2024 HockomockSports Girls Soccer Awards

 
King Philip senior Dani Lomuscio has been selected as the 2024 HockomockSports.com Girls Soccer Player of the Year. Lomuscio led the league in scoring for the Kelley-Rex division champions and helped the Warriors get back to the Div. 1 quarterfinal.

The Stonehill College-commit was unstoppable this season, scoring 27 goals and dishing out 22 assists, both among the best in program history. Her 49 points in 21 games was the best in the league this season and she produced in big games, scoring twice against Mansfield and Oliver Ames, once against Franklin, delivering the winning goal in the opening round of the playoffs against Central Catholic, and recording three assists in the Sweet Sixteen against Concord-Carlisle.

“Dani was senior captain who became one of the most talented players in the league over the past two seasons,” said KP coach Gary Pichel. “Dani worked hard to improve her conditioning and diverse assortment of offensive skills all four years that she played. Dani also made the midfield her battleground where she relentlessly did her best to control.”

For her impressive season, Lomuscio was selected as the Kelley-Rex division MVP by the league’s coaches. She also received first team All-Eastern Mass., All-State, and All-New England honors. She finished her career with 48 goals and 46 points, nearly reaching the 100-point plateau despite a shortened freshman season in 2021 and playing in midfield for large parts of her career.

“Dani was one of those players who could take over a game no matter where she lined up,” said HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry. “She could pull the strings in midfield, pinging passes all over the pitch, or she could move up top and be one of the best forwards in the state. Shooting, dribbling, passing, pressing from the front, Dani made everything tick this year for KP.”

Lomuscio is the second straight KP girls soccer player to be named Player of the Year, following Heidi Lawrence. She is also the fourth KP girl overall to win this award, joining Avery Snead (2017) and Chloe Layne (2019). This is the eighth time the Kelley-Rex has won this award, including Franklin’s Kristi Kirshe (2012), Taylor Cogliano (2013 and 2014), and Victoria Stowell (2015), and Mansfield’s Hannah Reiter (2016).

Honorable Mentions: Kelly O’Connor (Franklin), Taylor deVos (Oliver Ames), Olivia Dunham (Mansfield)

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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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Kelly O’Connor – Franklin – Forward
Franklin senior Kelly O’Connor concluded her impressive four-year varsity career as one of the top attacking threats in the league, helping the Panthers to an unbeaten Hockomock campaign and a spot in the Div. 1 Sweet Sixteen where they went to penalties with eventual runner-up Bishop Feehan. The Fairfield University-commit scored 31 goals and had eight assists, finishing second in the league in scoring, and earned All-State and All-New England honors, as well as being a league all-star. Franklin coach Jodi Klein said, “Kelly is an incredibly dangerous attacker with great 1-v-1 attacking skills along with power and speed. Her high school career has been incredible to watch and she will be greatly missed as a person and as a player.”

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Autumn Simon – Sharon – Forward
Sharon senior Autumn Simon had a terrific final season for the Eagles, helping them secure a return to the Div. 2 state tournament, earn a playoff win, and nearly pull off an upset of Nashoba in the Round of 32. The Babson College-commit started the season at center back but moved up front midway through the fall to fill in for injuries, finishing with 12 goals and dishing out five assists in the regular season, before netting goals in both playoff games. Simon, who played defense, forward, and even goalie in her four-year varsity career, was selected as an all-star by Hockomock League coaches.
 

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Aly Fernandes – Aly Fernandes – Forward
Mansfield junior Aly Fernandes led the Hornets in scoring for the third straight season and was a key player in Mansfield clinching its first Davenport division title (and fourth title overall) and reaching the Div. 2 Final Four for the second season in a row. Playing on the wing or as a center forward, Fernandes scored 13 goals and dished out 14 assists this season, finishing among the league leaders in points. She was selected as a league and EMass all-star and was named to the All-State team. Mansfield coach Kevin Smith said, “Aly possesses speed, quickness, a cannon for a shot and a killer scoring instinct. This year, Aly added a career-high 14 assists as she dealt with many strict marking situations and double teams.”

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Dani Lomuscio – King Philip – Midfield
King Philip senior Dani Lomuscio moved into a more advanced role this year to provide KP with more scoring punch and the HockomockSports.com Player of the Year (see above) delivered with a league-leading 49 points (27 goals and 22 assists) to lead the Warriors to a second straight Kelley-Rex title and to the Div. 1 quarterfinal. The Stonehill College-commit was selected as the Kelley-Rex MVP by the league’s coaches and earned All-New England honors. KP coach Gary Pichel said, “Dani worked hard to improve her conditioning and diverse assortment of offensive skills all four years that she played. Dani also made the midfield her battleground where she relentlessly did her best to control.”

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Tatum O’Brien – Attleboro – Midfield
Attleboro junior Tatum O’Brien excelled in her third varsity season. Playing as an attacking midfielder behind the forwards, O’Brien helped the Bombardiers win eight games this season and push Acton-Boxboro in the opening round of the state tournament. The Quinnipiac University-commit led the team with eight goals and 11 assists, finishing in the top 10 in the league in scoring for the third straight year. She now has 22 goals and 23 assists for her career. O’Brien was selected as an all-star by the league’s coaches. Attleboro coach Steve Santos said, “Tatum is a great playmaker and composed dribbler with a great strike on the ball. She is tough to defend and always finds ways to get into the box and create scoring chances.”

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Emma Gavin – Oliver Ames – Midfield
Oliver Ames senior Emma Gavin put together the best scoring season of her four-year varsity career to help the Tigers challenge for a fourth straight league title and reach the Div. 2 quarterfinal and a meeting with eventual champ Masconomet. The Bucknell University-commit scored 15 goals and had two assists (in 19 games), and was the driving force for the Tigers in center midfield. She was selected as an all-star by the Hockomock League coaches and she earned EMass first team honors. Gavin finished her career with 38 goals and 11 assists. OA coach Britt Sellmayer said, “Emma impacts the game from goal line to goal line. A force in the air, she scored three goals in three postseason games.”

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Paige Sullivan – Canton – Midfield
Canton senior midfielder Paige Sullivan closed out her four-year varsity career by controlling the center of the pitch for a young Bulldogs roster that narrowly missed out on a top 32 ranking and a berth in the state tournament. Sullivan dominated in the air, broke up attacks, and was poised in possession for Canton, helping to stymie the opposition but also spring Canton in transition. She was selected as an all-star by the league’s coaches. Canton coach Idris Senyonjo said, “All round amazing player. Strong in the air and has an eye for some defense-opening passes. This was the first year she played a whole season (due to injuries) and her importance to the team was very evident, especially in the moments where she was off the field.”

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Olivia Dunham – Mansfield – Defense
Mansfield junior Olivia Dunham has excelled in both midfield and central defense in her three years as a starter. Moved to center back to cover for injuries this fall, Dunham helped Mansfield hold opponents to 18 goals in 21 games, win the program’s first Davenport division title (and fourth overall), and reach the Div. 2 Final Four for the second year in a row. She also chipped in on set pieces, delivering five goals and four assists. She was named a league and EMass all-star. Mansfield coach Kevin Smith said, “Olivia mentored a defensive unit that saw 4 new backs and 1 new starting GK take the positions that graduations and injuries forced us into fielding a completely new defensive unit from last year. Her field vision, technical abilities, passing range, and defensive acumen are phenomenal.”

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Taylor deVos – Oliver Ames – Defense
Oliver Ames senior Taylor deVos closed out her impressive four-year varsity career with an outstanding season in central defense, helping the Tigers challenge for a fourth straight division title and reach the Div. 2 quarterfinal. The Fairfield University-commit had 10 goals and eight assists this season, including two goals and three assists in the playoffs, deVos was selected as the Davenport division MVP by the league coaches and earned EMass first team honors. Despite missing time to injury as a junior, she had 19 goals and 13 assists in her high school career. OA coach Britt Sellmayer said, “Taylor is the quarterback of our defense, a great 1-vs.-1 defender, who also impacts the game offensively with her direct kicks and serves on restarts.”

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Rhianna Mason – King Philip – Defense
King Philip senior center back Rhianna Mason completed her four years on varsity by helping the Warriors win a second straight Kelley-Rex division title and reach the Div. 1 quarterfinal. With Mason at the heart of the back line, the Warriors allowed only 23 goals in 21 games this season and recorded eight clean sheets. The 23 goals allowed were the third-fewest in the league. The Virginia Wesleyan-commit was selected as an all-star by the Hockomock League coaches. KP coach Gary Pichel said, “Rhianna was a two-year captain who displayed her leadership skills immediately both on and off the field. Not only was she a fierce competitor but also an exemplary human being. Rhianna was the heart and soul of our team!”

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Janiya Matier – Oliver Ames – Goalie
Oliver Ames senior Janiya Matier had another excellent season between the posts for the Tigers, proving to be one of the top shot stoppers in the area and helping OA stay in contention for a fourth straight league title to the final game of the regular season and reach the Div. 2 quarterfinal. The lone goalie selected as an all-star by the league coaches, Matier had nine clean sheets this season (30 in her three seasons as a starter) and a 0.89 goals against average over 19 starts. She also earned EMass first team honors. OA coach Britt Sellmayer said, “Janiya is the complete keeper, she combines great athletic ability with technical skills. She was voted the No. 1 keeper in the Hockomock League.”

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HockomockSports.com Second XI

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Mikayla Thompson – King Philip – Forward
King Philip senior Mikayla Thompson closed out her four years on varsity as one of the league’s top scorers this season, helping KP secure a second consecutive Kelley-Rex title and reach the Div. 1 quarterfinal. The Iona University-commit was third in the Hock with 30 points, scoring 19 goals and dishing out 11 assists. After transitioning from defense to forward last year, Thompson finished her career with 36 goals and 20 assists. She was selected as an all-star by the Hockomock League coaches. KP coach Gary Pichel said, “Mikayla, a senior captain, started her freshmen and sophomore year working out of the backfield. Mikayla transitioned to the forward position in her junior year and contributed with a total of 56 points. She definitely made a believer out of me!”

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Ella McDonald – King Philip – Forward
King Philip sophomore Ella McDonald proved to be a pivotal addition to the lineup for the Warriors, providing extra scoring punch to help them clinch a second straight Kelley-Rex title and reach the Div. 1 quarterfinal. McDonald played either up top as a forward or as an attacking midfielder and she finished the season with 10 goals and 13 assists, ending the year in the top five in the league in scoring, and fitting right into the league’s most potent attacking unit. KP coach Gary Pichel said, “Ella worked hard to hone both her offensive skills and field presence. Ella has deceptive speed and a tenacity for driving to the net. Ella will be a force to be reckoned with next year!”

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Kyla Nashawaty – Milford – Forward
Milford sophomore forward Kyla Nashawaty was one of the league’s top scorers this season, despite facing the attention of every team’s top defenders, and helped the Hawks pick up five wins and 12 points this season. The HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year (see below), Nashawaty scored 16 goals and had seven assists this year. She was selected as an all-star by the Hockomock League coaches and was also named an EMass all-star for the second year in a row. Milford coach Lou Colabello said, “Kyla is an outstanding young player with tremendous skills. She is the catalyst of our team. Her endless energy and desire to win are hard to duplicate. She surely is one of the top players I’ve ever coached.”

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Lauren Signoriello – Mansfield – Midfield
Mansfield junior midfielder Lauren Signoriello had a breakout season for the Hornets this fall, helping them clinch a first Davenport division title and reach the Div. 2 Final Four for the second year in a row. Signoriello played farther forward this year and contributed six goals and 10 assists while giving Mansfield a player who could break down defenses with a pass or a dribble. A three-year starter, Signoriello was selected as a league and EMass all-star. Mansfield coach Kevin Smith said, “Lauren made the move to forward this year after starting in a central midfield role the past 2 seasons. Her incredible speed coupled with her 1v1 skills puts opposing defenses under pressure every time she touches the ball.”

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Morgan Lovell – Franklin – Midfield
Franklin junior midfielder Morgan Lovell had a breakout season in the center of the pitch, helping the Panthers complete an unbeaten run through league play and reach the Div. 1 Sweet Sixteen where they took eventual state finalist Bishop Feehan to penalties. Lovell scored three goals and had eight assists this season. She was selected as an all-star by the Hockomock League coaches. Franklin coach Jodi Klein said, “Morgan came into her junior season with more speed than ever before. A solid and strong center midfielder, her speed helped her get into our attack more and create more scoring opportunities. I am looking forward to her senior year to see how she develops as a team captain and a leader.”

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Jessica Li – Sharon – Midfield
Sharon junior midfielder Jessica Li continued to be one of the most creative attackers in the league this season, helping the Eagles secure a return to the Div. 2 state tournament, earn a win in the playoff opener, and nearly upset Nashoba in the Round of 32. Li scored six goals and had five assists in the regular season, finishing third on the team with 11 points, but was also the team’s main playmaker, springing counterattacks for Sharon’s speedy forwards. Li was selected as an all-star by the Hockomock League coaches.

 

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Zenda Gjoni – Attleboro – Midfield
Attleboro senior midfielder Zenda Gjoni finished up her four-year varsity career by helping the Bombardiers secure a winning record and get back to the state tournament. A versatile player who lined up as a holding midfielder and central defender at times this season, Gjoni finished with eight goals and four assists, providing the Bombardiers with a potent set piece threat. Gjoni was selected as a Hockomock League all-star by the coaches. Attleboro coach Steve Santos said, “Zenda takes many of our restarts which she takes with great accuracy. She plays hard and tough, especially in the air. She marks well and adapts quickly during gameplay. She is a strong vocal leader who has tremendous knowledge of the game. We will miss her consistent effort and play.”

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Addisyn Lamothe-Vaughn – King Philip – Defense
King Philip senior right back Addisyn Lamothe-Vaughn had another impressive season marauding up and down the wing for the Warriors, one of the reasons that KP won its second straight Kelley-Rex division title and reached the Div. 1 quarterfinal. A constant attacking threat with crosses and on set pieces, the Iona University-commit had five goals and two assists this season while also helping the defense hold opponents to 23 goals in 21 games. She was selected as an all-star by the league’s coaches. KP coach Gary Pichel said, “Addisyn was a two-year captain who was one of the most athletic defenders in the league. She could out-jump most defenders on corner kicks, and she had a knack for perfecting the slide tackle as well. Addisyn was a natural leader in the backfield, and she inspired the team to be their very best every game!”

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Sophia Pacella – Foxboro – Defense
Foxboro senior center back Sophia Pacella had a terrific season in the heart of a stingy defense that helped the Warriors reach the Div. 3 Sweet Sixteen. The Warriors allowed only 30 goals in 21 games this fall, had six clean sheets, and allowed two goals or less in all but five matches. Pacella controlled play in the middle, reading the play and cutting out opposition chances. A dangerous free kick taker, Pacella also chipped in with three assists. Pacella was selected as a league all-star by the Hockomock coaches. Foxboro coach Jen Lippolis said, “Sophia controlled our defense at center back. She is calm under pressure and able to limit the opponent’s offensive attacks with her quick reactions. She is strong in the air, on the ground, and is able to make quick transitions to offense to help create scoring opportunities.”

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Lauren Mitchell – Stoughton – Defense
Stoughton senior center back Lauren Mitchell closed out her career as a four-year starter in the heart of the Black Knights back line, helping them to a second playoff appearance (and playoff victory) in the past three seasons. Mitchell was a tenacious defender and a threat on set pieces, scoring a pair of goals and dishing out two assists. She had a goal and an assist in the tournament win against Amherst-Pelham and was part of a defense that held teams to 26 goals in 20 games, the fourth-fewest goals allowed in the Hock. Stoughton coach Jeff O’Sullivan said, “Lauren is a phenomenal center back that you could always count on for her team. Has never missed a game in two full years, played every minute this year in 2024, and was voted most valuable player for her team!”

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Ashlyn Hebert – Taunton – Goalie
Taunton sophomore Ashlyn Hebert is already a veteran in goal for the Tigers, completing her third season as the starter and helping the team secure five wins and 13 points this fall, which are both the highest totals in her career. Hebert is an athletic shot-stopper and finished with three clean sheets and a goals against average of 2.90. She was busy, as teams recorded nearly 30 shots per game on the Tigers and she averaged 11.5 saves per match. In several matches this season, Hebert was highlighted by opposing coaches for keeping their teams from being able to put the game away. Taunton coach Dan Borges said, “Ashlyn is definitely one of the top goalkeepers in the Hockomock League. She was voted by the team as defensive player of the year.”

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Milford sophomore Kyla Nashawaty has been selected as the 2024 HockomockSports.com Girls Soccer Underclassman of the Year, as the top performing freshman or sophomore player. The sophomore forward had a breakout season as one of the league’s top scorers.

Nashawaty improved on her impressive rookie season with 16 goals and seven assists for the Hawks, helping them secure five wins and 12 points and keep their playoff hopes alive until the closing week of the season. A dynamic attacker who can play alone up top or drop into the midfield, Nashawaty was selected as an all-star by the Hockomock League coaches and named to the Eastern Mass. all-star team for the second year in a row.

“Kyle is so much fun to watch,” said HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry. “She gets hassled by bigger defenders all match but then finds that little pocket of space she needs to get possession. Once she has the ball at her feet, Kyla is going to make something happen for herself or a teammate.”

Milford coach Lou Colabello said, “Kyla is an outstanding young player with tremendous skills. She is the catalyst of our team. Her endless energy and desire to win are hard to duplicate. She surely is one of the top players I’ve ever coached.”

Nashawaty is the second Milford girls soccer player to receive this award, joining Julia Masionis, who was the first player to be honored as Underclassman of the Year in 2012. Softball players Emily Piergustavo (2015) and Jess Tomaso (2016) were the other Milford female athletes to be honored for their sport.

Honorable Mentions: Lily Strong (Franklin), Ella McDonald (King Philip), Kennedy Samuel (Attleboro)

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King Philip head coach Gary Pichel has been selected as the 2024 HockomockSports.com Girls Soccer Coach of the Year after leading the Warriors to a second straight Kelley-Rex division title and to a spot in the Div. 1 quarterfinal.

The graduation of record-setting forward Heidi Lawrence didn’t slow the Warriors down this season. Pichel moved senior Dani Lomuscio from midfield to forward and KP led the league with 73 goals in 21 games, nine more than second-place Franklin. The Warriors were also able to tighten up defensively. After allowing nine goals in the first four games, KP allowed only 14 over the remaining 17 games and finished third in the Hock with 23 goals allowed overall.

After the teams shared the title last season, KP finished one point above rival Franklin to secure the Kelley-Rex crown. The Warriors also beat eventual state finalist Bishop Feehan during the regular season, a result that showed KP’s potential and was a big boost to the power rankings for all the teams in the Hock.

“Gary found the right mix in his lineup to keep the Warriors on top,” said HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry. “KP not only scored a ton of goals but also locked teams down defensively. I thought the league was as deep as it’s ever been (at least in our 13 years covering it) and Gary found the consistency needed to bring home a title.”

Pichel is the first girls soccer coach to be named Coach of the Year three times. Three coaches have received this honor twice, Franklin’s Tom Geysen (2012 and 2103), Mansfield’s Kevin Smith (2016 and 2023), and Foxboro’s Katie Stalcup (2018 and 2021).

Honorable Mentions: Becca Borbély (Sharon), Steve Santos (Attleboro), Kevin Smith (Mansfield)