Eastern Mass. soccer All-Stars shine brightly at Concord-Carlisle
CONCORD – With over 150 players over eight teams, the EMSCA All-Star contests lived up to the bill at Concord-Carlisle High School on Friday morning.
Starting off with the Lennie Emmons All-Star Game, Excel Academy Charter School’s senior and All-State team member Mohamed Mehaya had the lone second half goal and an assist on a tally for Lynn English senior Jose Licardie as Team Gray defeated Team Navy, 3-0.
“It feels good,” Mehaya said. “I came here trying to do my best and trying to help the team out.”
St. Mary’s of Lynn senior and All-State team member Mehdi Khemmich scored off a pass from Newton South senior and All-State member Gavin Sousa to end the scoring for Oliver Ames coach John Barata.
“That was a lot of fun,” Barata said. “Being out there with coach (David) Gavron from Wayland is awesome and having the chance to coach my boys one last time was really a nice honor. I look forward to seeing what they do in the next year.”
All-American senior Luke Churchill was joined on Team Gray by teammates Craig Churchill (All-State) and Jackson Mercieri.
“It’s great because it’s a super successful accomplishment,” Luke Churchill said. “Without my coach and without my team, it’s not possible because we had to have that success as a team.”
Chelmsford senior Vincent McGann of Team Navy was also named an All-American.
Don Brock All-Star Game
Team Green had four different goal scorers to take down Team Dark Grey, 4-0.
Seta Tah of Saint John’s heads the ball during an Eastern Mass. boys soccer All-Star game. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)
Needham senior and All-State team member Max Edwards made it 1-0 in the first half and Sharon’s Vlad Shkolnikov pushed one to make it 2-0 at the half.
“It feels pretty good,” Edwards said about scoring. “Just hanging out with a bunch of new people. Meeting a bunch of really good players, so it was pretty fun.”
Even in defeat, Div. 3 state champion and Div. 3 Coach of the Year for Dover-Sherborn Joe Gruseck was happy to coach a few of his players in All-State team members Caio Dos Santos and Jack Martin, and junior Hamilton Tsen.
“This game is all about having the fun and coming out here and watching the guys interact with each other,” Gruseck said. “They are with other All-Stars. It’s bittersweet.”
Bedford’s Spencer Goss made it 4-0 in the second half for Team Green.
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Team Navy edged Team Gray, 4-3, as two All-State team members had hat tricks.
Ryan Gasbarro of Newburyport moves the ball down the field duringan Eastern Mass. boys soccer All-Star game. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)
“It was awesome to watch these kids from all over the state come and play and then gel the way they did,” Division 5 Coach of the Year Kal Boghdan said about the experience. “They went out there and played together. It was a fun thing to be a part of.”
All-New England junior Jack Millward of Wakefield scored the final three tallies for Team Navy, including the game-winner with under two minutes left.
“It feels great,” Millward said. “Just being a part of this game is a big, big honor for me. I want to thank my team Wakefield and my coach Matt Angelo for the opportunity.”
Medfield All-State senior Charlie Curmi netted the other goal for Team Navy.
For Team Gray, All State junior Daniel Silva netted all three of his tallies in the second half to nearly overcome a 3-0 halftime deficit.
“It’s fantastic, first of all, to be able to be in the group of kids who are so phenomenal,” said Div. 1 Coach of the Year and Beverly head coach Edgar De Leon. “Every kid who’s here has earned the right to be here and they’re all great players.”
Seniors Connor Connolly and Owen Perry also played for Beverly on Team Gray.
EMSCA All-Star contest
Team Dark Gray edged Team Green 4-3 as All-State senior Calum McClorey of Braintree netted the lone tally of the second half for the winners.
“It means a lot,” McCorey said. “It’s recognition for my season.”
Pioneer Charter School of Science senior Rayane Chaibi, Lexington’s All-State junior Marc Chedid and BC High’s senior Colin Daley scored for Team Dark Gray in the first half.
For Team Green, All New England senior and Div. 4 state champion Nathan Askjaer of Cohasset scored to make it 4-3 in the second half. He was one of eight All-New England players to play on the day.
“It’s a good way to end the season,” Askjaer said. “I got to play with my boys here, so it’s definitely a pleasure and just having fun out here one last time while playing in a high school game against other high school kids. This is a fun event as you get to play with and against some of the guys you played in the season.”
Canton junior Vlad Francoeur and Newburyport junior Ryan Gasbarro netted tallies for Team Green in the first half.