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By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
In 2018-2019, it took until February for the Medfield High School boys varsity hockey team to lose a game; they started the year 8-0-4. The Warriors finished the regular season at 11-4-5 to earn the No. 7 seed in Division II South.
A pair of shutout wins against No. 10 Nauset (3-0) and No. 2 Southeast Regional Voc (4-0) earned the Warriors a trip to the South semifinals in Bourne to face-off against rival and No. 3 Westwood. After Medfield jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead early in the first period, Westwood stormed back with three straight goals to advance with a 3-2 victory, stunning the Warriors and ending their playoff run.
With two matchups looming against Westwood this season and a significant core of their roster back, Medfield will look to serve up some revenge against their rivals to the East while competing for the TVL title, as well as make a return to the state tournament.
Leading the charge for Medfield in 2019-2020 will be three senior captains in forward Mike Tyer and defensemen John Schofield and Jimmy Cosolito.
“We have to work hard every day to become better, and approach every game like it is a do or die,” said Cosolito when asked about how his team will be approaching this season. “Also, we need to do very well in league play in order to have a good season.”
As far as what the Warriors hope to accomplish in 2019-2020, Cosolito and his teammates are aiming big.
“Some general goals we have are to win the TVL and make a deep run into the playoffs,” said Cosolito.
Along with Tyer, Medfield also bolsters the returns of junior James Wilder, Mike Vachon, Sam Palmer and Aiden Perachi at the forward position. Aiden Parker is another name to watch out for on the blue line for the Warriors.
Medfield will begin their quest back to the state tournament on December 12 when the Warriors host Hopkinton at Pirelli Arena in Franklin.
For funny and incisive sports analysis, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter and Instagram @flano0.
