Crimson Tide boys soccer team looks to build upon strong 2008 season

After last year’s 12-7-2 turnaround season, in which the Everett High boys soccer team captured the GBL title and won two tourney games before dropping a 1-0 heartbreaker to Framingham in the semifinals of the Division 1 North sectionals, second year head coach Fed Jannino and his crew have high hopes for another successful season for the Crimson Tide soccer program.
 “We had a lot of success last season, and hopefully we can build on that,” said Jannino. “But we have a lot of holes to fill and a tougher schedule than last year, so we will have to work hard to improve on last year.”
Jannino lost his entire starting defense, including his keeper. “We’re looking at a lot of boys in those positions,” said Jannino, though he noted that senior Captain Eric Westphal, who played midfield in 2008, has volunteered to move into the all important keeper spot. “Eric’s doing very nicely so far,” said the coach.
Westphal is one of five captains for the 2009 edition of the Crimson Tide. He will be joined by senior Marcos Rodriguez, (who plays at defensive midfield in Jannino’s 3-5-2 configuration); senior Ryan Canillas, another defensive midfielder; senior defender Daniel Carvalho; and junior striker David Lima.
“We have a lot of strong leadership on this team. We’ll be expecting this group to set the example for our younger players,” said Jannino.
Also returning is sophomore striker Felix DeBona, who scored 25 goals last year. Together with Lima, the duo form one of the top 1-2 scoring tandems in the state.
Jannino’s crew scrimmaged Revere and Melrose this past Sunday, scoring six goals and yielding none. “It was a good workout for us and we played well for the first week of the pre season,” noted Jannino.
The Everett boys will open their 2009 campaign on September 10 at Xaverian in Westwood, one of many tough non GBL foes (including St. John’s Prep, Brockton, and Central Catholic).

Hopes high for EHS girls soccer team

Although her team may be thin in numbers with 26 girls, EHS girls soccer head coach DeAnn Larrabee and her crew are enthusiastic about their upcoming season.
“We’re pretty excited to get the season underway,” said Larrabee, whose squad began their official practice sessions last week. “We have a strong nucleus of girls who are returning and we’re hoping to turn things around for a successful year.”
The Lady Crimson Tide will be led by a trio of senior captains: forward Jessamy Fuentes, defender Donna DiBattista, and midfielder Tracy Nicholson. “These girls are excellent leaders and I know they’ll set a great example for our younger players,” said Larrabee.
Everett for the first time obtained a waiver for eighth graders to play at the high school level, which means that Larrabee is greeting five girls who are moving up to high school status.
“It’s still early and we’re looking at a lot of girls in different positions,” said Larrabee, who noted that she is looking for a keeper, having lost last year’s goalie to graduation.
Larrabee and her squad will open the season September 10, hosting Lynn English, and hopes to schedule some scrimmages in the coming days.

Enthusiasm is high for EHS field hockey

Although Colameta still is in the process of putting together her squad, which will feature Martine Mathurin returning in goal, she said she feels confident that this year’s edition of the Lady Crimson Tide will be competitive with every team on their schedule. “Malden is the only other GBL school with a field hockey program, so we’ll be playing in the Northeastern Conference,” said Colameta. “But we feel as though we can play with anyone and we’re looking forward to a good year.”

Everett will open its season September 8, hosting Beverly.