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December 29, 2009

'Big Four' reign in soccer

NAC's Spencer Ferguson named MVP; B'town's Tony Perez Coach of the Year

DID YOU KNOW?


You can look back over the last 70 years at some of the area athletes and personalities who made headlines in area sports. Flashback will revive memories of great local athletes and outstanding team successes.

PLATTSBURGH — It's no surprise that "The Big Four" in Champlain Valley Athletic Conference boys' soccer this fall wound up dominating the all-star selections.

After all, Plattsburgh High, Beekmantown, Northeastern Clinton and Northern Adirondack combined for a 43-9 record in conference play while the remaining six teams were only 20-54.

And so it is that Lake Placid's Evan Knox is the only "outsider" to crack the All-CVAC team for 2009. Plattsburgh High led the way with four selections while Beekmantown grabbed three spots, Northern Adirondack, two, and Northeastern Clinton, one. NAC also had the Most Valuable Player in Spencer Ferguson.

Ferguson finished the year with 14 goals and one assist in conference play and 18 and two, overall. The senior forward matured nicely as a finisher and demonstrated a good combination of quickness, skill and aggressiveness. He had a very accurate shot and created opportunities for himself and others with his blue-collar work.

Ferguson was joined on the elite unit by teammates Tyler LaValley and Ben LaValley.

Tyler LaValley, a senior forward and team captain, had eight goals and eight assists in CVAC play and 10 goals and nine assists, overall. He was a complete player and very good with either foot. He took most of the Bobcats' corner kicks. He could have scored more goals, but his teammates benefited from his unselfish play.

Ben LaValley, a senior fullback and also team captain, played stopper for NAC, showing good quickness and tremendous endurance. He anchored a defense that very young and inexperienced for the most part.

Plattsburgh High was represented on the All-CVAC team by defender Ryan Latinville, midfielders Jordan Conroy and Kyle Knight and forward Jordan Knight.

Latinville, a senior fullback, steadied an otherwise inexperienced defense. With Latinville the leader, PHS surrendered just 11 goals in 18 games.

Conroy, a senior captain, was a four-year member of the PHS varsity and a three-year starter. He capped his brilliant career by earning All-State honors for Class B. He possessed tremendous footskills and was a great leader and a tireless athlete.

Kyle Knight, a senior captain, was one of the strongest midfielders in the conference with deceptive speed from the left outside. He scored 13 goals, including the game-winner in the Section VII Class B championship game with Northeastern Clinton.

Jordan Knight, a junior, led the Hornets in scoring with 14 goals. He was one of the fastest forwards in the CVAC and a threat to score from anywhere on the field at any time.

The four all-stars have played major roles in Plattsburgh High's success over the past four years. During that span, the Hornets have captured four Section VII Class B titles, two regional titles and advanced to the state Final Four twice.

Beekmantown led most of the way in the Div. I race, only to wind up second to PHS. Still, it was arguably one of the Eagles' most successful seasons yet in boys' soccer, resulting in three All-CVAC selections.

Ben Smith, a junior defender and team captain, had his best year as a three-year veteran of the varsity. From his sweeper position, Smith helped the Eagles record seven shutouts this season. He logged more than 80 minutes a game.

Brett Palmer, a senior midfielder and another three-year veteran, scored eight goals and had 13 assists for his career. Also, a Scholar-Athlete.

Zack Towle, only a sophomore, he emerged as a real offensive threat, finishing second in the league in points with 14 goals and nine assists for 37.

Northeastern Clinton will find it hard to replace Casey Manor in goal. A two-year starter he led the league with nine shutouts while giving up a miserly 9 goals. Casey led by example on and off the field. A very athletic and talented keeper with a great work ethic.

Evan Knox, senior forward, accounted for nearly half of Lake Placid's scoring output with 10 goals. He also had four assists and notched at least one point in 10 of the Blue Bombers games. Quick and agile, he always drew the top defender.

—

Champlain Valley

Athletic Conference

Boys' soccer All-Stars

Most Valuable Player

Spencer Ferguson, Northern Adirondack, senior

Coach of the Year

Tony Perez, Beekmantown

CVAC Sportsmanship Award

Bill Wilson, Saranac Lake

All-conference

Keeper

Casey Manor, Northeastern Clinton, senior

Defense

Ben Smith, Beekmantown, junior

Ryan Latinville, Plattsburgh, senior

Ben LaValley, Northern Adirondack, senior

Midfield

Brett Palmer, Beekmantown, senior

Jordan Conroy, Plattsburgh, senior

Kyle Knight, Plattsburgh, senior

Evan Knox, Lake Placid, senior

Offense

Tyler LaValley, Northern Adirondack, senior

Zach Towle, Beekmantown, sophomore

Jordan Knight, Plattsburgh, junior

Division I

Keeper

Brett Smith, Beekmantown, junior

Defense

Ben Smith, Beekmantown, junior

Jake Vuolo, Saranac Lake, senior

Ryan Latinville, Plattsburgh, senior

Midfield

Brett Palmer, Beekmantown, senior

Mike Brewer, Saranac Lake, senior

Jordan Conroy, Plattsburgh, senior

Kyle Knight, Plattsburgh, senior

Offense

Zack Towle, Beekmantown, sophomore

Greg Johnson, Peru, senior

Jordan Knight, Plattsburgh, junior

Honorable mention

Aaron Ducatte, Beekmantown, junior

Neil Brandt, Saranac Lake, senior

Alex Holtsclaw, Saranac, senior

Taylor Spear, Peru, junior

Drew Wyand, Plattsburgh, senior

Division II

Keeper

Casey Manor, Northeastern Clinton, senior

Defense

Curtis Loreman, AuSable Valley, senior

Ben LaValley, Northern Adirondack, senior

Rob Armstrong, Northeastern Clinton, sophomore

Midfield

Sean Pulsifer, AuSable Valley, junior

Stephen Trudo, Northern Adirondack, junior

Evan Knox, Lake Placid, senior

Kyle Keswick, Northeastern Clinton, senior

Offense

Tyler LaValley, Northern Adirondack, senior

Devon Poissant, Northeastern Clinton, senior

Andrew Baird, Lake Placid, senior

Honorable mention

Austin Davis, AuSable Valley, senior

Gabe Hynes, Northern Adirondack, senior

Sabby Barrie, Seton Catholic, junior

Fred Hapgood, Northeastern Clinton, senior

Skyler Comins, Lake Placid, senior

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