FHS 2019 HockomockSports boys lacrosse awards: W Davis, Morrison, Harvey, J Davis, Lazzaro, Arsenault, Chaudhury, Kolb, Greco and Alexander = Player of Year, Verrochi = Coach of Year

We share the HockomockSports.com FHS selections for the boys lacrosse awards:

2019 HockomockSports.com Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year

Franklin senior midfielder Jacob Alexander has been selected as the 2019 HockomockSports.com Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year. Alexander was instrumental in leading the Panthers to their seventh straight Kelley-Rex division title and was one of the most dominant face-off specialists in the state over the past four years.

Jacob Alexander (HockomockSports.com photo)

Alexander dominated at the face-off ‘X’ yet again, winning 357 out of 410 draws this year, for an eye-popping 87.1% success rate in the regular season. He has been widely regarded as the top face-off specialist in the state over the past couple of seasons, earning Hockomock League MVP for 2019 and first team All American for the second straight season.

“There have been a lot of great players that have come through the Hockomock League but there hasn’t been anyone as dominant as Jacob has been at the face-off ‘X,'” said HockomockSports.com Editor-in-Chief Ryan Lanigan. “Despite being very good early on, Jacob continued to get better and better each season. While he never led the league in scoring, his impact on the game was colossal and gave Franklin a gigantic advantage.”

Continue reading the write up on Jacob:
https://hockomocksports.com/awards/boys-lacrosse/2019-2/

HockomockSports First Team

Will Davis – Franklin – Goalie

Will Davis (HockomockSports.com photo)

Franklin senior goalie Will Davis had to bide his time before getting the starting role and he jumped right in and continued the Panthers run of strong play in the cage, helping them earn a seventh straight league title and a spot in the D1 South semifinal for just the second time ever. The St. Anselm College-commit allowed only 5.3 goals per game this season, which was best in the league. He made 190 saves, stopping 67.8 percent of the shots he faced, which was also best in the league. He was an academic All-American and won the program’s prestigious Coach Davey Award. Franklin coach Lou Verrochi said, “We were extremely fortunate to have Will — he’s a coach’s dream: great player, leader, and teammate.”

Patrick Morrison – Franklin – Defense

Patrick Morrison (HockomockSports.com photo)

Franklin senior pole Patrick Morrison continued his run as one of the toughest defenders in the league and the Boston University-commit was integral to the Panthers allowing only 113 goals in 21 games, which was the best defensive record in the Hock. Morrison used his size, quickness, and his stick work to be a menace to opposing attackers, while also being able to jump into attack when he snagged a ground ball. Morrison was named a first-team All-American this season, despite missing a couple of game due to an early-season injury. Franklin coach Lou Verrochi said, “Pat is the best and smartest pole we’ve had at Franklin and we’ve had a lot of good ones. He was the top vote-getter of all ‘D’ this year for All-American.”

Will Harvey – Franklin – Midfield

Will Harvey (HockomockSports.com photo)

Franklin senior Will Harvey proved to be one of the top defensive midfielders in the league again this season and his ability to stay with attackers and keep them away from the cage was a huge advantage for the Panthers. It was almost like they had an extra pole on defense, which was a reason that the league champs had the best defensive record in the league. The St. Anselm College-commit was no slouch on offense either, scoring 14 goals and recording six assists this season. Franklin coach Lou Verrochi said, “Will is the best short-stick defensive midfielder we’ve had in the program. Our players always comment ‘nobody gets by Harve.’ He’s so valuable and unselfish; gave up an offensive role to play ‘D’ because we needed it.”

Jake Davis – Franklin – Attack

Jake Davis (HockomockSports.com photo)

Franklin junior attacker Jake Davis emerged as one of the top attackmen in the league this season and helped propel the Panthers to a seventh straight league title and the program’s second appearance in the D1 South semifinal. The UMass Lowell-commit tied for the league lead with 66 goals in the regular season and he also added 36 assists. His 102 total points finished third in the league during the regular season and he came through in a number of big games against some of the state’s premier programs. Franklin coach Lou Verrochi said, “Jake is the best and most accurate shooter on our team. He was in the conversation for All-American and many coaches were impressed with Jake’s game.”

Matt Lazzaro – Franklin – Attack

Matt Lazzaro (HockomockSports.com photo)

Franklin sophomore attacker Matt Lazzaro, the 2019 HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year (see below), stepped into the program’s long line of talented attacks and has shown the potential to be one of the best to come through Beaver Street field. Lazzaro, a first-team All-American this spring, scored 59 goals and racked up 48 assists for the league’s top offensive unit. His 107 regular season points were second best in the league and he continues to impress against some of the state’s best teams, such as his seven-point day against BC High. Franklin coach Lou Verrochi said, “Matt always gets the top pole yet still finds a way to put up great numbers; we’re very fortunate to have him for the next two years.”

HockomockSports Second Team

Liam Arsenault – Franklin – Defense

Liam Arsenault (HockomockSports.com photo)

Franklin senior pole Liam Arsenault flew under the radar among the other Panthers stars but he was a critical component of the league’s best defense. His ability in close defense helped Franklin hold opponents to only 113 goals in 21 games and allowed double-digit goals in only one game this season. This was a major component of the program’s seventh straight league title and its run to a second-ever D1 South semifinal. Arsenault was also an Academic All-American this spring. Franklin coach Lou Verrochi said, “Liam didn’t get the accolades that he deserved because we had so many kids up for consideration. He was an important part of our team ‘D’ that was outstanding.”

Nitin Chaudhury – Franklin – Midfield

Nitin Chaudhury (HockomockSports.com photo)

Franklin senior midfielder Nitin Chaudhury was the ultimate glue guy and an integral piece of the Panthers winning a seventh straight league title and getting to the D1 South semifinal. Speedy, tough, and with an accurate shot, Chaudhury was more than capable of scoring on his own, as evidenced by the 15 goals and 20 assists he had this season, but he was also heavily involved in grabbing ground balls off the draw and whatever else the team needed. “Wow, every team needs a Nitin,” said Franklin coach Lou Verrochi. “He’s the most versatile player in our league, plays man up and down, on the wings on face-offs, ground ball machine, tremendous dodger with great vision, and he’s the best teammate and leader we’ve ever had.”

Ben Kolb – Franklin – Midfield

Ben Kolb (HockomockSports.com photo)

Franklin senior midfielder Ben Kolb was a key player for the Panthers because he contributed on both ends of the field during the team’s run to a seventh straight league title and to the D1 South semifinal. The Western New England University-commit developed his offensive game in the off-season and turned in his best season with 18 goals and 12 assists in the regular season. As a short-stick defensive midfielder for most of his career, Kolb also provided extra cover on the ride and in the defensive end of the field. Franklin coach Lou Verrochi said, “Ben really worked hard to become a more complete player this season. This season he was one of our best two-way middies.”

Ben Greco – Franklin – Attack

Ben Greco (HockomockSports.com photo)

Franklin junior attacker Ben Greco set a new program record for assists this season and his vision and ability to pick out the right pass from behind the cage opened up the offense’s potent ball movement. Greco scored 35 goals of his own and set a new program mark with 52 assists in the regular season. His 87 points were tied for fifth best in the Hockomock League and his ability to combine with Jake Davis and Matt Lazzaro helped Franklin score a league-best 310 goals this season. Franklin coach Lou Verrochi said, “Ben is probably the most unselfish (sometimes to a fault) players ever to play for us. He is a tremendous rider and has a knack for coming up with ground balls; always backing up shots and has a great lacrosse IQ.”

Underclassman of the Year

Franklin sophomore attack Matt Lazzaro has been selected as the 2019 HockomockSports.com Boys Lacrosse Underclassman of the Year. After a solid freshman campaign, Lazzaro had a breakout season and emerged as one of the most lethal goal scorers in both the Hockomock League and in the state.

Matt Lazzaro Underclassman of the Year (HockomockSports.com photo)

Lazzaro, who was also selected to the HockomockSports.com First Team, a Hockomock League All Star, and a First Team All American, was one of the most dangerous players with the ball in his possession. Not only could he take defensemen on by himself and score but he also was one of the top passers in the league, finishing second in the Hockomock League in helpers (48 in the regular season).

“Matt was one of the most talented players on the field this season across the Hockomock League,” said HockomockSports.com Editor-in-Chief Ryan Lanigan. “It’s rare that you have a player that is so good at scoring yet is also one of the most unselfish players. That combination makes him one of the best players in the area.”

Coach of the Year

Franklin head coach Lou Verrochi has been named the 2019 HockomockSports.com Boys Lacrosse Coach of the Year after guiding the Panthers to another league title, their seventh straight, and to their second appearance in the Div. 1 South semifinal, which is the furthest that the program has made it.

Lou Verrochi (HockomockSports photo)

“Lou continues to build the Franklin program into a state power,” said HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry. “By loading the schedule with some of the top teams in the state, the Panthers are no longer just a dominant team in the Hock but are now regularly considered a threat in the state as a whole.”

The Panthers went 18-3 this season and all three losses were by a single goal, including two in double overtime. All three losses were to teams that reached a sectional final. Franklin scored 310 goals, which was nearly 60 more than the second highest total in the league, and allowed only 113, also best in the Hock. Franklin won two playoff games and only a last-second loss to perennial power Duxbury cost the Panthers a chance at their first South final. Franklin also garnered three All-American nods and led the league in all-star selections.

Continue reading the write up on Lou and find all the other award selections:
https://hockomocksports.com/awards/boys-lacrosse/2019-2/