Justin Ries guided the Marblehead Community Charter Public School Navigators to the Massachusetts Charter School Athletic Organization coed soccer state championship for the second year in a row as its head coach early last month. They completed their mission against East Boston’s Excel Academy, 4-0.
Marblehead swept the season with 11 straight wins (eight in the regular season, and three more in the playoffs) to extend its winning streak to 24 over two seasons. Their defining moment this season was the comeback state semifinal win over South Division champion McAuliffe Charter out of Framingham.
“We were down 4-2 with 13 minutes left, but then we scored three late goals to win the game, 5-4. ” said coach Ries. “I have coached soccer for over 30 seasons in Marblehead and Swampscott, but have never seen a comeback like that. They set their mind on the state championship from the first day of tryouts in August, and never relented. There is nothing better than to see their determination pay off.”
The Massachusetts Charter School Athletic Organization consists of 38 schools across the state, and on Nov. 6, Marblehead came out on top in the coed soccer world. They scored 69 goals in 11 games, while allowing only 17. Goalie Kauan Duarte recorded four shutouts this year, and only gave up four postseason goals. Paul Chavez Mendez (34), Logan Ries (14) and Gabriel Reddin (6) were the team’s leading goal scorers. Ian Purdy, Jacob Silva, Quincy Bradstreet and Ellis Rogers were the assist leaders. Jaydee Perello, Abigail Mallard, Callie Belf, Abigale Re and Bradstreet were the girls on this year’s varsity coed team, and all five did their jobs to secure the coveted title.
