BY MAX LANG

This fall, the Beverly Boys’ Varsity Soccer team headed to the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. 

Helping them get there was a plethora of foreign exchange students and newly promoted players. 

Joining the Varsity program in the offseason were foreign exchange students, Daniel Boggia from Germany and Federico Clavarino, Matteo Buonanno, and Paolo Buquicchio, from Italy.  

Also making their varsity debuts were Freshman Daniel Wilder; Juniors Jared Provost, Nick Porcello, Devin Koloski and Joe Lacrignola; and Seniors Dmitri Piasecki, Declan McHugh, Max Lang, Brendan Connolly and Shane Barker.

The Panthers team was led by Goalkeeper Matt Roy, Defender Max Hemsey and Midfielders Trevor Gilligan and Ian Visnick.

The team recovered from a rocky start to their season.

Some difficult losses saddled a promising team with a pedestrian 4-7-1 record. 

After a particularly heartbreaking loss 1-0 to an exceptional Acton-Boxborough team, JV Coach Mike Collins of the Junior addressed the Varsity Panther squad.

“We’re in a difficult position right now,” Collins said. “But, it’s not over yet. It’ll be one hell of a story if we make the tournament.”

The team rallied and went on a five game win streak, qualifying them for the tournament. Buoyed by their success, confidence ran high as the players prepared to face North Andover in the first round of the playoffs.

“We have a good team this year,” Panther Captain Ian Visnick stated. “All we have to do is work hard and together and we can have a successful [post]season.”

Sure enough, the Panthers shutout North Andover for a 1-0 victory on November 4.

Two days later, Beverly Boys’ Soccer was knocked out of the playoffs by St. John’s Prep. 

The team finished with a final record of 9-9-2.