One look at the result of the state championship game tells you all you need to know about Jimmy Velas.

In that 6-1 victory by the Falmouth boys’ soccer team, the Yachtsmen’s scoring machine scored two goals and set up two others.

“That was his season in a nutshell,” said Falmouth coach Dave Halligan. “He had two goals and two assists. He just made everything happen.”

On a team that needed a go-to player to step forward after graduating Patrick Halligan, Velas was that player. He finished the year with 33 goals and 13 assists, making him the Sun Journal Boys’ Soccer Player of the Year.

Other players considered were Lawrence’s Nate Lovitz, Portland’s Francis Khamis, Winslow’s Joe Corey and Mt. Ararat’s Mark Rogers.

Despite losing an all-star like Halligan from a potent squad, Velas helped fill the void and lead the Yachtsmen to a fourth straight state title.

“Every year we seem to have an impact player and he was our impact player this year,” said Halligan.

The state game was an example of Velas’ ability to dominate a game, but it wasn’t the only one. He scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win over Maranacook in the regional final. He also scored two goals and two assists in a 4-0 win over Freeport in the semifinals. Freeport had played to a 0-0 tie with Falmouth earlier in the year.

Velas was chosen by the Maine Soccer Coaches as Maine’s All-New England and All-American nominee and was the state’s Class B Player of the Year.

Velas managed his lofty totals despite the extensive coverage he regularly saw. If he couldn’t produce by scoring himself, which he often did, he would find an open teammate.

Halligan says Velas worked hard to develop as a complete player. He did his job up front by scoring goals, but he also took on the responsibility of helping those around him. He became a team leader and shouldered a great deal of responsibility in helping the team succeed.

“We had a lot of good players, and he was called upon to do as much as he could,” said Halligan. “This year he was the backbone of the team.”

Even defensively, Velas made sure he did his job. He would often come back to help. Though he was known for his offense, Halligan stresses his work in the other end.

“He had that sense when he needed to help,” said Halligan. “He was a complete player this year.”

Velas finished his career with 77 goals, putting him second to Roger Levesque in Falmouth’s history. He’s a standout guard on the basketball team and a shortstop on the baseball team. Though Halligan admits he’ll miss having Velas on the squad, his impact on the returning players should be great.

“He made the players around him better,” said Halligan. “We had some sophomores and freshmen that were scoring, but he helped them score.”

[email protected]