The Lynn English High boys soccer program celebrated its undefeated Northeastern Conference championship at an awards banquet at the Prince Restaurant.
The 2019 soccer Bulldogs, led by Coach Kerry King, finished with a 14-0-2 record inside the conference. It was English’s first NEC title since 1983.
King, who has been the head coach for the past 20 years, said,
“This was my best team ever.”
Team MVP Chris Lazo scored 18 goals and had seven assists. “He was also an Eastern Mass. All-Star,” noted King.
Ryan Lima was honored as the Offensive Player of the Year while Ryan Zollo was the recipient of team’s Most Improved Player Award.
Goalkeeper Jack Mancaniello had a phenomenal freshman season to backbone an excellent defensive corps led by Obed Baswa, the Defensive Player of the Year Award recipient. Mancaniello received the Rookie of the Year Award.
King had cause to envision the squad’s championship potential during a challenging pre-season schedule. “We scrimmaged Melrose, Revere, and Manchester-Essex and we did very well. We knew going in that we were talented, but we weren’t sure how successful we were going to be. But they worked tremendously hard and after their performances in the scrimmages, we knew that they could compete with anybody.”
King said the team benefited from excellent leadership by the captains, Obed Baswa, Chris Lazo, Ryan Zollo, Yonel Espinoza, and Andric Barrios.
“We had a team that had very unselfish players who had a tremendous work ethic and on top that, they were terrific kids, and they were talented,” said King. “You couldn’t ask for a more hard-working, humble bunch of good kids.”