Six northern local players named lax All-Americans

Once again, Forecaster Country has made its mark well beyond its borders in the sport of lacrosse, placing four boys and two girls on All-American teams.

For the ninth year in a row, the Yarmouth boys’ lacrosse team has produced an All-American, two in this case, as senior attack Steven Petrovek and senior goalie Cam Woodworth were honored.

Petrovek, a repeat selection, was one of the most unstoppable offensive forces in the state this spring, leading the Clippers back to the Class B Final. Petrovek had 53 goals, 45 assists and 98 points. He also grabbed 56 ground balls. A year ago, Petrovek scored 56 times, added 35 assists and 45 ground balls.

Woodworth made 79 saves and had a goals-against-average of just over 4.

“Both were outstanding young men to coach,” said Yarmouth coach Craig Curry. “Each worked at his craft on his own in addition to their team work. Each was a leader in doing the hard things in practice as well as bringing some levity and a positive emotion to the whole experience. They took all the blame for our down moments and deflected the credit to their teammates for our success.

“Cam is a quiet leader while Steven was the vocal leader. Each inspired his teammates with positive reinforcements. Each was obviously a success athletically outside of lacrosse, Steven in hockey and Cam in skiing. Steven will attend (the University of) Denver next year, where he has been invited to try out for the team and Cam is attending Dartmouth, where he too has been invited to try out for the team.”

Petrovek and Woodworth follow in the footsteps of Evans Spear (2000), Tim Kjelgaard (2002), Jared Harriman (2003), Chris Hichborn, Todd Lawrence and Jon Miller (2004), Hichborn and Zach Caldwell (2005), Caldwell and Hans Tobiason (2006), Francis Ellis (2007), John Curry and Sam Miller (2008) and Petrovek and Rob Highland (2009).

Falmouth’s boys’ team had the finest season of any team that didn’t reach the state game (the Yachtsmen fell in overtime to eventual champion Cape Elizabeth in the regional final) and two of Falmouth’s most potent weapons, senior midfielders Dan Hanley and Michael Kane, joined Petrovek and Woodworth as All-Americans.

Hanley had a team-high 38 goals and 47 points this spring, helping the Yachtsmen finish 11-3. He will attend Bowdoin College in the fall and play hockey and lacrosse.

“I have yet to witness an athlete with combination of mental and physical toughness that Dan possesses,” said Falmouth coach Mike LeBel. “His intrinsic drive to be the best is second to none. He will do everything that a coach asks without hesitation. He understands the big picture and the team always comes first. His intelligence allows him quickly counter what his opponent is trying to accomplish. Athletes like Dan do not come along often. He is, by far, the biggest loss to this program.”

Kane had 22 goals (third on the squad) and 13 assists (second). He’s going to Salisbury to play lacrosse. Salisbury was a D3 finalist this year.

“Mike’s genuine love of lacrosse and desire to play at the next level enabled him to become one of the finest players in the state,” LeBel said. “Mike takes advantage of every opportunity to go out and improve his skills.”

Hanley and Kane join Kyle Jordan (2007) as just the second and third Yachtsmen to be named All-Americans.

Hanley, Kane, Petrovek and Woodworth were joined on the All-American squad by Brunswick senior defender John Williams, Cape Elizabeth senior defender Ben Brewster and senior attack Tom Foden, Portland junior midfielder Caleb Kenney and St. Dom’s senior attack Trevor Haefele.

Congratulations also to LeBel, who was named Coach of the Year by his peers, Yarmouth assistant coach Dave Maxwell, who was named Assistant Coach of the Year for helping produce several standout goalies for the Clippers, with Woodworth his latest success, and longtime Cheverus boys’ coach Deke Andrew, who was given the prestigious Maine “Man of the Year” award.

On the girls’ side, new Class B state champion North Yarmouth Academy placed senior Courtney Dumont on the squad. She was joined by Yarmouth junior Danielle Torres.

Dumont has been an elite scoring talent and is one of the finest three-sport athletes (soccer, hockey) to come our way in a long time. She scored 59 times in 2010 and added 10 assists, giving her a career total of 180 goals and 35 assists. Dumont had seven goals in a losing effort in the 2008 Class B Final, led the Panthers back to the state game last spring, then helped them win their first state title Saturday, 7-3, over nemesis Waynflete, in a game in which she didn’t take a single shot.

“Courtney went out in style,” said NYA coach Julia Sterling. “She works really hard. She’s the first one out there and the last to leave. If someone wanted to know how to do something, she was there to help. When she has the ball, she doesn’t need to go score. She was happy to feed her teammates. The kids totally looked up to her. She’s a total role model. She’s a tremendous person and I think she’ll do very well in college.”

Dumont will attend Connecticut College next year, where she’ll play her top sport, hockey, and possibly lacrosse as well.

Alexis Fermanis (2001) was the first NYA player to be named All-American. Bobbi Dennison (2003 and 2004), Molly Moss (2005) and Ingrid Knowles (2006, honorable mention) followed.

Torres (an All-American honorable mention last spring) scored 51 goals this season, adding 12 assists, 58 ground balls, 47 draw control wins and 18 caused turnovers. She had seven goals in an Opening Day win at York, scored six times in a victory over Falmouth and had four and three goals respectively in regular season wins over NYA. Torres added three goals in a semifinal round victory over Gardiner and had one goal in the regional final loss to the Panthers.

For her career, Torres, a two-time all-conference selection and this year’s team MVP, has 82 goals, 29 assists and 110 ground balls.

“Danielle is just an amazing player to coach,” said Yarmouth coach Dorothy Holt. “She gives 100 percent in practice and in the games. She’s a true team player on and off the field. She has the drive and determination to keep improving her game and getting her team to the next level. Every coach should be lucky enough to have Danielle on their team.”

Yarmouth’s first All-American was Jenny Wing in 2000. Emily Erickson (2002), Sara Hagstrom (2004), Chrissie Attura (2005, honorable mention), Emily Johnson (2005 and 2006), Molly Dilworth (2006), Laurie Baker (2007), Jess Martineau (2007), Abby Saucier (2007, honorable mention), Anna Van Slyke (2007, honorable mention), Nicole Grover (2008, honorable mention) and Lanier Bolmer (2009) were also chosen.

Dumont and Torres were joined on the All-American team by Brunswick’s Leila Mills and Waynflete’s Morgan Woodhouse. Kennebunk’s Camille Auger was an Honorable Mention.

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

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