Moses Brown Soccer Star Poom Mera Named an All-American

Moses Brown news release…

Moses Brown School is proud to announce that MB senior Poom Mera ’17, from Swansea, Massachusetts is one of three Rhode Island students named as an NSCAA All-New England selection and the only Rhode Island school soccer player named as an NSCAA All-American. This is the first time in MB history that an MB student has been named as an NSCAA All-American player for soccer; MB also counts All-Americans in lacrosse and swim. Mera was voted to receive this award by Rhode Island coaches in all divisions. 

MB Director of Student Life Beth Lantz, who has been Mera’s advisor since ninth grade, says, “No one is more deserving of this award than Poom! He is a dedicated athlete – playing soccer year-round on a travel team and managing his schoolwork. He has blossomed during his time as an upper school student and carries himself with such integrity. Poom leads by example and his success is a testament to his diligence and talent.”

Mera came to MB in middle school and has come into his own academically at Moses Brown. Faculty laud Mera for his positive energy in the classroom and team spirit, both on and off the field.

A dedicated soccer player since age four, Mera joined the MB soccer team in his sophomore year.  Before MB, he played on the New England Revolution Youth Academy team; he also plays on a club team through Global Premier Soccer. In addition to soccer, Poom has also worked as a camp counselor, volunteered at a local hospital’s pain center, and served as a waiter and busboy at his family’s restaurants. The Meras emigrated from Thailand and operate Thai Taste in Swansea and Thai Taste Too in North Dartmouth.

Boys’ Varsity Head Coach Eric Aaronian, of Seekonk, says, “We had a fantastic year this year and Poom had a great individual season scoring 12 goals and totaling 5 assists. He’s the kind of kid who gets an award like this and calls it a team award. Poom recognizes that he could not have played at the level he has without the team surrounding him. He is a great representative for our school.”

For his part, Aaronian was again named R.I. Private School Coach of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, his second time to be so honored by the NSCAA. A member of the upper school science faculty, Aaronian has coached the boys’ varsity team for the last eight years.  “I am incredibly lucky to be able to coach such wonderful student-athletes,” says Aaronian. “They see the fields as an extension of the classroom and attack practice and games with as much effort and enthusiasm as they put into their schoolwork.”

Moses Brown also congratulates the MB boys’ soccer team for winning the Division II Sportsmanship Award for an unprecedented seventh year in a row. The Sportsmanship Award is voted on by the R.I. Coaches Association, recognizing the team that best displays integrity, character, and fair play during the entire season.

The MB boys’ varsity soccer team completed an undefeated season (17-0-2) and won the DII State Championship, their first state title since winning the DIII State Championship in 2007.