Kathleen Drane

Coach

The Silver Lake Girls Golf Team notched their first win in a crushing victory over Falmouth at Halifax Country Club on Tuesday, April 11.

The entire squad won their matches, including the two tie-breakers sr. Bea Haens 2-up  and sophomore Emma Lee Deeley 1-up.  Winning at the number 1 spot was captain Olivia Ahlman 4-up; at second spot, jr Anna Lambert 3-up; third spot, sr. captain Alexa Roche 5-up; sr. captain Isabella Levesque 5-upat the 4th spot;  sr Olivia Hughes 4-up at the number 5 spot; and sophomore Nicole Ahlman at the number 6 spot 1-up.   

The girls are now 1-2.

There is nothing fun about losing, but the past couple losing seasons the Silver Lake girls’ lacrosse team has endured could very well lead them to success this time around.

Even as they missed out on the playoffs last season, the Lakers were competitive, finishing their year at 8-12. In fact, it was their best record yet and a major upgrade over 2015 when they won just two games.

As last year progressed, the Lakers got hot. Albeit their first half underwhelmed, starting the year at 2-7, they went 6-5 in their final 11 which is an indication their team grew as the year progressed. And it is not like most of the players who gained that experience and progressed are gone either; the Lakers only lost two players to graduation: Emily Hanson on the attack and goalkeeper Colby Nolan. While both were valuable contributors, the Lakers are fortunate that most of their team returned.

Allowing just 8.6 goals per contest last season, defense is expected to be the Lakers’ strength and it will be up to seniors Jess Howard, Danielle Levin, Mikaela Wilson, Sophia Quinn and Tess Grieber to limit the opposition’s attack this season.

On the attack, the Lakers seniors Leah Mason and Nina Whidden, who were Patriot League All-Stars last year, and Cameron Daly to pour in goals this season. After all, the trip combined for 65 scores last season which was more than 40 percent of the team’s offensive production.

With this sort of experience coming back and the success they enjoyed for much of last year, the Lakers look as though they are built for postseason contention. In order for a team playing a 20 game schedule to make it to the playoffs, they would need 10 wins.

The Lakers next home game is Tuesday, Apr. 11 against the Hanover Indians, who went 11-6 last season.

This could be just as good a year as any for the Silver Lake baseball team.

Fresh off a 21-6 season where they won first Division 1 South Sectional championship, the Lakers roster was not wiped out by graduation, which is always a positive indication.

Specifically, they will have a strong presence on the mound with Dan Collins, a junior, Trevor Dennett, a senior, and Alex Heffernan, a sophomore, back on the bump, anchoring their starting rotation.

“They all won big games for us last year, so their experience will be nice to have,” Lakers head coach Kenny Tocci said.

When he is not on the mound Collins, who was a Patriot League All-Star last year, is also a valuable third baseman.

Aidan O’Neill, a senior center fielder, enters his third year as a varsity starter, as does junior catcher Josh Harvey is now a three-year starter. Junior shortstop Steven Quigley is back at shortstop once again this year. Along with Collins, the trio should be a strong part of the Lakers lineup.

Another asset this Lakers team brings is their flexibility and willingness to do what is best for the team.

“We also have many guys who can play multiple positions and their versatility will help with making in game moves,” Tocci said.

Checking out his team’s schedule, Tocci said there was not one game that stood out as more important to win than another.

“Every game is a big game because we only have so many to play,” he said. “The most important is the game in hand. We don’t overlook anyone because our league is too good to do so and if we disrespect anyone by looking past them, that’s when bad things happen. Sounds cliché, but that’s truly our approach. No one game, no matter who it is against, means more than another. They all matter; that’s why we play them.”

While the Lakers have a talented squad, their main focus will just be improving each and every day.

“If we do that good things will happen,” Tocci said. “Proof is in how we’ve performed in that we have won the Patriot League five years in a row with the mentally of just focus on getting better each day, focus on one game at a time and in those games try and win one inning at a time and we will be fine.”

The Lakers begin their season on Tuesday, Apr. 4 against East Bridgewater.

This has become a regular thing for the Notre Dame Academy (Hingham, Mass.) girls’ hockey team, and one local was a major part of their success.

The Cougars finished their season 23-0-1 and on Sunday, Mar. 19, they topped Canton High, 5-2, in the Division 2 State Championship at TD Garden. The team is led by their three junior captains on defense, including Halifax’s Meredith Stewart.

“It’s amazing,” Stewart said of the win. “I didn’t even think it was real until the final buzzer sounded. It’s just amazing to be able to come here two years in a row and win it with your teammates.”

For the Cougars, not only was the win significant in that they proved themselves as the top school in their division, but they also defended last year’s state title–their first in school history.

Albeit the Cougars returned a talented squad this season, one thing really stood out: they did not have any seniors on their roster. As a result, it led to some players having to step up and lead the squad at a younger age, including Stewart.

“We had good role models last year,” she said. “Our captains last year kind of paved the way for us. We just relied on each other and encouraged each other all year. It worked out well.”

Stewart was a fixture on a Cougars defense that allowed a mere 27 goals in 24 games this season. Statistically speaking, they were arguably the state’s top defense this season. So what made them so special?

“We have some experience back there and worked really hard,” she said. “We encouraged one another, believed in each other which got ourselves through those games.”

While it is still about a year away, perhaps the Cougars could win a third straight title next season. After all, they had no seniors on this year’s squad, so they could retain their entire team and gain talent from an incoming freshman class.

Of course, there are no guarantees as there is always the potential for transfers, but the Cougars should be in contention once again next season.

Bouchard healthy, going strong

Injuries kept him off the basketball court, but they could not stop him from coming back strong.

After missing two seasons of his college basketball career, UMass Dartmouth guard Tucker Bouchard, a junior, worked his way back onto the basketball court this season for once again another strong campaign.

Seeing the court for the first time since the 2013-2014 season, Bouchard did not see the minutes he did as a freshman when he averaged 15.4 points per game, but was still a valuable contributor nonetheless.

Off the bench, he played a significant role for the Division 3 squad, averaging 20.8 minutes per game on the floor. He made the most of that time, averaging 8.8 points per contest with a 46.9 field goal percentage and a 38.1 percent 3-point rate.

Despite not attending Silver Lake, the former Laker still holds a special place in team history. Homeschooled for his childhood education by his parents, Bouchard was able to play for the Lakers basketball team and in doing so, scored 1031 points in his high school career. At the same time he was making history for the Lakers, he was also earning college credits at Quincy College.

Bouchard’s younger brother, Tanner, who also scored 1,000 career points as Laker, also played basketball at UMass Dartmouth as a freshman and he too was a guard, who saw time off the bench.

Bouchard still has another year of eligibility remaining.

Knight stars as a freshman

As a freshman at Massasoit Community College, another Lakers hoops alum, Monica Knight, had a bright year for the girls’ basketball team.

The 5-foot-10 center and forward started in 19 of the 22 games she played in. During those games, she averaged 12.4 points per game while hitting 44.8 percent of her shots. Putting up 12.4 rebounds per contest, Knight averaged more than a double-double per contest.

With her strong performance for the junior college program, Knight could receive interest to continue her career past next season.

Usually this season, the Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake girls’ hockey team (15-4-3) was one of the offensive juggernauts in the state.

Unleashing 120 goals in the regular season, they put up nearly six goals per game, but they could not find the back of the net once in their final game of the year.

In the first round of the Division 2 South playoffs, the Skaters hosted a defensive-minded Winchester team, that had allowed just 35 goals all year — about 1.5 goals per game. Going in with complete opposite strategies, the strong defense won the battle and the Skaters took a 2-0 loss at The Bog Sunday night.

Winchester scored in the first few minutes of the game, and they just held onto their lead throughout. Their defense was strong, and it limited the Skaters chances.

With three minutes left in the game, Winchester doubled their lead and made it 2-0 with another goal. The Skaters would not answer the deficit.

Although it may be the end for the Skaters, they still had a strong season.

The squad will graduate a strong senior class led by captains Mel McAcleer, Mary Kate Webb, Melissa Crone and alternate captains Katie Johnson and Hannah Tracy.

McAleer and Webb, both forwards, were their team’s leading scorers. McAleer put up 30 goals and had 33 assists while Tracy added 22 goals and 27 assists.

Webb was also one of the team’s top forwards, adding 13 goals and 15 assists while Johnson led the team defensively.

Crone was strong in net all season, allowing 1.95 goals per game.

Outside of their captains, the Lakers will lose three more forwards to graduation — Sophia Dauksevicz (2 goals, 8 assists), Tess Corkery (2 goals) and Emily Knights (2 goals, 3 assists), rounding out their strong senior class. Dauksevicz and Crorkery also showed versatility playing defense at times.

Freshman Alyssa Murphy will be the team’s top returning scorer; she had 20 goals and 23 assists this season.

Defensively, expect freshmen Natalie Nemes and Delaney Grace to shine once again next season.

The co-op’s schedule for next season has yet to be released.

The Silver Lake boys’ and girls’ track teams took to the track and proved they have some of the best runners in the state.

On Sunday, Feb. 19, top performing individuals from the two teams gathered at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston to show what they could do compared to their peers statewide. Certainly, they gave it their best effort.

On the girls side, sophomore Ali McDonough made Lakers history which goes down as the biggest achievement — team or individual — for the Lakers. She set a school record with her 55-meter hurdle run (9.21 seconds), topping the record set by Ali Supple in 2012. She also placed 23rd in the 55-meter dash (7.78)

Long distance runner Ali Gavigan competed in the 2-mile run and came in 14th among competitors (12:34.77).

As a team, the Lakers girls team competed in the 4×200 meter relay. They finished 16th overall (1:56.28).

The team also had a pair of field event competitors with Tess Lalley and Karen Ho in the long jump. Lalley placed 20th (13 feet 3 ¼ inches) and Ho came in 21st with a near-identical jump (13-03).

On the boys side, Max LaFerrara earned a 26th place finish in the 55-meter dash (7.04) while Max Shirikjian took 17th in the 300-meter dash (38.61). Shirikjian also did the long jump and earned a 14th place finish (19-02.50).

John McCarthy and Brian Sherry ran the 55-meter hurdles and came in 16th (8.55) and 24th (9.01) respectively.

As a team, the Lakers competed in two events: the 4×200 relay and the 4×400 relay. The 4×200 was their better event as they snagged a 10th place finish (1:37.48). In the 4×400, they came in 17th (3.47.78).

Neither the boys nor girls squads qualified anyone for All-States, which effectively ends both their seasons.

During winter sports season, most teams have their eye on a potential playoff spot.

In many sports, the postseason criteria is essentially for a team to win more than they lose, although there are some exceptions and loopholes that allow teams tournament spots. Here is a look at how the basketball and hockey teams did this season and where they stand for postseason contention.

The girls’ hockey co-op with Whitman-Hanson has been strong all season. At 13-3-3 through 13 games, they not only made the playoffs, but will likely have a high seed and be a strong postseason competitor. After all, that is what happens when a team averages more than five goals per game and lets up about two. In that time frame, senior forward Melanie McAleer, senior forward Hannah Tracy and freshman forward Alyssa Murphy combined for 65 goals and 72 assists.

At 12-8, the boys’ basketball team has battled all season through a tough Patriot League schedule. A strong offensive-minded team, they are typically led by Cam Keefe and Rob Ventola on the attack. Perhaps momentum will give the Lakers a postseason push. They finished they regular season by winning two of their last three games.

On Monday, the boys’ hockey team (5-14-1) clinched a Division 3 South playoff spot, helping round out the playoff bracket. Last week, they picked up back-to-back wins and throughout the season, they have not relied too heavily upon one particular scorer. Sophomore forward Alex Heffernan leads the team with 10 goals, but the team has had 15 different goal scorers this season. On the year though, they have been outscored, 74-48.

Finishing the year at 5-15, the girls’ basketball team missed out on a playoff spot. The Lakers started the year hot, winning four of their first six contests, so the talent is there and it is worth noting they are a young team, so they have time to grow and the potential to grow and excel in the near future.

Halifax Fire Chief Jason Viveiros is asking all Silver Lake High School students interested in fire science to sign up for the Halifax Fire Department’s Fire Cadet Program.

The program is designed for students who would like to learn more about an exciting career in firefighting and emergency medical services.  Applications are available at the Halifax Fire Station or at the Silver Lake Regional High School Guidance Office.

Beginning March 1, the curriculum, broken down into nine two-hour weekly classes, will cover firefighter safety, personal protective equipment, 911 and emergency communications, Firefighter Level 1 program, first responder, EMS; fire department organization and structure, hazardous material awareness, search and rescue, strategy and tactics of firefighting, fire streams, hose and hydrants, fire extinguisher use and selection, extrication and rescue, public education and code enforcement.   And at the end of their training, they even get to burn down a building and fight the fire!

Firefighter/Paramedic Jordan Hill will lead the workshops, as he did last year.  Hill told the Express that the program started several years ago and is a good opportunity for high school students to see what a career in firefighting can offer.

Contact Chief Viveiros with any questions, at 781-293-1751 or email [email protected]

On Saturday, Jan. 31, they were forever enshrined in Laker history.

At Halifax Country Club, Silver Lake High School officially inducted their most recent Hall of Fame class, consisting of seven players, one coach and a team. There was close to a 40-year gap in age range between the oldest and youngest inductees, a sign the Lakers put their best effort into honoring their best athletes from a wide variety of sports. It might also be worth noting many of the athletes were multi-sport athletes, leading the Lakers to victory in as many as three seasons per year.

The 1968 football team was the lone team induction. They went 8-1, winning an Old Colony League title, making them among the best football teams in Laker history.

Longtime track and cross country coach Arnie Kaupp was honored for his service to Silver Lake. Now a volunteer coach for the girls team, the former math teacher amassed 208 wins in his head coaching career.

Kate O’Donnell, who graduated in 2006 and starred for the softball team, was the youngest inductee. The five-year letter winner and infielder hit .450 her senior year and went on to play at Stony Brook, where she started 51 games as a senior.

Deb Glockner, whose maiden name is Marvuglio, was inducted for her contributions in three sports. The 1975 graduate was a leader on two teams that had major team achievements: the 1974 field hockey team, that won the District Two championship and the 1975 softball team that won an Old Colony League title.

Although he passed away in 1985, Richard Moylan (1983) will never be forgotten at Silver Lake. A star running back for the football team who set the record for rushing yards, he also shined in track, with a program-best javelin throw.

Thomas Bouchard (1978), Scott McKee (1983), Joe Noonan (1985) and Phillip Caruso (2001) were among the more specialized athletes inducted.

Bouchard shined on the basketball court while hockey was McKee’s calling. Both led their respective teams to a pair of Old Colony League titles.

A track runner, Noonan had the best 100-yard dash time in the OCL his junior and senior years.

Soccer is where Caruso shined. He led the Lakers to a Division 1 State Championship on the pitch.