MATT CONNOR, Senior—Baseball 

• SMAA all-star, second-team
* Captain

Connor showed heart, grit and leadership and boasted a ton of talent as well as he helped Cheverus overcome injury and make a playoff run this season.

Connor missed his freshman season due to COVID and after batting .340 as a sophomore, missed most of his junior campaign with injury, but he returned with a vengeance this spring, dazzling on the mound and wielding a mighty bat for the Stags.

Connor, who played shortstop when he didn’t pitch, hit .387 with five doubles, two triples and a home run. On the mound, he had an earned run average of 2.85 and won three games. He was at his best in the playoffs, throwing a three-hit shutout in a preliminary round victory Noble, then returning on short rest and keeping Cheverus in a close game against top-ranked Falmouth before the Stags fell just short.

Connor will play next year at Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Coach Tony DiBiase’s comment: “Matt was the heart and soul of the team both on the mound and in the field. He’s a true competitor. He showed guts. He’s one of the best pitchers in the league and he had a great year.”

Previous winners:

• 2022 Frank Morang (track)
* 2021 Sam Clark (baseball)
• 2020 No season
• 2019 Jack Mullen (baseball)
• 2018 Griffin Watson (baseball)
• 2017 Jared Brooks (baseball)
• 2016 Frank Curran (lacrosse)
• 2015 Jake Dixon (track)
• 2014 Isaac Yeobah (track)
• 2013 Thomas Lawson (lacrosse)
• 2012 Louie DiStasio (baseball)
• 2011 Nic Lops (baseball)
• 2010 Jack Terwilliger (track)
• 2009 Mick DiStasio (baseball)
• 2008 Topher Pochebit (lacrosse)
• 2007 Todd Keneborus (baseball)
• 2006 Michael Antoniou (lacrosse)
• 2005 Ben Michaud (track)
• 2004 Ben Michaud (track)

• SMAA all-star, first-team
* Captain

Belanger was the steady force in the middle of the field for a Stags team which enjoyed another solid campaign.

Belanger was an honorable mention selection as a freshman, then made the all-star team as a sophomore. This spring, Belanger was a force on offense, with 38 goals and three assists, but was most impressive in the draw circle, winning 67 times, helping Cheverus gain possession more often than not.

Belanger came up big when it mattered most, best evidenced in the Class A state preliminary round, when the Stags, who had lost to Portland in overtime during the regular season, turned the tables, with a last-second victory on a Belanger goal, her fourth of the day.

Belanger, who also plays soccer and swims for Cheverus, has one more season to lead her team to great things and many more highlights figure to be in store.

Coach Sarah Varney’s comment: “Reese brings positive energy and tremendous leadership to our team. Her encouraging presence can be felt on and off the field. Reese consistently leads by example and has the ability to set performance expectations on our team that build confidence in her teammates to rise to the challenge. Her work ethic inspires others and you can always count on Reese asking for one more rep. Reese dominated the draw for us this year and her tenacious hustle was a key component to our team’s success. I am truly honored to have coached such an amazing female athlete who is thoughtful, kind and wise beyond her years.”

Previous winners:

• 2022 Riley O’Mara (lacrosse)
* 2021 Victoria Bossong (track)
• 2020 No season
• 2019 Zoe Mazur (lacrosse)
• 2018 Victoria Bossong (track)
• 2017 Emma Gallant (track)
• 2016 Emily Turner (track)
• 2015 Abby Biegel (lacrosse)
• 2014 Brittany Bell (softball)
• 2013 Alex Logan (lacrosse)
• 2012 Meredith Willard (lacrosse)
• 2011 Paige Lucas (lacrosse)
• 2010 Theresa Hendrix (softball)
• 2009 Theresa Hendrix (softball)
• 2008 Theresa Hendrix (softball)
• 2007 Dana Proscia (lacrosse)
• 2006 Dana Proscia (lacrosse)
• 2005 Meaghan Morris (track)
• 2004 Kate McLaughlin (track)

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net.

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