Splendid Career for Versatile Soccer Captain

By Jim Fenton

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The consecutive game streak began on Sept. 19, 2022, a couple of weeks into his freshman men's soccer season at Bridgewater State University.

Gavin Norton (Rockland, Mass.) had sat out two games with an injury before returning to play that day in a 2-1 home loss to the University of Massachusetts Boston.

It marked the start of a streak that has now reached 60 straight games in which Norton has been on the field for the Bears.

The senior captain, listed on the roster as a defender, has brought versatility to BSU throughout his career, contributing in all phases.

He was the Bears' leading scorer as a junior, earnng All-Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference first-team honors.

And he is a solid defender, helping limit the scoring chances for opponents.

"The thing that makes Gavin a very good player for us is he can play multiple positions and do it really well," said BSU coach Brendan Adams. "He played defense originally with a different formation.

"He plays a wingback position and he can play center midfield if we really needed him to. He's very clever with the ball, a very smart player who is very good one-on-one. Overall, he's a very important player to our team."

Norton started the first two games of his career in 2022 and came off the bench in the third one. He was then sidelined for games against Eastern Nazarene College and Salem State before playing the final 14 games in a row.

As a sophomore, Norton started all 20 games when BSU (12-3-5) won the MASCAC championship and reached the NCAA Division III tournament for the first time since 2018.

After having no goals and six assists through the first two seasons, Norton broke out offensively last year with six goals and six assists.

He was tied for the team lead in goals and led the Bears in points with 18. Norton ranked tied for second in the MASCAC in points, one behind Traizen Griffith of the Mass. College of Liberal Arts.

"I had my first collegiate goal on a header against Framingham (last Oct. 5) and after that, it didn't stop," said Norton.

This season, Norton has two goals and three assists through eight games. BSU is 4-4 heading into a Saturday road game against Westfield State University.

Norton enjoys being able to play all over the field for the Bears, contributing in a variety of ways.

"I've probably played every single position at Bridgewater, except center back," he said. "I've been at striker, center-mid. Wherever they've needed me, I tried to be there, for sure.

"I love it. I always want to take on a role like that to help my team any way I could. No complaints."

Norton, a criminal justice major, looked at Framingham State, Westfield State and Franklin Pierce before deciding on BSU coming out of Rockland High School.

"I came and talked with Brendan and enjoyed the school and the program," said Norton. "It was close to home and I really love the environment here and I wouldn't trade it for anything else."

After graduating next spring, Norton would like to become a K-9 police officer.

His soccer career at BSU has had a bit of an obstacle since Norton has been dealing with the injury since freshman season, though he hasn't missed any time.

"It's just from overuse," said Norton, who has eight goals and 13 assists in 63 career games. "It's been tough, but I've been able to get through it. I feel like every year has been positive. We have good athletic trainers here that help me stay fit and healthy.

"Sometimes (it's a hindrance), but I don't let it affect me. I have 10 or so games left in my college career, so I don't focus on that."

What Norton is focusing on is getting the Bears back to the NCAAs. BSU lost to Tufts University, 3-0, in 2023.

They have won two straight MASCAC regular-season titles, and he would like nothing better than to experience another trip to the nationals.

"It was sweet," recalled Norton of the NCAA appearance. "I'll never forget that feeling. It was pretty surreal. The team we had that year was unbelievable."

There are nine regular-season games to go before the postseason, so the end of Norton's career is approaching.

"I wanted to go to a good program and win the MASCAC," said Norton. "It's been awesome. I'm happy with the way things have gone.

"It's been a ride, for sure. It's been awesome. It's definitely been better than I expected. I love the school, the academics, the professors. The campus is beautiful. I've really enjoyed my time here.

"Honestly, it's really sad (the career is winding down). I don't have words for it right now. I'm trying to make the most of it, trying to win the MASCAC and get back to the NCAAs."

Norton has brought versatility and production on offense and defense, helping the Bears win a pair of MASCAC regular-season titles and a tourney championship.

"We were excited to get him here," said Adams, thinking back to '22. "He had that injury early and it took him some time to get into the lineup. Once he did, he's really excelled and done a very good job."