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Sports

King Philip Boys Soccer Ties Canton, 1-1

First place teams battled on the soccer field Wednesday night.

It was a battle between two of the top boys soccer teams in the Hockomock League.

Canton (3-0-3 overall, 3-0-2 league and 1-0-1 in the Davenport Division) hosted King Philip (2-1-3 overall and league and 1-1-1 in the Kelley-Rex Division.) Entering Wednesday night’s game, both teams were in first place in their respective divisions of the Hockomock League.

It was also a matchup featuring the potent, offensive attack of Canton, outscoring its opponents, 15-2, and scoring 14 goals in the last three games, against the stifling defense of the Warriors that has allowed only four goals in five games and no more than one in any contest, this season.

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Canton dominated statistically and territorially, but couldn’t break down the very structured and organized King Philip defense and the solid goaltending of senior James Murphy. The Bulldogs had to settle for a 1-1 tie. Murphy was forced to play 27 shots and make ten saves, four brilliant stops in the final minutes to preserve the tie for the Warriors.

Meanwhile, Canton’s outstanding senior goaltender and co-captain Colby Gavigan only needed to play seven shots and make three saves. Canton also held advantages in corner kicks, 7-2, free kicks, 7-3, and throw ins in the offensive zone, 6-1.

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Canton remains unbeaten in the season and is unbeaten in its last 36 home games (27-0-9) over the last four years. Canton High is 16-0-7 over the past 23 regular season games.

“All the streaks and dominating a game and remaining unbeaten are all good things, but what we’ve accomplished and can still accomplish this season, we have  higher expectations of ourselves,” said Canton Coach Dan Erickson. “If we dominate a game like we did in this one, then I expect to win not tie. We played well in the first half, but not as well in the second half, and you have to give credit to King Philip for its solid defense and goaltending.”

King Philip had only one opportunity in the offensive zone in the game’s first 25 minutes and scored. Zachary Irving, a senior, raced to the loose ball on the far left side and drilled a perfect shot just under the far crossbar, with 28 minutes left in the first half.

Canton would respond with sustained offensive pressure, and finally tied the contest, with just over two minutes left before halftime. Michael Denehy followed up his hat trick performance, in the previous game at North Attleboro, with his fourth goal in the last two games. Denehy converted a nice pass from sophomore Eric Wong.

 “We knew that we needed to focus on our defense and plug up the passing lanes and stop their set plays from corners and throw ins and we were able to do that,” said King Philip Coach Kip Lewis. “Our goaltender saved us in the defensive zone by not allowing a rebound and catching all throw ins. We also generated enough offense to allow us some breathing room, and didn’t try to sit on the lead or settle for the tie.”

Canton got great defensive work from seniors Matt Kelly, Andrew Vinciguerra and David Feeney along with junior Jimmy Kelly. Senior captains Scott Levy and Chris Murray also had solid offensive efforts.

King Philip will be back in action hosting Foxboro on Friday, while Canton prepares for a crucial home game Saturday night, at 7pm, against Oliver Ames with first place in the Davenport Division on the line.

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