The Western Mass. Soccer Coaches Association present the All-State, All-New England and All-American awards at the All-State Banquet, on Sunday, Nov. 23 at The Carriage House in Storrowton Tavern.
Twenty-four Western Massachusetts boys’ soccer players received their All-State awards this season, with three of them also earning All-New England selections.
In addition, Longmeadow’s Alexander Hensch received an All-American recognition for his stellar season with the Lancers.
“It was really cool, kind of the culmination of a lot of hard work,” Hensch said.
“One of the things I pride myself in the most is hard work. I’m always doing extra stuff out of practice, lifting weights and I really do think I work as hard as I possibly can. I’m glad to see it pay off with (this award), it was a cool way to end these four years.”
The Lancers’ attacking midfielder scored 18 goals and registered 13 assists this season en route to Longmeadow clinching the Smith conference title and the WMass Class A title.
The Lancers reached the quarterfinals of the Division II state tournament, their furthest run since 2022.
Making the season all the more memorable was the opportunity to play alongside his younger brother, Drew Hensch, as well as his younger cousin, Ryan Orszulak.
“I have three nephews on the team and to have success (with) somebody related to you is a little bit extra special for sure,” Longmeadow boys soccer coach John Pantuosco said.
“We have had some great players (at Longmeadow), talking about kids that have done very well in high school and in the college level, we had three or four kids play for UMass that made it to the Final Four (in 2019). We’ve had some great players, but Alex is among the best that I’ve ever coached here.”
Hensch is just the second player in Longmeadow history to receive the All-American recognition, joining former professional soccer player, Jay Heaps. Graduating in 1994, Heaps played at Duke University before making over 300 career appearances in an 11-year MLS career.
Heaps is the current president and general manager of USL Championship-club, Birmingham Legion FC. He previously coached the New England Revolution from 2011-2017.
“(Hensch has) done everything that he’s supposed to do the right way and the success that he has had is all due to his hard work,” Pantuosco said. “I knew that when he was a freshman, he was going to reach this level, because he’s been so determined his entire life to get to be the best that he could be.
“(Alex) has some has incredible potential. Not only has a soccer player, but as a person and even more importantly, as a leader, that represents all the good that comes out of a student athlete. He has learned an awful lot in the last couple of years about leadership, treating others with respect and treating the game with respect… Alex will be a wonderful leader in whatever he chooses to do.”
Earlier this fall, Hensch committed to continue playing soccer at Bates College (ME) next fall.
“I’m definitely excited… college is a big step up, but I think I’m ready for it,” Hensch said. “It’s going to be more physical, (but) I’m looking forward to making an impact and playing another four years and hopefully have as much success as I can.”
