Kelley-Rex Player of the Year – Kristi Kirshe, Franklin
The Williams-bound senior, who finished her career with 102 goals, led Franklin to the program’s first-ever state championship and an unbeaten 22-0-1 record. Kirshe also had 9 assists in the regular season and scored the game-winning goals in both the state semifinal and final.
“She was always reliable from the time she got here,” said Franklin head coach Tom Geysen. “There’s never a letdown with her. She’s an outstanding athlete and person.”
Kirshe will play at Williams College next season and has had her profile raised considerably by leading the Panthers to a No. 13 ranking in the national NSCAA poll.
“Coach Geysen had us buy into sacrifice self for team and I think our team did that very well,” Kirshe said. “It’s absolutely a dream come true, winning the first-ever state title, I couldn’t ask much more than that.”
Davenport Player of the Year – Lauren Berman, Canton
Berman, who will be attending the University of Maryland next year, amassed 46 goals during her senior year in leading the Bulldogs to a 16-2-1 record. Canton reached the Division 2 South sectional semifinal.
“To be able to coach a player like that within a team like this it’s a privilege,” said Canton head coach Paul Turner on the day that Berman eclipsed the 100-goal mark for her career.
Berman will join one of the top college soccer programs in the country next season and have the chance to play in the Big Ten, after the recent announcement of Maryland’s move to a new conference.
“I thought it was a very successful year for us,” said Berman. “Everyone had a huge target on our back and we weren’t expected to do nearly as well as we did. My favorite part of the year was just the chemistry of our team.”
Hock 5 First Team
Kristi Kirshe, Franklin (2013)
Kendall Andrew, Oliver Ames (2013)
Samantha Alves, Sharon (2013)
Brianna Duserick, Canton (2013)
Hock 5 Second Team
Nicole Talyor, Oliver Ames (2013)
Nicole Chretien, North Attleboro (2015)
Meg Lennon, Canton (2013)
Julia Masionis, Milford (2015)
Hock 5 Honorable Mention
Danielle Roma, Foxboro (2014)
Jamie Grinavic, North Attleboro (2013)
Stepanie Pisani, Franklin (2013)
Abigail Oliver, Attleboro (2013)
Coach of the Year – Tom Geysen, Franklin
Franklin was the Kelley-Rex Division champion for the second straight season and only a draw against Walpole in the final game of the regular season prevented the Panthers from finishing with a perfect record.
According to Geysen, “It was totally unexpected. When we started at the beginning of the season, we had 10 sophomores and 6 freshmen. We had great senior leadership, but not a lot of experience in many areas. They did everything as a team. The ball was bouncing our way and it continued.”