Season Recap: Boys Varsity Soccer

Season Recap: Boys Varsity Soccer

The EHS Boys Varsity Soccer team concluded the 2024 regular season with a 13-0-3 record. They ended up earning the #2 seed in the NHIAA State Tournament behind the #1 and defending champion, Bedford Bulldogs. The Bluehawks, led by defenseman Cam LaCouture and striker Will Manix, who both earned first team all-state along with Jude Keener, powered through the NHIAA tournament by beating Timberlane in the first round 3-0 with goals from Will Manix (2) and Alan Barreto. They then beat the Portsmouth Clippers in a quarterfinal matchup 5-0 with goals from Jude Keener (2), Will Manix (2), and Cooper Vitti. They advanced to the semi finals where they faced Keene. They beat the Blackbirds 4-3, making it to the state championship where they faced Bedford in a classic #1 seed vs #2 seed. They held the Bulldogs scoreless and the Bedford keeper couldn’t stop Alan Barreto from scoring 2 goals in his final game of high school, and giving EHS the championship.

Throughout the season, Exeter faced many challenges and adversity. They suffered an early season loss during the matchup vs Concord when Jaden Gargiulo had a nasty fall and suffered a broken arm. After the injury, Head Coach Dan Curren moved Will Manix from right wing to striker, where he proceeded to have a field day, scoring goals throughout the rest of the season. When asked about the switch of positions, Manix said, “I’ve been fortunate to play multiple positions around the field throughout my career. I wasn’t happy at first with my transition because I thought it would go like my last seasons, but I was wrong. With the absence of injury, Alan and I worked very well together, and were able to score many goals together.” 

“The comradery among the team outweighed any adversity that the team faced,” said Captain Cam LaCouture, when asked how the team maintained the winning mentality despite all of the challenges throughout the season. Manix added, “I think our mindset won it for us. We knew since pre season that our team would be something special, and that a small knock up in our season is how the sport goes. We kept our eyes forward towards the tournament and trusted each other, which ultimately worked out.”

The Bluehawks had many important games this season. One was an early season 2-1 victory over the Londonderry Lancers. “That game kept our undefeated season alive after we previously beat a tough Hanover squad,” says standout junior Jaden Gargiulo. Another turning point in the season was the Bluehawks’ 3-0 victory over Concord, a game in which star striker Jaden Garguilo got injured with a broken arm, an injury that kept him out for the remainder of the season. People around the team felt this loss as coaches, players, and fans all felt a slight loss of hope. Instead of dwelling upon the situation, the Bluehawks finished the season with an undefeated season. Exeter tied three games throughout the course of the season, all to opponents that, on paper, they were better than. Another key game was the Bluehawks 3-0 playoff win over Timberlane, a game where the Bluehawks were tied 0-0 at halftime. “At halftime, many people were losing composure, because only a week or two ago, we had beat the same team 8-0. Going into the second half, Coach Curran told us to go back to what has been working for us all season: not forcing the ball long, and attacking through the middle and out wide,” said Gargiulo. The Bluehawks buried 3 second half goals, and after the first half of the Timberlane game, Exeter had a 14-3 goal differential to finish off the season.

The Exeter Bluehawks had a class display of defense throughout the whole tournament, but most noticeably vs Bedford in the championship. During the regular season, Exeter was used to having the ball and being on offense, but when matched up against Bedford, they had to change their game plan almost entirely. “For Bedford defensively the communication was a key part and each player staying with our man mark,” said Cam LaCouture. The whole first half of the game was very back and forth with impressive defense from both teams. Eli Kaplo from Bedford, who earned the 2024 season Player of the Year, showed impressive defensive skills, but was not enough for Alan Baretto’s amazing display of offense and shot creating for himself.

Offensively, the boys would emphasize playing the ball wide to their wings, constantly passing the ball around and finding open space to play the ball back into the middle to score goals. This offensive game plan led to the Bluehawks beating almost every team they played in the regular season. The fact that they never changed their offensive gameplan, allowed them to focus more on their defensive game planning. “When we play against a team who has good and fast wingers or fullbacks, we tend to prioritize getting down the field rather than up it,” said Gargiulo. 

The past couple years for Exeter High School Boys Soccer have been rather disappointing besides some upsets early in the NHIAA tournament. In 2022, Exeter was the #4 seed and picked up a first round win vs the Pinkerton Astros with a score of 2-1, but ended up losing to #5 Hanover. Just last year, in 2023, they were seeded #12 where they faced #5 Londonderry in the first round. The Bluehawks managed to upset the Lancers with a 3-2 victory, but they were no match for #4 Manchester Central after losing 3-0, once again in the second round. When asked about what this season meant to him and everyone else, Will Manix said, “It meant the world to us. I am one of six seniors who have been on varsity since sophomore year, and we have experienced great wins, sad losses, played with extremely talented players and built a lasting connection with each other and the coaches. When we lifted the trophy, we did it for each other and the other kids we played with who weren’t able to do the same, which meant the most to us.”