Who are the real soccer GOATs, Argentina or Brazil? The correct answer to this question is the Gloucester boys soccer team, who held on tough for a big 1-0 win against the 15th seeded Newburyport Clippers. 

The lone goalscorer of the game was captain Gino Tripoli. He scored off a pass from captain Domenic Paone with 23:23 left in the first half.

Gloucester’s forward/offensive forward line was aggressive throughout the entire 80 minutes, with Tripoli, Paone, and Dylan Smith getting to the ball quickly. Smith was one of Gloucester’s strongest players, and had an amazing passing job between him and captain Brendan Anderton. Smith was just about everywhere over the field, laying down blocks and saving balls at the line. His kicks were strong and he was not afraid to get dirty with opponents. Paone and Tripoli exhibited a tough passing game to each other. The pair of captains were also there for each other in all circumstances throughout the 80 minutes of game play.

Anderton was a key player for the Fishermen as well. His throw-ins were far and on target. The captain was important for both the defense and the offense with his plays and technique. Paone played another terrific game on offense. He was put up many of Gloucester’s shots and easily stole the ball from opponents. He played the ball to the line and was vigilant in the box.

After Tripoli was missing last game due to a red card, he came back with his usual scoring performance. Late in the second quarter, he got tripped by a Clipper and looked in pain after. However, he bounced back up and recorded more shots onto the Clipper goal. He had good headers in the box.

Wesdra Silva had a strong game in the midfield, following his game-winning performance from Gloucester’s round 1 win. His kicks were strong and he made good passes to Tripoli. Dylan Rochford recorded a powerful performance in the midfield. Freshman Marslinou Tanious made good kicks in the backfield, along with Cole Ciolino. 

Defensemen and captains Leo Vitale and Benjamin Watts played reliably in the backfield for the Fishermen. Vitale was quick with his blocks and executed powerful traps. Watts’ kicks went far upfield, with one instance of him kicking from the Fishermen 30-yard line to the Clipper 30-yard line.

The true star for the Fishermen, however, was junior goalie Stefano Numerosi. Numerosi was rock-solid in the net, blocking every shot the Clippers kicked at him. The defense ahead of him were hard to get by, but it was even harder for the Clippers to get the ball behind him. The goalie made a jumping save on a corner, as well as many pickup saves and traps. His best save was when he had a one-on-one attempt by Newburyport, in which he dove across the net to trap underneath him. 

“It was a great game for us,” Paone said after the game. [It was] great to have Gino back and great to see him score the winner off my assist. [We] can’t ask for it better. Now, we are focusing on Dighton-Rehoboth for the game on Saturday.”