HARDWICK – Several standout footballers earned Capital League soccer honors this week for their outstanding play on the pitch this past fall.
Hazen Union junior Sully Laflam led the way for the Wildcats, earning a Second Team selection. Laflam finished second in scoring for the Wildcats, just behind fellow junior Ryan Morrison who also had a breakout season at the forward position. Hazen finished 4-11 on the season, but first year head coach Harry Besett will not lose a single senior to graduation as the program continues to change its style of soccer to fit the lofty levels of Capital League competition.
Harwood (16-0-1) dominated Division II soccer as well as its opponents in the Capital League this past fall, blanking Woodstock to defend its state title two weeks ago. It was no surprise they led the way in First Team selections with five. Seniors Matt Fiaschetti, Eamon Langlais, and Jack Greenwood were honored for the Highlanders, along with juniors Brycen Scharf, Caleb Brookens, and Steele Nelson. Stowe’s division III title defense came up just short to Green Mountain, but Parker Guffey, Cody Lilly, Wyatt Lilly, and sophomore Greme Jostrand earned First Team honors for their sensational seasons. Peoples Academy (14-3) were title contenders once again this season, led by First Team selections Zander Waskuch, Quin Lynch, and Sam Stutz. Lamoille senior Grady Rodrigues also earned First Team honors after leading an improved Lancer squad to a five-win season. Rounding out First Team selections were, Montpelier’s Clayton Foster, Thomas Mills, and Vincent Fragodt, U-32’s Hiloh Weiss and Zephyr Low, North Country’s Alex Giroux and Camrin Gustin, Thetford Academy’s Bryce Rikert and Lake Region’s Lincoln Racine.
Locals joining Laflam on the Second Team were Stowe’s Declan Coggins, Alistair Barrett, and Caku Brown, along with Peoples Academy’s Aiden Slayton and Ian Nolan.
Hazen juniors Morgan Michaud and Grayson McNaughten fortified the Wildcat defense this past season and received Honorable Mentions for their fine play. McNaughten joined Hazen’s roster from Craftsbury Academy as a sophomore and has been the starting keeper for them ever since. No one in the Capital League has made bigger leaps and bounds or learned under more fire than the talented junior, and he should be a pivotal piece to Besett’s defense next season. Michaud was tasked with marking the best scorers in the Capital all season, as well as implementing Besett’s possession style from the midfield. He also scored multiple goals for the Wildcats this fall and will undoubtedly be a leader for Besett’s program in his senior campaign.
