Revere athletics fall recap and winter preview: a conversation with AD Frank Shea

By Dom Nicastro

As the fall sports season concludes and the winter season ramps up, Revere High School Athletic Director Frank Shea took a moment to reflect on the successes of the past few months and preview what’s to come.

Boys soccer: a historic campaign

Revere’s boys soccer team delivered a season for the record books, clinching their first-ever Greater Boston League (GBL) title. Led by Coach Manny Lopes, the Patriots went 12-2-2 in the regular season and advanced to the Division 2 state quarterfinals. “It was our first league title in program history,” Shea said. “Considering the success we’ve had over the years, it’s amazing that we had never been the top dog in the league until now.”

The team briefly held the No. 1 ranking in Division 2 during the regular season and showed grit in the playoffs, winning two one-goal games before falling to No. 1 Wakefield in a hard-fought 1-0 contest.

While the team was senior-heavy, Shea remains optimistic about the future. “We always have good soccer numbers coming back,” he said. “It’s just a matter of what kind of talent we’ll have.”

Girls soccer: a solid first year for new coach

First-year Head Coach Ariana Rivera made an immediate impact, guiding the girls’ soccer team to a 9-7 record and a playoff berth. Rivera, who also coaches basketball, brought consistency and energy to a team looking to build on recent seasons. “She stepped in and did a great job,” Shea said. “It’s always tough taking over a program, but she’s shown she’s capable of great things, and this team has a lot to build on.”

Volleyball: a stunning turnaround

Few teams in the state can boast the kind of improvement seen by Revere’s volleyball squad. After winning just two matches last season, Coach Emilie Hostetter’s team roared back with a 10-10 record and earned a spot in the Division 2 playoffs. “She worked hard, and so did the kids,” Shea said. “They had to upset a couple of schools late in the season to make the tournament, and they did it. It’s been a quick turnaround, and we couldn’t be happier for them.”

Football: finishing strong

Coach Lou Cicatelli’s football team overcame a rocky start to finish 5-6. After opening the season with four straight home losses, the Patriots flipped the script with a five-game winning streak, including a signature victory over Division 1 Everett – the first time Revere had beaten Everett in 33 years. “It’s like someone flipped a light switch,” Shea said. “The team and coaches learned from those early losses and never quit. They showed a lot of resilience.”

Winter preview: building on momentum

The winter season kicked off this Monday, with Revere Athletics expecting strong participation across its programs:

• Basketball: Boys and girls basketball will feature competitive squads, with the boys competing in tournaments in Malden and Hamilton-Wenham. Both programs continue to draw strong numbers, ensuring full varsity and junior varsity rosters.
• Indoor track: The girls’ indoor track team has been a powerhouse in recent years, and expectations remain high for another strong season. The boys’ team also looks poised for success.
• Swimming and co-op programs: While hockey and wrestling numbers remain low, Revere participates in co-op programs for both sports, giving students an opportunity to compete. “Urban hockey is tough these days,” Shea noted. “We’re part of a four-school co-op for hockey, and while numbers are small, we’re doing everything we can to keep the program going.”

Shea is optimistic about the future of Revere athletics. From the incredible growth of the volleyball program to the boys soccer team’s historic run, the fall season has set a high bar. As the winter season begins, he anticipates the same commitment and energy from Revere’s athletes. “The fall was special,” Shea reflected. “But now we turn the page to winter, and I know our kids and coaches are ready to give it their all.”