By Ken Hamwey

Staff Sports Writer

There’s good news for Natick High soccer fans who watched the boys squad capture the first State championship in the program’s history last fall.

Coach Dan Joseph, who guided the Redhawks to the Division 1 title by beating heavily-favored St. John’s Prep, 3-2, sincerely believes that back-to-back championships are a distinct possibility. And, when it comes to assessing his squad’s future, Joseph has a knack for being accurate.

Very accurate.

Consider this about the second-year coach. He was spot on in pre-season practice last August when he told his 2025 contingent that one of his expectations was to go deeper in the playoffs. That meant advancing to the Final Four and/or the State final. That objective became a reality last November and that reality now includes a state title.

Joseph, a 30-year-old Natick native had a nice first season at the helm. It ended with a 10-4-3 record and a No. 7 power rank. And, when the playoffs got underway, his squad downed Somerville and Boston College High before losing, 1-0, in the Elite Eight to Newton North.

The personable Joseph not only directed the Redhawks into last November’s Final Four but Natick’s upset of St. John’s in the title game enabled the boys to join the championship girls squad to make Natick the state capital of interscholastic soccer.

“If our players have the same attitude and the same buy-in approach, it wouldn’t shock me if we’re back in the state final,’’ Joseph said. “We’ll have new players but our core group is back. We lose 10 seniors but we have 11 returnees who are talented and will provide veteran leadership. We won the championship because of athleticism and high soccer IQs, but most important was our team chemistry and our coachable players.’’

Natick’s players are dynamic and their efforts buried the thought that Joseph would have to contend with a sophomore jinx in his second year.

Cole Boggis goal with 7:51 left in the second half clinched the outcome. Earlier, Owen Ford and Luke Dougherty scored, enabling the Redhawks to stay even with the Eagles. “Cole took a pass from Luke, went one-on-one with a defender in the box and shot the ball between the goalie’s leg for a 3-2 lead,’’ Joseph recounted. “What’s interesting is that in all of our playoff games we were either behind or tied.’’

At halftime, with the score knotted at 1-1, Joseph wisely instructed his players to breathe. “They were a bit worried but all they needed was to relax and take time for a mental reset,’’ he recalled. “I told them that being tied, 1-1, with St. John’s is a good place to be.’’

Natick advanced to the final by beating Leominster, Attleboro, BC High, and Newton South.

“I’ve received lots of congratulations but I wasn’t on the field scoring goals or making saves,’’ Joseph offered. “This championship is a testament to the players. They were so coachable and they implemented our strategy perfectly.’’

A great example of adapting and implementing strategy occurred after a 6-1 loss to Newton South during the season. Joseph switched from a 4-3-3 formation to a 3-5-2 format.

It worked because the Redhawks proceeded to win 12 of their next 13 matches.

“Our players bought in, adapted nicely and got comfortable with the adjustment,’’ Joseph said. “It’s a difficult change because it requires being in specific spots at specific times.

The winning roster includes: Jack Stephens, Seb Battat; Luke Dougherty; Bodhi Sands; Kal Masse; Drew Cochrane; Luca Tavilla; Ethan Rivera; Nate Kingscote; Devin Irwin; Cole Boggis; Brady Dubeshter; Austin Dubeshter;  Jackson McGrath; Drew Liepins; Tate Sheriff; Sam Fishman; Gavin Weddle; Shaun Smith; Owen Ford; Robbie Thorpe Jr.; Nathan Wasielewski.

Varsity Head coach: Daniel Joseph. Varsity assistant coach: Josh Arno; JV Head coach: Ivor Ford; Freshman head coach: Jack Moriarty; Team managers: Isa Hierro and Lucia Vargas. 

Natick’s players set their goals early on and all their objectives were realized.

“They wanted to go deeper, they wanted to yield the fewest goals in the Bay State Conference and they wanted to surpass 10 wins,’’ Joseph offered. “Our 12-5 regular season record topped the 10 victories we had in our first season together. They went deeper for sure and they managed to be in the top three in goals against.’’

The classy Joseph had high praise for St. John’s Prep.

“They were the standard in Division 1,’’ he emphasized. “They’re well-coached, very talented and simply a great team. They were the best team we faced all year.’’

St. John’s finished 19-2-2 and Natick was 17-5.

Before facing the Eagles, the current squad got plenty of encouragement from members of Natick’s 1987 team, which was the last boys contingent to play for a State title.

That team lost to Springfield Cathedral in five overtimes. Players from that team emphasized that the 1987 season still bonds them.

“They still talk about it to this day, they still meet up and they’re still friends,” Boggis said. “This team, I hope, is forever connected. We have such good energy and such tight chemistry. We want to go back-to-back for sure, we know we have the talent. I don’t see why we can’t.’’

The champs also got plenty of support from the crowd at Doyle Field in Leominster.

“There were many fans cheering for us,’’ Joseph said. “We had a large fan base. Our community really turned out.’’

Another plus was the Natick Police and Fire Department’s escort back to the high school. “When we left Wayland and got onto Route 27, we were greeted by police and fire personnel who provided a great escort,’’ Joseph smiled. “The ride back was something else.

People stood on sidewalks and at street corners to offer their congratulations.’’

St. John’s coach David Crowell had some interesting thoughts after the match.

“We fell short, I’m not going to say I’m not disappointed,” he said. “But I’m really, really proud of our kids. “They’ll bounce back, a lot of tears, a lot of hugs right now, but in a few days, they’ll be back to being kids and playing soccer.’’

It’s a good bet that Dan Joseph and his players are also thinking about soccer, thinking about the magnificent history they’ve provided for a school and community that historically has called itself “The Home of Champions.’’