In a fitting climax to a drama-filled season, the Quincy High Presidents defeated the Hingham Harbormen 1 to 0 at home on Saturday in their final game of the season. The lone goal came from senior midfielder Juan Ponce (pictured) who split two Harbormen defenders on a surgical pass from senior James Stuga. Ponce then shook off a trailing defender and dribbled around the charging keeper before kicking a low shot to the far post. Ponce's goal marked the 50th goal of the season for the Presidents and the lone strike and tight win were symbolic of the team's tough season. Quincy's defensive backfield of Aidan Smyth, Kevin Gomes, Marli Caslli, and James Struga, along with holding mids Felix Nampanya and Roy Bandar, proved too much for Hingham's forwards, allowing keeper Connor Dane to make only one difficult stop all game. The Presidents had never defeated the Harbormen during the three years that coach Mark Spendlove has run the Quincy High varsity soccer program. The Harbormen's (11-2-4) only other loss came from the Silver Lake Lakers, who ended their unbeaten record on October 22. In their first matchup, Quincy lost to Hingham 2 to 3.

Junior midfielder Cian Moriarty scored three goals Wednesday in the 4 to 1 victory over Randolph High School, making him the first and only varsity President to net a hat trick during the 2012 soccer season. His first goal came off of a cross from James O'Shea that hit the post before it went in. Moriarty then deflected a free kick from Felix Nampanya for the second score. On the third he sank a PK created by James O'Shea. Nampanya scored one of the four goals on a blast from outside the "18."

Selection shifts from defense to attack

Quincy High players selected this year to the Patriot League All-Star team include strikers Caique Reginaldo and James O'Shea and midfielder Felix Nampanya. Collectively, the three contributed to a Presidents attack that has netted 49 season goals and 57 overall. Junior O'Shea and senior Reginaldo have provided 13 and 12 goals respectively, ranking them second and third in goals scored among Patriot League players. Reginaldo was also selected as a member of the Eastern Mass All Stars.

Reginaldo was leading the team in goals scored until he was injured in the final minutes of play against Plymouth North on Oct. 19. He has been unable to return to play since then. He and O'Shea make up a powerful one-two punch that has mesmerized opposing defenses within the "18" all season long.

Senior Felix Nampanya has hovered between holding and attacking mid roles during the season. A technically skilled player, Nampanya's possesses the team's most powerful long-distance shot and often pushes foward as part of the attack. He has netted about 6 goals for the Presidents, all of them from outside of the 18 or on direct-kick set pieces.

The effectiveness of the Presidents' attack this season has been buffeted by a strong cast of supporting players that have contributed significantly to the selected all stars success.

The 2011 President all-star selections included senior defender Nick Dolan, sophomore holding-mid Roy Bandar, and junior striker Caique Reginaldo. Junior midfielder Felix Nampanya received Sportsman of the Year honors. This year's honorees have shifted the team's contribution from primarily the back line to the front line.

Presidents pursue goal despite setbacks

Thursday, October 18 — The goal at the start of the season was simple: Return to the MIAA post-season soccer tournament. After quenching a decade-old craving for a tournament spot last season, the Presidents took a bite of the MIAA apple and liked the taste.

As they enter the last two weeks of the season, only seven points separate the Presidents from their goal. With six games to go a return post-season visit seems within arms reach.

A highly spirited but struggling Whitman-Hanson team gave the Quincy hopefuls two much-needed points on Tuesday — but not without a fight. Today, they meet another playoff hopeful, the Duxbury Dragons, who are equally motivated to dash the Presidents dreams in pursuit of their own. With the Presidents win over Whitman-Hanson, the Patriot League Keenan Division third-place Dragons traded places in the standings with fourth place Quincy High. The Dragons are in Quincy today to reclaim their standing. After beating Quincy the first time out 3 to 1, they want to set the record straight: the President's dominant first half performance on Oct. 4 was probably a fluke.

Presidents rock Gillette Stadium

The Presidents and Lady Presidents viewed the Revolution at Gillette Stadium last Saturday during their annual high school night. The large contingent of high school players sat together for the first time while seniors were able to take the field after the game to play the crossbar challenge.

Seniors Thomas Madden and Courtney Sheridan were the only players to hit the crossbar earning two free tickets to an upcoming Revolution game.

Besides taking in the pro game and camaraderie, the Presidents were treated to a scoreboard tribute to injured player Bai Kanu (see below).

Bai Kanu moved to rehabilitation hospital today

Monday, October 22 — Today, senior varsity midfielder Bai Kanu was moved out of the ICU at Boston Medical Center to a rehabilitation hospital in Braintree marking another turning point in his continued recovery from a traumatic head injury.

While at the rehabilitation facility Bai will be treated by a team of specialists whose primary goal will be to help him relearn basic skills and to improve his ability to perform daily activities.

People that have been working with Bai have been impressed with his progress over the past three weeks and feel that today’s move will lead to a quicker pace to his long-term rehabilitation.

Booster fundraisers scheduled for this week

Some information on upcoming Booster organization activities:

Friday, November 30

The annual end-of-the-season Soccer Banquet is scheduled at the Quincy Neighborhood Club at 6 p.m. Players will be free but guests will need to purchase a ticket. Pricing for adults and kids as well as additional details to follow.

Proceeds from Quincy High Booster fundraisers go to help defray team expenses. See QHS BOOSTERS page for more details.

Girl's spirit recognized

During the boy's varsity team home opener against North Quincy High on Sept. 6, the girl's soccer teams created personalized signs for each of the players. The signs decorated the fence overhead the boy's bench and were part of a larger tribute to player Lamar Thompson.

When the girl's returned home after a long away stand, the boy's soccer teams were able to reciprocate their support. Before their home game against North Quincy on Sept. 29, the boys presented each of the girl players with a carnation. A few signs also graced the same chain-link fence above the bench.

Download the season game schedule

If you want to keep track of the Varsity Presidents progress over the season or would like to attend any of their games, please download the printable pdf file.

Just click the icon at right to preview the schedule, then download it to your computer.

Teams, classmates pay tribute to Lamar Thompson

The shirts are still being sold for $10 to raise funds for a book fund for graduating seniors in Lamar's name. If you would like to purchase a shirt you may buy one at the student store or by contacting Janice Dane

A Jamaican-colored theme was selected for this year's training uniforms. Issued on Tuesday, they will be worn by players during any training session throughout the season. The gesture was one of many that are planned to honor fallen teammate Lamar "Skippa" Thompson. A flag of Lamar's native country adorns the back of the shirt and it is embedded with his first name and retired jersey number 13.

The Quincy High School Presidents soccer teams, along with fellow students, will pay tribute to Lamar Thompson on Thursday night during the opening season game versus North Quincy. Lamar's family is scheduled to attend. Players, friends, and students that have purchased a commemorative shirt are encouraged to wear them during the game. There will be a moment of silence and other special observances.

Thompson and his teammates were just beginning to move the talk about their hopes and aspirations for the 2012 season into action when he accidentally drowned on July 1 while swimming with friends. His recent loss was a big blow to the VP team and the Quincy High Soccer program.

The Quincy High Soccer Program will be honoring Lamar in various ways throughout the season, one of which is a strong presence through out this website. Please look to this and his "Tribute" page for announcements as other forms of tribute to our fallen teammate are made public.

Presidents start 2012 on a high note

After starting a 2011 season that ebbed and flowed, the varsity team came together midway through, stringing together 7 consecutive victories and amassing enough points to catapult them into the MIAA post-season playoffs, a tournament that generation of players had never experienced.

"We had a remarkable run," coach Spendlove stated at the end of the season. But the VPs lost some key seniors last year and have been moved from the Fisher to the Keenan division of the Patriot League, a division stacked with quality teams the Presidents will now play twice.

"Our seniors were instrumental last season but the good thing overall is that we were a young team playing with a large group of sophomores and juniors." As a "building year" the Presidents went far. Spendlove recognizes the potential for the 2012 VPs but is realistic about the challenges ahead in the 20-game marathon against some of the state's top teams.

"We need to come into this season better prepared if we want to have a 21st game." With preparations for the 2012 season beginning soon, Spendlove is anxious to get started and curious to see what preparation steps his potential VP team has taken during the off season.

Fundraising efforts gear up for fall

Starting with a $1,100 bill to pay for non-league games, expenses to replace uniforms and buy modest training equipment and gear, plus other program needs, fundraising is an essential function of the Quincy High Soccer Program.

Please go to the QHS BOOSTERS page for complete information about our upcoming fundraisers, to sign up to help as a volunteer, or to make a donation to the soccer program.