It was a cold evening under the stadium lights at the final game, the air was thick with anticipation, and the soul of Revere stood on edge. As Jeffrey Boyle led his team into the state finals game, the cheers created tales of triumph that spread beyond the soccer field as the first whistle blew.

Boyle is an involved figure at Revere. He is the Revere men’s Varsity soccer captain along with the senior class council president. On the soccer field, Boyle’s efforts are clear, leading his team with dedication and skill. His work extends to academics and student leadership, where he contributes to the working of the class council. His work ethic and drive are shown both on the field and in the school’s student council.

Head coach Nick DePompei and assistant Sandor Jakab both lead the Revere men’s soccer team. Their philosophy and strategy to utilize Boyle during the games prove his role as a strong player.” Whatever he does, he goes after it. He’s really diligent in it. He’s a student of the game. He’s a student of his academics as well as putting the time in so that he is successful at what he does, it brings a lot of energy to all of it,” Jakab said.

Boyle closely meshes qualities as a soccer player and student, and this helps make him successful. Jenna Repp, the adviser of the senior council, also touched on his work ethic and success.

“He has initiative to get things done and to get set up and is willing to do the job,” Repp said.

Boyle’s initiative in school during class council helps him get his work done efficiently. His enthusiastic attitude towards the problems he faces shows strength in his work.

“Any time you see somebody that is enthusiastic and a go-getter, you’re always going to be more determined to get things done because you want to go along with them,” Jakab said.

Jakab believes that Boyle’s energy extends to others and motivates the entire team to keep playing hard, especially during tough games. With his enthusiasm out on the field, the energy stays high throughout the whole team. His teammates see a high-energy player like him as a role model on the team.

“When there’s a missing piece, we know he can do it all. He’s going to be there. He was always in the plans of constantly playing,” DePompei said.

Revere always uses his work to set up important plays. DePompei’s view of Boyle as a utility player keeps his involvement high.

“Talking to [student council] members and teammates has allowed me to understand how I should approach each individual to motivate them,” Boyle said.

Boyle’s individual friendships with the players and other team members allow him to understand how to talk to them. This allows him to be able to make the right decision depending on the situation in front of him. Talking to his teammates and classmates to work out problems is his strong suit.

“He’s a guy that knows how to talk to his teammates. He knows which guys need a little pump up, which guys just need a calm voice,” Jakab said.

Boyle’s sense of emotion from his other teammates allows him to convey what needs to be done to his other teammates. Certain players will need different emotions, and Boyle switches between the emotions he shows to get them started. Bringing these players together creates a more unified atmosphere.

Coaches describe Boyle as a puzzle piece that fits anywhere. His universality keeps him ready to move around all positions. Boyle’s skills are well-rounded and useful for every position he is put in.

“They understand how to get all of those pieces to work together both on the field and off. He carries that kind of overall picture of things,” DePompei said.

Repp further explained that Boyle is a well-rounded student and player. The senior sunrise event Boyle contributed to was held before the first bell of the day, it was an opportunity for all the seniors to come in and enjoy the morning with each other.

“His ability to organize and bring together all of the seniors for the sunrise, for everyone to have an enjoyable, memorable time together in their last year of high school was a positive impact,” Repp said.

Boyle’s ability to unite his peers and teammates is important during assemblies and games. He can make his voice heard around the team and the school, making a memorable time for everyone involved. Keeping everyone together and making the team work together is an important piece of his skillset.

“We didn’t always get along the best or totally work together like we would’ve liked. Us captains started to sort of embrace it and allow it to create competition at practices which ultimately brought us together and allowed people to work as hard as possible to improve,” Boyle said.

Boyle and the team with each other to build an atmosphere of hard work and competitiveness. The work they do at practices translates into their games, even during times when there is disagreement and conflict.

“We always talk about putting the right puzzle pieces together because he could do it all,” DePompei said.

Boyle is a working force part of Revere soccer.  His work in the practices and out, counseling the players to be the best they can be, helps create the other pieces.

“You know, he’s leading the charge. And, again, he’s not the guy that’s gonna scream and yell all the time, but he comes out with a lot of enthusiasm and positivity,” Jakab said.

These traits make him a strong player on the team. Jakab also explains that he knows how to manage the emotions of the team and lead them through their games.

“ [Boyle] is like a glue that holds things together for us in a number of ways, and he’s also a catalyst. So he may not be the guy that got the goal, but it’s a pretty sure bet that his work rate and his energy somehow started the process or was part of the process to create that opportunity,” Jakab said.

Jakab sees Boyle as a binding agent for the team’s chemistry. He also describes him as a trigger who creates opportunities and a player who contributes to the team’s success. His work rate, energy, and versatility are valued, even if he is not the one scoring goals. He is still there working all the time.

“You don’t get to the end without having everything and you don’t get to the end without covering the details,” DePompei said.

The end is not an option without the foundation of teamwork and leadership being there. His work during the practices and games helps the team achieve success. Covering needed things allows for a smoother work cycle.

“You see even demeanor but, you know that he’s inside, he’s got the wheel spinning and he’s going after what he wants,” Jakab said.

Boyle is described as a calm person, but his internal drive to be great keeps going. During games, he displays a constant work rate. Especially when “he’s going after what he wants”.

“I motivate both the class council and soccer team by constantly putting my best foot forward and working hard to be an example for them to follow,” Boyle said.

As DePompei said, Boyle puts his work and mindset forward for others to follow behind. The work done behind the scenes allows him to show the best path for his teammates on the field and his peers in the class council.

The state final came to an end, and the scoreboard may have shown a different story of loss. Though Boyle’s determined energy and leadership left a mark on Revere High School. In sportsmanship, victories did not show Boyle’s lead, but the courage to stand tall even in a lost dream. As the final whistle echoed at the end of the game. Revere and Boyle learned that sometimes successes do not define a true leader, but the heartbreaking taste of defeat does.

This story was originally published on Lantern on December 1, 2023.