The high school boys soccer campaign wrapped up a few weeks back, with Concord-Carlisle, Oliver Ames, Norwell, Lynnfield and Westport taking home state titles in their respective divisions.
But following the season-ending championship finales, many of the state’s top players were granted one last opportunity to hit the pitch for the Eastern Massachusetts Soccer Coaches Association all-star game. And it just so happens that a number of local individuals were selected to take part in the annual event.
Only two of those local talents, however, were named to the exclusive, six-man All-New England team. One of them just happened to be Gloucester High superstar Gino Tripoli.
The senior captain with the fleet feet and rocket of a shot consistently proved himself as one of the top goal scorers in the state. He finished the year with 32 goals and seven assists despite regularly drawing double and triple teams.
In winning Northeastern Conference Player of the Year honors, Tripoli led Gloucester to a 14-3-1 regular season record, the No. 2 seed in the Division 3 playoffs, and a trip to the state quarterfinals.
The other North Shore player to earn All-New England accolades was St. John’s Prep’s Jake Vana. Also a team captain, the versatile Vana finished his senior year with six goals and three assists — but it wasn’t his statistics that told the story.
He was a driving force in the midfield, regularly winning 50-50 balls, defending high level attackers and igniting a potent Eagles offense. He helped St. John’s Prep to a 14-1-2 regular season record and the No. 4 seed in the Division 1 tournament, where they were ultimately bounced in overtime by Ludlow in the Sweet 16.
Local players to earn nods to the All-Massachusetts team included Rockport’s Eddie Merz, Beverly’s Owen McCarthy, Masconomet’s Ara Scarpaci, Peabody’s Abou Kaba, Swampscott’s Lucas Bereaud, Hamilton-Wenham’s Andre Groberio, and St. John’s Prep’s Garrison Murphy.
There were also numerous locals named Eastern Mass. All-Stars: Rockport’s Atticus Anderson, Beverly’s Wilson de Leon, Ipswich’s Jack Totten, Manchester Essex’s Sammy Bothwell, Hamilton-Wenham’s Nick Stein, Peabody’s A.J. Forte, Salem’s Malcolm Edwards and Swampscott’s Jack Fredrickson.
The all-star games was played the day after Thanksgiving. In total, over 100 athletes took part in the games.
Contact Nick Giannino at NGiannino@gloucestertimes. Follow him on Twitter/X @NickGiannino_SN.