2024 HockomockSports Boys Soccer Awards

 
Oliver Ames senior Luke Churchill has been selected as the 2024 HockomockSports.com Boys Soccer Player of the Year. Churchill capped off a legendary career with the Tigers with a third straight Division 2 state championship. He also led OA to a Davenport division title — the program’s sixth consecutive — and was named an All American by the United Soccer Coaches.

“Luke Churchill is a big time player and always shows up for the big game,” said Oliver Ames head coach John Barata. “Luke has played many different roles for OA over the years. This year as the pivot player, he was incredibly important and a key to our success. He earned his All American honor!”

His accolades this season also include Hockomock League All Star, Davenport division MVP, Eastern Mass All Star, All-State, and All-New England honors. Patrolling the heart of the pitch for the Tigers, Churchill was a vital piece both offensively and defensively for Oliver Ames, who finished the season 18-2-2. In his three years playing varsity, the Tigers went 57-6-5 with three Davenport titles and three state championships.

“Luke was such a steady and reliable presence in the midfield for Oliver Ames,” said HockomockSports.com Editor Ryan Lanigan. “He was a rock defensively and won a ton of key challenges to thwart potential threats and then always made a smart decision in helping OA transition into offense, whether it was a quick deep ball or something simple to keep possession. He pulled a lot of the strings to make everything work.”

Churchill is the fifth player from Oliver Ames to earn this award, joining Mathias Taylor (2021), Nathaniel Cardoza (2017), David Stapleton (2013), and David MacKinnon (2012).

Honorable Mentions: Garrett Scagliarini (Franklin), Cooper Austin (Mansfield), Craig Churchill (Oliver Ames)

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Editor’s Note: The HockomockSports.com Awards are selected strictly by our staff and have no affiliation to the official Hockomock League all stars. Please note players are listed by position.

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HockomockSports.com Best XI

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Danny Da Silva – Milford – Forward
Milford junior Danny Da Silva was a big piece in the final third this season for the Scarlet Hawks, who had a great year that resulted in a state tournament berth (and win) and a second place finish in the Kelley-Rex division. Playing in a center forward role in a double nine formation, Da Silva was responsible for orchestrating a lot of the play in the offensive half. He scored three goals but was one of the leaders in the league with 13 assists. “Danny always came to every game with 100% intensity,” said Milford head coach Antonio Pinto. “He’s one of those players that will run through a wall for their team.”

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Corvengdjimy Thomas – Attleboro – Forward
Attleboro junior Corven Thomas was once again one of the most feared strikers in the league during the fall. After breaking onto the scene last year, Thomas drew a lot of attention from opposing defenses, who often brought more than one defender to try and stop Thomas. He also moved back into a center mid position at times this season to help the Bombardiers build up possession. He scored a team-high 11 goals and was named a Hockomock League All Star and team co-MVP. “He has wonderful skills and was our leading scorer,” said Attleboro head coach Peter Pereira.

 

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Garrett Scagliarini – Franklin – Midfield
Franklin senior Garrett Scaglarini had a terrific final season for the Panthers, who won a second consecutive Kelley-Rex division title this fall. Scagliarini had a massive impact on Franklin’s midfield and emerged as one of the top goal scoring threats in the Hockomock League this year. His ability to get on the end of crosses made him very dangerous in the box and his craftiness with the ball at his feet made it difficult for opposing defenders. He was selected as the Kelley-Rex division MVP by the coaches and earned EMass and All State honors. For the season, he finished with 15 goals and 15 assists and third all-time in career points in program history. “Garrett was the heart and soul of our team this year,” said Franklin head coach Nick Goldman. “Not only did he lead us on the stat sheet, but he also led us with his work rate, consistency, and maturity. All season long Garrett found ways to be dangerous and dynamic. His ability to score goals as well as set up his teammates was fun to watch.”

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Matt Honekamp – Franklin – Midfield
Franklin senior Matt Honekamp played a pivotal role in helping the Panthers pin down a second straight Kelley-Rex division title. A very confident player on the ball, his ability to pull the strings offensively and set teammates up really helped shape the Franklin attack. He really stood out with his distribution skills and was very dangerous on set pieces. On top of his offensive abilities, his hard work defensively really solidified a Franklin defense that only allowed 16 goals in 22 games. He scored twice and was among the league leaders with 14 assists, earning Hockomock and EMass all star honors. “Matt is a one of a kind player,” said Franklin head coach Nick Goldman. “He has an amazing combination of technical ability, tactical understanding, and work rate. He made everyone around him better on both sides of the ball. Game after game, he shut down the opponent’s most dangerous player while also creating dangerous scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.”

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Craig Churchill – Oliver Ames – Midfield
Oliver Ames senior Craig Churchill capped a memorable career with an impressive senior campaign, helping the Tigers earn a third straight Division 2 state championship. A lynchpin in the middle of the field, Churchill was a workhorse that was winning challenges all over the field, both with his feet and in the air. He was also a vital piece in the attacking third with his ability to pressure defenses and score in a variety of ways. He finished the year with a team-high 15 goals and added three assists and earned All-State honors. “Craig Churchill is a fantastic player,” said Oliver Ames head coach John Barata. “He has the ability to beat you with speed, strength, and skill. Craig played multiple roles for us this season and we will miss his tenacity.”

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Luke Churchill – Oliver Ames – Midfield
Oliver Ames senior Luke Churchill racked up the accolades for his senior year after a terrific campaign on the pitch for the Tigers. After leading the Tigers to a third consecutive Division 2 state championship, Churchill was named HockomockSports Player of the Year (above), Davenport division MVP, and a United Soccer Coaches All-American. His ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball was vital for the Tigers this season, and his ability to play different positions proved pivotal in the biggest moments of the year. He scored twice and registered a team-high 15 assists. “Luke Churchill is a big time player and always shows up for the big game,” said Oliver Ames head coach John Barata. “Luke has played many different roles for OA over the years. This year as the pivot player, he was incredibly important and a key to our success.

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Tyler Znoj – Mansfield – Midfield
Mansfield senior Tyler Znoj played a vital role in helping the Hornets have one of the best seasons in program history. Patrolling the middle of the pitch, Znoj did a lot of the dirty work and a lot of the small things that didn’t necessarily show up on the stat sheet but had a massive impact for Mansfield, which reached the state semifinals for the first time in program history. On top of his great defensive work and ability to keep possession for the Hornets, he finished the season with seven goals and five assists. “Ty was the leader of the team; we went as Ty did in the midfield,” said Mansfield head coach Steve Sheridan. “He has great vision and sees the whole field.”

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Jackson Mercieri – Oliver Ames – Defense
Oliver Ames senior Jackson Mercieri put an exclamation mark on his final season with the Tigers, scoring the game-winning goal in overtime to deliver the program its third consecutive Division 2 state championship. Mercieri was a veteran presence at center back for Oliver Ames, who was incorporating a lot of new faces into its lineup, especially on the defensive end. On top of his steady and reliable play in the back, he was the go-to player for services on a lot of OA’s set pieces and also showed his ability in the attacking third, especially in the state championship. He scored six goals and had four assists this season. “Jackson Merciei will be forever enshrined in OA legend as he scored a double OT goal to win the state final,” said head coach John Barata. “He deserves that recognition for sacrificing his personal glory for the team. We will miss his versatility.”

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Cooper Austin – Mansfield – Defense
Mansfield senior Cooper Austin was a major reason why the Hornets had the success they did on the pitch this fall. Whether it was anchoring the defense or moving up front to provide a spark offensively, Austin delivered. After being hampered by injuries in previous seasons, he played in all games this year and helped Mansfield allow less than one goal per game on average, with nine shutouts. He also had a big impact on the offensive end and finished the season with eight goals and 10 assists. “He has all the tools to play any position, but we needed him to be in the back with [Matt] Sully,” said Mansfield head coach Steve Sheridan. “His points would have probably been double if we had him up top or the midfield.”

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Matt Sullivan – Mansfield – Defense
Mansfield senior Matt Sullivan capped a lengthy career with the Hornets with a terrific final season. As one of Mansfield’s center backs, his leadership and skill helped the Hornets have one of the best seasons in program history, allowing just 18 goals all season with nine shutouts. The Hornets were able to move fellow center back Cooper Austin out of the defense and into the attacking third because of Sullivan’s ability to keep the defense locked down. His speed made him difficult to beat and his instincts helped him win the majority of his challenges. He netted his first career goal this season. “He’s been the backbone of our defense for the past few years,” said Mansfield head coach Steve Sheridan.

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Zack Gilson – Oliver Ames – Goalie
Oliver Ames junior Zack Gilson was an unsung hero this season for the Tigers, who won another Davenport division title and the program’s third consecutive Division 2 state championship. In his first season starting in net, Gilson looked like a veteran. As the season progressed, so did his confidence off his line and that was very apparent during key games late in the regular season and throughout the postseason. It seemed in every game, Gilson would come up with a massive save that denied a potential game-changing goal. He only allowed six goals against in 22 contests with 17 shutouts. “Zack Gilson came onto the scene as the starting GK for OA and never looked back,” said OA head coach John Barata. “Zack was an integral part of our team’s success this season. We are happy to have him back in 2025.”

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HockomockSports.com Second XI

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Wyatt Herndon – Franklin – Forward
Franklin senior Wyatt Herndon had a memorable final year playing for the Panthers, who won a second consecutive Kelley-Rex division title. Herndon worked tirelessly in the final third and came on strong at the end of the season, helping Franklin hold off challengers for the division title. His ability to come up with key goals was on display in the second round of the tournament when he buried the game-winning goal in overtime to upset Brockton. After scoring 11 goals and recording two assists this season, he earned Hockomock and EMass all star honors. “Wyatt’s speed, nose for the goal, and composure in front of net make him a threat to score at any moment,” said Franklin head coach Nick Goldman. “He played his best for us when the lights were brightest and scored a number of very important goals for our team this year.”

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Vlad Francoeur – Canton – Forward
Canton junior Vlad Francoeur emerged as one of the top strikers in the Hockomock League during the 2024 season. His ability to play in a variety of roles helped the Bulldogs build their attack and kept defenders on their toes trying to keep track of his whereabouts. Given time and space with the ball, Francoeur was a handful for defenses to deal with. He was Canton’s leading scorer this season with seven goals and four assists for 11 points. “Vlad really was the key to our attack,” said Canton head coach Danny Erickson. “He floated back and forth from a 9 to a 10 all season long, always taking on the role on game day that most helped his team. Strong, creative, and incredibly dangerous when facing up 1v1. He is an amazingly positive teammate as well.”

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Patrick Etienvre – North Attleboro – Midfield
North Attleboro senior Patrick Etienvre was one of the most reliable and creative players in the Hockomock League this season. Patrolling the middle of the pitch, Etienvre had an impact both defensively and offensively for the Rocketeers. Not only did he provide an extra layer defensively on top of the back four, but he also played a vital role offensively as he factored into two-thirds of North Attleboro’s goals this season. He scored five goals on his own, recorded nine assists, and had two passes that led to penalty kick goals for North. His ability to help set up teammates was a massive boost offensively. “Patrick has great vision and was able to pick out some incredible passes that led to goals for others,” said North Attleboro head coach Geoff Burgess. “His fitness is off the charts, playing from box to box for 80 minutes in all 18 games.”

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Tiko Lourenco – Milford – Midfield
Milford senior Tiko Lourenco was such a vital piece for the Scarlet Hawks this season. His play in the midfield, both centrally and out wide, was a big reason why Milford finished second in the Kelley-Rex division, just two points out, and reached the state tournament (and earned an upset on the road in the opening round). A very cool and confident player with the ball at his feet, his ability to keep possession and control the tempo played a big role in Milford’s success this season. He finished with three goals and eight assists. “His play goes past the stats with him being one of our top defenders out of the midfield as well,” said Milford head coach Antonio Pinto. “One of the most technically gifted kids in the league his ability on the ball. He was always a joy to watch and had some big plays throughout the season for us.”

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Diego Martinez – Sharon – Midfield
Sharon junior Diego Martinez played a big role in getting the Eagles back into division title contention and back to the state tournament. Throughout the fall, Martinez showed his ability to have a strong impact on the game both defensively and helping orchestrate the attack. Not only is he strong in the air, but he was able to help dictate play with the ball at his feet. His vision allowed him to set the Eagles up in the offensive third and he was one of the most dangerous set piece players in the Hockomock League. He finished the season among the league leaders in points with seven goals and four assists.
 

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Dylan Mullin – Mansfield – Midfield
Mansfield senior Dylan Mullin was one of the most dangerous offensive players in the Hockomock League this season. A confident and creative player with the ball at his feet, Mullin put opposing defenses under a lot of pressure with his ability to take players on one-on-one. His ability to beat defenders combined with his unselfish play and passing skills helped him register 19 assists, which tied the program record set by Tom Hernon two decades ago. He also had six goals, finishing with 25 points — third most in a season in program history. His ability to pick out teammates on set pieces and corner kicks helped make the Hornets very dangerous in the attacking third. “He has great accuracy with his passing and free kicks,” said Mansfield head coach Steve Sheridan.

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Vlad Shkolnikov – Sharon – Midfield
Sharon junior Vlad Shkolnikov enjoyed another successful campaign with the Eagles. A three-year standout already, Shkolnikov helped the Eagles to a huge bounce-back season this fall. After two challenging seasons, Sharon made a run at the Kelley-Rex division title — having a shot at a share going into the final league game — and returned to the state tournament. Shkolnikov’s skill in the midfield was a big reason for that turnaround, really bolstering the attack this season. One of the top players in the final third this year, he tied for a team-high 10 goals and led the Eagles with nine assists for a total of 19 points.
 

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Andre Moura – Milford – Defense
Milford senior Andre Moura was once again a top defensive player in the league, helping the Scarlet Hawks challenge for the Kelley-Rex division title before the team ultimately finished in second place two points back. Moura was a rock in the back line, helping solidify an inexperienced group. Milford’s defense ended up being one of the best in the league, allowing a total of 15 goals in 20 games, including a shutout on the road in the first round of the tournament in an upset over Dartmouth. “Andre is skinny but a very physical central defender,” said Milford head coach Antonio Pinto. “His ability on the ball was crucial for being able to build out of the back one of those players we will be losing that will be a massive loss, and he has an overall fantastic competitive attitude.”

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Mason Prive – Attleboro – Defense
Attleboro junior Mason Prive stepped in and helped solidify the defense for the Bombardiers this season. After playing outside back last year, Prive had a central role this year, playing in both the midfield and in the back four for Attleboro. His leadership was apparent and had a strong effect on Attleboro’s growth over the season, which included a draw with state champion OA and the Bombardiers recording points in four of its last six games. He was voted as a Hockomock League all star and selected as team co-MVP. He scored once and had two assists this fall. “Mason is the heart of the team,” said Attleboro head coach Peter Pereira. “He is a great communicator and a fantastic team leader.”

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Gabe Terry – Franklin – Defense
Franklin senior Gabe Terry had a strong season in the back for the Panthers, who secured a second consecutive Kelley-Rex division title this fall. The Panthers debuted a lot of new faces in the back this year and Terry helped make Franklin one of the top defensive teams in the Hock. He was very strong in the air, helping take care of corners and set pieces, and helped organize a back line that only allowed 16 goals in 22 games this season. He chipped in offensively with three goals and one assist and anchored the defense to 10 shutouts on the season. “Gabe was a consistent force in a back line that saw a lot of change throughout the season,” said Franklin head coach Nick Goldman. “In his first year at the varsity level he stepped up to lead the back line with his ability to win tackles, challenge balls in the air, and organize his fellow defenders.”

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Troy Lasbury-Casey – Mansfield – Goalie
Mansfield junior Troy Lasbury-Casey played a huge role in helping the Hornets put together one of the best seasons in program history. Stepping in as the starting goalie this year, Lasbury-Casey looked like a seasoned veteran throughout the year as the Hornets posted a 16-4-2 record and earned the #2 seed in the Division 2 state tournament. On top of his reactionary saves, his strong play off his line and in the air was a big reason why Mansfield, who reached its first state semifinal in program history, only allowed 16 goals all season. Lasbury-Casey posted nine shutouts this season. “Troy stepped up big time this season,” said Mansfield head coach Steve Sheridan. “He was a vocal leader in the back and came up with some huge saves that preserved games for us.”

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Milford sophomore Gio Cappelli has been selected as the 2024 HockomockSports.com Boys Soccer Underclassman of the Year. In his second season with the Hawks, Cappelli emerged as a focal point in the offensive third.

His craftiness and finishing ability helped Cappelli become one of the top goal scorers in the Hockomock League this season. Milford had a young team overall but put together a strong campaign that resulted in a second place finish in the Kelley-Rex division and a spot in the state tournament. Cappelli scored a hat trick to lead Milford to an upset win on the road at Dartmouth in the opening round.

“His passion for the game drives him every day, even when we do small-sided games or anything competitive at practice, he goes 110%,” said Milford head coach Antonio Pinto. “I don’t think there was a day where he didn’t ask to keep the ball bag to stay after training and shoot around and get extra touches in. He’s a very dedicated player that puts in a tremendous amount of work and always shows in the game.”

The Dartmouth game wasn’t the only game Cappelli came through with clutch goals. Cappelli scored both goals for the Scarlet Hawks in a 2-0 win over Franklin; the Hawks swept the season series against the Kelley-Rex division champions. He finished the season with a team-high 13 goals and two assists.

“Gio was one of the top pure strikers this season,” said HockomockSports Editor Ryan Lanigan. “This was a young Milford team with a lot of quality sophomores. Gio was able to separate himself with his ability to take defenders on 1-v-1 with success and his big goals in big moments.”

Cappelli is the third Milford boys soccer player to win this award, joining Walisson de Oliveira (2017) and current Milford assistant coach Mike Da Silva, who earned the award as a freshman in its inaugural year.

Honorable Mention: Robbie Cappelli (Milford), Jaedyn Beland (Attleboro), Philipe Dos Santos (Stoughton)

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Oliver Ames head coach John Barata has been selected as the 2024 HockomockSports.com Coach of the Year. Barata led the Tigers to a sixth straight division title and a third consecutive Division 2 state championship.

Coming into the season with a giant target on its back, Oliver Ames was able to still deliver. Barata returned just a handful of regulars from the previous season but still managed to navigate a challenging Hockomock schedule, fending off a great challenge from Mansfield to finish one point ahead in the Davenport title race. It marked OA’s fifth straight Davenport title, having won a Kelley-Rex division title in 2019. OA finished the season 18-2-2 with just six goals against.

“Oliver Ames had a couple of the top players in the league but fitting all of the pieces to the puzzle together is never easy, but Coach Barata was able to push all of the right buttons and had a different lineup almost every game,” said HockomockSports.com Editor Ryan Lanigan. “It’s not easy to move your starting center back to striker, and your All American out of the midfield, but being able to make those tough decisions led OA to a third straight title.”

Honorable Mention: Steve Sheridan (Mansfield), Nick Goldman (Franklin), Scott Nathan (Sharon), Antonio Pinto (Milford)

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