By Josh Perry, Managing Editor
ALLSTON, Mass. – Foxboro High junior Luc Valenza was named a second team All-American by the Eastern Massachusetts Lacrosse Coaches Association. The defender, who is already verbally committed to the University of Massachusetts, was also honored with an invitation to the inaugural BostonLax.net All-American Game on Monday night at Harvard Stadium.
The event featured most of the All-Americans from across the state, including players from state champions Xaverian, Longmeadow, and Dover-Sherborn. Valenza, a member of the Davenport division runners-up was the lone Hockomock League player to be chosen for the prestigious event.
“It means a lot, coming out here and playing with all these guys knowing that I’m representing the Hock and everything that they’re about, especially Foxboro,” said Valenza at the conclusion of the game.
He added, “It’s just a blast being out here representing my town.”
In addition to highlighting talented lacrosse players from across the state, the event was also a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project and the One Fund Boston. Valenza’s Wounded Warrior team was victorious 13-12 over the Boston Strong team.
Valenza, who did not play in the first quarter but was on the field at the end of the game, nearly scored a goal only to be denied by Reading’s Matt Comerford. The Foxboro star drew positive reviews after the game and was thrilled to be on the field with and considered among the best players in Massachusetts.
He remarked, “It was just a blast playing in this high-level game and running up and down the field with these guys.”
The players drew inspiration from a representative of the Wounded Warrior Project who spoke with the players in the locker room prior to the game, which was delayed for more than an hour by lightning in the area. The project assists servicemen and women that were severely injured in the line of duty.
“What we heard from the Wounded Warrior, the man that went through it all, that was real inspirational to us. And especially the One Fund Boston, that was huge knowing that it happened in our own city and just giving back to the community fells great,” said Valenza.
With Canton taking the league title and inflicting the Warriors first loss in the series since 2007, Valenza is excited to get back on the field and reclaim the league title that Foxboro has perennially been favorites for. The Warriors battled adversity all season (the team was forced to forfeit three wins after fielding an ineligible player) and he credited the team’s spirit for staying focused.
“You know, we fought through it,” said Valenza. “Forfeiting those games…that did hurt us, but we bounced back like we always do and we fought in the playoffs.”
The All-American Game started, like most all-star games do, with both teams tentative and trying to feel out how hard they should be playing. By the fourth quarter, the sticks were being swung noticeably harder and the ground ball battles were much fiercer as the competitive juices kicked in and the teams wanted to win.
The Wounded Warriors took the bragging rights but not before Boston Strong hit the post one more time in the final minute. Duxbury junior goalie Nick Marrocco was given the MVP award. But truly, the winners were the fans that showed up to cheer on the players and to support the worthy causes.
ALLSTON, Mass. – Foxboro High junior Luc Valenza was named a second team All-American by the Eastern Massachusetts Lacrosse Coaches Association. The defender, who is already verbally committed to the University of Massachusetts, was also honored with an invitation to the inaugural BostonLax.net All-American Game on Monday night at Harvard Stadium.
The event featured most of the All-Americans from across the state, including players from state champions Xaverian, Longmeadow, and Dover-Sherborn. Valenza, a member of the Davenport division runners-up was the lone Hockomock League player to be chosen for the prestigious event.
“It means a lot, coming out here and playing with all these guys knowing that I’m representing the Hock and everything that they’re about, especially Foxboro,” said Valenza at the conclusion of the game.
He added, “It’s just a blast being out here representing my town.”
In addition to highlighting talented lacrosse players from across the state, the event was also a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project and the One Fund Boston. Valenza’s Wounded Warrior team was victorious 13-12 over the Boston Strong team.
Valenza, who did not play in the first quarter but was on the field at the end of the game, nearly scored a goal only to be denied by Reading’s Matt Comerford. The Foxboro star drew positive reviews after the game and was thrilled to be on the field with and considered among the best players in Massachusetts.
He remarked, “It was just a blast playing in this high-level game and running up and down the field with these guys.”
The players drew inspiration from a representative of the Wounded Warrior Project who spoke with the players in the locker room prior to the game, which was delayed for more than an hour by lightning in the area. The project assists servicemen and women that were severely injured in the line of duty.
“What we heard from the Wounded Warrior, the man that went through it all, that was real inspirational to us. And especially the One Fund Boston, that was huge knowing that it happened in our own city and just giving back to the community fells great,” said Valenza.
With Canton taking the league title and inflicting the Warriors first loss in the series since 2007, Valenza is excited to get back on the field and reclaim the league title that Foxboro has perennially been favorites for. The Warriors battled adversity all season (the team was forced to forfeit three wins after fielding an ineligible player) and he credited the team’s spirit for staying focused.
“You know, we fought through it,” said Valenza. “Forfeiting those games…that did hurt us, but we bounced back like we always do and we fought in the playoffs.”
The All-American Game started, like most all-star games do, with both teams tentative and trying to feel out how hard they should be playing. By the fourth quarter, the sticks were being swung noticeably harder and the ground ball battles were much fiercer as the competitive juices kicked in and the teams wanted to win.
The Wounded Warriors took the bragging rights but not before Boston Strong hit the post one more time in the final minute. Duxbury junior goalie Nick Marrocco was given the MVP award. But truly, the winners were the fans that showed up to cheer on the players and to support the worthy causes.
Monday night was also a showcase for one of the Hockomock League’s top lacrosse talents and Luc Valenza proved that he belongs on the same field with the best players in the state.
Ryan Lanigan is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com. You can contact him at RyanLanigan@hockomocksports.com and follow him on Twitter at @R_Lanigan.
Latest posts by Ryan Lanigan (see all)
- LANIGAN: Expanding The HockSports Team - 07/24/2023
- LANIGAN: The next chapter for HockomockSports - 07/16/2023
- Escobalez’s Addition Elevates Taunton To Another Title - 06/19/2023