High school soccer players from the Goffstown and Weare area have been rewarded for their stellar play this season. Nine players – six from John Stark Regional High School and three from Goffstown High School – garnered all-state recognition.

John Stark
Generals’ senior forward Ross Macklin was named firstteam all-state in Class I. John Stark coach Mark Bograd said the choice was a no-brainer. “Every part of our game was focused around him and his skill,” said Bograd.

Macklin collected 10 goals and 10 assists this season. But according to Bograd, Macklin cared about more than statistics.

“Even though he was that skilled, his focus was on team first,” he said.

Bograd said having such an experienced and skillful soccer player helped him transition into his role as a first-year coach at John Stark.

The Generals also had two honorable mention picks, senior midfielder Greg Franciscovich and junior defenseman Nick Campono.

“Greg was a bare-knuckles fighter,” said Bograd. Franciscovich tallied nine goals and six assists on the season, and Bograd said his gritty play will be tough to replace next year.

Campono was the central defender for John Stark, and Bograd called him the best true athlete on the team.

“Nick picked up formations quickly and knows how to put people in position,” said Bograd, “I’m very happy to have him back next year.”

John Stark girls soccer placed three players on the second-team all-state squad.

Sophomore forward Lauren Macklin contributed 12 goals and five assists in 2007, and coach Heather Doucette said Macklin deserved the recognition after being overlooked her spectacular freshman season.

“She really helped bring the offensive component to our team,” said Doucette.

Junior forward Joan Hamel scored 13 goals and added an assist this past season, and Doucette said Hamel’s lead-by-example attitude and work ethic really benefitted the team.

“Joan engages other players on the field and really brought our team to a different level,” she said, “She’s one of those players that can beat anyone one on one.”

Senior Morgan Vogt was also named second-team all-state. Doucette said she is proud of her midfielder, who completely overcame a broken leg suffered her freshman year.

“She has great footwork, a precise cross and a great vision of the field,” Doucette said of her team captain.

Goffstown
Lady Grizzlies’ junior midfielder Stephanie Baker received an honorable mention selection for her play in Class L this season. Girls soccer coach Larry Houghton said Baker is an exceptionally versatile, consistently productive player.

“She is comfortable playing any position and excels wherever she plays on the field. She has outstanding foot skills, a hard and accurate shot, and the ability to defend, pass and shoot with her head,” said Houghton.

Baker was the team scoring leader with 12 goals.

“If she wasn’t scoring the goal, she usually was involved with getting it into the back of the net somehow,” said the coach. Houghton also said he believes Baker will be a sound college soccer player.

“She is a big presence on the field,” he said. “You may not realize it if you met her off the field, but she really plays at a different level and is slowly becoming a great leader.”

The Goffstown boys soccer team included two players who received honorable mention in 2007.

Senior goalie Nick Campasano and senior midfielder Brad Downing both took home the honor for Randy Lovering’s squad.