We’re on to awards season.
Here are the players who recently completed memorable seasons and are in the running for lohud Westchester/Putnam and Rockland Journal News Player of the Year honors. Talent is a big part of the equation, but we also look for players who are leaders and played an integral role for winning teams.
You can vote for the player you believe is most deserving of the award. We’ll include your Reader’s Choice winner in our All-Star and All-County posts in the days ahead.
The poll is presented by White Plains Hospital and closes at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 2.
Colin Butler, Tappan Zee
The junior defensive midfielder delivered 18 goals and 43 assists while creating 14 turnovers and collecting 39 ground balls for the 9-9 Dutchmen. He was named all-section and is already the program’s all-time leader in assists (130). Butler is committed to play at Iona University.
Bret Kennedy, Somers
The senior defender was a disruptor and instigator for the 12-7 Tuskers. He wound up with seven goals and nine assists while creating 92 turnovers. He also collected 133 ground balls and posted a .460 win percentage on face-offs. Kennedy earned All-American and all-section honors.
Hunter Mezzatesta, Yorktown
The senior goalie and Virginia signee helped the Huskers win the program’s 42nd Section 1 title, dead-ending 66.3% of the shots he faced. He made 228 saves, becoming Yorktown’s all-time saves leader and was named All-American and all-section.
Tommy Michello, Clarkstown South
The senior midfielder earned all-section honors after leading the 13-5 Vikings with 40 goals and 28 assists. He propelled South to its first-ever Section 1 Class A semifinal appearance and is committed to play next season at Robert Morris.
Blake O’Callaghan, John Jay-Cross River
The senior goalie was again the anchor of a young Wolves team that finished 10-8. He stopped 199 shots this season and graduates as the program’s all-time saves leader (896). O’Callahan, who is set to play at Princeton, was all-section and earned All-American and Academic All-American honors.
Tim Plunkett, Iona Prep
The senior attackman established the career-assist record at Iona Prep and finished a repeat state championship season with 58 goals and 55 assists. He was named All-American for the second straight year and will be playing next season at North Carolina.
Nigel Strazzini, Rye
The senior defender was the emotional leader of a unit that allowed just 6.75 goals per game, allowing the Garnets to get to the NYSPHSAA Class C finale and win the program’s first state title. He was named All-American and all-section, and is committed to play next season at Harvard.
Carsen Winters, Mamaroneck
The senior attackman was named All-American and all-section after leading the 17-4 Tigers to a third consecutive sectional title. He battled through injury and still finished with 54 goals and 26 assists. Winters is committed to play at Harvard next season.
Mike Dougherty covers high school lacrosse for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Boys lacrosse readers choice vote, presented by White Plains Hospital
Reporting by Mike Dougherty, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mike Dougherty, Rockland/Westchester Journal News | USA TODAY Network
