Jan 20, 2006
By Christopher L. Gasper | January 19, 2006
Amesbury native Shannon Hlebichuk's role in guiding the University of Massachusetts Lowell field hockey team to its first national title did not go unnoticed by her peers. The National Field Hockey Coaches Association named Hlebichuk its Division 2 National Coach of the Year this month. It is the second time in three years that Hlebichuk has won the award. She also received the honor in 2003, after UMass-Lowell advanced to the Division 2 national title game. (She has been named the association's North Region Coach of the Year three straight times.)
Hlebichuk, who took over the reins at her alma mater in 2002, led the Riverhawks to the most successful season in the program's history. UMass-Lowell went 20-3 and defeated three-time defending national champion Bloomsburg University, 2-1, in double overtime to bring home the first national title for a UMass-Lowell women's athletic program. Along the way, the Riverhawks set team records for consecutive victories in a season (16) and wins in a season (20). They also tied a team record by having five players named All-Americans: Joanna DaLuze, Sara Hohenberger, Kim Villare, and locals Courtney Hill of Newburyport and Josselyn Mroz of Amesbury. DaLuze, Hill, Mroz, and Hohenberger were all first-team selections.
A former All-American herself at UMass-Lowell, Hlebichuk has posted a .741 winning percentage since returning as coach; her teams have gone 63-22 in four seasons. Hlebichuk saluting assistants Kerry Dudley, Erin Stewart, and Leigh Shea. ''They are just as important to the program as I am, and their dedication is unparalleled."
So is UMass-Lowell's success under Hlebichuk. But more important than winning, Hlebichuk said, is that her players enjoy playing for her.
''My goal was to make sure that players come to UMass-Lowell loving the game and leave loving the game," she said in November after winning the national title. ''You don't need to win a national title to be a winner."
3 earn All-State football team spots
Three local players were named to the 26-member Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association All-State football team: Wakefield offensive lineman Brandon Flanagan, Peabody linebacker Andrew Fodera, and St. John's Prep linebacker Jeff Moore. Flanagan was an All-Scholastic this season as he paved the way for Wakefield's 9-1 mark, recording a whopping 123 pancake blocks. Fodera was the area's best linebacker and one of the few bright spots in a disappointing 4-6 season for Peabody. Moore was a key cog on a St. John's Prep defense that allowed just 11 points per game and won a share of the Catholic Conference crown.
St. Mary's taps new golf coach
Jeff Newhall has been named the new boys' golf coach at St. Mary's of Lynn. Newhall, who also coaches the St. Mary's girls' basketball team, had served as an assistant under head coach Jim McHugh since 2001. With McHugh moving on to become the headmaster at Savio Prep, Newhall was a natural choice. The St. Mary's alumnus will try to guide the Spartans to a second straight state title and third straight Catholic Central League championship. St. Mary's won the Division 3 crown last spring and returns Globe Player of the Year Matt Price and All-Scholastic selection Casey O'Leary.
Hockey shocker: St. John's tops CM
The most shocking result of the winter sports season so far has to be: St. John's Prep 3, Catholic Memorial 1. St. John's handed CM -- winner of three straight Super 8 titles -- its first loss of the season last Thursday. The Eagles, who entered the game with a 2-3-3 mark, jumped out to a 3-0 lead behind goals from Luke Miller, Austin Cowles, and Chad McInnis and held on for the win. Goalie Bobby Pierce made 22 saves.
Triton wrestler reaches milestone
Triton Regional High wrestler Bill Blanchette pinned down a notable milestone recently. The Rowley resident, who wrestles at 152 pounds, recorded career victory 100 against North Andover Jan. 11 in a 47-21 defeat. He is the first Triton wrestler to reach the century mark since coach Shawn McElligott took over in 1998.
