By Allison Goldsmith
 |
Photo by Jim Powers
Martin Manov, left, in the first half of the Whaler's game at home versus Norwood on Sunday, Oct. 15. |
I&M Sports Editor
It was business as usual for the boys soccer team on Sunday. The Whalers earned their seventh straight victory and ninth in 10 games with a 4-0 win over Norwood at home.
The win also marked the 10th of the season for Nantucket, which ties last year’s regular season win record, with five games remaining on the schedule this season.
Also reclaiming a spot in the record books, Caio Correa broke his own single-season school point record of 40, which he set last season as a freshman. The sophomore leading scorer scored once and had an assist against Norwood to bring is total to 24 goals and 17 assists (41 points) this season. Last season Correa scored 31 goals and added only nine assists.
“It is a good sign of his maturity as a player,
and his maturity level is growing. His assist total is more than three times what it was for all of last season. He is getting other people involved in the game and involved in scoring, which takes pressure off him,” head coach Rich Brannigan said.
The Whalers improved to 10-2-1 overall and 4-0 in the Lighthouse Conference and haven’t lost a match since Sept. 12 against Falmouth. With a state tournament berth and the single-season win record already in the books, the Whalers will look to wrap up the Lighthouse Conference crown with games against Cape Cod Academy and Sturgis this week, while also solidifying their claim for home-field advantage in the playoffs.
Prior to Sunday’s home game against Norwood, the Whalers hadn’t played a game since the previous Saturday at Norwood. The lengthy hiatus did not seem to affect the team at all.
“They seem to be getting better and better every game,” Brannigan said. “I was nervous with the large break and then playing the same opponent two games in a row, but (Sunday) was one of the best games we played all season team-game-wise.”
 |
Photo by Jim Powers
Boys soccer action the first half of their game at home versus Norwood on Sunday, Oct. 15. |
The Whalers’ defense and midfield corps was strong in front of goalie Russell Bartlett, who earned his fifth shutout of the season. Caleb Mitchell, Jasper Young, Henry Farrell, John Gray and Toby Glidden all played well for Nantucket.
“Those five guys really kept things intact in the back and led it through the midfield transitions,” Brannigan said. “The game was probably in the most
part won through the defense and in through the midfield. But our offense didn’t miss when the opportunity came our way and that was great to see.”
The Whalers were not killing the Mustangs with shots on goal. Instead, they controlled the ball in the midfield and played to protect the lead. Yet when they took shots on goal, they went in.
“Everything was so crisp, there was excellent execution, everyone was in the right spots, and the movement off the ball was great,” Brannigan said. “The first 10 minutes might have been a little sloppy but we settled down and really just dominated the game. I was definitely happy with the performance of everyone.”
In the first half Mitchell, assisted by Yuvi Montenegro, put the Whalers on the board 14 minutes in on a rocket that bounced off the Norwood keeper and into the net. Mitchell returned the favor to Montenegro at the end of the half. The senior midfielder sent a long crossing pass to Montenegro, who nailed the ball to the upper left corner of the net out of the keeper’s reach.
Playing with the lead, Correa scored a picture-perfect goal early in the second half assisted by Philipe Bazilio. On the left side of the field, Bazilio tapped the ball back to Correa who sent a bending shot more than 20 yards to the right side of the net. Correa assisted Steven Cranston on the final goal of the game.
Reach Allison Goldsmith at sports@inkym.com
|
