Citizen names 18 spring sports all stars

Erika Nannery won her second straight Hockomock MVP award this season. (Mike Barucci photo)

The Canton Citizen released its 2014 spring sports wrap-up issue this week and the following CHS athletes were recognized as Citizen All Stars:

Boys’ MVP

Ben Lodge

A senior captain, Lodge was named to his second straight Hockomock League all-star team after another outstanding season in the cage for the Bulldogs. He stopped 66.2 percent of the shots he faced and averaged more than 17 saves per game — both stellar numbers for the sport of lacrosse. Lodge also saw some late-season action at attack and had a monster final game against Medway, scoring four of the team’s seven goals in an eventual 7-6 win.

Girls’ MVP

Erika Nannery (Tennis)

A senior captain, Nannery cemented her place in CHS history with yet another brilliant tennis season, winning all 19 of her matches, including several by shutout. The highlight of her season came against Foxboro, when she overcame severe calf cramps to gut out a three-set victory and help spoil the Warriors’ perfect season. The two-time Hockomock League Most Valuable Player will continue her tennis career next year at Fairfield University.

Boys’ Lacrosse

Matt Bagley

A senior captain, Bagley was the anchor on one of the league’s top defenses — a unit that held opponents to just 7.6 goals per game. He also led the team in ground balls with 80 and handled most of the faceoffs, winning them at a 60 percent clip. A fierce competitor and a highly respected leader, Bagley earned All-Hockomock honors and was recognized with the CHS Captain’s Award for exceptional leadership.

Paul Swart

A junior attackman, Swart was one of the Bulldogs’ top all-around players and one of three consistent offensive contributors along with classmate Tommy Galvin and sophomore Ben O’Neill. Swart had several big games and finished second on the team in ground balls with 68, second in assists with 16, and third in goals with 17.

Ben O’Neill

After flashing his potential as a freshman with six goals in 10 attempts, O’Neill made his presence felt with a breakout sophomore campaign, scoring a team-high 30 goals on 52 shots while adding 15 assists. He scored at least one goal in 14 of the team’s 18 games and had three goals or more on six different occasions, including a season-high four in a 10-4 win against Oliver Ames.

Tommy Galvin

Following a breakout sophomore season, Galvin emerged as one of the Bulldogs’ go-to scorers this year along with O’Neill and Swart, finishing second in total points with 40 and second in goals with 22. He also collected a team-high 18 assists and will be counted on to help lead the team back to the playoffs in 2015.

Girls’ Lacrosse

Jacki Merrigan

A senior captain and an All-Hockomock selection, Merrigan was the team’s starting center midfielder and best all-around player, excelling on the draws and finishing third on the team with 36 goals. She also cracked the century mark this season and finished her lacrosse career with 115 goals. A leader on and off the field, Merrigan was the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Paul Matthews Cup and the CHS Captain’s Award.

Katherine Doody

Only a freshman, Doody earned the nod as the team’s starting goalie and proved to be a natural at the position, averaging close to 12 saves per contest. She showed steady improvement throughout the season and was recognized as an All-Hockomock honorable mention. “She’s turned a lot of heads this season, from coaches to officials to other players,” said head coach Chris Murtagh.

Mary McNeil

A three-sport athlete, McNeil capped off a stellar junior year with a dominant lacrosse season. Playing at attack, she was one of the team’s most consistent offensive weapons and finished the spring with a team-high 52 goals to go along with 15 assists.

Sam Sullivan

A senior, Sullivan enjoyed a breakout season at attack for the Bulldogs and was recognized as the team’s Offensive Player of the Year. A gifted athlete who also excelled in soccer, Sullivan topped the 50-goal mark for the season and finished with a team-best 71 points.

Baseball

Sam Larson

A captain and an all star in three different sports, Larson wrapped up a brilliant athletic career at CHS with a dominant pitching campaign. While his record was only 6-6 as a starter, Larson was the unquestioned ace of the staff and finished with an outstanding earned run average of 1.53 with 34 strikeouts. Offensively, he hit .242 with 15 hits and six RBIs. Head coach JP Scott described him as an “amazing athlete” and expects him to thrive as a pitcher next year at the University of Rhode Island.

Pat Vartanian

A junior catcher and All-Hockomock selection, Vartanian was the Bulldogs’ best offensive player, finishing with a .389 batting average, 21 hits, and 14 RBIs. “Pat put in tons of work in the weight room and hitting on his own and it certainly showed,” said Coach Scott. “He hit for average and power and is a consistent power hitter. He has a great future.”

Kevin Powers

Only a sophomore and already a two-year varsity starter, Powers showed steady improvement this year as a pitcher and a shortstop and was recognized as the team’s Most Valuable Player. He finished with two wins, an ERA of 4.83, and 26 strikeouts. He also had a strong season at the plate, batting .309 with 14 RBIs. “We worked hard with [Powers] and he has made huge improvements,” said Coach Scott. “He has learned how to practice how he plays and his mental focus has really improved.”

Softball

Colleen Phelan

Only a sophomore, Phelan was one of the Bulldogs’ best hitters and finished the season with a batting average over .300. She also played solid defense in center field and admirably filled in at second base for several games when captain Andrea Tamasi went down with an injury. Together with fellow sophomore Gabby Matthews, Phelan drew praise from head coach Ed Amico for her “positive attitude, incredible work ethic, and determination to get better.”

Gabby Matthews

Another sophomore who enjoyed a breakout spring, Matthews was the Bulldogs’ starting first baseman and batted over .300 for the season. According to Coach Amico, both Matthews and Phelan caught the attention of opposing coaches and umpires and will be a “stabilizing force” for the team over the next few years. “They are only sophomores, but their leadership, integrity and work ethic should be a guide that all the players should aspire to,” said Amico.

Boys’ Track

Somto Ofonagoro

A senior, Ofonagoro followed up another strong indoor season with a successful spring campaign, emerging as one of the top sprinters in the Hockomock League. He excelled in the 100 and 200 meter races throughout the season and made the finals in both events at the league championships, finishing fourth in the 100 with a time of 11.37 seconds. He also qualified for the Division 3 championships in both events but was forced to sit out due to a foot injury.

Girls’ Track

Rachel Campagna

A senior captain, Campagna was the Bulldogs’ leading scorer and their most versatile performer, qualifying for the Division 3 championships in four events (100m, 400m, long jump, 4×100 relay). “She can win the 400 as easily as the 100 or 200 and is as consistent a long jumper and triple jumper as there is in the league,” said head coach Dan Ashman. “She, more than any other student, set the standard for hard work and determination in our track program.”

Boys’ Tennis

Sam Riemer

While the CHS boys’ tennis team had a rough season, the shining star of the squad was undoubtedly senior captain Sam Riemer. Playing at first singles for the better part of the past three seasons, Riemer faced tough competition with composure, a level head, and a positive attitude. He consistently earned his point throughout the season and had several straight-set wins. His leadership and talent will be greatly missed as he moves on to Chestnut Hill College in the fall.

By Jay Turner, Mike Berger and Holly Erickson

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