Western Massachusetts Sports Journal
By Matt Osgood
Sports Journal
Over the years, western Massachusetts has subtly become a pioneering region of Bay State culture. From Naismith's peach baskets to Friendly's sugar cones, the western part of the state is now staking its claim on the soccer field, where some of the top local talent is making ripples at the collegiate level.
The North Atlantic Conference (NAC) recognized four Bay Path College Wildcats as members of the All-Conference women's soccer team. Sophomore midfielder Amanda Janik was named to the first team, senior goalkeeper Denise Larochelle and junior Devon Lauchman earned second-team honors and sophomore Jill Roberts was recognized with an honorable mention. Making it even more impressive is that all four grew up closer to the Berkshires than to the beach.
Janik, a Bay Path captain and product of Agawam High School, had the gaudiest stats of the group, amassing 49 points on 21 goals and seven assists. Lauchman, another captain, netted 10 goals of her own, balancing her contributions with eight assists.
"She's an incredible player," first-year Wildcats coach Chris Streeter said of Janik. "She has amazing vision. She's technically strong, and she's got good size, good speed. In my opinion, she is one of the best players in New England. She's going to be the core of program the next couple years."
In regards to Lauchman, an Easthampton High School alum, Streeter cited her ability to serve the ball upwards of 40 yards and marveled at her silent assassin-like prowess. Her shot, at times, screams louder than the person executing the kick.
"She's a great goal scorer,"Streeter stressed. "She's not as vocal as the other, but she attacks the defense, she can turn on a dime and she has an incredible shot. (She's a) real playmaker and can crush the ball. She is always a threat."
Larochelle, a native of Southwick who was nicknamed "The Rock" by her teammates stopped 118 shots, and accumulated a save percentage of .855. She was a four-year stater whose teammates also lovingly called her "mother."
"Denise is older and wise beyond her years," said Street. "She has got a good understanding of the game and saved us many games. She was another absolute pleasure to have on the team. She brought leadership that only a senior could bring."
rounding out the All-Conference team at honorable mention was Jill Roberts, the team's sweeter and a resident of West Springfield. While her stats don't stand out on paper--she failed to score a goal and produced just one assist--her contribution as a 16-game starter was immeasurable.
"She could be our best player," said Streeter, who added that the NAC simply "ran out of spots" for the sophomore on its All-Conference teams. "She's able to distribute, she's got great vision and plays the ball really well. (She's got) incredible setter skills. On top of that, she is another great kid, she's always smiling and she loves the game."
The Wildcats faced an extraordinary amount of adversity to begin the season. A new coaching staff stressed a different style of play than the previous unit, and there were a few talented seniors who refused to come out for the team. Almost immediately, though, the team responded to the challenge.
"I think we were all nervous about how the season was going to go," admitted Janik. "The seniors we lost were key players, but once we met the coaches, we all felt so confident. Our first game was shaky, but we used the little time we had during preseason to get used to our coaches and how they wanted us to play.
"We adjusted skill-wise to the style of play, and everything clicked. I don't know how we did it so quickly, but it helped our confidence in each other. We realized that all the adversity...can tear you apart or bring you closer. We just got along so well that (the adversity) was never an issue."
Roberts, a psychology major, had a similar take.
"I was definitely worried that first couple days," she said. "We were shaky. I was worried the team wasn't going to be as good as it was last year, but from Day 1 it just worked."
Perhaps the most contradictory aspect in all of team sports, especially one as team-oriented as soccer, is the awardeing of individual accolades. But Streeter and Roberts insist the four All-Conference players thrived because of those around them.
"The girls are always supporting the other players," Streeter said. "I could have nominated four or five other girls from my team. The (girls who were awarded) have a great group of girls to compliment them."
According to Larochelle, the bond was one that seemed evident from the outset.
"We just clicked right away," said the lone departing Wildcat, who intends to continue her education in hope of becoming a verterinarian. "The first game was when we really got to know each other. WE had four new freshmen, basically our team came together right away, and we didn't have anyone who didn't belong."
The chemistry enable players like Janik and Lauchman to battle through tough injuries and keep morale high during stressful situations between the chalk lines.
"I hur my knee, then my quad, but as a captain I wanted to play through the pain," explained Lauchman who lives off campus with Janik and Roberts. "Amanda was hurting and I was hurt, so I'd get frustrated. But we worked really well as a team, and my teammates would cheer each other up. Nobody was ever negative to anybody. I think that's why we did well."
On her relationship with Janik and Roberts, she said, "They're amazing. WE get along really well. We do things together. WE hang out all the time, and not just on the field. We have the same viewpoints and we're all in love with sport."
The Wildcats were 12-6-2 as defending NAC Champions before they were ousted in the semi-finals of the league tournament by Maine-Farmington. While the coaches will spend this offseason recruiting new talent, Streeter and his players are confident and counting the days until next fall.
"We're looking at a strong core of girls coming back," he said. "I'm ready to go right now."
Meanwhile, Janik has found a way to be even more eager than her coach.
"I was ready for the season to start yesterday," she concluded.
