Now that the dramatic 2016 Sturgis boys soccer season has come to an end, we can look back at the remarkable moments of this record breaking season.
The season began with a shaky start. After losing to Cape Cod Tech, Monomoy and then to division rival Nantucket, the Storm had a dismal record of 2 wins and 3 losses. However, the team did not lose faith. Under the leadership of captains Mark Agostinelli, Sawyer Gibbons, Jake Lamotte, and Jeremy Nadler, the team rallied for an unprecedented five game win streak. During this midseason push, Jake Lamotte was a force of nature. After recording Sturgis East’s first ever hat-trick (three goals in a single game), Jake went on to score four goals in the next game, followed by yet another hat-trick in the subsequent game. With ten goals in only three games, Jake helped to secure his legacy as one of best offensive players our school has ever seen.
After winning five consecutive games, the Storm had an impressive record of seven wins and 3 losses. With this momentum, the Storm was able to accomplish quite a feat: tying division rival Nantucket. An 88th minute rocket from sophomore and varsity newcomer Franz Abagat equalized the game and blemished Nantucket’s otherwise perfect season. Nantucket finished with 17 wins, zero losses, and a lone tie (against Sturgis East).
The Storm continued to dominate the Cape and Islands League both offensively and defensively, ending the regular season with 43 goals for, and only 15 against. With the combination of Mark Agostinelli and Evan Taubert assisting Nick Pinard in net, Sturgis East was truly a defensive powerhouse. The impenetrable defense helped to earn Nick Pinard an impressive seven shutouts this season.
The efforts of the team throughout the regular season were rewarded when they qualified for the playoffs, earning the 9th seed in the division. The Storm faced off against Sacred Heart on Sunday, November 6. After a scoreless first half, Jake Lamotte broke through the defense to score in the 60th minute. The Storm dug in, and desperately tried to preserve their lead until the end of the game. However, with only six minutes left in regular time, Sacred Heart was able to score, forcing the game into overtime. Then, in the second period of sudden death overtime, Sacred Heart scored, ending the Storm’s season. It was a heartbreaking way to end an amazing season, and it was felt by every member of the team.
The success of the 2016 team was largely thanks to the immense depth of the lineup. Freshmen Will Davis and Bruce Hubert, alongside varsity newcomers Bobby Walsh, Cedar Coellner, Charles Peterkin and Franz Abagat, were all instrumental in the team’s success. With more than 20 current freshmen in the program, there are plenty of talented players who will be stepping up next year to help the team. Junior Matthew Donahue, alongside sophomores William Furtado and Aidan Smith, will take over as captains for the 2017 season.
Matthew Donahue captured the emotion of the team perfectly, commenting that “this has has been a very successful season. Although we will miss our talented seniors, we had lots of encouraging and skillful play from our younger members of the team. I am confident about this team having a winning future. Go Storm.”