Men’s Soccer Showered with Individual Awards
Embarrassment of Riches with Six Cougars on All-Region Team
Six, yes six, members of the 2025 HCC men's soccer team have been chosen to the All-New England (All-Region) team. The accomplishment shows the level of talent the Cougars had on the squad this season as having six players selected on a non-playoff year is an ultra-rare feat. The Cougars had one athlete named to the first team and three to the second team. Two players were chosen to the honorable mention team. From the six All-New England selections, one player was named men soccer's Most Valuable Player (MVP) and another earned Player Award honors.
Elijah Picard (Westhampton, MA / Hampshire Regional HS) – Freshman – Midfielder / Forward - #4
2025 - 1st Team All-New England, Cougars Most Valuable Player
Picard was the Cougars' most dangerous attacking player, highly skilled and quick while possessing a lethal shot. Holyoke's MVP and a 1st team All-New England selection, he led the team in goals with eight and points with 18. Picard put forth a monstrous single game performance on October 11th, tallying four goals and two assists for ten points in an away game. He scored the Cougars' most spectacular goal of the season in the very next game at home, blasting an unsavable dipping and bending shot from 40 yards out that went off the upper left post and into the back of the net.
Lucas Castro (Chicopee, MA / Chicopee Comprehensive HS) – Sophomore – Defender - #2
2025 – 2nd Team All-New England, Cougar Player Award Recipient, Team Captain
2024 – Team Captain
Holyoke's anchor on defense for the past two seasons, Castro had an outstanding sophomore campaign. A two-year captain, the center back is a most worthy recipient of the Cougars Player Award that is given to an individual who perfectly represents what an HCC athlete should be in the way they carry themselves both on and off the field. A class act and an exceptionally hard worker, he reads the game well and can play with both skill and physicality. Not necessarily known for his offense, Castro exploded for a hat trick on September 20th, scoring all three goals with his head. Both of his parents are former HCC soccer players.
Owen McKeever (Ware, MA / Ware HS) – Freshman – Midfielder - #8
2025 – 2nd Team All-New England
McKeever was second on the Cougars in scoring this season, compiling 12 points with his four goals and four assists. A versatile player who works hard for his team, McKeever was comfortable in whatever role he was asked to play for his team. He scored a hat trick during an eight-point single-game performance on October 11th.
Ben Mahoney (Longmeadow, MA / Longmeadow HS) – Freshman – Midfielder - #10
2025 – 2nd Team All-New England
Mahoney was one of Holyoke's most dependable and consistent players throughout the year. A true battler who loves to compete, he brought a high level of intensity to every game. Mahoney was third on the team in scoring, registering four goals and three assists for 11 points. He had the team's longest multi-game goal-scoring streak this year, having potted a goal in three straight contests.
Jordan Torres (Plainville, CT / Plainville HS) – Freshman – Midfielder - #19
2025 – All-New England Honorable Mention Team, Team Captain
Torres was one of the Cougars' captains and a key component in the team's midfield. A smart distributer with tremendous vision of the field, the center midfielder led Holyoke in assists this year with five. Torres was one of the team's corner kick takers and free kick takers, possessing the ability to serve in a brilliant ball. He had a three-assist performance on September 20th, with two of those assists coming off nicely-served corner kicks.
Trey Akimana (Holyoke, MA / Vermont Academy) – Freshman – Midfielder - #7
2025 – All-New England Honorable Mention Team
Akimana was one of Holyoke's hardest workers, a true team player who was willing to do whatever it took to help his team succeed. He was not afraid to put his body in harm's way and almost all too often was willing to sacrifice for the good of the team. A clever player, Akimana was tricky with the ball at his foot and in maintaining possession with his teammates.
Photo: Picard during a 2025 home game.