LYNN — It’s been awhile since Classical’s Tyler Dugan and his Rams teammates have been on the soccer field together. But with Lynn teams getting the go-ahead to start practices next week, a soccer season starting in April is now looking to be just on the horizon.
“It’s definitely exciting,” Dugan said. “It’s been pushed back so far, we didn’t even know if we would get the chance. The weather is going to be getting nicer around then, it’s a tougher league (in the Greater Boston League) but we’re up for it.”
And while Dugan’s chances to dawn the Rams’ green and gold again are looking as optimistic as ever, it still won’t be the end to the senior’s time on the soccer field. With his season in limbo Dugan still found a place to continue his soccer career and education, committing to Anna Maria College in Paxton.
Soccer actually became an added incentive during the college search as Dugan, who hopes to become a firefighter in the future, made education his primary goal during his decision making.
“It was just a good overall fit for me,” Dugan said. “When I started looking into schools, especially with COVID, I looked more on the education side of things. They have a great fire science program, which is what I’m interested in studying, so that definitely stuck out to me.”
On the soccer side of things, Dugan sees a chance to make an impact on a younger team that competes in Division III’s Great Northeast Athletic Conference.
“I liked it,” Dugan said of the program. “They have a younger team and right now they’re trying to rebuild things. As a freshman, going in I want to prove myself and earn a spot and this is a good place to do it.”
Finding that place obviously wasn’t as easy without playing in the fall. Even Dugan’s club team Lynn United was only able to compete in one tournament, but the practices still helped keep him sharp and in shape.
“It was crazy at the start to find that being at Classical, all through the summer we weren’t able to do anything,” Dugan said. “Until now we weren’t even sure if we would have a senior season. I wasn’t sure how that would affect things while looking for a school. I had to look around and talk to coaches about my sophomore and junior seasons instead of my senior year, which wasn’t what I expected before this.”
Dugan, who will serve as a captain this upcoming season, has served the Rams’ defense well at right back.
“As a player, Tyler is all about the work ethic and discipline,” said Classical coach Eric Moreno Jr. “He’s really the ideal model for a coachable player. He’s really humble as a person. He shows up, puts his down and gets to work.
“I know it was difficult for him,” Moreno Jr. said. “Thankfully he’s always in the gym and always staying in shape. Coaches were still able to accommodate him and talk to him because of his experience.”
Both Moreno Jr. and Dugan are excited for the chance to get back to work together with the rest of the team starting in April.
“The new league will be tough,” Moreno Jr. said. “But his season will be about just being thankful to be out there and rebuilding. We’re already setting our sights on making an impact next fall with a hopefully a more normal season.”
“I want to make an impact obviously,” Dugan said. “As a captain, I want to be a strong leader on the field. There’s tougher competition in the GBL so we’ll have to have that extra push.”
