Easton Native Leads Catholic Memorial soccer, Catholic Conference

Submitted to Easton Patch:

Catholic Memorial School senior , and Easton native, Ryan Lemoie got an early taste of glory in his high school years. As a sophomore on CM’s Division I state championship soccer team, the varsity captain of this year’s team has longer for that flavor of postseason success for two years now.
 
After losing a talented squad of seniors in 2010, the soccer team had a rebuilding year last year, earning some solid wins but missing the postseason by a win or two.
 
Under Lemoie’s leadership this season, Coach John Finn and the Knights hope to return to the depths of the Division I bracket.
 
“It was discouraging, last year,” said Lemoie, “but it certainly motivated our team to get to the playoffs this year.”
 
Lemoie has been more than a leader in name, scoring 10 goals and 12 assists through the first dozen games on the schedule. The Knights edged out tough opponents like Braintree and BC High and dominated teams like Boston Latin, Stoughton and Waltham.
 
Though conference foes St. John’s Prep and Xaverian eluded them in the regular season, Lemoie and his senior co-captains know from their 2009 experience that two conference losses doesn’t mean anything come postseason time.
 
“Our goal from the beginning of the season was to make the playoffs, win the conference, and make it as far as we could,” said Lemoie. “Those are my personal goals, too.”
 
Lemoie, who busies himself with student government, SADD, the National Honor Society and speech programs at CM, says he hopes to study pre-law in college, with his top choices being Wake Forest, Duke and UNC.  Lemoie also runs winter track and began playing lacrosse last year. He began his soccer career in Easton youth soccer before coming to CM in seventh grade.
 
A talented midfielder for the Knights, Lemoie has earned the respect of Coach John Finn. “Ryan’s the person who distributes the ball for us, whom everyone counts on to move it forward and keep us in the game,” he said.
 
“A good midfielder needs to set a tempo of play that’s best for the team at any given point,” Lemoie said. “He needs to control the ball better than anyone else.”
 
If Lemoie keeps exhibiting that control, which has gotten him to the top of the Catholic Conference leaderboard in goals and assists, his team will likely find its way toward that championship glory again.