The Northeastern Conference announced its boys lacrosse all-stars for the 2019 season. The Offensive Player of the Year honors went to Danvers’ Jacob Rotker (North) and Revere’s Eric Bua (South). Defensive Player of the Year awards went to Marblehead’s Paul Heffernan and Winthrop’s Andrew DiMento. Winthrop’s Brian Donnelly was named South Coach of the Year and his assistant, Rich Cifuni, is the South Assistant Coach of the Year. Danvers’ Wes Chittick is the North Coach of the Year. Swampscott’s Greg Fitzgerald is the North Assistant Coach of the Year. Sportsmanship awards went to Beverly (North) and Medford (South).
The North first-team all-stars are Marblehead’s Sam Thompson, Will Shull, Loch Sheridan, Mason Poisson and Jacob Garfield; Swampscott’s Tim Perlin; Danvers’ Brendan Treacy and Kyle Little; Gloucester’s James Nelson; Beverly’s Foster Smallman.
The South first-team all-stars are Revere’s Bua, Rickie Briana, Zach Carifio and Cam Mazza; Winthrop’s DiMento, Pat Senott, Joe Mahoney and James Silva; Medford’s Thomas Connearney, Joe Sargent and Jake Randazzo; Malden’s Zach Rufo.
The North second-team all-stars are Marblehead’s Charlie McGurrin, Paul Heffernan, J.T. Monahan and Christian Penkrat; Danvers’ Justin DiTomaso, Rich Canova and Matt Rotker; Peabody’s Connor McCarron, Austin Leggett and Patrick Russo; Beverly’s Grady Smith and Declan Alexander; Swampscott’s Kyle Fitzgerald; Gloucester’s Ryan Argentino.
The South second team all-stars are Winthrop’s Luke Evangelista, Austin Daigneault, Aidan Cifuni and Matt Hurley; Revere’s Matt Stasio, Nick Sujko and Nixon Morales; Medford’s PJ Haberstroh, Jasper Su and Matt Crowley; Saugus’ Dom Paolo and Jake Morgante; Salem’s Same Morales and Ramon de Jesus; Malden’s Collin Wilcox; Lynn’s Brian Clougherty; Everett’s Jason Suppa.
Marblehead’s John Thompson earned the Man of the Year award.
“John has been a tireless contributor to the Marblehead Youth Lacrosse program,” Magicians coach John Wilkens said. “Over the last several years John has been a member of the youth league board and in the process has helped Marblehead produce a successfully competitive youth program. John has also recently become a lacrosse official and sent four of his sons onto the high school as players. John’s time and efforts are much appreciated within the program.”
Gloucester’s Dakota Girard earned the Sportsman of the Year award.
“Dakota is a senior who has overcome some major adversity during his high school career,” Gloucester coach Dylan Giard said. “Dakota lost his mother under traumatic circumstances during his sophomore season. During this incredibly challenging time, Dakota managed to stay committed to both school and lacrosse without ever missing a beat. He earned his way on the honor roll for the first time, played his heart out on the lacrosse field, and ended up being voted captain by his teammates. He has since continued to stay on the honor roll, and spend as much time as he can playing lacrosse and improving his game. His efforts did not go unnoticed, he will be continuing his education and playing lacrosse at Roger Williams University next spring.
