Despite starting its season with a 3-2 loss at home, the Barnstable Boys Soccer team is slowly progressing and getting back to its winning ways, with back-to-back wins this week against Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.

With such a favorable season in 2022, winning the majority of their games and getting into the playoffs, the pressure on this year’s team is noticeable. 

 The Red Hawks need to bring in the energy and the willingness to win, said coach Fadner Pierre. 

They turned it around during last Saturday’s home game in the rain against Nantucket. Two goals from sophomore captain Marcelo Diamantino, and a goal from senior captain Finn O’Donnell  secured the 3-1 win.

They excelled in their communication, had keen passing and performed well, overall. That all couldn’t be done without the leadership of their captains, senior Philipe Ribeiro, O’Donell, and Diamantino.

“It’s an honor,” said Ribeiro about being a captain. 

Last Tuesday’s game at home against Martha’s Vineyard was another test to see if the improvement was continuing. 

Barnstable led the first half 1-0 with a goal from Diamantino.

Even though they only led by one goal, they still had strategic passing, with good shots inside the box, and kept a good pace with Martha’s Vineyard. 

Despite the wins, there has been lots of unneeded aggression resulting in yellow and red cards, said coach Pierre.

Regardless of the hard tackles and fouls from Vineyard players in the first half, which was shown with warnings from the referees and a yellow card, Barnstable stayed focused and didn’t let the Vineyard’s frustration get to them.

Going into the second half, they continued to show logical and fast- paced passes with another goal from Marcelo Diamantino. But with a few minutes remaining, reckless fouls occurred and the yellow cards were shown to Barnstable.

“I think I did okay. I could’ve scored, no I should’ve scored,” said Ribeiro after the game, which the Red Hawks won 2-0. 

In Saturday’s game against Nantucket, the ball had been with Nantucket. They had been inching closer to the net and Ribeiro was defending phenomenally. 

His shin guard had fallen off, but he continued to defend without it, until his team got the ball back.

He also had really well thought out passes, which gave Diamantino the lead goal in the Martha’s Vineyard match.

From a newcomer to playing varsity, freshman Bruno Maia also had playing time in both games. Maia said he likes the higher intensity play, but also is adjusting to the fact he needs to grow more and be more physical. 

  Maia also mentioned that even though the team was off to a slow start, they are getting back in the groove and are more unified as a team. 

The next home game is against their biggest rival, Nauset, next Tuesday, Oct. 10.

“Go RedHawks!” said coach Pierre.