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Hawks Finding Success on the Ice at the Season’s Midpoint

by Hunter Broadbent ’19 and Joshua Mould ’19, #XBCorps
As the new season dawned, an energetic young Hawks team emerged, ready to avenge the previous year’s finish.


On December 17, Xaverian’s varsity hockey team hit the ice for the season opener against Lowell Catholic High with high hopes for the upcoming campaign. After last year’s loss to Framingham in the Division I South semi-final dashed the team’s hope of a state championship, this year’s group is ready to set the record straight. As the new season dawned, an energetic young Hawks team emerged, ready to avenge the previous year’s finish with stronger results.

“We are very young after graduating several seniors, but we will work hard and play up tempo,” Coach Spinale told the Boston Herald during the preseason. The remaining juniors-turned-seniors from the 2016-17 team, Robert Bedard, Adam Cookson, Tommy Dugan, Brendan Gunning, Tyler Sullivan, and Ross Vona, are more motivated than ever to rise to the top of the standings during their final year on the team.

Led by captains Dugan and Vona, who have done a tremendous job thus far of holding down the blue line with solid defense, the team is adapting well to their mix of many freshmen and sophomores alongside fewer juniors and seniors. Additionally, assistant captain Josh Barton ’19 is building off his success from the last two seasons and is proving to be a dependable force on the ice. Goalie James Herring ’19 has been brilliant in net, holding the opposition to three or less goals in seven of nine games. Among other players having strong seasons, Ryan Pomposelli ’20, Matt Ryan ’20, and Robbie Barletta ’21 have been some of the most impressive underclassmen featured on the team.  

As of January 17, the Hawks sit at 6-4-2, good for third place in the Catholic Conference and right on the heels of BC High. The team is driven by a strong offense, but places a high degree of importance on crafting a lockdown defense.

“Defensive responsibility and wise puck management are the key to our team’s success,” said team manager Christian Brady ’19. He went on to praise the team for their rapid improvement and added that their hard work is essential for success.

As the Hawks march through their season, excitement builds for what we might see out of the young team next. Growth and improvement will be key, and the future is always thrilling to think about. GO HAWKS!
 
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Xaverian is a Catholic, college-preparatory school for boys in grades 7-12. As an inclusive community, we embrace diverse experiences and perspectives, welcoming students and families from all faiths and backgrounds. Through exceptional academics, athletics, the arts, faith formation, and service opportunities, we help young men discover their unique gifts and talents so they can share them with a world in need.