Monomoy’s Layton, Nauset’s Poulin Sign Division I Commitments

Two of the Lower Cape’s top high school athletes solidified their commitments to Division I collegiate athletic programs last Wednesday.

Monomoy senior Emily Layton signed her Letter of Intent to play field hockey at the University of New Hampshire, and Nauset senior Logan Poulin finalized his commitment to play lacrosse at the University of Vermont. 

Both Monomoy and Nauset held signing ceremonies to celebrate the athletes’ commitments in front of their family, friends, coaches and teammates. 

“It’s so exciting,” said Layton, a Harwich resident. “I feel like it’s been a long time coming. It’s really dedication — it’s all my hard work finally coming through. I’m super grateful that I get to spend it with all the people that have got me to this point.”

Layton will graduate from Monomoy as one of the most celebrated players in the program’s history. She helped lead the Sharks to four straight Division 4 state semifinals appearances, including runner-up finishes after reaching the state final the past two years. 

The night before her signing, Layton helped secure a second straight trip to the state championship after netting a pair of goals in the team’s 3-0 victory over Sutton in the semifinals. 

“Emily’s clutch,” Monomoy coach Kyle Cappallo said after the semifinals. “She’s one of the most valuable players in the league. Playing that center position in the midfield gives us a lot of weapons as far as being able to break presses with her aerials.

“She’s a huge part of our offensive corner unit and is a great leader on the field. She comes up clutch when we need calls, when we need big tops in the field. She gives us a big advantage and that allows our forwards to take some risks.”

Although Layton’s recruitment began at an early age, it didn’t take her long to feel at home at UNH. 

“When I did my overnight [visit], I fell in love with their team culture right away,” she said. “The girls on the team felt like family, the coaches were awesome, the academics are very strong — I want to study business, and they have a great business school. It was just like the perfect package for me. 

 “I had been on my recruiting journey since eighth grade, so to finally have a home that I’m excited about is so special.”

 Poulin, a star for Nauset’s hockey and lacrosse programs, verbally committed to UVM last November after falling in love with the program while visiting the school’s campus in Burlington.

 “The area is obviously very beautiful, right on Lake Champlain, and the town of Burlington and the coaching staff really stood out to me compared to other schools,” he said. “The culture they have built is a culture I could see myself succeeding very highly in.”

 Although he has established himself as one of the Cape’s best hockey players during his three years, the Truro native ultimately decided the upcoming hockey season at Nauset will be his last on the ice. 

 “Growing up, all I wanted to do is play in the NHL as a kid,” Poulin said. “It’s a very tough pill to swallow, but the hockey world is very big. Now hockey can pull from the CHL, so there’s a lot of factors that go into it and the lacrosse coaches at Vermont really finalized my decision.”

 Nauset boys lacrosse coach Jesse Peno praised Poulin’s work ethic and the contribution he’s made to the Warriors, especially as a faceoff specialist.

 “I’m super proud of him,” Peno said. “He’s a kid that puts in all of the work that you don’t see behind the scenes. The faceoff position is unique, it’s such a technique-based thing, and you can tell that he puts the work in. 

“He’s a hard worker, and for a kid that’s so talented and makes such a huge impact, he’s such a humble kid and tremendous leader.”

Poulin said it was “awesome” to have the opportunity to celebrate his signing with his family, friends, lacrosse coaches and Nauset boys hockey coach Connor Brickley. 

The senior added that he feels he’ll be able to approach his last two high school sports seasons with less pressure after finalizing his college plans.

“Honestly for both sports, but especially hockey, I feel like I can play a lot better and a lot looser,” Poulin said. “Not necessarily lackadaisical, but I’m going to college for lacrosse and I can just have fun with it. That’s when I truly feel like I’m playing my best.”