SOCCER

BHS seniors' teamwork yields tight games, close wins

Coach Viana pushes players past Hingham heartbreaker

Mike Richard
Barnstable junior Jayson Costa (4) moves toward the ball in the squad's recent 0-0 tie at Falmouth.

Back for his second season and with an arsenal of 12 seniors, Barnstable boys’ soccer coach Sam Viana has been ready for battle with his squad this fall.

However, before his team was able to face their adversaries on the soccer pitch, they had to get beyond the other enemy to sports this year, which has been the COVID-19 virus.

“We told them to be ready for the season and, because of everything being so condensed (with the COVID restrictions), we wouldn’t have a lot of time to spend on conditioning,” Viana said. “You have to come in fit, and they got the message and were better prepared this year, fitness-wise, than last year.”

The team preparation has fallen on the shoulders of senior captains Alan Ives, Chris Carter and Zade Shepherd, who “have been great for us, and they are leaders by example,” the coach said.

Ives is a key member of the forward line, while Shepherd is a midfielder, and Carter is a defender, nicely leading from all corners of the field.

Senior goalkeeper Shawn Calle “has just been a beast in goal throughout the year,” Viana said. “If something were to break down on the field, we feel he’s one of the top shot-stoppers on the South Shore and the Cape Cod area. It’s hard to find a keeper of that caliber.”

Last season, Barnstable advanced to the playoffs with a 10-4-4 record before losing a first-round heartbreaker to Hingham on a penalty kick with only 20 second left in the game.

All of the returning players have had their eyes on this year since last season ended.

“They were really looking forward to this year, and it’s important the guys have bought into the system,” said Viana. “We have a lot of natural leaders on the team, and there’s been a lot of excitement since we got word that the season was happening.”

Senior Ainsley Birch has been one of the top scorers on the squad this season, as the striker on the front line.

“Once he gets momentum, he does great things,” his coach said. “He’s very speedy and technical and our best scoring threat.”

With seniors Ives, Jonathan Sylvester and Eduardo Suazo on the wings, the front line has been clicking nicely on scoring plays.

“It’s really been a team effort, many close games that we had to fight to the end,” said Viana. “We were fortunate to get the goals when we needed them and then close out the game and hold on for the win.”

Youthful midfielders, sophomore Ramon DeSousa and freshman Joao Marcelo DaSilva team with senior captain Shepherd to control the game’s tempo. DaSilva has some impressive soccer pedigree as his dad was a pro player in Greece and Spain.

The defense is led by a quartet of seniors – Lucas Cuzzio at right back, Rodane Gordan and Chris Carter as central defenders, and Donovan Dean the left back.

“We have about 11 or 12 players that we can slide into 10 spots on the field,” Viana said. “Even guys who don’t start get a lot of minutes.”

Rounding out the lineup, and earning their share of playing time, are seniors Gabriel Vargas and Caua Faneco, and juniors Jayson Costa, Rafael Rodrigues and Paul Sullivan.

Aside from a 4-0 midseason loss to powerhouse Nauset, the guys in Red have wriggled through a bunch of one-goal wins.

They opened the season with a 1-0 squeaker over Sandwich, then edged Falmouth, Dennis-Yarmouth and Sandwich by identical 2-1 scores. The recent rematch with Falmouth resulted in a 0-0 deadlock.

“We’ve had a bunch of tight games, and thanks to our experienced players, we’ve been able to pull off some close wins,” said Viana, who is assisted this season by JV coach Kyrle Holland and freshman coach Bruce Robertson.

Currently second in the Cape and Islands League Large School conference behind Nauset, Viana hopes his squad can keep their momentum going and perhaps meet the potent Warriors in the end of season playoff.

“We hope to compete with (Nauset) and give them a good game. They’ve proven over the last 10 years they have a great program,” said Viana, adding, “But the number one thing is that our kids can be out there playing in a safe environment.”

Email Mike Richard at mikerichard0725@gmail.com.