SWAMPSCOTT — A chilly late afternoon fall boys soccer showdown between Lynn Tech and Swampscott looked like it was set to be a great match in the first half, but things were all Big Blue in the second half.
Swampscott would win, 5-0 at Blocksidge Field, as they defeated Lynn Tech at home in what was a dominant defensive game by the Big Blue.
“I am proud of the boys, it was a lesson in patience because that Lynn Tech team and their back line is really disciplined and caught us offsides a bunch of times. They were really difficult to break down, but the boys stayed focused, stayed patient, and eventually we saw some good results,” Swampscott coach Adam Bailey said.
At the half, it was 1-0 in favor of Swampscott, with the lone goal being from Nico Croft on a loose ball in front of the net.
“This game can be a challenge at times, creating possessions and opportunities, but sometimes it just can’t happen, so you just have to focus and good things will happen,” Bailey said.
Swampscott went on a run in the second half scoring four goals and keeping the shutout. Bailey praised some of his players for their efforts on both sides of the field.
“I thought Max Arredondo was great in the middle today with his distribution,” Bailey said. “I thought George Spellios our right back, and Niko Croft from left back making runs up and creating some opportunities for us was big,” Bailey said.
Swampscott’s goals came in bunches in the second half. Costa Shub scored from 30 yards out to give the Big Blue their second goal of the game.
Then the goals started to pour in. Milad Sassin, Matt Pitman, and George Spellios all found the back of the net to put the game away.
Swampscott goalkeeper Charlie Ulberg put on an amazing performance holding Lynn Tech to a shutout with a number of key saves to help his team.
Despite the loss, there was some strong play by a number of Lynn Tech players, Efer Mendez, Jose De Leon, and Gabriel Alverez were all pushing the pace and creating opportunities for the Tigers, but could not capitalize on the opportunities.
“We were down 1-0, in the last 15 minutes, my team just gave up and we allowed five goals,” Tigers coach Tito Benitez said.
The message to the team is a simple one, to win the game you must put up some goals to be able to compete in a game like this.
“We cannot expect to win a game if we do not continue to play our positions with discipline and scoring goals,” Benitez said.
Lynn Tech will look to bounce back at home on Wednesday, against Mystic Valley Regional under the lights at Manning at 7:30 p.m. Swampscott will look to build off of their win with a home game on the same day against Saugus at 4:30 p.m.
Owen Finn is a student at Endicott College studying journalism
