From the Daily News Transcript
Norwood Massachusetts

Hawks draw a blank

The way the Xaverian Brothers soccer team has started this season, the Hawks seemed destined to score a late game-winner to break yesterday’s scoreless tie with BC High in the Catholic Conference opener for both teams.

And although Xaverian – and the Eagles – came up with some promising bids in the second half, neither team was able to convert as the game ended in a 0-0 draw.

The Hawks, who have found a way to score a late winner in each of their wins, couldn’t find that magic again despite getting the chances they wanted.

“They’ve done a very nice job late in games creating that opportunity, goal-scoring opportunity,” said Xaverian coach Gary Bowers. “You hope to create the opportunities and we did do that, so I’m still pleased with that. We didn’t convert one but we did put ourselves in a position to win that game and hopefully those go home later in the season.”

“I thought our boys played a pretty good game today,” said BC High coach Billy Ryan. “That’s a tough Xaverian squad but I thought we did have our chances unfortunately we didn’t knock one in to win the game. It was a great high school game and I’m proud of the boys. It’s a young team and these games give us experience for the end prize.”

Although Xaverian had some opportunities early in the second half, it was BC High that nearly took the lead first. After a foul just outside the 18, BC High’s senior sweeper Derek Foy tried to curl one under the crossbar, but it deflected wide.

It was then the Hawks’ turn to be denied by the post, as Paul Dupre’s corner found the head of James Vickery but the ball bounced off the crossbar again.

Xaverian dodged another bullet when the Hawks were whistled for a foul on the right side of the 18. Again Foy tried to curl the ball inside the near post but goalie Evan Polanik (6 saves) was there with a diving stop to his left.

The Hawks then answered with a flurry of chances down the stretch. Conor Fitzgerald of Dedham made a nice cross in to Greg Stokinger but his shot was high, Robby Stack’s cross found Stokinger and Nick Logie right in front of the goal but a BC High defender kicked the ball out at the last minute.

But Xaverian’s best chance came moments later when Dupre sent in a corner that found Vickery inside the 6. He shot it but it went right to far post defender Adam Cherubini, who booted it away.

“One of the things they’ve done well in practice and in games is to keep our runs consistent,” said Bowers. “It makes it easier to hit those targets from the restarts. That’s been something we’ve been able to capitalize on early. Hopefully we’ll continue to be successful with that.”

In the first half, Xaverian’s best chance came in the first 10 minutes, as Stack took the ball from 23 yards out and blasted it just under the crossbar but BC High goalie Ryan Russell got his hand on it to keep it out of the net.

Despite only getting a point, Dupre, a junior captain, likes where his team is at.

“We’re playing a little bit better, better than last year,” he said. “We’re definitely jelling a little bit better but we can do some other things a little bit better.”

“Any time you start conference play you know you’re going to face strong opponents that are well prepared,” he said. “BC High always is, they move the ball very well.”