Beverly's Halle leads Framingham State to NCAA tournament

By Matt Williams
staff writer

November 13, 2008 12:44 am

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A year ago, making history with the Framingham State men's soccer team might have been the furthest thing from Beverly native Greg Halle's mind. The sophomore goalkeeper's only focus was getting back on the pitch at all.

Halle tore knee ligaments and spent 2007 rehabbing as a medical redshirt. This year, he was back with a vengeance, assuming the starting keeper's job and leading the Rams to their first ever Division 3 NCAA tournament appearance Saturday at Middlebury.

"I didn't touch a soccer ball for probably seven months," said Halle. "We had high expectations coming into the season, and I was just trying to catch them in stride and give us a chance to win."

The former Beverly High standout did that and more, amassing a 15-3-1 record with eight shutouts. He gave up an average of less than one goal per game while totaling 103 saves and earning second team All-MASCAC honors.

"That was a nice feather in my cap," Halle said of the honor. "Our defense is terrific and the two outside backs were both first team all-conference guys. It's really a credit to our entire defense."

That defense helped the Rams hold off Salem State, 2-1, last weekend for their first MASCAC tournament title in program history. With it comes the chance to compete on the national stage, beginning with a single-elimination match against host Middlebury Saturday.

"Salem State pushed everyone forward in the last 20 minutes. They gave us some trouble; I must have had five saves towards the end," said Halle. "We held on though. It was no time to be nervous."

Halle's road to Division 3 soccer's biggest stage wasn't an easy one. An off-season injury two years ago led to surgery to repair a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and months of tireless exercise and rehabilitation.

"They have you do therapy even before surgery to make the healing faster," Halle explained. "After that, it's months and months of motion exercises and strengthening."

At 5-9, Halle is a naturally athletic goalkeeper who plays an aggressive style. His game is one that features a lot of lateral movement ¬­ — something that might stress a recently repaired knee. It was never an issue.

"I've played that way my whole life and I've completely trusted (the knee). I never think about it," said Halle. "My style is a little unorthodox. I rely a lot on my quickness and speed to take crosses out of the air."

That style and a ferocious offense that helped the Rams out-score their opponents by 30 goals this season have them in position to make a run through the NCAA tournament. A year ago, Halle was thinking about how many degrees he could bend his knee. Now, it's all about keeping the ball out of the net, and helping Framingham State win its first ever NCAA tourney game.

"I don't think words can describe how anxious we are to get out on the pitch," he said. "We're fighting for respect, for each other and get as far as we possibly can."

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