Canton boys top Hale-Ray in OT

Canton’s Jake Dupre (20) scored his first goal of the season in OT to lift the Warriors past Hale-Ray.

MOODUS, Nov. 5 – Canton’s Jake Dupre beat a Hale-Ray defender to a loose ball in front of the net and scored with 46 seconds left in the first overtime period to lift the Warriors to a 2-1 decision over No. 14 Hale Ray in the first round of the Class S tournament on Tuesday evening under the lights. 

From the far side of the field, teammate Rieley Hoffman put a pass into the penalty box and Dupre hustled to the ball to get off a shot from about 10 yards away. It was his first goal of the season. 

No. 19 Canton (8-9) advances to the second round of the tournament where they will travel to Deep River on Thursday to challenge No. 3 Valley Regional (12-3-1). 

Canton shutout the Little Noises (8-6-3) in the second five-minute overtime period to secure the victory. Junior Riley Hollis scored a goal for the Warriors early in the second half. It was also Hollis’ first goal of the season.

“It was probably our best game of the year,” Canton coach Bill Phelps said. “They were big and very good in the air. Our defense really stepped up big time and did a good job.” 

Goalie Josh Frigo made 11 saves while sweeper Nico Tuccillo and defenders Lucas Rich and Justin Fortier played well. Hollis is playing at sweeper. 

Tuccillo is coming off an injury while Rich has been playing very well down the stretch. Fortier is recovering from a bone bruise that has kept him on the sideline for several games while Hollis has been outstanding at sweeper. “He does a great job pushing the ball up the field and getting back when he needs to,” Phelps said of Hollis. “He has been dominating the midfield.” 

Canton qualified for the tournament on the final day of the regular season. Needing a win to qualify, they outlasted a pesky SMSA squad at Bowdoin Field. Alex Daley and Nate Handon scored for Canton. 

Canton has won at least one game in the Class S tournament for seven straight years. The previous mark were four years in a row from 2001-04 and 1984-87.