Ken McKiernan’s old team had already done it. It was time for his new team to do the same. Four days after the Cawley Middle School team he coached in prior years won the Class M girls soccer championship, McKiernan led the boys to a 4-3 title-game win on Oct. 24.

Cawley’s victory over South Meadow capped an undefeated season for the Hawks, who went 11-0-1 on the year. The tie came against South Meadow and provided extra incentive heading into the finale.

“They had the same record as us, and we only faced them that one time during the year,” said McKiernan. “I think it was definitely good for the boys to play a team they hadn’t beaten. They had to play their best against that team, and they did.”

McKiernan said the strong, spirited play of his four captains – forward Austin Sprague, stopper Rick Prindiville, forward Tyler Gahara and goalie Chris Moquin – was the driving force behind the undefeated season.

Cawley played with intensity, something McKiernan said he needed to rein in at times. “The boys were excitable, and had a lot of energy,” he said. “Trying to keep them under control was one of the challenges at times.”

Also having an important role for Cawley during the season were Tyler Cornellier and Blake Cornellier, eighth-grade twin brothers.

Among the seventh-graders who contributed for the Hawks were Jake Parker, Matt Paradis and Austin Camberis.

With the big leads the team built throughout the season, McKiernan said he began preparations for next season by finding minutes for the talented, largely untested players as well.

“We’re looking promising for next year,” said McKiernan. “We tend to try and get as much experience for the younger players during the year. It really works out well. We had three or four seventh-graders who started, so they’re ready to go next year.”