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Patriots pride: A look back at fall sports

Every scholastic sports season has its ups and downs, but for CCHS, the triumphs have far outweighed the disappointments.

By Rob Reinalda ·

Cal Van der Swaagh looks for an opening against Catholic Memorial in the Patriots’ 2-0 win on November 4. Photo by Rebecca Woodward
Cal Van der Swaagh looks for an opening against Catholic Memorial in the Patriots’ 2-0 win on November 4. Photo by Rebecca Woodward

Every scholastic sports season has its ups and downs, but for Acton-Carlisle High School, the triumphs have far outweighed the disappointments this fall.

Acton-Carlisle’s Joe Grasso watches his shot fall in a match against Westford Academy on September 11 at Acton Country Club. Photo by Aidan Moroney
Acton-Carlisle’s Joe Grasso watches his shot fall in a match against Westford Academy on September 11 at Acton Country Club. Photo by Aidan Moroney

Golf opened its season — as well as the CCHS athletics year — with seven straight victories and bested Wayland on September 30 to seal an undefeated season on its home course. Patriots golf won the Dual County League Invitational team title for a second consecutive year. 

After strong regular seasons, boys and girls soccer both reached the MIAA Division 1 semifinals. Having recorded seven regular-season shutouts, the boys posted two straight overtime wins in their playoff run. Not to be outdone, the girls stunned previously undefeated Bishop Feehan High School, 1-0, in their quarterfinal matchup. Each squad ended up 3-1 in the state tournament.

Emmy O'Donnell (No. 11) charges upfield. Photo by Aidan Moroney
Emmy O’Donnell (No. 11) charges upfield. Photo by Aidan Moroney

Field hockey proved a dominant force at all levels. The varsity squad finished undefeated in DCL play and shut out Braintree in its opening MIAA playoff round. The JV team ended at 14-1-2 overall, with nine shutouts and a +41 goal differential. The freshman team finished 10-1-1 overall, with 10 shutouts and a +71 differential. 

Brynn Chaffee takes aim against Braintree. Photo by David Clancy
Brynn Chaffee takes aim against Braintree. Photo by David Clancy

The volleyball team showed stamina and determination in multiple five-set matches — including wins over Burlington, Belmont, and Shawsheen Valley Tech — marking a season brimming with gritty marathon efforts. The squad took just four sets to defeat Wachusett on Senior Night.

Acton-Carlisle volleyball celebrates its five seniors (left to right): Layli White, Grace DeAngelis, Olivia Scaduto, April Tang, and Alex Tyson. Photo by Debra Antonangeli
Acton-Carlisle volleyball celebrates its five seniors (left to right): Layli White, Grace DeAngelis, Olivia Scaduto, April Tang, and Alex Tyson. Photo by Debra Antonangeli

The CCHS cheer squads made waves at the competitive level. In late October, the game day team and the performance team earned first place in their respective categories and took home an award for outstanding choreography. In its debut season, the game day team earned a bid to the UCA National Championship at Walt Disney World in February. 

The Acton-Carlisle game day and performance cheer teams took first-place honors in their categories at the October 25 Shake the Bridge competition at Southbridge Middle/High School. CCHS also won for outstanding choreography. On October 26, the game day team placed second at the Hilloween Invitational at Shepherd Hill Regional High School. This Sunday starting at noon, CCHS hosts the Dual County League Championship and Patriot Invitational. Photo by Sarah Atwood
The Acton-Carlisle game day and performance cheer teams took first-place honors in their categories at the October 25 Shake the Bridge competition at Southbridge Middle/High School. CCHS also won for outstanding choreography. On October 26, the game day team placed second at the Hilloween Invitational at Shepherd Hill Regional High School. Photo by Sarah Atwood

Football coasted to big wins over Wayland and Algonquin, and the Patriots posted a solid 3-2 record in the DCL. The season highlight was scheduled for Thanksgiving eve, with the Pats taking on the Lexington Minutemen in a clash at Fenway Park.

Thomas Bury eludes Lincoln-Sudbury’s Stavaughn Harris (No. 2). Photo by Jon Straggas
Thomas Bury eludes Lincoln-Sudbury’s Stavaughn Harris (No. 2). Photo by Jon Straggas

The centerpiece of the fall season is Kicks for Cancer — in its various iterations — and with this year’s event, held in late September, the campaign has now donated more than $1 million to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The milestone highlights nearly two decades of community involvement through an annual week of athletic events and fundraising at Acton-Carlisle High School. In such a week, regardless of the scoreboard, there are only winners.

Of course, The Acton Bridge could not have delivered this terrific coverage without our talented and dedicated sports contributors, who have brought you game details and compelling photographs all season long — at times in daunting weather conditions and on tight deadlines. 

To them we offer a profound thank-you and our heartfelt congratulations for jobs well done: Debra Antonangeli, Janel Apuna, Sarah Atwood, Hanna Bruno, David Clancy, James Crandall, Bridget Ferrari, Bruce Hack, Mary McCabe, Aidan Moroney, Bill Sones, Jon Straggas, Carl Sweeney, Adam Synnestvedt, Cris Van Dyke, and Rebecca Woodward.

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