LYNN — The North All-Star Soccer team blanked the South All-Stars 7-0 last night at Manning Field in a game that was not close from the beginning.
The North’s ability to keep possession and swarm on defense made any scoring chances difficult for the South.
Gloucester High School’s Andrew Coelho, the reigning Northeastern Conference MVP, continued his dominance and won MVP for the North. Coelho had himself a hat trick and a sweet assist that made his selection easy.
While Coelho was happy with how he played, the matchup against the South All-Stars was just about having a fun experience.
“It was really great to get a chance to play with some of my hometown friends for the last time, and it was really nice to be able to play against some of the kids I have seen in club throughout the years and have this last experience here at the famous Manning Bowl,” said Coelho.
Although an All-Star game is mostly about fun rather than the scoreboard, the North played like a well-oiled machine.
It had tremendous help with goals from Ryan Noci from Bishop Fenwick High School, Gloucester High School’s Jack Patten, and the Masconomet High School duo of Aidan Gauvain and Brennan Johnston.
Contributions and hard play from everyone led to this lopsided result leaving North Coach Armondo Marnoto astonished and wanting more.
“We got a comment from the other team it looked like we had been practicing for weeks the way these kids just gelled together, so credit to them; they were wonderful, and I am hoping we can face the East and the West because I would love to keep this team for the summer,” said Marnoto.
Amid a blowout, there were a few bright spots for the South, including the play of Lynn Classical High School’s Jair Alvarez, the South’s MVP. He had some of the best scoring chances for the South, including a rocket of a free kick from 30 yards out that just hit the right crossbar.
Eric Moreno, who coached the South All-Stars, raved about the play of Alvarez, whom he also coached at Lynn Classical.
“It has always been a pleasure coaching him, he is very technical. He is ready. He is going to play at Salem State. It is a really good program, so you can tell that when he was out on the field, he showed that he was a college-level player,” said Moreno.
These Agganis All-Star games are as enjoyable and fulfilling for the coaches as they are for the players.
On being asked to coach the South All-Stars, Moreno said, “It was a great honor. You know I have been coaching Classical for four years now, and there is usually great coaches that run these games, and to be selected and come to mind to be in this game, it was a great honor, I enjoyed it.”
For Marnoto, the nod to coach in an Agganis All-Star game was a long time coming and something he loved.
“It is great. I have been doing it for 25 years, but this is my first Agganis All-Star game, so it was an honor to be asked to coach this game, and I am hoping they will invite me back year after year.”
Coelho summed up the game best by saying, “It was an amazing experience, and I am really glad that I got this opportunity to be able to compete in this All-Star game with my coach and some of my best friends.”
