Athletes of the Month – November

The Catholic Star Herald highlights the Diocese’s student athletes who stood out during the month of November.             

Mia Abbey

Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, Pennsauken

Soccer

Mia Abbey pieced together one of the most consistent goal scoring seasons in South Jersey this year. The Bishop Eustace junior scored at least one goal in 14 of her team’s 19 games, as the Crusaders compiled a 12-6-1 record and made an appearance in the South Jersey Non-Public B championship for the second time in the last three years. Abbey scored 19 goals and added six assists on the season, which included a two-goal effort in a 5-0 win over Holy Spirit in the semifinal round of the playoffs. Abbey, who has 38 career goals heading into her senior year, is committed to play at the College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Va.

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Justin Ceccanecchio

Saint Augustine Preparatory School, Richland

Soccer

Saint Augustine Prep’s primary playmaker, Justin Ceccanecchio, set the table for his teammates in an exceptional soccer season for the Hermits.

Ceccanecchio delivered a team-high 14 assists this season to finish with 27 over the course of career. Ceccanecchio also potted five goals this season, as the Hermits went 16-2-1 and won the Cape-Atlantic League Tournament for the second straight year. Ceccanecchio, who was one of the Hermits’ co-captains this year, is committed to play at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Va., next season.

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Emily Ezeiruaku

Paul VI High School, Haddonfield

Volleyball

Emily Ezeiruaku goes down in the history books as one of the most dominant hitters in Paul VI volleyball history. Ezeiruaku finished her high school career with 510 kills, including 166 this season, leading the team in that category for the second straight year.

Ezeiruaku also contributed 140 digs and 41 aces this season, as the Eagles clawed their way back into the Non-Public A state championship for the third consecutive season and finished with a 22-4 record. During Ezeiruaku’s four years at Paul VI, the team compiled an 88-10 record, four sectional championships and one state title.

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Tahmir Jones

Holy Spirit High School, Absecon

Football

Tahmir Jones was a shining star in one of Holy Spirit’s biggest games this year, as the senior wide receiver hauled in four passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns in the Spartans’ 36-33 win over Immaculata in the quarterfinal round of the Non-Public B playoffs on Nov. 3.

Jones tied the game in the second quarter with a 21-yard touchdown reception and put the Spartans ahead, 29-26, in the fourth quarter on a 44-yard touchdown catch. On the season, Jones had 20 receptions for 451 yards and six touchdowns. He also contributed 20 solo tackles, a fumble recovery and three interceptions. One of those interceptions was returned for a 44-yard touchdown in a 24-14 victory over Kingsway.

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Will Mrozinski

Paul VI High School, Haddonfield

Cross Country

Will Mrozinski wrapped up his high school cross country career in style by taking 19th place in the state Meet of Champions on Nov. 11, which includes the best of the best runners in all 21 counties. Mrozinski finished the race in 16:16, which was the fastest time by a Paul VI runner at Holmdel since 1991.

Earlier this season, Mrozinski won the Bob Kiessling Invitation Meet on Oct. 28 at Dream Park in a time of 15:15 for the first-place Eagles. On Nov. 4, Mrozinski ran a 16:17 at Holmdel to place eighth in the Non-Public A state championship. He also placed second in the Manhattan College invitational on Oct. 14.

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Sophia Stazi

Camden Catholic High School, Cherry Hill

Field Hockey

From day one, Sophia Stazi crashed into the category of elite high school field hockey players in South Jersey. The phenomenal freshman scored in her first varsity game and never slowed down, filling the cage with a team-best 33 goals this season, in addition to 11 assists, as the Irish went 18-2-1 and won their second consecutive Non-Public state championship and the third state title in school history. Stazi didn’t shy away in the big games, as she scored in every playoff game, including a hat trick in a first round victory over Trinity Hall. On Nov. 11, she scored the third goal in a 3-1 victory over Oak Knoll in the state championship game.