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Angelo back where he belongs, with his team

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The Nute High Soccer team along with coach Andre van Coesant, pose with Angelo Loli for a group shot on Friday at Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center in Greenfield, N.H. (Courtesy photo)

GREENFIELD, N.H. - The Nute High Soccer team traveled to Hinsdale on Friday for a game, but that contest was little more than a footnote for what the squad did afterward, visiting fallen teammate Angelo Loli who is making his own comeback after a life-threatening brain disorder put him on life's sidelines last January.

"It was great to have the team be able to make the visit," said soccer mom Pam Pennell, whose son, Reggie, is best friends with Loli.

The 17-year-old Nute High School senior was seized by a rare brain disorder known as Arteriovenous malformation on Jan. 22 while at school. Within a short time of complaining of a severe headache he began to lose basic senses and motor skills. School and medical officials realized it was serious and he was rushed to Frisbie Memorial Hospital and later Medflighted to Maine Medical Center in Portland where he was placed in an induced coma and underwent three brain surgeries in the first several weeks of treatment.

AVM is an abnormal connection between arteries and veins, bypassing the capillary system. The most general symptoms of a cerebral AVM include headache and difficulties with movement.

But Loli, who is also a basketball player at Nute, is proving his strength in fighting the affliction. He is now at Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center, where he continues to work on his motor skills.

Loli has a wonderful smile and a glimmer of that old smile was showing through on Friday.

Pennell said it took a lot of coordination to make the visit happen and wanted to thank Nute High Principal Aaron Bronson, AD Howie Drolet and bus driver Sheri Thurston.

Pennell said Loli looked good and is doing much better.

"There's no more trach, he's eating normally and his speech is good," she said on Saturday. "Now he's just working on getting stronger and his motor skills."

Loli has been at Crotched since June.

"There was a lot of laughter," Pennell said of the 45-minute reunion. "You can tell the kids all love him. He was very happy to see us, very happy. There were conversations and laughs."

Pennell said after the visit players left for a long but happy ride back to Milton.

After meeting with Loli, the loss to Hinsdale was easily overshadowed by a visit with a beloved teammate and friend.

Want to help?

Fund raising has been ongoing for several months to help the Loli family, who own Kozy's Pizza in Barrington and the Pizza Nook in Milton.

The goal is to raise as much money as possible to help offset the costs of Angelo's medical expenses so his family can focus on his health and recovery.

Below are some of ways you can help.

Donate at any TD Bank branch location account titled "Angels for Angelo"

Go to www.gofundme.com/AngelsforAngelo

Purchase a T-shirt for $10, window decal for $5 or wristband for $2.

Contact Jen Piller (603) 343-3747 or munchkinsdaycare@gmail.com for orders, questions, or other donations

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