Impressive comeback puts boys soccer one win away from NEC South title

The+GHS+boys+soccer+team+is+undefeated+in+the+NEC+South+and+looks+to+clinch+the+title+with+a+win+in+their+game+tonight+against+Winthrop+at+4%3A30pm

Mark Elliot Graham

The GHS boys soccer team is undefeated in the NEC South and looks to clinch the title with a win in their game tonight against Winthrop at 4:30pm

ANDREW COELHO, Staff Writer

After going 4 games without conceding a goal, GHS boys soccer looked down and out when they went down 2-0 to Swampscott. With 7 minutes remaining, Gloucester needed a miracle to turn this game around. 

Gloucester showed their dominance throughout the entire first half and were very unlucky to not get on the scoreboard. Although, their dominance was not displaced as they headed into the second half being down 1-0. Swampscott’s opening goal came from a quick set piece that caught Gloucester’s defense off guard. 

They continued to battle in the second half and looked like they were going to level it until about half way through the second half. Swampscott came rushing down the field on a counterattack and converted to make it 2-0. 

Being down and out before, Gloucester knew this came wasn’t over. Their spark of hope came when Captain Aidan Almeida got Gloucester on the score sheet with a deflection from the top of the box. Applying pressure and staying on the front foot, Geremy Palacios tied the game up after a forced defensive error as he slotted the ball into the empty net. 

In the last 2 minutes of the game, GHS continued their monument and were rewarded when Almeida found Captain Andrew Coelho on the back post off a corner kick, who headed it into the back of the net to conclude this miraculous comeback. 

Gloucester now moves to 9-2-1, and with this win have officially qualified for the MIAA Division 3 State Tournament. 

They host Winthrop today at Newell Stadium with a 4:30 pm kick off. With a win today, Gloucester will clinch the NEC South title. On Thursday, they host Salem on their senior night with a 6:30 pm kickoff time. Pop out to come support your fellow student athletes!