Monday night at Newell Stadium the Gloucester High School Boys Soccer Boosters honored seniors and their parents before the Fishermen fell by a single goal to the NEC Small champions, Danvers High School.
The two teams played to a 0-0 halftime tie with Gloucester carving out the several goal scoring opportunities from free kicks and the run of play. Chris Peritore and Zach Ciaramitaro combined earlier on to create a few chances to test the Falcons' all-star goalkeeper before Peritore and Anthony LaRocca combined later in the half to trouble the Danvers defense.
The Falcons half-chances were dealt with by Chase Kelly and other Falcons forays were cut out by strong defensive play from Ignacio Farjas, LaRocca and Christian Favalora.
In the second half Danvers took advantage of a Gloucester positional error and miskick to take a single goal lead.
The rest of the game was largely played between the penalty boxes with a few scrums closer to goal but few genuine chances as both teams fought for every inch of mud and grass at Newell Stadium. Gloucester had a penalty shout in the second half when a Danvers foul appeared to have taken place in the box was adjudged to have taken place just outside the eighteen on the left flank.
With thirteen minutes to play Gloucester switched from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 in an attempt to apply offensive pressure but Danvers did well to cut off the supply to the Gloucester strikers.
Gloucester finished the 2009 campaign 6-9-3. Coach Cook would like to congratulate all of the varsity Fishermen for a hard-fought, honorable season. He would especially like to commend the team for its growth in tactical understanding. He looks forward to each player evaluating strengths and weaknesses before setting upon an off-season program of improvement. Finally, he would like to extend best wishes to the players who will depart at the end of the academic year: Ben Hannah, Zach Ciaramitaro, Christian Towler, Isaac Sperry, Ignacio Farjas, Chris Peritore, and Anthony LaRocca.
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Earlier on Monday, the Gloucester JVs played the Falcon JVs to a thrilling 2-2 at Newell Stadium.
Danvers took a 1-0 lead into halftime and a 2-1 into the later stages of the second half when a goal from Fishermen sophomore Logan Horne earned Gloucester its share of the points.
Although Danvers had the bulk of the possession, Gloucester generated just as many clear cut chances as the young Falcons. Patrick Kelley played a strong game in goal for the young Fishermen who finished the season with a 7-6-3 mark and a bright future ahead of them.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Big Blue Drowns Fishermen's Hopes of Tournament Play
Gloucester's hopes of returning to tournament play after a year absence were dashed when Swampscott scored three goals in the final twenty minutes of play on their home field Tuesday afternoon.
Gloucester earned a 1-0 first half lead on Chris Peritore's eleventh goal of the season. Zach Ciaramitaro who looked dangerous in his twenty first half minutes provided the assist.
Although the Fishermen generated several other opportunities, most coming on direct counterattacks through Peritore, Ciaramitaro, and Anthony LaRocca, they could not stretch the lead and had to settle for the single goal lead heading into halftime.
Despite missing two starters and three other varsity players through illness and injury, the Gloucester midfield and back four stymied the Big Blue attack. The Fishermen contained Swampscott's attacking all-stars and won more than its share of 50/50 balls.
The second half began with the Fishermen and Big Blue carving out chances but neither able to alter the score. Then half way into the final frame a Swampscott striker latched onto a missed clearance and passed the ball into the corner of the Fishermen goal to equalize.
Ten minutes later calamity struck the Fishermen. Ben Hannah, who had played an error free game as a central back for Gloucester, was harshly adjudged to have fouled a Swampscott attacker on his way to goal. Hannah was sent off for decent and Swampscott scored the ensuing penalty kick.
Down to ten men the Fishermen struggled to find their way back into the match but could not generate genuine opportunities and in the final minute the Big Blue put the game beyond doubt on a free kick from just outside the penalty box.
The loss eliminated the Fishermen from the tournament. Despite the disaster that struck late in the match the Fishermen showed themselves to be worthy opponents, having generated dozens of chances and having played with tactical discipline throughout the match.
Gloucester will end their season with Senior Night Monday, November 2 at 6:00 PM against Danvers.
*
The JVs continued their winning ways with a 2-1 victory over the Big Blue.
Gloucester earned a 1-0 first half lead on Chris Peritore's eleventh goal of the season. Zach Ciaramitaro who looked dangerous in his twenty first half minutes provided the assist.
Although the Fishermen generated several other opportunities, most coming on direct counterattacks through Peritore, Ciaramitaro, and Anthony LaRocca, they could not stretch the lead and had to settle for the single goal lead heading into halftime.
Despite missing two starters and three other varsity players through illness and injury, the Gloucester midfield and back four stymied the Big Blue attack. The Fishermen contained Swampscott's attacking all-stars and won more than its share of 50/50 balls.
The second half began with the Fishermen and Big Blue carving out chances but neither able to alter the score. Then half way into the final frame a Swampscott striker latched onto a missed clearance and passed the ball into the corner of the Fishermen goal to equalize.
Ten minutes later calamity struck the Fishermen. Ben Hannah, who had played an error free game as a central back for Gloucester, was harshly adjudged to have fouled a Swampscott attacker on his way to goal. Hannah was sent off for decent and Swampscott scored the ensuing penalty kick.
Down to ten men the Fishermen struggled to find their way back into the match but could not generate genuine opportunities and in the final minute the Big Blue put the game beyond doubt on a free kick from just outside the penalty box.
The loss eliminated the Fishermen from the tournament. Despite the disaster that struck late in the match the Fishermen showed themselves to be worthy opponents, having generated dozens of chances and having played with tactical discipline throughout the match.
Gloucester will end their season with Senior Night Monday, November 2 at 6:00 PM against Danvers.
*
The JVs continued their winning ways with a 2-1 victory over the Big Blue.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Fishermen Raid the Vikings, 4-0
Gloucester avenged a 0-1 loss to Winthrop earlier this year by beating the Vikings 4-0 in Winthrop.
A strong first fifteen minutes from the Gloucester XI led to Marcos Rodrigues' first goal of the season. Rodrigues took a pass from Anthony LaRocca before crossing to the back post. Instead of finding a Fishermen head, the ball found the back of the net.
Gloucester let the Vikings back into the game when their up-tempo passing game slowed down. Winthrop looked dangerous on several restarts in the first half but strong clearances from the Fishermen back four and Chase Kelly's command of the penalty box kept Winthrop from scoring.
The Fishermen began the second half by returning to up-tempo passing and high-pressure defending. The tactics yielded dividends when LaRocca turned powerfully on a Ben Hannah pass before firing off the right-hand post.
Having doubled their advantage the Fishermen went looking for more goals. Chris Peritore scored his tenth goal of the season on an incisive pass from Hannah, who played perhaps his best game of the season as a deep lying holding midfielder.
The Fishermen finished their scoring minutes from the end. The move started when a pass from the Fishermen back line found target striker Aaron Horne, who played a square pass to Quinn O'Neill streaking down the right wing. O'Neill's cross found Kevin Hurd, who glancing header, was finished by left midfielder Paul Sutherland's run to the back post.
The Fishermen now travel to Swampscott on Tuesday, needing three points from their final two games in order to qualify for the state tournament.
A strong first fifteen minutes from the Gloucester XI led to Marcos Rodrigues' first goal of the season. Rodrigues took a pass from Anthony LaRocca before crossing to the back post. Instead of finding a Fishermen head, the ball found the back of the net.
Gloucester let the Vikings back into the game when their up-tempo passing game slowed down. Winthrop looked dangerous on several restarts in the first half but strong clearances from the Fishermen back four and Chase Kelly's command of the penalty box kept Winthrop from scoring.
The Fishermen began the second half by returning to up-tempo passing and high-pressure defending. The tactics yielded dividends when LaRocca turned powerfully on a Ben Hannah pass before firing off the right-hand post.
Having doubled their advantage the Fishermen went looking for more goals. Chris Peritore scored his tenth goal of the season on an incisive pass from Hannah, who played perhaps his best game of the season as a deep lying holding midfielder.
The Fishermen finished their scoring minutes from the end. The move started when a pass from the Fishermen back line found target striker Aaron Horne, who played a square pass to Quinn O'Neill streaking down the right wing. O'Neill's cross found Kevin Hurd, who glancing header, was finished by left midfielder Paul Sutherland's run to the back post.
The Fishermen now travel to Swampscott on Tuesday, needing three points from their final two games in order to qualify for the state tournament.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Sachems, Fishermen Draw 2-2
A late equalizer by Saugus meant heartache for the Fishermen who must now go 2-0-1 in the final three games to make the state tournament.
Pressure from the Sachems' strikers created a one goal lead in the first half when a back pass to the Fishermen goalkeeper led to a blocked clearance which found the corner of the goal. Gloucester's best chance to equalize came on Ben Hannah's run into the left channel. Hannah's run was spotted and the inch-perfect pass put him in on goal. His shot from fifteen yards was saved by the Sachems' goalkeeper who had come out smartly to cut down the angle.
The Fishermen erased the one goal halftime deficit when Chris Peritore finished a long diagonal pass from Ignacio Farjas. The Fishermen were able to carve out several more chances before a strong left-footed cross from Kyle Hurd took a deflection to Anthony LaRocca lurking at the back post.
Gaps in the Fishermen defense appeared immediately from the opening kickoff as the Sachems, looking for the equalizer, carved out a chance to equalize that was snuffed out by Farjas and Gloucester goalkeeper Chase Kelly.
The Fishermen switched from a 3-5-2 to a more conventional 4-4-2 for the final ten minutes. Despite the adjustment Saugus was able to stretch the Fishermen out of shape in the final third before an overlapping midfielder pounced on a half chance along the top of the penalty box, resulting in agony for the Fishermen, who surged forward but were unable to find a go-ahead goal in the dying minutes of the game.
The tie brings the Fishermen's record to 5-7-3 with matches against Winthrop, Swampscott, and Danvers yet to be played.
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The Fishermen JV took their record to .500 (6-6-2) with a 3-1 victory over the Sachems who had beaten them 4-3 at Magnolia Woods earlier in the year.
Pressure from the Sachems' strikers created a one goal lead in the first half when a back pass to the Fishermen goalkeeper led to a blocked clearance which found the corner of the goal. Gloucester's best chance to equalize came on Ben Hannah's run into the left channel. Hannah's run was spotted and the inch-perfect pass put him in on goal. His shot from fifteen yards was saved by the Sachems' goalkeeper who had come out smartly to cut down the angle.
The Fishermen erased the one goal halftime deficit when Chris Peritore finished a long diagonal pass from Ignacio Farjas. The Fishermen were able to carve out several more chances before a strong left-footed cross from Kyle Hurd took a deflection to Anthony LaRocca lurking at the back post.
Gaps in the Fishermen defense appeared immediately from the opening kickoff as the Sachems, looking for the equalizer, carved out a chance to equalize that was snuffed out by Farjas and Gloucester goalkeeper Chase Kelly.
The Fishermen switched from a 3-5-2 to a more conventional 4-4-2 for the final ten minutes. Despite the adjustment Saugus was able to stretch the Fishermen out of shape in the final third before an overlapping midfielder pounced on a half chance along the top of the penalty box, resulting in agony for the Fishermen, who surged forward but were unable to find a go-ahead goal in the dying minutes of the game.
The tie brings the Fishermen's record to 5-7-3 with matches against Winthrop, Swampscott, and Danvers yet to be played.
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The Fishermen JV took their record to .500 (6-6-2) with a 3-1 victory over the Sachems who had beaten them 4-3 at Magnolia Woods earlier in the year.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Update: 0-2 Loss to Malden, 0-0 Tie with Marblehead
On Monday Gloucester rebounded from a listless loss to the Greater Boston League's Malden Tornadoes by earning a hard-fought 0-0 draw with Marblehead.
On Saturday the Fishermen were without junior backs Connor Olson and Sean Dixon for the entire game and were without senior backs Anthony LaRocca and Isaac Sperry for part of the game. The Tornadoes made better use of the sloppy playing conditions and punished the Fishermen for defensive mistakes in each half. On the attacking end the Fishermen made better use of the ball in the second half but were unable to carve out clear scoring chances against a deep lying Tornado defense.
The Fishermen emerged from their weekend malaise to play uptempo football against Marblehead earlier this week. Although lacking in precision and, at times, guile, the team's hard work made sure they would earn a share of the points.
The Fishermen varsity returns to action today (Wednesday) at Saugus (4:00 pm).
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The Fishermen JV split the two most recent games, including a 3-0 win against Marblehead. After 13 matches the Gloucester JV has received goals from fifteen different players.
On Saturday the Fishermen were without junior backs Connor Olson and Sean Dixon for the entire game and were without senior backs Anthony LaRocca and Isaac Sperry for part of the game. The Tornadoes made better use of the sloppy playing conditions and punished the Fishermen for defensive mistakes in each half. On the attacking end the Fishermen made better use of the ball in the second half but were unable to carve out clear scoring chances against a deep lying Tornado defense.
The Fishermen emerged from their weekend malaise to play uptempo football against Marblehead earlier this week. Although lacking in precision and, at times, guile, the team's hard work made sure they would earn a share of the points.
The Fishermen varsity returns to action today (Wednesday) at Saugus (4:00 pm).
*
The Fishermen JV split the two most recent games, including a 3-0 win against Marblehead. After 13 matches the Gloucester JV has received goals from fifteen different players.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Rams Snag Fishermen, 0-1
A late goal against the run of play gave the Lynn Classical Rams a 1-0 victory over the Gloucester Fishermen yesterday at Manning Field.
Strong performances from Christian Favalora and Sean Dixon man-marking the Rams' Miguel Castro along with support from Ignacio Farjas, Isaac Sperry, and Anthony LaRocca made sure Lynn Classical chances were few and far between.
Patient, tactical defending set the table for counterattacking opportunities for Kevin Hurd and Chris Peritore in the first half. In the second half Gloucester took more of the initiative with chances falling to Ben Hannah and Peritore. In one sequence an inch perfect cross from Hannah led to powerful header by Peritore crashing off the crossbar. Peritore then fired the ensuing rebound off the far post.
The Fishermen fall to 5-6-1 with the loss and look to rebound against the Malden Tornadoes at Newell Stadium on Saturday at 3:00 pm.
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The Fishermen JV pulled to within a game of the .500 mark with 5-0 victory over the Rams at Hood Park in Lynn. With a 1-0 lead a halftime Coach O'Neill challenged his players to school two early goals; the Fishermen came through with two early goals before O'Neill rung the changes. The Fishermen managed to keep the pressure on despite the changes in personnel, cruising to a decisive, well-deserved win.
Strong performances from Christian Favalora and Sean Dixon man-marking the Rams' Miguel Castro along with support from Ignacio Farjas, Isaac Sperry, and Anthony LaRocca made sure Lynn Classical chances were few and far between.
Patient, tactical defending set the table for counterattacking opportunities for Kevin Hurd and Chris Peritore in the first half. In the second half Gloucester took more of the initiative with chances falling to Ben Hannah and Peritore. In one sequence an inch perfect cross from Hannah led to powerful header by Peritore crashing off the crossbar. Peritore then fired the ensuing rebound off the far post.
The Fishermen fall to 5-6-1 with the loss and look to rebound against the Malden Tornadoes at Newell Stadium on Saturday at 3:00 pm.
*
The Fishermen JV pulled to within a game of the .500 mark with 5-0 victory over the Rams at Hood Park in Lynn. With a 1-0 lead a halftime Coach O'Neill challenged his players to school two early goals; the Fishermen came through with two early goals before O'Neill rung the changes. The Fishermen managed to keep the pressure on despite the changes in personnel, cruising to a decisive, well-deserved win.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Fishermen Conjure a Victory against the Witches
Strong defensive play by Gloucester's back four ensured that Chris Peritore's 4th minute goal on a pass from Marcos Rodrigues would stand up, as Gloucester left Newell Stadium with a 1-0 win and a .500 record (5-5-1).
Gloucester generated several more chances in the game, the best coming from Quinn O'Neill, Kevin Hurd, and Rodrigues, but none of the efforts found the back of the net.
Salem earned chances of their own most of them coming from the right wing but the closest they came was a second half effort that found the outside of the far post from a tight angle.
Gloucester returns to play Thursday against Lynn Classical at Manning Field.
*
The Gloucester JV took an early 2-0 lead over the visiting Salem JV on goals from Sam Monroe and Logan Horne. Despite conceding three goals over the course of the match two more Fishermen goals ensured GHS left the pitch with a victory, 4-3.
Gloucester generated several more chances in the game, the best coming from Quinn O'Neill, Kevin Hurd, and Rodrigues, but none of the efforts found the back of the net.
Salem earned chances of their own most of them coming from the right wing but the closest they came was a second half effort that found the outside of the far post from a tight angle.
Gloucester returns to play Thursday against Lynn Classical at Manning Field.
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The Gloucester JV took an early 2-0 lead over the visiting Salem JV on goals from Sam Monroe and Logan Horne. Despite conceding three goals over the course of the match two more Fishermen goals ensured GHS left the pitch with a victory, 4-3.
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