LYNN — The North came out victorious with a convincing 4-0 win against The South during the Agganis Boys Soccer All-Star Game at Manning Field. Newburyport’s James Forrest-Hay (2 goals) was named North’s MVP, while Nathan Braz of Peabody, who filled in at goalie, was the MVP of the South.
They say the stars come out at all-star games – a statement proving true in the first half. Forrest-Hay received a perfect lead pass around midfield before showing his composure in front of the net, slotting one past Braz for a 1-0 North lead.
“We got a goal in the first five to seven minutes, which was good,” North/Newburyport coach Shawn Bleau said.
The defensive intensity was there for both teams, too, especially North.
North was rewarded a corner kick midway through the first half, but it was cleared by the South, leading to a three-on-one break. Someone familiar with Manning Field, Lynn Tech’s Geovani Solis, made the play on defense to thundering applause.
“I just saw the ball running and was like, ‘I’ve got to slide, or else it would be a goal,’” Solis said. “I doubted that I was going to actually get it, but thank God I got the ball.”
Solis admitted his legs were tired, but he, alongside Amesbury goalie Charlie Mackey, commanded the game.
“I was exhausted in the beginning. After like 20 minutes, my legs were tired,” Solis said. “This might be one of my better games I’ve ever played.”
North took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
In the second half, South started to find its shooting boots, but to no avail. Fittingly, Mackey was playing at an all-star level, putting his body on the line for every shot, earning his clean sheet from beginning to end.
“Our keeper did a nice job. I think he could have been MVP today, too,” Bleau said.
“It’s all about our goalkeeper,” Solis said. “He saved a lot of what would be clear goals. He played very well.”
North doubled its lead courtesy of the clinical Forrest-Hay. Kenneth Suarez of Northeast Voke added the third, then, off a set-piece, Lynn Tech’s Erikson Licardie scored the victors’ fourth and final goal.
After the match, Bleau said he was happy coming back home.
“It’s awesome to coach in this event,” Bleau said. “I grew up in Lynn, so coming back here to coach is good stuff.”
Not only was Bleau back on familiar turf, but was once a recipient of the Agganis scholarship.
“I think I was one of the first soccer players to get an Agganis scholarship back in ’88,” Bleau said. “To come back and coach is pretty special to be part of this game.”
Bleau led Newburyport to an undefeated season, and couldn’t lie in saying he was happy with Tuesday’s win.
“I brought my lucky hat today. We went undefeated in our season, so I pulled it out of retirement for this game,” Bleau said. “I wanted to win one more and we scored some nice goals, so it was good.”
The win was a plus, but connecting with athletes was his favorite part.
“It was more about getting along with the kids – talking to them [and] seeing where they’re going next year,” Bleau said.
