Bulldogs march into postseason tournaments
MATTAPOISETT — Months of grueling practices and games have paid off for Old Rochester’s fall sports programs as they enter postseason play.
It has been a successful start to the school for Bulldog sports teams as all five varsity team sports qualified for the state tournament: volleyball, field hockey, football, boys and girls soccer.
The Old Rochester volleyball team’s postseason is underway after entering the MIAA tournament as the fourth seed in Division 3.
After a 17-3 regular season, the team won its first round game on Sunday, Nov. 3, defeating Hanover High School 3-0.
The team’s high seed comes with the opportunity to host multiple playoff games.
Old Rochester’s next test will come in the round of 16 against Shawsheen Valley Technical High School on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. at home.
Like the volleyball team, Old Rochester’s football team is a fourth seed heading into the playoffs.
The 7-1 football team is set to kick off Division 5 playoff play on Friday, Nov. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at home against 13th seed Medway High School.
Old Rochester enters postseason play streaking on both sides of the ball. The Bulldogs have scored more than 40 points in each of their last four games. The defense has been strong as well, allowing exactly 6 points in three of the team’s last four games.
The Bulldogs lone loss came at the hands of defending state champion Fairhaven High School by a score of 14-7 back on Sept. 20.
Led by school principal Mike Devoll, the Old Rochester boys soccer team has won 14 games and lost just four.
Before the season, Devoll said his goal for the team is simple: win as many games as possible and see where that leaves the Bulldogs entering postseason play.
The team earned a 13 seed in the Division 3 bracket. The team opened postseason play on Monday, Nov. 4 under the lights at home against Norton High School with a 3-0 victory.
With the win the Bulldogs will love on to the second round and meet the winner of a match between Dedham High School and Falmouth High School. If Dedham wins, Old Rochester will have to travel to Greater Boston. If Falmouth wins, the Bulldogs will host.
After a slow start, the Bulldogs won 11 straight games in the middle of their season to put themselves in a good position to make a run.
The 21st seeded girls soccer team hosted Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical High School in the first round of the Division 3 tournament on Saturday, Nov. 2.
The team walked away victorious in dominant fashion after scoring five goals and holding Montachusett scoreless.
The win advanced the Bulldogs to the second round where they will hit the road to meet Auburn High School at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Old Rochester’s varsity field hockey team won three of their last four regular season games to qualify for postseason play as the 33rd seed in Division 3.
Their season came to end with a 2-0 loss in the first round to Groton-Dunstable High School on Friday, Nov. 1.
South Coast Conference cross country championships were held on Saturday, Oct. 26.
Old Rochester senior Nolan Bushnell took home first place, finishing the 5000 meter run with a time of 16 minutes and 48 seconds.
Junior Noah Robert-Howley finished right behind him in second place with a time of 17 minutes and 14 seconds. Old Rochester finished in first place as a team.
The girls cross country team took home second place. Junior Ella Milhench and senior Madison Connor finished in fifth and eighth place respectively.
After a successful regular season, the Old Rochester varsity golf team finished tied for second in the Division 2 state championship, just two strokes behind the leaders.