Nauset Captures Cape Soccer League Title After Shootout

HYANNIS — After a grueling 120 minutes of play with the 2025 Davis Cup on the line, the Nauset Storm found the perfect opportunity to strike. The top-seeded Storm beat second-seeded AC Independence 1-0 in a penalty shootout to claim the Cape Cod Soccer League’s championship played at Leo Shields Field at Barnstable High School Sunday. 

The match was a battle of wills as each team played a physical brand of soccer, with both accumulating numerous yellow cards. In the end, the outcome of the game would come down to the goalkeepers. This was a fact not lost on Storm head coach John McCully. 

“When it came to penalty kicks, JJ, that’s his specialty,” said McCully. “We had the goalie that can make a difference, and he did tonight.”

While the first 90 minutes of play was a story of physicality and missed opportunities, the 30 minutes of extra time was much more about will and endurance, with both teams making excellent defensive efforts to keep the game tied at nil at the end of the session. AC Independence head coach Marcos Cavalheiro reflected on the game and his team at the end of the match.

“We thought we could have scored during the 120, we missed a couple of chances, they’re a tough team to play,” said Cavalheiro. “They’re physical. They don’t let us play our game.

“We have a good team, we’re going to stay together and see if we have better luck next year,” he said.

AC won the toss and elected Nauset to shoot first in the penalty shootout. Up first for the Storm was Patrick Phelan, a former New England Revolution player, who was able to connect on a low drive toward the right of the net. AC was able to answer, as Victor Viana snuck one past Storm goalkeeper John Devine at the low right corner of the net.

Unfortunately for AC, however, that would be the only kick he would allow to break the plane of the goal in the shootout. AC players missed their next two attempts as Storm players Charlie Cushing and Owen MacKinnon converted, setting the stage for the Storm’s Matt McAuliffe at the top of the fourth round of the shootout. McAuliffe walked from midfield and placed the ball in the center of the turf four yards out of the end zone at the high school side of Leo Shields Field. He placed his hands on his hips and when the whistle blew, he drove the ball through the low left corner of the goal, seemingly shocking AC goalkeeper Luiz Gustavo Almedia and causing McAuliffe and the rest of the Storm squad to erupt in celebration.

When McCully received the Davis Cup, he addressed his team before lifting it in celebration.

“It was a pleasure to watch you every single game, I had the best seat in the house,” he said to his team, before raising the trophy above his head, drawing cheers from the squad. 

Afterward, McCully reflected on the season, noting that the victory marked the third time the Storm beat AC this year.

“We were the best team throughout the entire season,” said McCully. “We got a great team effort from everybody, we’ve got a terrific bunch of guys and we know how to play it the right way.”

In the end, both coaches noted that they were excited to make a run again next year. The Storm expects at least half of their players returning, including their captain. AC players said they believe the future looks bright as they will also have a majority of their core returning. 

For more information on the Cape Cod Soccer League, follow them on Instagram at @ccsl_2025.