Page 14 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2025 Revere boys’ soccer captains reflect on strong season, postseason push By Dom Nicastro T he Revere High School boys’ soccer team closed out another successful campaign this fall, finishing 10-4-5 and advancing to the Division 2 Round of 32 before falling to No. 1 seed and three-time defending state champion Oliver Ames. The Patriots entered the tournament as the No. 32 seed after a year marked by strong senior leadership, steady improvement and a cohesive core built over years of playing together. The program’s foundation this season came from its four captains — seniors Adin Lozic, Abel Aklog, Noah Gaviria and Francisco Navarette. Together, they helped guide a seniorheavy roster that again made Revere one of the most competitive teams in the Greater Boston League. We caught up with Lozic and Aklog to reflect on the 2025 campaign. Lozic, a center back, said the captaincy reflected his long connection to both the program and his teammates. He saw it as the culmination of years spent growing within the Revere soccer community. “Being captain and leading my teammates who I’ve known for as long as I lived in Revere, it meant everything to me,” he said. He noted that attending captain’s practices even before entering high school helped him form relationships with older players and learn how the program operated. The continuity among teammates, he said, played a major role in the KIDS | FROM Page 7 and in friendships. Oscar’s drive to succeed earns him praise in the classroom and on the fi eld — but also leaves him wracked with anxiety. Unable to sleep and increasingly irritable, Oscar lashes out at his friends. When a teacher invites him to a school support group, Oscar Seniors and coaches, shown from left to right: Bottom row: Kevin Alves, Cesar Merentes, Maicon Mayorga, Noah Gaviria, Edwin Alarcon, Daniel Roque and Bilal Ouriour; top row: Assistant Coach Samuel Arango, David Tamayo, Lukas Jiminez, Patrick Valentim, Jason Balla, Adin Lozic, Jadrian Sanchez, Abel Aklog and Head Coach Gerardo Rodriguez. team’s identity. “Almost all of us have been playing since we were small elementary schoolers playing club soccer,” he said. That familiarity, experience and shared commitment contributed to the Patriots’ ability to stay competitive throughout the season, bounce back from a challenging stretch in October and earn a playoff win over Southeastern Regional Voke in the preliminary round (Revere’s only postseason win this fall). Lozic said the group’s chemistry “made the team feel like family and made bonds that will last a lifetime.” Aklog, a central midfielder and fellow senior captain, must decide if he’s willing to seek help and try new strategies for relief. Licate expertly combines a fast-paced, relatable story with guided questions and activities at the end of each chapter. These tools help young readers explore their own feelings, while giving parents, teachers and counselors a structured way to start meaningful consaid the team’s competitiveness came from its mentality and its collective expectation to win. He described a group with strong personalities but a shared focus. “What made this team special was defi nitely the heart we had,” Aklog said. “We had a common goal of winning and proving why we are the best sports team in Revere.” Revere’s postseason run ended in Easton against a powerhouse Oliver Ames squad, but both captains said the experience was valuable. Aklog noted the difference in postseason maturity and discipline but said the opportunity to face the state’s top program was meaningful. “Facing Oliver Ames was versations about anxiety. “I wrote the book to help children understand anxiety,” said Licate. “Not all symptoms look the same, and not all strategies will work for everyone. My hope is that kids learn there are multiple tools they can try to feel more confi dent and less overwhelmed.” The release comes at a time when educators are reporting and is an experience I will never forget,” he said. The match, he added, gave the Patriots a clear view of the standard set by a program “used to playing in playoff games” and built on “a dynasty.” For Lozic, the challenge was part of the motivation. “Unfortunately, we didn’t get the result we wanted, but just facing them in the playoff s was an experience to remember,” he said. Both players expect soccer to remain part of their future. Lozic said he hopes to keep playing in some form even if he does not compete at the college level. Aklog said he has received interest from college programs and hopes to balance academincreased stress levels among students. According to recent studies, more than one in three children experience anxiety symptoms, and sleep disruption is one of the most common side eff ects. Licate, who has worked as a school counselor for more than a decade, believes early intervention and open discussion can help prevent anxiety from becoming ics with the chance to continue the sport he has played his entire life. As the Patriots prepare for next year, they will graduate a large senior class but return several players who contributed this fall. The captains said the culture built over the past four years will be important for the next group to carry forward. Aklog said the exposure gained this season — especially in the postseason — will help the underclassmen understand what it takes to reach the next level. As he put it, “Any exposure is good exposure, and I’m glad we faced them. What better way to go out than to the No. 1 team in the state.” debilitating later in life. “Children do not need to wait until anxiety is debilitating before using strategies to help their symptoms,” Licate added. “Using strategies to deal with anxiety can help children and anyone reduce their symptoms so they can live their best lives, work toward achieving their goals and feel confi dent.”
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