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Season Preview: For field hockey team, it’s about acting like you’ve been there 

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The team is introduced before its game against Pembroke. / Photo by: Sue Moss

The Panthers will try to get their offense going this season.

There’s no magic recipe for fixing the Whitman-Hanson Regional High field hockey team’s offensive woes.  

So, sixth-year W-H head coach Todd Humphrey is instituting an “act-like-you’ve-been-there approach.” 

 “Our forwards and midfielders need to be more poised when they shoot the ball when they are in the offensive zone,” said Humphrey, whose team finished 2-10-6 last fall, while scoring just 14 goals. “They also need to be the first to rebounds for second opportunities.” 

The Panthers’ inability to create much of anything in transition was a major reason for their struggles on offense. This fall, senior captain Victoria Ryan is asked to quarterback the transition game for her post at left defender.  

“She will need the help of her teammates,” Humphrey said. “Victoria comes up with ideas on how to improve the team and the program as a whole. She is willing to do anything on and off the field to support the program.” 

The Panthers also return their two leading goal scorers from last season – juniors Lauren Clark (captain) and Delanie MacDonald – so that should help expedite the growth of the offense. MacDonald netted a team-high five goals, while Clark (starting left-center forward) poked home three last season.  

“Lauren Clark is a speedy ball-handler and has a high-powered shot,” Humphrey explained. “She is truly passionate about field hockey and cares deeply about the program.” 

“Delanie is great at taking advantage of opportunities in the offensive zone. She is quick at finding seams to the net and taking advantage of them.” 

Senior Robin Goyette flanks Clark to her left as the starting left wing, while sophomore Lauren Dunn starts at right-center forward and senior captain Maddy Tassey anchors the right wing. 

The midfield is occupied by sophomore Joli Flamos (left midfielder), Rosie MacKinnon (center midfielder) and Mary Kate Ryan (right midfielder). All factor in heavily to the Panthers’ strength – their speed.  

“Our forwards and midfielders are fast,” said the coach. “We like to move the ball as quick as we possibly can through the neutral zone to give ourselves as many scoring chances as possible.” 

In net, the Panthers return junior Madi Savicke, who posted a sparkling 1.67 goals against average last fall.   

“She played exceptionally well for us last year,” Humphrey said. “She and the new-look defense are looking to gel early so they can lock down opposing offenses early in the season.” 

After splitting time on the right side last year, juniors Noelle Cornetta and Skylar Leonard are now starters. Cornetta’s moved to center defender, while Leonard remains at right defender. Both have their work cut out for them, with the graduations of defenders Kathryn Dunn and Olivia Sheehan (now playing at Bridgewater State University), the team’s two lone league all-stars last season. 

“Noelle and Skylar offer experience at the defensive position,” Humphrey said. “They both are quite good at playing in front of Madi.” 

The Panthers are back on the field Thursday, Sept. 19 at 4 p.m. on the road with a league game against Silver Lake.  

“I am looking forward to my players getting better at working together on the field,” Humphrey said. “The Patriot League is made up very talented teams, and we are going to need to be a unified front if we are going to push to the top of the standings.” 

Cross country, girls’ soccer soar in Week 2

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The Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ soccer team and the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams are unbeaten through Week 2.  

Here’s how all the action played out:  

Boys’ cross country (1-0) opened its season with a 25-34 triumph over Plymouth South, Wednesday, Sept. 11. Junior Theo Kamperides took home first place, covering the course in 16:43.  

Girls’ cross country (1-0) also won its season opener, 23-34, Wednesday, Sept. 11 against Plymouth South. Sophomore Myah Kamperides won the race at 21:31. 

Field hockey (0-3-1) tied Duxbury, 1-1, to open the week Tuesday, Sept. 10. Senior Robin Goyette had the Panthers’ goal. … On Thursday, Todd Humphrey’s team was shut out by Hingham, 5-0.  

Football (0-2) blew a 10-0 lead and fell to Hanover, 20-10, Friday, Sept, 10. Sophomore Will Stafford accounted for 102 total yards of offense in the loss.  

Boys’ golf (1-3) fell to Hingham, 245-265, Tuesday, Sept. 10. Sophomore Pat McBroom led the Panthers with a 2-over par 38. … On Wednesday, Junior Aidan Miller carded a 4-over par 40, as the Panthers picked up their first win of the season, 272-297, over Plymouth North. … Brian Dempsey’s club capped the week with a 267-274 loss to Plymouth North on Thursday.  

Boys’ soccer (1-2-1) lost to Scituate, 4-1, Monday, Sept. 9. Sophomore Adam Sousa had the goal. … On Wednesday, W-H fell to Hingham, 1-0, on a late goal with 90 seconds to go. … Then, on Friday, Junior Brendan Nehiley scored in the 79th minute, as W-H earned a 1-1 draw against Cohasset. 

Girls’ soccer (3-0) topped Scituate, 4-2, Monday, Sept. 9. Sophomore Olivia Borgen led the way with a hat trick, while classmate Kelsee Wozniak also scored. … On Wednesday, W-H topped Hingham, 4-0. Sophomores Nora Manning, Ava Melia, Wozniak and junior Alexis Billings all scored.  

Girls’ volleyball (3-1) defeated Marshfield, 3-1, Monday, Sept. 9. Senior captain Lexi Connolly had eight aces, while fellow senior captain Maya Faich posted 21 digs. …On Wednesday, first-year head coach Samantha Richner’s team topped Scituate, 3-0, behind five kills from senior Marissa Connell. … The Panthers suffered their first loss of the season, 3-1, against Hingham on Friday.  

*Express weekly roundups include scores from Sunday to Sunday. 

Season Preview: Cheerleading team eyeing another state title

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The cheerleading team. / Photo by: Sue Moss

The Whitman-Hanson Regional High cheerleaders enter the new year chasing the program’s 15th state title. No. 14 came last fall. 

Their eyes are always on the next one. 

The Whitman-Hanson Regional High cheerleaders enter the new year chasing the program’s 15th state title. No. 14 came last fall. 

“The team definitely has a fire under them this season to return as back to back fall state champions,” said Alyssa Hayes, who enters her second full year as the team’s head coach. 

The Panthers return nine cheerleaders from that championship squad. They’ll be part of a 20-player varsity club, the largest roster in some time, making depth an obvious strength.

“I am so excited to see four stunt groups in the air,” Hayes said. “We have flyers that can also base, bases that can fly, back spots that have done all four stunting positions. With that type of dynamic team where everyone can be anywhere on the mat at any time — our opportunity to have a difficult, challenging, but rewarding routine really increases.”

W-H is led on the mat by a trio of decorated captains — seniors Ryley Hurley, Kaylee Diehl and junior Savannah Poirier. 

“All three of them bring positivity, talent, and hard work to the table,” Hayes said. “They’re often the three that are after practice cleaning up or working with someone on the team to get a skill down. I think it’s important to lead by example and these three most definitely do that.”

The winning history of the program is also always on its side.

“Cheerleading is a sport where every single person on the mat is needed to achieve success,” Hayes said. “I think in that way, it takes 100 percent trust to be prosperous and achieve a goal. That in itself is what makes this sport special- it demands complete teamwork, selflessness and belief.”

The Panthers open their competition season with the Braintree Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Braintree High.

“I think it’s important to remember that the most important part of high school sports will be the experience, the memories, and being able to walk away from it better in some way than when you began,” Hayes said. 

Mixed results in Week 1

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There were some mixed results on the field and course in the first week of the fall sports season at Whitman-Hanson Regional High. 

Football (0-1) fell to Concord-Carlisle, 34-21, Friday, Sept. 6. Sophomore quarterback Conor Meehan (10 of 14 for 203 yards, 3 TDs) hooked up with senior wide receiver Colby Garden (five catches for 128 yards, 3 TDs) for three touchdowns. W-H went up 14-0 early but couldn’t hold on. 

Field hockey (0-2) succumbed to Pembroke, 3-2, in its first action of the fall on Tuesday, Sept. 3. The goals were provided by sophomore Joli Flamos and junior Nicole Clack. … On Thursday, the Panthers fell to Plymouth North, 2-1. Junior captain Lauren Clark scored the lone goal in the defeat.   

Boys’ golf (0-1) fell in its first match of the season to Scituate, 248-253 on Thursday, Sept, 5. Senior captain Matt Korzec was the low scorer for the Panthers, carding a 3–over par 37. 

Boys’ soccer (1-0) opened its season without a problem, taking care of Plymouth South, 5-1, Wednesday, Sept. 4. Juniors Brendan Nehiley and Peyton Collins led the way with a goal and an assist each, while senior captain Jason Brodeur, senior Adam Milewski and sophomore Jayden Stafford all added single tallies. Junior Joel Arsenault and sophomore Alex Kuzmich also had assists.  

Girls’ soccer (1-0) also cruised in its opener, shutting out Plymouth South, 6-0, Wednesday, Sept. 4. Sophomore Olivia Borgen had a hat trick to pace the revamped offense. Sophomores Nora Manning, Kelsee Wozniak and senior Anika Floeck also scored. 

Girls’ volleyball (1-0) rolled past Abington, 3-1, Wednesday, Sept. 4 to open the year 1-0. Senior captain Lexi Connolly racked up eight aces, while junior captain Maya Faich totaled 19 digs. Senior Marissa Connell added four blocks in the triumph.  

*Express weekly roundups include scores from Sunday to Sunday. 

Season Preview: A lot of competition for girls’ cross country

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Photo by: Sue Moss

The girls’ cross country team has a lot of competition within.

It’s quality over quantity for sixth-year head coach Steve George and his Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ cross country team.

The Panthers enter a new year with a competitive heap of runners as they look to rebound from a 3-5 campaign last fall.

“I’ve made efforts to increase the number of participants in the hope that more kids might translate into improved team results,” George explained. “We saw an increase early on, but have remained steady, with about 25 girls over the past three years. And actually, I’m happy with that. The quality of our top group has improved dramatically. This year, for example, we have 10 girls realistically vying for those important top-seven positions. And I would not be surprised at all if others joined them in the next few weeks.”

Senior Tori Boss was the Panthers’ top runner last season and she returns, looking to improve on an average time of 21:26.

“Tori Boss has tremendous ability and is one of our leaders and a captain this year,” George said. “She will be getting a push from two newcomers.”

Those newcomers are sophomore Myah Kamperides and junior Bryn Miller, both of whom come over from the soccer pitch. Myah Kamperides was a standout in the 2-mile during outdoor track.

Senior Niki Kamperides was the Panthers’ No. 3 runner and she’s also back, trying to lower her 21:44 average time.

“Niki Kamperides sat out track last year and is building back up at this point, but she has an incredible work ethic and desire to improve,” George said. “She will be a top-five runner early on.”

Senior captain Tori Carleton, sophomores Anna Flynn, Sarah Boulger and junior Allie Solari will likely round out the top seven early on.

“Many of the kids have improved, which is not necessarily surprising,” George said. “I’m excited about seeing where the girls end up after a couple of months of training and competition.”

Freshman Ella Bailey, sophomore Katelyn Sweeney and juniors Hailey Minicucci and Alaina Mustascio should also contribute significantly.

The Panthers open their schedule at home on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 4 p.m. against Patriot League foe Plymouth South.

“A successful season would be to have more wins than losses,” said the coach. “Our competitions with highly ranked teams from Hingham and Duxbury will be especially difficult. Silver Lake has added a couple of tremendous runners and will also be a tough team to beat. The truth is the Patriot League is very competitive from year to year and to be above .500 is not an easy task.”

Season Preview: Excitement, optimism high for boys’ cross country

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Theo Kamperides and Brandon Hager during a meet last season. / Photo by: Sue Moss

The boys’ cross country team welcomes back eight of its top nine runners.

Never in head coach Steve George’s six years at Whitman-Hanson Regional High has he returned as much talent as he does this fall.

George welcomes back eight of his top nine runners and 13 of his top 20 total.

“I’m excited and optimistic about our boys’ team,” George said. “We are not only returning many of last year’s top runners, but have additional boys who will be making contributions as well.”

George, whose club finished 3-5 last autumn, has gone as far as to call this a “pivotal” season for the program.

“I’ve changed up our summer training program for the first time in years, pushed the kids into the weight room all summer, and planned an aggressive in-season training regimen,” George said. “The kids are onboard with the changes and are pretty excited about the season as well.”

Junior Theo Kamperides leads the way for the upstart Panthers. With an average time of 17:29, Kamperides was the team’s top finisher last season and its lone league all-star. George said he believes Kamperides will become one of the program’s top-20 5k runners of all time before the season’s over.

“He’ll have to run sub-16:53,” George explained. “But Theo is only entering his junior year and will become stronger and faster as he matures. Theo has so many things on his side. The prototypical build, the work ethic, his ability to follow our plan with precision, but most importantly, he just loves to run.”

Senior captain Brandon Hager was the Panthers’ No. 2 runner last fall with an average time of 17:48, and should be up there again this season.

“Brandon is a grinder,” said George. “When he started with us he needed to work on his running mechanics and even learn how to do a proper push up. But he has worked on perfecting both and is a great example of how a kid can improve once he is committed to doing so.”

Fellow senior captains Nick Hanley (team’s No. 4 runner last season) and Adam Solari (team’s No. 9 runner last season) also should be top runners.

Juniors Matt Butler, Liam Cafferty and Chris MacDonald all ran top-seven times last fall and will contribute heavily, as should sophomore Nathan Tassey, who hit the ground running in track last year.

George said he is also excited about a group of six underclassmen, which includes sophomores Jack Carron, Gordon Johnson, Aiden O’Brien and Domenic Uva, along with juniors Andrew Bergin and Aidan McCarthy.

“I have to believe somebody will become a surprise before long,” George said. “Nearly all participate in other sports during the year and aren’t run training full time like those kids currently at the top. With a month or so of training at the level we’ve asked them to train, who knows what will come of it.”

As for now, the only surprise so far for George was that sophomore Evan Jewitt, the team’s No. 3 runner last fall, opted not to return.

W-H begins its campaign at home on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 4 p.m. against league foe Plymouth South.

“In the Patriot League, there are quite a few good teams and an abundance of talent,” George said. “Our kids are very aware that in order to make this a successful season, we have to be prepared come November, but still we’d like to get off to a good start. We’re doing all we can to accomplish that.”

Season Preview: W-H football is looking to surprise some people

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A recent Panthers scrimmage vs. EB. / Photo by: Sue Moss

The Panthers enter the new year with a bevy of lost production, but they think they have the answers to fill those shoes.

Nine-year Whitman-Hanson Regional High football head coach Mike Driscoll knows well what his team is tasked with replacing.

That’s seven starters on offense, eight starters on defense and 21 players in total, who produced 2,472 yards of offense, 33 touchdowns, 594 tackles, 21.5 sacks and eight interceptions last fall alone. While the losses are eye-popping, Driscoll said the cover isn’t as bare as it may appear. 

“In all honesty, we have probably eight guys who started games on defense for us and we have another six who started games on defense for us due to injuries or something else that happened during the season,” said Driscoll, whose team finished 8-3 last season. “So we have experience.”

While the offense will likely take some time to develop with the bevy of new faces, Driscoll said the Panthers are going to rely heavily on their defense. W-H held opponents to just over 11 points per game last fall.

“We feel really good about our defense,” Driscoll said. “They’re flying around. We’re quick and we’re going to come at you from all different angles this year.”

The secondary will key the unit with senior captain Tommy George (22 tackles and two interceptions last season) back as a starter at cornerback. Senior Devin Coulstring will start opposite George, while junior Jason Murphy will start at strong safety as will senior Jon Zeidan at free safety. They all have some experience under their belts.

“We have a lot of depth there with those guys back,” Driscoll said. “Jason is one of the better strong safeties in the area.”

Senior returning starters, captain C.J. Guiliani (55 tackles and three sacks last season) and Joseph McStravick (25 tackles last season) headline a strong linebacking core. 

Junior Zach Boisjolie (nine tackles and a sack last season) returns as the starting nose guard and will anchor a new-look defense line that will also feature sophomore Malcom Alcorn-Crowder and seniors Jared Homes and Declan Meehan.

Though, Declan Meehan’s value comes more on the offensive line, where he’s the only returning starter at right guard.

“That’s where we took the biggest hit,” Driscoll said. “We lost four really good linemen. That’s going to be a work in progress.”

Declan’s brother, sophomore Conor Meehan, will man the duties under center.

“He’s got great poise and he’s got one heck of an arm,” Driscoll said. “He’s kind of like our typical quarterbacks that we’ve had, where he’s got great feet but he’s definitely got a great arm and he knows the game very well.”

Conor will have the 6-foot Zeidan, Giulliani (four catches for 37 yards, TD last season) and George as returning targets.

Murphy, who can also play quarterback, will be the bell cow out of the backfield.

“Jason Murphy makes us a better team playing running back, defensive back and returner for us,” Driscoll said. “Jason is dynamic. He’s the fastest player we got. He’s also a weight room warrior. He’s a leader of the team.”

Junior Max Rodri will take over the kicking duties, a role Jake O’Brien handled for the past two seasons.

“He’s a fabulous kicker,” Driscoll said of Rodri. “He worked his tail off in the summer and is kicking them into the endzone on kickoffs already. He’s going to be huge.”

Driscoll said he wouldn’t be surprised at all if it took a few weeks for his team to come into its own.

“We can talk to them about it, but it’s the speed of the game and that they’re going to realize that speed is a lot different than where it is in the scrimmages or practice,” said the coach. “It’s a whole different atmosphere on Friday nights. Once they got to get through that once, I think they’ll be all right.”

The Panthers are scheduled to open their season at home Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. against Concord-Carlisle.

“We want to grow and be competitive in this awesome Patriot League and I think we’re going to surprise some teams as we go along,” said Driscoll. “These guys have a chip on their shoulder. The other teams will look at you a little different, but they’ll find out once the games start that we’re still a pretty good football program.”

Season Preview: Fresh start, new challenges for boys’ golf

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The senior captains. / Photo by: Sue Moss

With many new contributors, the boys will be looking to bounce back from a 6-11 campaign last fall.

The post-Manning era has officially begun for the Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ golf team.

For the first time in eight years, there isn’t a Manning brother on the roster. Yup, it still feels a little strange for eighth-year W-H head coach Brian Dempsey. First there was Cole (2012-15) and Cam (2012-14) and then the last one to graduate this past June, Owen. A two-year captain and two-year Patriot League All-Star, Owen leaves an immense void on and off the course.

“Owen, along with the entire Manning family, will never fully be able to be replaced,” Dempsey said. “What they did for the program and their teammates is something that I recognize as something special. But as we do each year, we move forward and get excited for the guys we have in front of us.”

W-H will be led by a trio of captains in seniors Ian Brown, Brian Fox and Matt Korzec, as it looks to bounce back from a 6-11 season that resulted in missing the tournament for just the second time in the last six years.

“I’m confident that these guys will be excellent leaders, in part because of what they were able to learn from Owen, along with last year’s co-captain Ed Scriven,” Dempsey said. “I can’t say enough about the veteran leadership on the team and the commitment that each of them has made in the offseason to bettering their skills, while also creating a fun and inviting environment.”

Korzec was in W-H’s top four last season.

“He approaches the game the right way and plays with a lot of integrity,” Dempsey said. “We’re looking to lean on him this year not just for his play but his role as a captain as well – he’s already been stepping up in terms of working with his teammates and, again, helping to create a positive atmosphere for the team overall.”

Junior Aidan Miller often battled it out with Korzec for the team’s No. 2 golfer last fall.

“Aidan has always been a worker on the team – he’s not the loudest kid in the clubhouse, but he’s a solid leader through his actions and work ethic,” Dempsey said “He has always been a consistent golfer, who appreciates and respects the game. I think having him as an upperclassman now will really benefit the team, as he’s always positive and beginning to be a bit more vocal and share some of his knowledge of the game.”

After being cut as a freshman and being utilized as a practice player during his sophomore year, Brown surprised last fall, playing in every match. He’s now viewed as a key contributor heading into this fall.

“Not only has he drastically improved his play each year, but his positive attitude and love for the game is hard to miss,” said Dempsey. “He takes his role as captain and position on the team very seriously and we would not be the same team without him.”

Fox’s golf career follows a similar script as Brown’s. He’s also going to be relied upon heavily.

“[Brian] has put a ton of work into his game over the offseason, and I’ve really been impressed with his improvement so far,” Dempsey said. “On top of that, Brian is a natural leader – he’s caring, understanding, and approachable, but at the same time, has the desire to push himself and his teammates to improve each day.”

Junior Graham Stewart and sophomore Pat McBroom should also chip in significantly this season.

The Panthers open the season Thursday, Sept. 5 at 3:30 p.m. at home (Ridder Farm Golf Course) against league opponent Scituate.

“I just want the team to play present as we often say, and enjoy the ride,” Dempsey said. “If you don’t get caught up in what everyone else is doing and focus on what you are doing and where/how you can improve, the rest will work itself out.”

A workman-like mentality: Whitman’s Kelly ready for sophomore season on Bridgewater State University football

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After an offseason of hard work, Jack Kelly is ready for his sophomore season on the gridiron at Bridgewater State University.

For Whitman’s Jack Kelly, there’s only one word to describe his offseason — intense.

With a few aspirations in mind entering his sophomore campaign on the Bridgewater State University football team, it’s been a nonstop grind since walking off the field last fall. 

“My goal for myself, personally as a player, is to be on the field contributing to help my team win,” Kelly said. “My goal for our team, as a unit, would definitely be to win the MASCAC (Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference) and advance to the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) [Playoff]. Both goals can be achieved through hard work and dedication.”

And Kelly’s put in the hard work.

“I was working out basically every day,” he explained. “I was lifting six times a week, running three times a week and I also worked out at South Shore Boxing Club three to four times a week to help with my conditioning and hand speed. I wanted to make sure that I got as strong as I have ever been and got into the best shape I have ever been in.”

Bridgewater State football head coach Joe Verria, who also serves as the defense coordinator, noticed Kelly’s commitment. 

“Jack has definitely gotten bigger and faster since last year,” Verria said. “Unfortunately, Jack got hurt in camp and has missed a week of camp. I look forward to him returning.”

This offseason was about more than just growing physically, though. The Whitman-Hanson Regional High alum returned to his old stomping grounds to coach the Panthers’ passing league team to a title this summer. Kelly said it helped him grow as a player.

“Coach [Mike] Driscoll has known that I wanted to get into coaching and saw this as the perfect opportunity to get my feet wet,” Kelly said. “It was my first time being able to call plays for a team and I felt comfortable from the beginning and really enjoyed it. I was able to get a better understanding of the game in general. I was able to dissect offensive and defensive play calls and responsibilities.”

Kelly said the biggest difference going into his second campaign has been the heightened expectations. Last season, he came into camp as a linebacker before switching to defensive end. So, now with a whole fall under his belt to observe the guys in front of him, he’s ready to step in.

“[Watching them] has prepared me to help contribute on the field this year,” Kelly said. “This year, after having a successful offseason, which got me bigger faster and stronger, I am now a returner and expecting to be able to make plays I couldn’t have made before.”

Bridgewater State opens its season at home on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 12 p.m. against Morrisville State.

“I want to be able to say that I worked as hard as possible to improve my game and that I played every single down this year like it is my last,” Kelly said.

Season Preview: For boys’ soccer, disappointment part of the process

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Jason Brodeur. / Photo by: Sue Moss

The Panthers are using a disappointing 2018 campaign as a lesson.

If you don’t fail, you don’t learn.

That saying fits the Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ soccer team quite well.

Last fall’s 4-14-1 campaign was filled with disappointment — from injuries to the scoreboard. But as disappointing as it was, there were some valuable lessons gained along the way.

“We were ready to do well and possibly make the playoffs two years in a row, but we had a lot of bad luck and we didn’t quite have the maturity and experience as a group to face the adversity the 2018 season threw at us,” said third-year W-H head coach Dave Leahy. “But the players definitely learned from last season and they are now hungrier and more committed than we have been in my time at W-H as a result of going through last year’s season.”

The objective this autumn is to keep heads held high up no matter how tough the going gets.

“The goal this season is being positive and avoiding negativity during training and games,” Leahy said. “We don’t want to disrupt team focus and motivation on and off the field.”

As for talent, the Panthers welcome back plenty of it. Seniors Stevie Kelly and Jason Brodeur both return as captains.

A league all-star last year, Kelly anchors the backline.

“Stevie works harder than most on and off the field,” Leahy said. “He is an excellent two-sport athlete. He gives everything he has to both sports, and the result is an incredibly hard-working, athletic, leader that will do anything for his team.”

Brodeur led the Panthers in scoring last season with nine goals and four assists from his forward position.

“Jason is a great kid,” Leahy said. “He brings a passion to our squad, while also realizing the game at the end of the day is supposed to fun. Jason has worked hard to be better at his strengths and especially working on things he thought he could improve upon.”

With the rash of injuries last season, junior midfielder Dalton Desrocher received extended playing time and took advantage of the opportunity, tallying four goals, and Leahy believes he can be even better.

“Dalton Desrocher was our most improved player last year, and he continues to improve,” Leahy said. “Dalton can play on both sides of the ball at a high level. He is very important to our team.”

Three key cogs to the Panthers’ 2017 tournament team have also come back, one way or another. Senior midfielder Adam Milewski returns from a broken ankle, while junior midfielders Joel Arsenault and Peyton Collins have transferred back to W-H. A healthy junior midfielder Brendan Nehiley, who missed a big chunk of last season with an injury, will also be key.

Goaltending was a bit of an Achilles’ heel last year for W-H, but Leahy said he’s liked what he’s seen so far from senior returner Andrew Sullivan.

“[He] put in a great effort in the offseason to be a better goalie,” said the coach. “He is looking very good thus far. He is a great leader and example for our team.”

The Panthers open the season Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 4 p.m. on the road against Plymouth South.

“I would really like to see team camaraderie being strengthened, team defense being established and team belief being widespread in the first few weeks,” Leahy said. “We hope to make teams feel uncomfortable when they play us.”