2015 HockomockSports Boys Soccer Awards

Foxboro senior Devante Teixeira has been selected as the 2015 HockomockSports.com Boys Soccer Player of the Year. The midfielder was one of the top scoring threats in the Hockomock League and also in the entire state. Teixeira was also named an All-New England player by the Eastern Massachusetts Soccer Coaches Association, a runner up for All-American and the Hockomock League MVP by the league’s coaches.

Teixeira finished the regular season with a league-best 20 goals and a league-high 16 assists for 36 points. With playoffs included, Teixeira had 22 goals and 22 assists to help the Warriors reach the D3 South Semifinal.

“As his coach, when Devante gets out on that edge in 1 v 1 situations in space, it was almost unfair,” Foxboro head coach Joe Franchino said. “His technical ability is special combined with pace is a great combo to have and I know he will have a bright future. It’s just unfortunate I was only able to coach him one year as we just scratched the surface of getting to know one another. Pound for pound he was a fierce competitor. He would not back down and threw his body around, it was fun to watch. He comes from a great family who I know is very proud of him. I have seen some great players in my time but Devante had the best high school season I have ever seen.”

Teixeira was always a player that opponents had to game plan for and often had to change their tactics in order to try and deal with his skill and speed down the left wing.

“Devante was one of the most dangerous players we faced this season,” Oliver Ames head coach John Barata said. “As a matter of fact he is one of the most dangerous players on the ball coming down the left side that I have seen in this league over my seven seasons here at OA. His ability to run at defenders and unbalance them makes him very difficult to stop.He has an amazing nose for the goal and can bury his shots anywhere inside the box. He was a defender’s nightmare but a teammate’s dream.”

Teixeira is the first Foxboro player to win this award and second player from the Davenport Division since 2013. Teixeira was also named to the 2015 and 2014 HockomockSports.com Best XI teams.

Honorable Mentions: Chris Romero (Oliver Ames), Max Gurnon (Mansfield), Joe Kellett (King Philip)

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HockomockSports.com 2nd XI

F – Thomas McCormick, Oliver Ames
F – Tyler Mann, King Philip
M – Pat Hession, Canton
M – Fabio Ponce de Leon, Stoughton
M – Austin Kent, Franklin
M – Zach Rodrigues, Attleboro
D – Noah Kurland, Sharon
D – Chris Elsner, Mansfield
D – Dan Geraci, Franklin
D – Goddy Fombe, Stoughton
G – Michael Kirejczyk, Mansfield

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Oliver Ames sophomore Nathaniel Cardoza has been selected as the 2015 HockomockSports.com Boys Soccer Underclassman of the Year. Although in just his second year, Cardoza was a key piece for the Tigers, who won the 2015 D2 State Championship.

Cardoza, who played in the center of the pitch for the Tigers, was one of the top two-way players in the league. He was able to sit back in a holding midfielders role and shore up the defense while also had the ability to get forward and help the offense.

“Nathaniel is one of the premier players in the region,” Oliver Ames head coach John Barata said. “We are very blessed to have a player of that caliber playing for Oliver Ames High School. He may not be the flashy player but he is by far the best overall player I have seen in the high school game. He is a big time player and extremely versatile. He is excellent technically and his soccer IQ is amazing for a 15 year old. He has a bright future ahead of him and I am happy to be a small part of his soccer journey.”

When Cardoza did get forward, he was incredibly effective. He netted the game-winning goal in overtime against Medfield in the D2 South Sectional Final and then scored the game-winner in the first half of the D2 State Final against Masconomet. The Tigers were unbeaten and Cardoza’s late goal against Foxboro to get a draw was a big reason why.

“Nathaniel really was a vital part in Oliver Ames’ state championship run this season,” HockomockSports.com Editor-in-Chief Ryan Lanigan said. “He was a huge reason why Oliver Ames had such a stout defense and he really looked more and more comfortable going forward with the ball as the season went on. He will certainly be a special player to watch the next two years and beyond.”

Cardoza is the first Oliver Ames boys soccer player to win the HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year award and third OA player of any sport to win it (Francesca Calabraro, girls soccer; Hannah Friend, field hockey).

Honorable Mention: Joe Morrison (Foxboro), Fabio Ponce de Leon (Stoughton), Tyler Mann (King Philip)

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Mansfield head coach Steve Sheridan has been selected as the 2015 HockomockSports.com Boys Soccer Coach of the Year. Sheridan led the Hornets to an overall record of 13-4-3 and a Hockomock League Kelley-Rex Division title, the program’s first league title since 2006 and first ever Kelley-Rex crown.

“Coming into the season there wasn’t a ton of hype for the Hornets but that quickly changed,” Editor-in-Chief Ryan Lanigan said. “From early on, Coach Sheridan knew how to play to the team’s defensive strength and it worked out well for Mansfield.”

Mansfield went undefeated against division opponents this season, going 9-0-1 with 22 goals for and only three goals allowed in league play. The Hornets then picked up another win against a division foe in the postseason with a 2-1 win over King Philip.

Sheridan is the fifth different Mansfield coach to be named HockomockSports.com Coach of the Year following Melissa Heedan (Volleyball 2015), Theresa Nyhan (Field Hockey 2015), Michael Vaughan (Boys Basketball 2013-2014, 2014-2015) and Joe Breen (Baseball 2015).

Honorable Mention: John Barata (Oliver Ames), Joe Franchino (Foxboro), Bryan Kelly (Sharon)