Wreckers Celebrate At Banquet
Over 30 varsity players received letters, certificates, gifts — and words of praise — from head coach Russell Oost-Lievense, at Staples soccer’s annual banquet last night.
Parents and friends filled the Norwalk Inn was filled with warmth and appreciation for all 3 teams. Junior varsity coach Stel Seferidis and freshman coach Elisee Joseph introduced and praised their squads as well.
Varsity tri-captains Hunter Smith, Alex Laskin and Ben Douglas contributed heartfelt remarks about their season. Junior varsity co-captain Luca Caniato and freshman captain Dylan Shackelford added their own.
Dylan Hoke was selected by his teammates as the Block “S” Most Valuable Player. It was the first time a junior was chosen for the prestigious honor since goalkeeper Matt Katz in 1999.
Ethan Cukier was named Most Improved.
Senior Ben Douglas continued the tradition of handing down jersey #15. Current junior Santi Alfageme will wear it next fall. The jersey honors Preston Hirten ’07, who wore it with passion and pride. He died of an undiagnosed heart condition on the first day of preseason training at the University of Mary Washington, in 2008.
The evening included a great slideshow by Drew Douglas featuring all 3 teams (click here to see), and a tribute to Dan Woog. Oose-Lievense and Top of the Hill Team board member Dan Donovan ’82 spoke movingly of the former head coach, who stepped down last January.
Dylan Hoke, with his Block “S” for Most Valuable Player. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Ethan Cukier, with his Block “S” for Most Improved. Head coach Russell Oost-Lievense presents the award, as tri-captain Hunter Smith looks on. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Outgoing #15 Ben Douglas (left) presents the prestigious journey to Santi Alfageme. (Photo/Joanna Douglas)
2022 varsity (Photo/Joanna Douglas)
2022 junior varsity (Photo/Joanna Douglas)
2022 freshmen (Photo/Joanna Douglas)
Head table, clockwise from lower left: former head coach Dan Woog, JV coach Stel Sefiridis, head coach Russell Oost-Lievense, goalkeeper coach Jim St. Andre, freshman coach Elisee Joseph, varsity assistant coach Chris Flaherty. (Photo/Joanna Douglas)
