First-ever statewide banner in sport for city high school
It has been a few years in the making, but the boys soccer team from Boston International Newcomers Academy (BINcA) on Maxwell Street won the Division 5 state championship on Saturday, defeating Hopedale High School, 2-0, at Curry College. The victory marks the first time a city of Boston boys’ team has won a MIAA soccer title.
“It just feels great because there are so many battles to get through the season for us and helping guys through tough stuff – it’s much more than just winning games,” said Edmar Varela, the team’s head coach.
“There are a lot of challenges for us and to keep playing with the struggles we face – most of our guys are new to the country – and so there’s barriers there,” he added. “To keep it consistent and have these guys give their best at games no matter what they’re going through, it’s very rewarding.”
This year’s squad was led by captains Xavier Arriola, Steevenson Chanson, and Jerry Registe, who was named the City League Player of the Year.
BINcA (20-1-2) is no stranger to success on the pitch, having led the state’s Power Rankings in their division for the past few years. After a loss in the Final Four in 2023, they were set for a deep run last year but forfeited in the quarterfinals for using an ineligible player.
This year, with many of the same players back, they marched through their conference and non-conference season, repeating as city champions and blowing through the Division 5 competition, defeating city rivals Community Academy of Science and Health (CASH) and Brighton High School along the way.
“People micromanaged our roster last year,” Varela noted. “When you’re successful there’s a lot of highs and not everybody is pleased by that…The last three years we’ve really taken off and stood out. We’ve arguably been the best team in the state in our division through that time.”
Scorers in the final included Sylberto Brevil and Henrich Saint – off a great pass from Arriola. Goalie Jeffrey Louis also turned in an outstanding shutout performance stopping a penalty kick late in the game.
As to city high school soccer final appearances before this year, BINcA lost in 2017, as did the Jeremiah Burke and Dearborn High Schools years before.
