Stoughton High Hockey Falls in Finale

Despite another solid effort from Stoughton goalie P.J. Sheehan, North Attleboro edged the Black Knights hockey team 4-3 Friday at the Foxboro Sports Center in Stoughton's season-finale. 

"We finished at 3-15-2, which is an improvement on the last year's record [1-18-1], but more importantly we were competitive in most games," Stoughton coach Dan Mark wrote in an email. 

"We were a young, physically small team that played against good teams, most of whom are playing in the state tournament," Mark continued. "The only teams we played against that did not qualify for the tourney were Apponequet and Taunton! Obviously, Paul Sheehan had a great year in goal, earning a spot on the [Hockomock League] All Star team."

Sheehan had 46 saves against North Attleboro. 

Stoughton got on the board first, with Albert Smith scoring midway through the first period, assisted by Imani Pina.

North Attleboro answered about a minute later to tie the game, but Stoughton retook the lead with 1:06 left in the first on a Mark Sheehan goal. Drew DiStefano and Adam Potter picked up the assists. 

With Stoughton up 2-1, North Attleboro answered again midway through the second period with Brandon Poillucci scoring his first of three goals.

In what was a back-and-forth game, Stoughton went up 3-2 with about two minutes left in the second when Sheehan scored his second goal of the game. Brandon Lima and Potter had the assists. 

But two more goals from North Attleboro's Poillucci gave the Red Rocketeers the win. The first came with just 1:22 left in the second period to tie the game 3-3. The next came just 33 seconds into the third and final period, giving NA the 4-3 lead, which would account for the final score.   

With more than half of the roster made up of freshmen and sophomores this season, Stoughton is set to return a still youthful, yet more experienced roster next season as the team looks to continue to improve.