Will take the field with the soccer elite on Friday afternoon in Quincy
NEIL FITZGERALD
WAKEFIELD — Senior forward Neil Fitzgerald will extend his high school soccer career by one more game and will be playing among the best soccer players in Eastern Mass. when he takes the field Friday afternoon for the Eastern Mass. All-Star boys’ soccer game.
Fitzgerald will play in the Eastern Mass. All-Star boys’ soccer game on Friday beginning at 1 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium located at 850 Hancock St. in Quincy.
“I’m so happy for Neil to be recognized as an Eastern Mass. All-Star,” said WMHS boys’ soccer head coach Matt Angelo. “It is such a great achievement that many are not fortunate to receive. He’s earned it and 100 percent deserves it.”
Fitzgerald is a four-year varsity starter and has played striker and attacking midfielder during his time in a Warrior uniform. He has led the team in scoring three out of four years.
He was also a two year captain his junior and senior years and was a 2013 Middlesex League Freedom Division All-Star.
“What’s really impressive about Neil is his off the field work ethic. Neil prides himself on being in the best shape possible. He’s undersized for his position and as a freshman, struggled a bit with the physicality of this league,” said Angelo. “Each offseason Neil dedicated much of his time to getting stronger, faster and quicker. Blessed with incredible natural talent, it speaks volumes about Neil’s character the time he’s spent improving areas of weakness as well as mastering his strengths.
“Neil is a great example to all young players about work ethic. He’s never satisfied or comfortable with where he/the time is,” continued Angelo. “He’s always striving to improve every time he laces up the cleats. He’s easily one of most competitive players I’ve ever come across. It was really fun watching him play these past four years representing our team and school so well.”
In 2014, Fitzgerald is an Eastern Mass. All-Star and was fourth overall in the Middlesex League All-Star balloting. He was the runner-up for Freedom division MVP.
Fitzgerald has also been a part of the U17 ODP (Olympic Development Program).
This season, Fitzgerald led the Middlesex League in scoring and points total with 16 goals and nine assists. He had 17 goals including the state tournament game against Watertown.
Of the 42 goals produced by Wakefield, Fitzgerald was a part of 26 of those scores.
“Neil is without a doubt one of the best soccer players to come out of Wakefield High School. His skill and speed of play (especially this season) was outstanding. He’s comfortable with the ball at both feet and routinely used those skills to beat defenders one on one,” said Angelo. “His tactical understanding — both his role in the formation as well as his teammates — is incredible.
“We changed our formation this season to a 4-2-3-1 hoping to create more offense. The success of using that formation really depended on how the players would adjust to new responsibilities — especially Neil’s position,” added Angelo. “The stats will tell you that he did a fantastic job and was really the catalyst we needed to produce 42 goals in 19 games.”
