DHS Soccer ProgRam Delivers Historic Season

The DHS boys and girls and soccer teams dominated their division during the fall 2022 season. Both teams boasted extremely impressive records. The boys won the Tri Valley League and ended their season 19-1-3, while the girls won the Tri Valley League for the second year in a row and ended their season 17-5-1.

Boys soccer went undefeated all regular season and playoffs up until the final round. Throughout the whole season, the boys scored a total of 58 goals and only let up 8. Goalie Michael McDonough, who was named an all state all star, only let in 8 goals and managed to score 3 goals while in net. Meanwhile, by the end of the season the girls scored a total of 53 goals and let in 16, which is outstanding considering starting goalie Chea Michaelidis (1st team TVL all star) was injured before playoffs and backup goalie Amanda Corrado stepped up to play.

During the playoff season, the boys and girls teams had five double headers for the first time in Dedham history. Throughout the 5 games, the girls played first. In the first playoff round, the girls varsity team beat Foxborough with only seconds remaining, thanks to Ava Finn. Finn was named a 1st team TVL all star, and scored from 30 yards out. “I was shocked that it even went in," she said. "But I am proud my team could make it to the next round and continue in the playoffs.” The boys team followed suit and dominated their game, winning 2-0 against St. Marys.

Fastforwarding to the third round playoff game, the girls and boys both got lucky again and had another home playoff game. The girls defeated Watertown in regulation 2-0 and the boys won in OT 1-0 against North Reading.

It seemed like the whole town of Dedham came to support the boys and girls in the 'Elite 8' on Sunday, November 13th. The girls were matched against one of their toughest competitors, the Medway Mustangs. The boys were matched up against Dover Sherborn Raiders. During the regular season, both teams had ongoing battles with the Mustangs and Raiders, however, after the 1-0 win by the boys and girls, the teams were heading to the 'Final 4.'

Final 4 was held at Medway High School. The girls played first against Stoneham and were heading into double overtime, tied 2-2. With seconds left, Junior Abbey Keyes took a penalty kick to score and proceed the girls to the state finals for the second year in a row. The boys had a lot on their hands in order for both teams to head to the state final, but they pulled through with amazing goals scored by Tommy Mullen and Juan Pablo (first team TVL all star) beating Belchertown 2-1 to reach the state finals.

Considering the outcome of the state finals game in which both boys and girls lost 1-0 to Hanover and Newburyport, the teams have been training and practicing for months. Second in the state is something to be proud of by both teams. The dedication and effort was definitely put in and the bond they shared with each other only made the team closer. The teams would not have gone this far without the support from the Dedham community.

Senior captains Lily Roslonek (Co MVP all star) and Devan O’Connell (1st team TVL all star) for the girls team have made a huge impact on the girls team for four years now. The boys team remained undefeated up until the last game. They would not have achieved this feat without their captains, Michael McDonough, Noah Young and Lugh Cunningham. "It was the perfect season, full of memories that will stay with us forever," said Cunningham. "Obviously winning the state chip would've been the cherry on top, but if I had to choose between winning the state final or having the season that we had, I'd lose it every time." Noah Young and Lugh Cunningham were named Second team TVL all stars as well.