Six Women’s Soccer Student-Athletes Named to All-Region 21 Teams
Oct. 24, 2018 – A total of six Massasoit women’s soccer student-athletes were named to the NJCAA All-Region 21 teams announced by the conference office.
Representing the Warriors on the all-region teams included, Samantha Baston (Carver), Alex Santos (Whitman) and Anya Welch-Batstone (Avon) with first team recognition, while Morgan Acorn, Betty Blake and Amanda Sesock, all Whitman natives, earned spots on the second team.
Baston produced a standout freshman campaign as a center midfielder for the Warriors. The Carver native led Region 21 in points (53) and assists (13) and finished second in goals scored to teammate Welch-Batstone. Baston scored a goal in 11 of 14 games, including a three-goal, five-assist performance vs Bunker Hill en route to earn NJCAA National Player of the Week honors on October 8. In addition, Baston’s 53 points marked the most in a season since Shelby Sprague tallied 66 points in 2016.
Welch-Batstone was another stellar freshman for head coach Jim Stapleton in 2018. The Avon native topped the region in goals (21) and finished second in points (51). The forward finished with seven multi-goal performances, including a five-goal effort vs Bristol in late October.
Santos was a do-it-all player for the Warriors during her second season donning the Green and White. The team captain played primarily on defense in her sophomore season, but still ended the year with nine goals and nine assists for a total of 27 points. For her two-year career, Santos finished with 22 goals and 13 assists.
Another strong freshman was defensive midfielder Blake of Whitman. In her first year, Blake finished with 12 goals and seven assists, starting all 14 matches for the Warriors.
After having her freshman season cut short due to injury, Amanda Sesock rebounded in 2018 with a solid sophomore season. Another Whitman native, Sesock netted seven goals and dished out nine assists, seeing time at both forward and midfield.
Rounding out the six all-region student-athletes is Morgan Acorn. A fourth all-region selection from Whitman, Acorn served as the backbone to the Warrior defense as team sweeper. The defensive anchor helped Massasoit post five shutouts.