Citizen names fall sports all stars

Senior boys soccer captain Damian Kozak took his game to new heights in 2014. (Mike Barucci photo)

The following all-star selections appear in the December 11 issue as part of the Canton Citizen’s annual fall sports wrap-up.

Boys MVP

Damian Kozak (Soccer)

A two-time captain and a truly gifted athlete, Kozak wrapped up a stellar four-year soccer career with a transcendent senior season, exploding for 19 goals and eight assists while leading the Bulldogs to a ninth consecutive postseason berth. A magician with the ball and an outstanding finisher, Kozak collected three hat tricks this season and ends his career No. 2 on the all-time scoring list (57 points) and third all-time with 33 goals. He also racked up numerous individual awards and accolades, including the coveted league MVP award in a very competitive year in the Hockomock.

Girls MVP

Erin Proctor (Volleyball)

A senior captain and the Bulldogs’ starting setter, Proctor was the quarterback and catalyst for one of the most prolific offenses in the state, racking up 456 assists to go along with 43 aces, 73 kills, and 121 digs. This year’s Hockomock League MVP, Hockomocksports.com Player of the Year, and an all-state selection, Proctor also had a stellar postseason and finished her career with over 1,000 assists after just two full seasons as the varsity setter. “Erin is a unique high school athlete,” said head coach Pat Cawley. “Her athleticism enables her to make plays seldom seen at the high school level. She is a great teammate and the hardest worker on the floor.”

Football

Brian Hagan

A two-year captain and team MVP, Hagan emerged as one of the league’s top quarterbacks this season and became the first Bulldog QB to be named a first-team all-star selection since 1985 — when his father, Kevin, received the honor. Hagan was a true dual threat, throwing for over 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushing for 700 yards and nine more scores. “He is a gifted athlete, has speed and the brains,” said head coach Dave Bohane. “He can dissect a team’s defense and find weaknesses. He is a tough kid who played through many injuries.” Hagan also played in the secondary on defense and had three interceptions as a three-year starter.

Derrick Harris

A senior captain and All-Hockomock honorable mention, Harris was a threat to score every time he lined up at receiver and was especially dangerous in the red zone. In two years, he caught 16 touchdowns, including a league-high nine in 2014, and was also a major factor in the return game. “He should have been a first-team all-star, but with our record it’s tough to get two [selections],” said Coach Bohane of this year’s team Offensive MVP. “But I think Derrick was as good as anyone in the league. The Hagan-Harris connection was a new dimension for CHS football.”

Sterlin Garvin

Like teammate Derrick Harris, Garvin could score at any point on the field. The senior halfback gained 863 yards this season on 130 carries, including six touchdown runs. Coach Bohane said he was amazed at how fast Garvin could run once he hit a hole. “From zero to quick, Sterlin was amazing,” Bohane said. “He had great breakaway speed. He is also a hard worker, a good student, a phenomenal person, and a great brother to his younger brother. I felt fortunate to coach him.”

Jake Ragusa

Only a junior and already a defensive standout at linebacker, Ragusa was all over the field for the Bulldogs this season, finishing with 89 tackles, including two sacks and seven tackles for a loss, as well as two interceptions and a fumble recovery. “He never takes a play off and is always around a tackle, either inside or down the field,” said Coach Bohane. On offense, Ragusa flashed some potential as a powerful inside runner with the ability to change direction.

Volleyball

Elizabeth Hamilton

A junior captain and a two-time all-state selection, Hamilton was the Bulldogs’ go-to hitter, leading the team in kills in 18 of 21 matches and finishing with 174 for the season. She also had 42 aces and was equally valuable on defense, finishing with 78 digs and 321 passes with just 24 errors. “She is an exceptional all-around player, excelling in the front and back row,” said head coach Pat Cawley. “Her teammates look to her for results as well as encouragement and support. A player like Elizabeth does not come around very often.”

Hockomock League and Canton Citizen MVP Erin Proctor

Chidera Nwankwo

A senior middle blocker and an All-Hockomock selection, Nwankwo became an incredible force at the net this year for the 19-2 CHS volleyball team. She led the team with 68 blocks, averaging more than a block per set, and finished second on the squad with 136 kills. “[Nwankwo] was a force to be reckoned with at the net this season,” said Coach Cawley. “Opposing defenses could not stop her as indicated by her .308 attack average. Chidera gave it her best on every play in every game and was a huge part of the reason we were successful this year.”

Danielle Arthur

A senior captain and defensive specialist (libero), Arthur was critical to the Bulldogs’ success this season and excelled at one of the most difficult skills in volleyball — serve receive — while also collecting 141 digs and serving at 90 percent with 27 aces. “She has worked hard to be the best at what she does,” said Coach Cawley of the All-Hockomock honorable mention. “She will be missed.”

Boys Soccer

Bart O’Brien

A senior captain and Hockomock all-star, O’Brien was a force in the midfield for the Bulldogs and also teamed with classmate Damian Kozak to form one of the most dangerous one-two scoring combinations in the league. For the season, O’Brien tallied seven goals and had a team-best 10 assists, placing him 15^th on the all-time scoring list with 31 points — one ahead of his head coach, Danny Erickson, a Class of 1989 alumnus.

Girls Soccer

Hailee Duserick

A senior captain and standout defender, Providence College-bound Hailee Duserick was the Bulldogs’ best all-around player, leading goal scorer with 15, and served as a role model for the younger players. She and her younger sister Riley were both named to the Hockomock League all-star team, while Hailee was named to the Hockomocksports.com Best of 11 squad. “Hailee has a passion for the game and sacrifices a lot,” said head coach Kate Howarth. “How she prepares herself for a game is quite professional.”

Riley Duserick

Only a freshman and already a league all-star, Riley Duserick impressed coaches around the league with her passing and ball skills and her composure to pass and shoot. “From her sister Hailee, a great role model, Riley knows what it takes, but she is her own player,” said Coach Howarth. “We are excited about her future.”

Sarah MacQuarrie

An All-Hockomock honorable mention as a junior, MacQuarrie is not only an outstanding defensive player, but she has sound offensive skills as well. “Sarah is a solid player, a good athlete with good foot skills,” said Coach Howarth. “She took all the corner kicks for us and helped to create scoring opportunities for us.”

Kathryn Doody

Only a sophomore, Doody made an instant impact last year as the Bulldogs’ starting goalie and continued to make strides in her second full season. She not only showed great defensive skills, but is noted for her teamwork and positive attitude. “Kathryn did a fantastic job for us, and maybe she didn’t get all the credit she deserved,” Coach Howarth said. “She improved so much and wants to work to become an even better goalie. She is a great teammate. She always has a smile on her face [and is] a very positive person.”

Field Hockey

Lindsey Nolte

A junior forward, Nolte enjoyed a breakout season for the 14-5-2 CHS field hockey team, finishing as the team’s leading scorer with 10 goals and earning her first All-Hockomock selection. Showing tremendous improvement in the past year, Nolte was a vocal leader on the field and always seemed to be in the right position to score. She also came up big during the Bulldogs’ postseason run, scoring the game-winner against North Attleboro and the lone goal in Canton’s 2-1 loss to Oliver Ames.

Mary McNeil

A senior captain and two-time league all-star, McNeil wrapped up an impressive four-year career with another outstanding season. Coming from a long line of field hockey players, McNeil manned the center midfield position and flashed her incredible stick work and passing skills all season long. And while her scoring statistics were modest, she created a lot of the team’s penalty corners and produced countless scoring opportunities for her teammates, finishing among the team leaders in assists.

Kelsey Trerice

Trerice, a senior, was the Bulldogs’ defensive anchor this season and excelled in the role, earning an All-Hockomock honorable mention. Playing the sweeper position, she was the last line of defense and a vocal leader in the backfield. She was great at organizing her teammates in front of her and was a factor on penalty corners.

Jackie Martin

A senior captain and defensive standout, Martin missed most of last season but returned to have a big impact in 2014. She was a great leader and had excellent stick skills — she could block, tackle, and had good passing vision. She also contributed offensively and was arguably the team MVP of the postseason, tallying a pair of assists and coming up with a huge defensive save against Oliver Ames.

Golf

Brian Halloran

A senior captain and All-Hockomock selection, Halloran was a six-time medalist who finished with a nine-hole average score of 39.4. His best score of the season was a one-under-par 35 at the Easton Country Club against Stoughton. He also competed in the Division 2 south sectionals in Easton and shot a team-best 77. “He was one of the leaders of our team who played well in all of our matches,” said head coach Mike Barucci.

Mike Breviglia

A senior captain and two-time league all-star, Breviglia was a four-time medalist who averaged 40.1 over nine holes. He shot a one-over-par 37 against Taunton at Segregansett Country Club — the lowest match score on that course this season. He also shot a respectable 82 at the Division 2 south sectionals in Easton. “Mike was one of the leaders of the team and also one of the hardest workers on the team,” noted Coach Barucci.

Girls Cross Country

Catherine Song

A junior captain and All-Hockomock selection, Song emerged as one of the region’s top distance runners this season, winning several dual meets and placing second at the league meet. She went on to finish 12^th overall at sectionals and 40^th out of 183 runners at All-States. She also won the women’s 10K division in both the Reebok Canton race and the Canton Fall Classic. “Cat works incredibly hard and when her mind is made up, she’ll accomplish anything,” said head coach David Hiltz. “This year for her was a prime example of that.”

Boys Cross Country

Courtland Priest

Priest, a junior, was an All-Hockomock honorable mention and was one of the most consistent runners on the boys cross country team. “Courtland is one of the hardest working people I have ever known,” said Coach Hiltz. “Although he’d say that he was disappointed with some of his times this year, he is one of the most consistent, dependable runners I’ve ever coached. He is a pleasure to coach and also has the admiration of his teammates, as he will be a captain next year as well.”

By Mike Berger and Jay Turner

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