Canton Citizen recognizes 20 Spring Sports All Stars

Senior Griffin Roach led the Bulldogs to a winning record and a No. 3 seed in Division 2 south. (Mike Barucci photo)

The Canton Citizen is pleased to announce its 2019 spring all-star selections. The full list appears in this week’s print edition as part of the Citizen’s annual spring sports wrap-up.

Boys MVP

Griffin Roach (Lacrosse)

A two-year captain and league all-star, Roach was the heart and soul of a boys lacrosse team that finished second in the Davenport and advanced to the D2 south quarterfinals. A versatile playmaker and talented scorer, he set career highs in both goals (41) and assists (24) and finished ninth overall in the league in total points. He was also named an EMass All Star and was the recipient of the team’s Ron Pozzo Award for being the best ambassador for CHS lacrosse. “Griffin did everything for us,” said head coach Bill Bendell. “He would always come up with a key ground ball, and when we needed a big defensive stop he would go out and press somebody and cause a turnover. He could score from the outside, but he was unselfish and he made the right play every time.”

Girls MVP

Maddie Rousseau (Track & Field)

Already on the local radar after an excellent freshman track season, Rousseau enjoyed an even bigger breakout as a sophomore, earning all-league honors and qualifying for All-States in the 100-meter hurdles where she placed 10th overall. A versatile athlete, Rousseau excelled in several other events, including the sprints and jumps, and she capped off her season by winning the MSTCA South Heptathlon. In five dual meets, she scored 80 out of a possible 100 points, averaging 16 per meet. Despite her obvious talent, head coach Anna Amico said her humble nature sets Rousseau apart from many other high school student-athletes. “She will be a name to watch for the next two years,” Amico said.

Baseball

Matt Pigeon

A senior captain and the Bulldogs’ starting catcher, Pigeon threw out 20 of 51 base runners — a league-best mark — and also excelled at the plate with a .333 average and 11 RBIs. He collected 21 hits on the season, including seven doubles, and was recognized as an all-league honorable mention. “For my first year, I couldn’t ask for a better leader than Matt in a captain’s role,” said head coach Ben Shuffain. Pigeon is hoping to play baseball next season at Bridgewater State University.

Nate Quan

A junior shortstop and All-Hockomock selection, Quan was the baseball team’s best all-around player, excelling in the field, at the plate, and on the base paths. His .381 average was eighth best in the league, and he stole 20 bases in 21 attempts. He also scored 15 runs and had an OBP of .420. As a defender, Shuffain said Quan displayed “great hands and a strong arm” and has the potential to be even better next year. He also received an Academic Achievement Award for attaining the team’s highest cumulative GPA.

Softball

Liz Bickett

A five-tool player and already one of the top players in the league as a sophomore, Bickett earned her second consecutive All-Hockomock selection after another outstanding season in which she batted .545 with 36 hits, 21 RBIs and six homeruns. She also slugged a staggering 1.16 in what head coach Dave Bohane said is the “best softball league in the state.” Bohane said Bickett is an exceptional outfielder who will only get better as she gains more experience. “No doubt we are lucky to have a ballplayer like Liz,” he said.

Ally Chin

An excellent role model on and off the field, Chin was the lady Bulldogs’ left fielder and leadoff hitter and finished 11th in the league with a .464 average while garnering all-league honorable mention honors. “Ally produced on the field and was an unselfish player who showed great leadership ability,” said Coach Bohane. “She was a great leadoff hitter and bunted when asked to. Ally is a model for our younger players on how to play softball.”

Boys Lacrosse

Tommy Vaughan

An elite lacrosse talent, Vaughan came over from Xaverian Brothers and made an immediate impact, dominating games right out of the gate and bolstering the entire Bulldog offense. Not only did he lead the team in scoring, but he finished third in the entire league with 59 goals and was named both a league and EMass all star. “He might be the most talented kid I’ve ever had,” said head coach Bill Bendell. “He’s certainly right up there in terms of talent level … on top of that, he’s athletic, he’s a great dodger, he’s got great fundamentals, and he loves lacrosse.”

Brendan Albert

A senior captain, Albert also took home both All-Hockomock and All-EMass honors in recognition of a brilliant final season as one of the league’s best defenders. If anything, Coach Bendell said Albert didn’t receive enough credit for his play, as he consistently shut down the opposing teams’ best offensive weapon while also regularly winning turnover battles and playing a key role in transition. “He’s a beast, and as a defender he’s one of the best I’ve ever coached,” said Bendell.

Girls Lacrosse

Caroline Tourgee

A talented and versatile player, Tourgee had her big breakout this season as a junior as she paced the Bulldogs with 45 goals while earning her first All-Hockomock selection. Besides her scoring ability, she also contributed as a playmaker (15 assists) and led the team with 81 groundballs. “She really brings her passion for the game every day,” said head coach Laurie Chabot. “She always gives 110 percent and she’s always focused.”

Kaitlyn Goyetch

A junior attack player, Goyetch was one of the lady Bulldogs’ primary offensive weapons and one of the team’s most vocal leaders and communicators. A talented scorer, she finished third on the team with 40 goals while also contributing seven assists. Coach Chabot praised Goyetch for her driving ability, shooting, smarts, and willingness to help on defense.

Leah McClellan

Another gifted scorer, McClellan wrapped up a stellar high school lacrosse career with an impressive senior season, finishing with 42 goals and seven assists. She also topped the 40-goal mark as a junior and consistently made goalies pay with her hard shot — one that Coach Chabot said was almost unbeatable. Chamberlain made an impact in other ways as well, winning several key ground ball battles and 27 draw controls.

Boys Tennis

Suraj Ramanathan

Only a freshman, Ramanathan seized the No. 1 singles spot coming out of the preseason and made an immediate impact on the court, winning his first three varsity matches before hitting a rough patch against some elite competition. However, he bounced back with some wins down the stretch and was recognized with an All-Hockomock selection. “He’s up against the best kids on the other team every time we play somebody, but he’s looked real good,” said Donovan. “He’s smart on the court, he doesn’t just wail away, mixes up speeds, and he hits good strokes.”

Girls Tennis

Rachel Kupferman

Only a sophomore and already a two-time league all-star, Kupferman was the lady Bulldogs’ ace singles player and compiled a stellar 14-3 record against top competition. She also picked up two wins at the MIAA individual tournament and two more in the team tournament. “Rachel was dominant in first singles this year,” said head coach Joel Chamberlain. “Her play gave us a chance to win matches, and having the record she did against some of the best in the area is remarkable.”

Natalie Keppler

Much like her classmate Kupferman, Keppler has made quite a name for herself in her first two high school tennis seasons, earning another all-league selection with a 14-3 campaign at second singles. “Natalie became about as automatic of a win as one could hope for and gave us such a reliable point,” said Coach Chamberlain. “Her finest win this year came in a third-set match where she was down 0-5 and won seven straight games to win it — an almost unheard of feat.”

Sarah Hernandez

A junior, Hernandez was one of the unsung heroes of the 13-5 CHS girls tennis team and a key part of their transformation into a legitimate postseason contender. A rock at third singles, she started 16 matches for the lady Bulldogs and won 12 of them, including a close battle with her Duxbury opponent in the playoff opener. “Sarah played remarkably consistently and impressed opponents around the league with her ability to outlast even the most skilled opposition, which allowed us to win several matches,” said Coach Chamberlain.

Boys Track

Junior Sainvil

A talented sprinter and jumper, Sainvil was the boys track team’s leading point scorer as well as its lone representative at the All-State meet, placing 14th in the 100-meter dash. He also shined at the D3 championships, where he took fourth in the 100 and fifth in the triple jump while anchoring the 4×100 relay. Sainvil averaged 11.6 points per dual meet and had success in a number of events, including the 200 and long jump.

Tommy Pulcini

A senior captain, Pulcini took his throwing talent in the discus to new heights this season, which Coach Amico attributed to hard work and dedication. He won the league championship in that event with a personal-best throw of 137 feet, five inches and he was undefeated in dual-meet competition. He also finished fifth at the MSTCA Coaches Invitational, third at the Greater New Bedford Twilight Meet, and second at the Warrior Invitational.

Jonathan Chery

Only a sophomore, Chery emerged as the team’s top 200-meter sprinter, placing sixth at the league meet and fifth at the divisional championships. He was also a key member of the 4×100-meter relay team that took third place relay at the league meet. Coach Amico said Chery’s love for track and field is “infectious” and he has a true passion for the sport.

Girls Track

Sarah Collins

A standout athlete who also excelled on the soccer pitch, Collins will leave CHS as a two-time league champion in the 400-meter hurdles and holds the school record in that event. She also competed in the 400 meters and ran the anchor leg of the 4×800 relay that placed fourth at the league meet and eighth at the EMass championships. “Her hard work and talent pushed those around her to be better,” said head coach Anna Amico.

Chloe Pennacchio

A senior captain, Pennacchio was the heart and soul of many CHS track teams and this season competed in the 800, mile, two-mile, shot put, javelin, and as a key member of the 4×800 relay. In addition to being the team’s top distance runner, she served as a mentor to many younger runners. “Chloe is truly an extension of our coaching staff and will be missed so much next season,” said Coach Amico. “But her impact and legacy of leadership, hard work, encouragement and faith in her teammates will live on in our program long after she leaves CHS.”

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