When the boys lacrosse team at Hopedale High qualified for the district tournament for the first time in the program’s brief history, a variety of players could easily be singled out for a job well-done.
Goalies often get the credit for a team’s success and often are unfairly ridiculed when victories are scarce. In Dan Hollis’ case, the junior deserves plenty of accolades because he’s established himself as one of the premier net-minders in Central Massachusetts.
The 6-foot-3, 165-pound Hollis has been Hopedale’s starting goalie since his freshman year and he’s been in the program since grade seven, competing initially as a junior-varsity midfielder before switching to goalie as an eighth-grader. The Blue Raiders’ varsity went 7-13 with Hollis in goal as a freshman and last year they missed the tourney by a game (9-11).
At Local Town Pages deadline, the Blue Raiders were 11-3, and they’ve got their ticket punched for the playoffs. A big reason for the school’s success can be traced to Hollis’ statistics. His goals-against average is 5.1 and his save percentage is an impressive 73.5. During the team’s first five games, Hollis had surrendered only 15 goals.
“It’s a thrill to be going to the tournament,’’ he said. “It was a realistic goal because we have talented players. Our team works hard, is in good shape and we’re motivated. We fell a game short of qualifying last season and we didn’t want to miss out again.’’
Coach Eric Moxim is effusive in his praise of Hollis, labeling him as “an exceptional young man.’’ It’s easy to understand the coach’s positive vibes, especially when Hollis points to three teammates as keys to the team’s success.
“Isaac Moore, Matt Crepeau and Robbie Siefring are dedicated and hard-working defensemen,’’ Hollis emphasized. “Their play is not only impressive, but also amazing. They were major contributors in limiting our opponents to only 15 goals in our first five games.’’
Moxim is bullish on his left-handed goalie for a number of reasons. “Dan has fantastic hand speed,’’ the veteran coach said. “He makes saves with his stick and that leads to us getting possession. He’s instinctive, technically sound, has a high lacrosse IQ and his body control is very good. Dan’s a good student and he’s a happy-go-lucky kid who’s always positive and always smiling.’’
Hollis, who was a Mid Mass. League honorable-mention all-star the last two seasons, has a style that any coach would admire. “I try to be the quarterback,’’ Hollis said. “I’m always trying to communicate and I rely on my reflexes, being intense and aggressive.’’
Hollis’ prime objective at the start of the season was to qualify for the tourney. His second goal was to make opposing teams respect Hopedale and his third was to improve his personal statistics. “We qualified and it’s something we’ve all wanted for a year,’’ he noted. “We hope to surprise teams in the tourney and that would make opponents take us seriously. And, I’m hoping to finish with a save percentage above 70.’’
Moxim was impressed when Hollis emailed him after his jayvee season as a seventh-grader, requesting a switch from midfield to goalie. He promised the coach he would eventually be a starter. Moxim made the move and it paid dividends. “Dan wasn’t a very good midfielder,’’ Moxim said. “He wanted to be a goalie and he thought he could start in two years. He achieved that when he became our starter his freshman year.’’
An honor-roll student, Hollis, who’s secretary of his class, also plays ice hockey. He’s been a four-year defenseman for Hopedale, which competes with Milford, Whitinsville-Christian and Millis as a co-op team. “We got to the tourney last season but I didn’t play because I was recovering from a broken collarbone suffered in our third game,’’ he said.
Healthy so far during his lacrosse career, Hollis truly enjoys the challenge goaltending provides. His favorite situation is making a clutch save and he regards a step-down shot as his most difficult save.
“I enjoyed making three big saves in about 40 seconds against Northbridge in a close game that we won,’’ he recalled. “If a defender gets beaten, then I’m usually facing an attackman who’s open. Making a save on a step-down shot, or a one-on-one situation, is the toughest challenge.’’
Hollis rates his best game a 7-4 triumph this year over Worcester. “It was the first time we’ve beaten them,’’ he emphasized. “When I was the back-up goalie as an eighth-grader, they defeated us 22-2. Last year, they beat us twice by 7-5 scores. So, our first win over Worcester showed how much progress we’ve made and getting 21 saves was satisfying.’’
Planning to major in marketing in college, Hollis is drawing interest from schools that admire his lacrosse ability. He’s considering Bentley, Emanuel, Pace and the University of Tampa. “I’m humbled at the interest,’’ Hollis said. “It’s a cool experience.’’
Hollis has a competitive philosophy that stresses “a drive to win and to improve’’ and he firmly believes Hopedale can be successful in the tourney if players remain healthy, continue to work hard and don’t look beyond the game at hand.
Rating his mom (Jennifer) as his role model for her support and encouragement, Hollis also rates Moxim highly. “Coach Moxim has been a big help to me,’’ Hollis said. “He’s a motivator who makes regular athletes into good lacrosse players. Our assistant coach, Tim Pizzarelli, also has been a tremendous help.’’
No matter how Hopedale fares in the playoffs, it’s obvious that Dan Hollis has played a major role in establishing Blue Raider tradition. It took four years to become a tourney team and it also took a lot of pioneering spirit.
Issue Date:
June, 2017
Article Body:
Column: