---

NORTH ATTLEBORO - Having surrendered the first goal of the match and having created merely a half-dozen shots through the first 40 minutes of play, the Mansfield High girls' soccer team took appropriate measures to regain some esteem and create some offense in its season debut Thursday.

The Hornets unleashed six shots in the first six minutes of the second half, one of them being a goal - Kelly McCabe's second of the match - and the match-winner too as the Hornets nipped North Attleboro 2-1 in the Hockomock League season opener for both teams.

"We had some first game jitters in the first half, but we came to play in the second half," said Mansfield coach Kevin Smith.

The Hornets surrendered the go-ahead goal to North's Brianne Dusel six minutes into the match, the Rocketeer converting a corner kick taken by Kelly Shorens. Thereafter, the Hornet defense in front of goalie Jacki MacPherson (seven saves) didn't surrender much space, nor hardly any serious scoring bids to the Rocketeers through the final 74 minutes.

North goalie Kelsey Dean (11 saves) prevented Mansfield from taking a one-goal lead by intermission, twice clearing the ball off of the goal line. McCabe netted the tying goal for the Hornets in the 21st minute, similar to her match-winner, taking control of a loose ball inside the penalty box area. Mansfield entertains Canton Tuesday, while North visits defending state and Hockomock League champion Oliver Ames.

New Bedford 3, Attleboro 0

ATTLEBORO - The Bombardiers lost their legs through the second half of play and were unable to create enough of sustained attack in losing their season opener. The Whalers took the lead on a defensive miscue in the 13th minute and then created a two-goal advantage 16 minutes into the second half.

"In the first half we outplayed them, but in the second half, we lost our legs and watched," said AHS coach Steve Rodrigues. The Bombardiers created 20 shots, 13 during the second half, but most came outside of the penalty box area. The Bombardiers next visit Durfee Tuesday.

King Philip 1, Canton 0

CANTON - Freshman Meghan Rico scored her first career goal in her first varsity match, the match-winner as the Warriors began their Hockomock League season with a victory on the road. Rico pounced on a high-bouncing ball sent into the box from Kayla Mullin and headed the ball into the net at the 20-minute mark.

With senior sweeper Meg Marra and junior midfielder Sarah Shipley controlling the flow of play through the middle of the pitch, KP junior goalie Alex Ceven posted a shutout. Ceven made a half-dozen saves and was strong on three Canton corner kicks.

"We hit three posts, a crossbar, we had a lot of shots," offered KP coach Greg Massotti. "We played pretty well."

KP returns to action Tuesday at home against Sharon.

Coyle-Cassidy 3, Foxboro 2 TAUNTON - Coyle-Cassidy scored the first two goals of the second half and Foxboro was unable to generate enough offense to counter in losing the non-league match.

Senior Avery Fleck scored both the Foxboro goals. Fleck converted a cross from Becca Crowley five minutes into the second half to knot the score at 1-1 and then scored again with six minutes left, converting a rebound of a Rachel Jamieson shot.

Foxboro has a Hockomock League match Tuesday at Franklin.

Blackstone Valley 4, Tri-County 1

UPTON - Scoring three goals within the first 10 minutes of the match, the Cougars tasted defeat in their season debut. Junior Erica Jonasson scored the lone goal for the Cougars, in the 19th minute of the first half.

Cougar goalie Danielle Higgins accounted for 16 saves in goal for Tri-County, allowing just one tally to Blackstone Valley during the second half. The Cougars return to action Wednesday at Diman Voke.