Pitch perfect: The 2023 Taunton Daily Gazette Boys Soccer All-Scholastics
TAUNTON — Another high school soccer season has come and gone in the Greater Taunton area.
Dighton-Rehoboth (13-2-8, 6-1-7 South Coast Conference) led the way locally, making it all the way to the Division 3 Final Four as the No. 26 seed before falling to eventual champions Norwell.
Taunton (7-11-0, 7-9-0 Hockomock League) had some solid showings under first-year head coach and former player Jesue Lopes while Bridgewater-Raynham (1-14-3, 0-8 Southeast Conference) and Bristol-Plymouth (1-16-1, 1-9 Mayflower Athletic Conference) each scored a win with largely young squads.
With the fall season now in the rearview, here's a final look back at the Greater Taunton area boys soccer players who stood out among the crowd to earn their spot as 2023 Taunton Daily Gazette Boys Soccer All-Scholastics.
Player of the Year
Kristof Trond, Dighton-Rehoboth
The senior forward and captain wrapped up a strong high school soccer career leading the Falcon attack with a team-best 14 goals, four of which came during the tournament. Quick and with a strong eye for goal, Trond could be counted on to find an opening and capitalize when his team needed him. He scored both goals in a 2-0 win over No. 23 Belchertown in the Division 3 Round of 16 as well as a goal against Gloucester that helped D-R book its first-ever Final Four appearance.
An SCC All-Star, Trond's talents and leadership will surely be missed by the Falcons next year.
First Team All-Scholastics
Javonte Fernandes, Taunton
The senior forward wrapped up a strong high school soccer career as one of the most versatile players in the area. In addition to netting a team-high 11 goals and three assists for the Tigers, Fernandes also utilized his blistering speed, strong field vision and defensive skills gained from playing nearly every position on the pitch over the course of high school to be a true all-around player. Some of his most notable performances this fall include scoring a pair of goals against Stoughton, a goal and assist against Foxboro and a late game-winning goal in a 3-2 win over North Attleboro.
A Hockomock All-Star, Fernandes’ talents and leadership will surely be missed by the Tigers next year.
Khrystian Ferreira, Taunton
The senior midfielder wrapped up a solid high school soccer career as a key part of the Tiger offense, helping facilitate goals with his quick pace.
A Hockomock Honorable Mention, Ferreira’s talents will be missed by Taunton last year.
Aidan Cullinane, Bridgewater-Raynham
The junior defender once again was a leading man for the Trojans, both on the back line and as the team’s primary free kick taker. Quick and equipped with a strong boot, he showed once again why he’s a strong all-around player.
An SEC All-Star, expect Cullinane to continue to grow and improve as an athlete heading into his senior year.
Kyle Perez-Magee, Bridgewater-Raynham
The junior midfielder/forward made an impact on the Trojans in his first varsity season, netting his debut goal against then-undefeated Durfee.
An SEC All-Star, expect Perez-Magee to continue to grow and improve as an athlete heading into his senior year.
Christian Borges, Bristol-Plymouth
The senior defensive midfielder wrapped up a solid high school soccer career once again serving as the key man in transition for the Craftsmen. Largely responsible for keeping things close with his defensive prowess and strong field vision, he was also able to help create chances.
A MAC All-Star, Borges’ talents and leadership will surely be missed at B-P next year.
Tiago Conceicao, Dighton-Rehoboth
The junior defender held down a Falcon backline that conceded just 14 goals in the regular season from the center back position. A three-year starter, he caused headaches for opposing attackers with his pace and quick reaction time, breaking up many a dangerous chance. He also chipped in offensively, finding the back of the net in a 3-0 win over rivals Seekonk.
Also a member of the track team and the National Honor Society, expect Conceicao to continue to grow and improve as an athlete heading into his senior year.
Bryce Doehler, Dighton-Rehoboth
The senior defender wrapped up a solid high school career as a key part of the strong Falcon backline, playing from the right back position. Praised by coach Mike Morgado for his consistency and ability to read the ball, Doehler could also be counted on to mark his man.
His skills and presence will surely be missed at D-R next year.
Spencer Jones, Dighton-Rehoboth
The senior defender wrapped up a solid high school soccer career as yet another key member of the Falcon backline, where he was often paired with Conceicao as a center back. Playing nearly every minute on the pitch, Jones often helped shut down some of the opposition's top attackers while also showing his offensive capabilities with a goal against Norton.
Also a member of the indoor track team, Jones' abilities and presence will surely be missed at D-R next year.
Matthew Suprenard, Dighton-Rehoboth
The senior defensive midfielder and captain wrapped up a strong high school soccer career with another solid season, winning the majority of 50/50 challenges through his great field awareness. A key part of the transition from the defense to attack, Suprenard was praised by Morgado for his strong leadership skills both on and off the pitch.
An SCC All-Star, Suprenard is also a member of the indoor track and baseball teams whose talents and leadership will certainly be missed by the Falcons next year.
Second Team All-Scholastics
Banks Beckwith, Bridgewater-Raynham
Anthony Piers, Bridgewater-Raynham
Olaoluwa Oorunfunmi, Bristol-Plymouth
Ryan Moitoso, Dighton-Rehoboth
Taunton Daily Gazette sports reporter Cameron Merritt can be reached at cmerritt@tauntongazette.com. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @CamMerritt_News. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to the Taunton Daily Gazette today.
This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: The 2023 Taunton Daily Gazette Boys Soccer All-Scholastics
