As a freshman, Cody Dussault knew he was an athlete.

As a graduated high school senior, the multi-sport varsity athlete is now a true lacrosse player.

Tabbed the past two seasons to wear Lewiston High School’s coveted No. 13 jersey, Dussault has risen from lacrosse newbie to high school All-American in four short seasons, much to the dismay of opposing offenses.

“It’s not unusual to see a player become a good lacrosse player even if he started as a freshman,” Lewiston head coach Bill Bodwell told the Sun Journal earlier this season, “but it is unusual, you don’t see many players, regardless of how many years they’ve played, get to his level.”

Dussault’s level of play can easily go unnoticed. He plays defense in a sport known for its intense running and high-scoring offense. As a defensive leader, the less he’s noticed on the field, the better the chances are that he played a good game.

“When he’s in the right spot, when he’s playing his angles correctly, he’s sending a message that whoever he’s playing on that you’re not going to get where you want to go,” Bodwell said.

Dussault was the key cog in a Blue Devils defense that only allowed 62 goals in 15 games counting the playoffs, an average of 4.13 goals against, and he often drew the assignment covering the top player from the opposing squad.

“Especially going into games against teams like Messalonskee and Portland, coach pretty much told me I was going to be on an island with their top player,” Dussault said. “He said, ‘We’re really not going to give you any help.’ I knew I had to be focused and ready to go in those games.”

He was more than focused and ready for those, and the rest of his games this season.

For his prowess on defense, his ability to shut down the best offensive players in Maine and for his dedication to becoming one of the best players in the state in his own right, Dussault is the 2011 Sun Journal All-Region boys’ lacrosse player of the year.

Boys’ Lacrosse All-Region team

First team

Matt Adams St. Dom’s Attack

Troy Haefele St. Dom’s Attack

Curtis Robinson Lewiston Attack

Sam Cloutier Lewiston Midfield

Andy Ripley Oxford Hills Midfield

Sean O’Connell St. Dom’s Midfield

Cody Dussault Lewiston Defense

A.J. Larrabee Mt. Blue Defense

Sheldon Jones Lewiston Defense

Dylan Rodrigue St. Dom’s Defense

Jesse Leeman Lewiston Goalie

Cody Rodrigue St. Dom’s Goalie

Second team

Elliot Chicoine Lewiston Attack

Matt Davis Mt. Blue Attack

Nathan Rolston Oak Hill Attack

Chris Finlay St. Dom’s Midfield

Brandon Tiner Lewiston Midfield

Trevor Sampson Oak Hill Midfield

Steven Patrie Lewiston Defense

Tom Applegate St. Dom’s Defense

Josh Brown St. Dom’s Defense

Eric Vattaso Oak Hill Defense

Will Aronson Oak Hill Goalie