Bonfim named Region 21 Player of the Year, highlights six All-Region selections
Haverhill, MA (11/01/2023) — Following the conclusion of the most successful season in the history of the Northern Essex Community College men's soccer program six members of the team have earned All-Region accolades, highlighted by Regional Player of the Year Jadiel Bonfim (Nashua, NH) who was one of four Knights named to the All-Region First Team.
Bonfim currently ranks second in the nation in goals with 27 and has added six assists on the season for a total of 60 points on the season which ranks him third overall nationally in that category. On October 11th Bonfim was named the NJCAA Player of the Week as he recorded a 13 point week with a pair of hat tricks against Roxbury and MassBay, while also adding an assist in the game with Roxbury.
Joining Bonfim on the All-Region First Team were Kaleb Gainini (Lowell), Will Paganini (Derry, NH) and Jonathan Diaz (Methuen).
Gianini finished second on the team in goals scored with 15 and added three assists to finish with 33 points on the season. Diaz who was an assist machine on the season as he handed out 14 helpers on the season added 11 goals of his own to finished with 36 points on the season. His 14 assists currently rank third in the country.
Rounding out the first team selections was Paganini who started all 15 games in goal for the Knights. He had a 1.97 goals against average over 1,186 minutes of action and recorded three shutouts.
Nikos Kakavitsas (Athens, Greece) was recognized with second team honors while Ronan Harrington (Newburyport) earned Honorable Mention recognition.
Kakavitsas finishes the season with nine points on three goals and three assists while playing a significant role in the defensive midfield. Harrington, the Knights top defender finished the season with six points on two goals and two assists.
On the season, NECC finished as the regular season champions and earned the top seed in the Region 21 and Northeast District Tournament with 11-3-1 overall record and 7-0-1 record in league play. Following a semi-final playoff victory of CCRI, the Knights fell to Bunker Hill in the championship game, falling short on their bid for a first ever region and district championship and berth in the national championship tournament.
Northern Essex Community College, the first Federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution in New England, is an education leader for the Merrimack Valley. Through a supportive learning environment and cultural inclusion, NECC embraces all identities and inspires initiative and excellence through top-notch affordable certificate and associate degree programs online and at campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence. NECC offers many bachelor's degree transfer options, workforce development and community education classes, and is host to the NECC Police Academy, MassHire Merrimack Valley, and Gallaudet University's Regional Center for the deaf and hard of hearing. Visit Northern Essex online at www.necc.mass.edu.
Northern Essex Community College
Melissa Bouse, (978) 556-3869, mbouse@necc.mass.eduShare this Story
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