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McIntyre happy to cap off career with title

AJ McIntyre (right) celebrates with teammates after winning the Public League championship this year. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Some wanted to play for another chance to get noticed by college.

Others played for a shot at winning another title.

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AJ McIntyre was in the second category, and he worked exceptionally hard for those in the first one.

McIntyre is a senior at Northeast High School, and for the last two seasons, he’s been the top scorer on the Vikings soccer team. Last year, a normal year, he led the team to the Public League championship.

This year, the team returned the bulk of its squad, but due to the pandemic, the season was postponed. Most schools played, but the Public League decided to sit it out and play in the spring.

“I was so happy we played because for a lot of guys, it was their last chance to show colleges what they can do and maybe get a scholarship,” said McIntyre, who scored 19 goals last year to lead the Public League in scoring. “During the fall, we felt like we were robbed not having a season, but then when we were able to play, I think we all really appreciated it. It was a great chance to play again.”

And win again.

Northeast yet again won the Public League championship. The Vikings knocked off Masterman 5-0 in the championship game to bring home the title. It was the second in a row for McIntyre and his teammates, and while it wasn’t similar to the championship they won last year, when they earned the right to play for a state championship, it was still the perfect way to end their careers.

“This was a little different, I played a different position and it was different because we were playing in the spring,” said McIntyre, whose team played Father Judge to a 2-2 tie during the spring season. “It meant a lot to us to win. It was our last chance to win together, so it was great.”

It was the perfect ending for McIntyre, but it was far from the perfect season.

During the year, he suffered a sprained foot that kept him out for two weeks. But he returned for the playoffs and was able to lead the team to the title.

“I was back for the semifinals and scored three that game, I had to be there for my guys,” said McIntyre, who was injured during a game for his club team, FC Europa, which plays in Conshohocken. “I was back for the playoffs, so that was good. I really pushed to get back fast because the season ended so quickly. It was (abbreviated time) so I really wanted to get back and play.

“This year meant a lot to all of us. We really appreciate the trophy. We wanted to win the Public League. It’s important to us. We work hard, training after every season. We eat right and keep each other motivated. This was a big year for all of us.”

This year wasn’t just the second championship for McIntyre, who transferred to Northeast from Lincoln after his sophomore year, it also marked the second title for coach John Psoras, who took over the program prior to last year.

This was one of the harder seasons to keep the team on track.

The entire year, Northeast students have been doing at-home learning, so the players weren’t in the building. They also didn’t have a long preseason to get in shape, so the players did their best to stay in shape and work out together. Just because they weren’t together didn’t mean they couldn’t work together.

“We had a fitness thing to follow, given to us from the coaches,” McIntyre said. “It was over video call, so it was pretty challenging because you were with yourself. You didn’t have your friends and teammates there to motivate you, but we would talk and stay in touch and push each other that way.

“It wasn’t soccer, either, because you couldn’t really play. We did things like push-ups, sit-ups and all the good things you can do to keep your body the proper way. You have to be in shape to play soccer, it’s very important. But our coaches were really important, reminding us to do it, telling us what we need to do, checking in on us and reminding us to stay hydrated. They really helped us.”

The hard work put McIntyre in position to continue his career. Next year he’ll play soccer at Chestnut Hill College.

“It’s a good school, I talked to the coaches, they have a great plan for the future and I love the recruiting class,” said McIntyre, a B-plus student in the classroom. “I’m going to study business administration. I want to be a businessman because I’ve seen my dad do it, he runs a business. He’s a mechanic on Torresdale Avenue and he’s very good. I would like to do something like that.”

He’s looking forward to the future, but he’s happy he’s leaving Northeast on top.

“This was a great career, it took a lot of hard work, but I couldn’t do it without my teammates and my coaches,” McIntyre said. “We did this together. It was a great two years. I’m really happy how it went.

“I’m looking forward to college, too. I’m going to work with a trainer and come in in great shape. I want to get a job, too. I want to go into college ready to learn and play soccer.”

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