Chris Hall took his defensive play to a new level this season with a rugged, fearless style.

The Messalonskee senior was an incredible presense in the Eastern Maine Class A regional semifinals, lifting the Eagles to a 2-0 win over defending state champion Bangor.

Hall was part of a defense that recorded nine shutouts and helped the Eagles to a 13-3-2 record.

“Chris is the most dominant defensive player I have ever coached in any sport,” said Messalonskee boys’ soccer coach Tom Sheridan, who also coaches the boys lacrosse team. “He just took opposing players out of the game. His leadership was excellent, he worked hard and he played hard.”

For his outstanding season, Hall has been named the Morning Sentinel Boys Soccer Player of the Year. Teammate Wyatt Omsberg, Mt. Blue’s Blake Hart, Winslow’s Finn Ducker and Lawrence’s Matt Saunders also were considered.

Hall led a defense that included Kevin McCarthy, Ryan Erskine, Carl Smith and goalkeeper Zach Sutherland. The Eagles put together a storybook season, reaching several milestones. Winning the Eastern A title and the semifinal win over Bangor were among the highlights.

“I am extremely proud of this season,” Hall said. “The support from the school, our classmates and the community was awesome.”

Hall fondly remembers the win over Bangor.

“We knew we were the underdog in the Bangor game,” Hall said. “We had scouting reports and knew their players. Bangor was the highlight of the season. We dominated that game, and it gave us a huge boost.”

Hall and the Eagles received a message midway through the season when they allowed a goal with two seconds remaining in regulation in a 1-1 tie with Brunswick. The Eagles had Brunswick beat, but a lapse in the final moments cost them.

“The Brunswick game showed us we had to finish games,” Hall said. “We realized it was the defense’s responsibility to keep the ball in the other teams’ end near the end of games.”

Hall’s aggressive style centered on his skills playing the ball first and not the opponent. When he plays a ball in the air, his objective is to win the ball and play it to a teammate.

“Defenders get a chance to see the field, everything is in front of you,” Hall said. “I play an aggressive style. I like to get to the ball first and then push forward to be a part of the offense.”

Hall and his teammates realized from the beginning of the season it could be something special. The entire defense was returning, had plenty of experience and knew each other quite well. It was a matter of working through the season, finding the right combinations and improving each time they took the field.

“The defense all came back, we knew each player’s style, strengths and weaknesses, it made it a lot easier,” Hall said. “I’m just glad we were able to do it the way we did. We worked hard and played as a team.”