successful Season

When the Cheerleading squad competed in the MSAA Fall State Competition on Nov. 22, it was the first time the team had made it to the states in almost a decade. While they may not have taken home any prizes from states, just getting to that level was an accomplishment — and a great end to a strong season.

To qualify for states, the team finished third out of 14 teams in the regional competition held Nov. 15 at Whitman-Hanson High School. This came after strong showings at the Braintree High School Fall Cheerleading Invitational on Halloween and a third place finish at the Patriot League Championship on Nov. 8.

Field Hockey Defeated in State Semis

Field hockey overcame a string of tough competitors in its march toward a state title, but could not get past powerhouse Watertown. The Indians lost 5-0 in the state semifinals played under the lights in Canton on Nov. 17. Watertown, which ended the season 17-0 to earn top seed and the eventual D2 North title, entered the game with a 158-game winning streak. Despite strong play by the Indians, led by senior captains Chachi Smigliani, Sam Taylor, Erika Nelson and Brielle Prouty, Watertown’s offense proved too much.

The tough loss ends a remarkable fall for the field hockey team. Their undefeated season earned them the Patriot League Fisher Division title, not to mention Coach Judy Schneider’s 500th! In the first round of the playoffs Nov. 5, the 2nd-seeded Indians rolled over 15th-seeded Bourne 5-0. Then the team fought hard for a 2-1 double overtime win against 10th-seeded Dover-Sherbon on Nov. 8, with the winning goal scored by Senior Sam Taylor. A 1-0 win over 6th-seeded Holliston at home on Nov. 11 clinched the team a spot in the division finals.

A 1-0 win against Cohasset in the D2 South Finals on Nov. 14., landed the team in the state semifinals. Senior Maura Kelly had the winning goal as time was running out in double overtime.

Football Ends Strong Season with Tough Loss

The Indians’ efforts to reach the state title game at Gillette Stadium ended Nov. 13 with a 21-0 loss over Holliston in the D4 South Final. Top-seeded Holliston scored midway through the first quarter and took an 18-0 lead into halftime. It was a tough loss for Hanover, but doesn’t diminish the success they had all season.

After an 8-1 season and their first Patriot League Championship since 2008, the team was seeded third in tournament play. The Indians knocked off sixth-seeded Westwood in the first round, setting up a matchup with second-seeded Foxboro  in the D4 South Semifinals on Nov. 6.

The game, which Athletic Director Scott Hutchinson tweeted was “one for the ages,” was a nail-biting 21-20 victory secured in the final minute. When Foxboro scored a touchdown with 58.4 seconds left, the Indians blocked the game-tying extra point kick to hold onto the win. Senior Brad Rogers scored two touchdowns in the first half, and senior Dimitry LaForest scored what turned out to be the winning touchdown.

The Indians will finish their season with the traditional Thanksgiving Day game against Norwell at home.

Boys Soccer Falls in Quarterfinals

Led by senior captains Jonny Ferrarini and Greg Chiarelli, the team finished the season with a 9-5-4 record and the 10th seed in postseason play. The squad beat 7th-seeded Holliston 2-1 in overtime on Nov. 6 to make it to the D2 South Sectional quarterfinals before being eliminated in a tough 2-0 loss to Norwell on Nov. 8. With a lot of young talent on the team, the Indians can look ahead to a promising season next year.

Girls Soccer Has Tough First-Round Loss

The team lost in the first round of tournament play, ending a season riddled with injuries but full of determination and teamwork. Named 14th seed with a 7-7-2 record, the squad lost their Nov. 5 playoff game to 3rd-seeded Cardinal Spellman 3-1. Led by senior captains Great Barry (goalie), Emma Devine (center back), and Kaleigh Polatta (center back),  the team played an exciting 80 minutes, but couldn’t capitalize on  enough scoring opportunities.  Hopefully, the team coached by Mike Fraser, will come back healthy and strong for next year.

Volleyball Loses in First Round

The team’s tourney run ended Nov. 5 with a nail-biter of a loss against Sandwich. The 12th-seeded Indians played their hearts out as they lost 3-1 (25-22, 25-16, 26-24, 25-12) to 5th-seeded Sandwich, who had the home court advantage and a boisterous crowd in their favor. Seniors Caroline O’Rourke, Kylie Chetwynde and co-captain Emily Hennessy were the team’s top servers throughout the season. The senior talent was rounded out by the setting of co-captain Melanie Armstrong and Alyssa Delahunt, the hitting of Annika Rowland and the defensive play of Emma Hardy. While those experienced players definitely will be missed when they graduate, the remaining Varsity starters, including juniors Meaghan Raab and Hayley McCusker and sophomore Taylor Scott, offer high hopes for next season.

Golfers Have Strong Showing at States

After earning a second consecutive Patriot League Championship and then finishing second at Regionals, the golf team competed in the State Championship at Crumpin-Fox Club.  Luke Smigliani had the best score of the team, which was also represented by Drew Gratty, John Carroll, Charlie Banks, Colin Cleaves and Christian Abbate. Congratulations to the team for a tremendous season!!