Shawsheen Tech Enjoys Another Successful Fall of Athletics

(Editor's note: The following information was submitted by the administration of Shawsheen Tech.)

The athletic teams at Shawsheen enjoyed another tremendously successful fall campaign.

The Ram girls soccer, boys soccer and volleyball teams all qualified for the MIAA state tournament and the state’s vocational tournaments while the football team once again won its league and advanced to the state semifinals.

The golf squad won the Commonwealth Athletic Conference once again and the cross country team sent seven boys and six girls to the Div. 4 state meet.

“I can’t say enough positive things about the commitment of our coaches and the performance of our athletes,” said Charles Lyons, Superintendent Director  “The tone they set at school has a profound positive impact on school climate.  Through education-based athletics, all students witness how success is ascertained through hard work and dedication.” 

Al Costabile’s football team continues to be one of the most consistent winners in Mass. in Div. 4. The state champs three years ago, the Rams won the league again last year before falling to Cardinal Spellman in the playoffs. This year, a team that set several offensive records once again captured the CAC title and advanced to the semifinals to face St. Mary’s of Lynn.

Running back Paul DePlacido, quarterback Michael O’Hearn and receiver Devonn Pratt all shattered Shawsheen Tech records during the season.

The Rams also won their 11th straight Thanksgiving Day football decision over Greater Lowell.

Doug Michaud’s girls soccer team was 16-2-1 during the regular season, falling only to Billerica, a Div. 1 team that reached the state tournament, and Wilmington, who eventually played for the Div. 2 North championship.

The girls finished with 12 shutouts and two other wins where they only allowed a single goal. Shawsheen beat Greater Lowell in overtime and then crushed Dimon Regional, 6-0, to win the state’s vocational crown for the sixth straight time.

Chet Flynn’s volleyball team ended up 18-4 overall, reaching the finals of the vocational tournament and falling in the North semifinals of the MIAA tourney. The Rams finished behind only undefeated Notre Dame of Tyngsborough in the CAC standings.

Dick Barriss’ boys soccer team had another good season, ending up 11-8-1 overall. The Rams fell in the opening rounds of both the MIAA and the vocational tournaments.

Tom Struthers’ Shawsheen golfers had another fine season, finishing first in the league championship tournament and qualifying for the state’s team tournament. The Rams were 18-4 overall during the season, falling only to Arlington Catholic twice, Austin Prep and Assabet Valley.

The cross country program, coached by Tim Broadrick, saw the boys and girls combine to finish the dual meet season with a record of 16-5. The boys were 8-2 and the girls finished 8-3 overall.

At the state vocational meet, the girls were third as a team and the boys were fourth. At the CAC meet, the boys were third and the girls ended up fourth.