Spence named Central League MVP by coaches

Last year, James Spence and Tom Lemieux powered Springfield to a state championship. In 2017, the accolades haven’t stopped.

Spence was named the Central League MVP by league coaches, as revealed Friday, while Lemieux was named Coach of the Year.

Spence is joined by three Cougars teammates on the first team – attackman Kyle Long, who dished 77 assists in 18 regular-season games, and defenders Nick Matty and Pat Clemens.

Co-league champs Conestoga and Garnet Valley combined for five nods, Conestoga getting the edge thanks to the dual attack threats of Tommy Sopko and Henry Berg. Faceoff man James Reilly also earns the honor (Haverford faceoff specialist Luke McCallion was recognized as a midfielder). Garnet Valley midfielders Jacob Buttermore and Matt Moore are on the first team, the latter despite missing the first seven games of the year.

Also on the first team are Delco points leader Jeffrey Conner and his Strath Haven teammate Ryan Morris, Haverford poles Jack Farrell and Mike Dice and Radnor attackman Clayton Proctor.

Below is the full list of honorees. Note: All-Central is voted on by league coaches. The Daily Times had no input in the nomination or selection process.

League MVP: James Spence, Springfield

Coach of the Year: Tom Lemieux, Springfield

George Kruse Award: Mike Romanofsky, Haverford, and Kasta Pahides, Penncrest

Team Sportsmanship: 1. Ridley; 2. Radnor; 3. Lower Merion

First Team

Tommy Sopko, Sr. A, Conestoga
Kyle Long, Jr. A, Springfield
Clayton Proctor, Sr. A, Radnor
Henry Berg, Sr. A, Conestoga
Jeffrey Conner, Jr. M, Strath Haven
Jacob Buttermore, Jr. M, Garnet Valley
Luke McCallion, Sr. M, Haverford
Matt Moore, Sr. M, Garnet Valley
James Reilly, Jr. FO, Conestoga
Jack Farrell, Sr. LSM, Haverford
Pat Clemens, So. D, Springfield
Mike Dice, Sr. D, Haverford
Ryan Morris, Jr. D, Strath Haven
Nick Matty, Sr. D, Springfield
James Spence, Sr. G, Springfield

Second Team

Denny Nealon, Sr. A, Garnet Valley
Cade Stratton, Sr. A, Ridley
Jack Daly, Jr. A, Haverford
Drew Brown, So. A, Radnor
Hakan Atillasoy, Sr. A, Harriton
Brock Anderson, Sr. M, Ridley
Hunter Mazur, Sr. M, Strath Haven
Jack Spence, So. M, Springfield
Alex Viola, Jr. M, Marple Newtown
Chris Austen, Sr. FO, Radnor
Liam McCall, Sr. LSM, Radnor
Sam Rudolph, Sr. D, Garnet Valley
Zach Granger, Sr. D, Penncrest
Scott Smith, Fr. D, Conestoga
Jason Rose, Jr. G, Garnet Valley
Danny Tierney, Sr. G, Haverford

Honorable Mention

Attack: Tyler Fink, Sr., Strath Haven; Mike Tulskie, Jr., Springfield, Kyle Saluric, Sr., Lower Merion

Midfield: Tate Kienzle, Jr., Conestoga; Joe Quintiliano, Sr., Penncrest; Evan Trizonis, Sr., Garnet Valley; Nick DiIorio, Sr., Haverford; Kyler Albany, Sr., Radnor; Connor Pierce, Jr., Radnor

FO: Rei Lopez, Sr., Garnet Valley; Avi Warren, Sr., Lower Merion; Cade Heverly, Sr., Ridley; Jake Huey, Jr., Marple Newtown

LSM: Joe DiAntonio, Sr., Garnet Valley; James O’Hara, Sr., Upper Darby; Joe Watton, Jr., Conestoga; Behn Worley, Sr., Ridley

Defense: Zack Kaut, Sr., Penncrest; Jordan Lancaster, Jr., Lower Merion; Tom Fredericks, Jr., Haverford; Liam Wright, Sr., Ridley; Cyros Strickland, Sr., Harriton; Kevin Hahn, Jr., Marple Newtown

Goalie: Scott MacMillan, Jr., Conestoga; Liam Ferry, So., Marple Newtown; Tucker Ballbach, Sr., Radnor