HA’s Stephenson, Bangor’s Jeffrey named All-New England

BANGOR – As the son of the longtime president of the Maine Soccer Coaches Association, Ryan Jeffrey has been to many of the past all-star banquets at which the top high school soccer players in the state are honored.

When he was younger, the Bangor High senior forward helped his dad, Mike Jeffrey, set up and run the banquet. Two years ago he watched his older brother Jay earn All-America honors for his senior season at Bangor.

This year, Ryan Jeffrey was the one who was honored. Jeffrey, along with Hampden star Kim Stephenson, were named All-New England players Sunday at the 2002 banquet.

All-America honors were also announced, along with all-state teams, Coaches of the Year, and service awards – given to longtime coaches Ron Marks and Peter Belskis – at the Spectacular Events Center.

Players who were voted to the Eastern and Western Maine teams for all classes were also honored.

Falmouth High senior Patrick Halligan and Greely of Cumberland Center senior Kim Alexander were each named All-America players. Halligan, who led the Yachtsmen to three straight Class B state titles, finished his stellar career with 71 goals and 31 assists. He was All-New England last year.

Alexander’s Rangers won 2001 and 2002 Class A state titles. She scored 18 goals this year, including seven game-winners.

All-state, All-New England and All-America awards are revealed at the banquet, which made the afternoon special for Ryan Jeffrey and Stephenson.

“I didn’t expect to get this. There were so many good players in the room, it could have been anyone,” said sophomore Stephenson, the youngest All-New England honoree.

“I was surprised,” Jeffrey said. “I was a sophomore at the time [when Jay Jeffrey was an All-American] and I remember wanting to be All-America, too. But All-New England is a great thing.”

Other All-New England players were Lawrence of Fairfield goalie Nate Lovitz, North Yarmouth Academy forward Colin Minte, and Mount Ararat of Topsham junior Erika Stupinski.

Lovitz had 10 shutouts this year, including one in the Bulldogs’ Class A state final win.

Bucksport girls coach Jack Gordon and Lawrence boys coach Bob Towne were among the Coach of the Year winners. Gordon and Towne led their respective teams to their first regional titles.

The service award winners were two men familiar to Eastern Maine sports fans.

Belskis, who coached the Ashland boys to five Eastern Maine titles, one state championship, and 22 postseason appearances in 27 years with the Hornets, was honored during the boys banquet.

Marks was named other service award winner at the girls banquet. Marks started the boys soccer program at Schenck High of East Millinocket in 1972, won two regional titles, and then coached the Schenck girls for 19 years.

Marks who is also a longtime soccer referee, currently lives in Florida but returns to Maine for the summer and officiates some games in the fall. He also referees games during the winter season in Florida.

Marks was set to fly to Maine for the banquet but his flight was canceled because of a storm.