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Photo by Jim Powers
Nantucket's Luke Daniels heads to the ball vs. Norwood Saturday. The boys varsity soccer team is heading toward the playoffs on a high note, and is undefeated in its last nine games.
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By Allison Goldsmith
I&M Sports Editor
It has been four weeks since the boys soccer team lost a game. The playoff-bound Whalers tacked on three more wins this week with shutouts over Sturgis 2-0 and Provincetown 4-0 to earn the outright Lighthouse Conference title, and also took down Division I Norwood 3-1.
Over the last nine games the Whalers have allowed only four goals, while scoring 23 on their opponents. There have also been five shutouts over that stretch.
Nantucket improved to 11-3-2 overall this season and wrapped up its sixth conference title in the seven years of the Lighthouse League.
In the final week of the season as the Whalers fight for a low seed and home playoff games, the squad was scheduled to play at Abington yesterday, too late for this edition of Sports, and will travel to Norwood Friday for a rematch of Saturday’s win. Playoff pairings will be announced next Wednesday, Nov. 5.
“Every win is important as far as seeding goes. Winning games would be nice, but more importantly, feeling good about yourself when you walk off the field. We want to keep the team intact, we want to keep the team healthy and cohesive as a unit and I would sacrifice a win for those things,” head coach Rich Brannigan said.
Against Provincetown Monday afternoon the Whalers traveled with 21 players – seven more than normal – in order to get some of the junior varsity experience with the varsity team.
Brannigan challenged his team to focus on execution and look to score goals off corner kicks, crossing passes, back passes and long-distance shots.
“I don’t care about scoring goals, I care about execution, doing things properly and doing things right and that’s what they did for the most part,” Brannigan said.
Among the junior varsity call-ups, Will Horyn play well at outside midfield and defense, Ben Parker helped create plays in the midfield, Jimmy Dalzell was strong at stopper and Colin Kohler made a couple saves in goal in the second half.
Bryan Tarcitano, Emil Bender, Roneik Gordon and Emerson Guzman each tallied a goal in the win, while Philipe Bazilio had two assists, and Gordon and Tarcitano had one each as the Whalers wrapped up the league crown.
Saturday’s game against Division I Norwood was the match of the week. Last year against Norwood, the Whalers lost top players Tarcitano and Bazilio to serious injury.
“Philipe and Bryan were definitely extra-motivated to have the game. It is what put them out last year on their field. They had a little extra something (Saturday),” Brannigan said.
The Whalers won the coin toss and opted to take the all-important wind in the second half, which paid off. The strong breeze was blowing end to end and was a key advantage to both sides, but more helpful in the final 40 minutes of the game.
Norwood was able to score only once in the first half with the wind at their backs. The Whalers were able to even the score late in the half on a goal by Bazilio placed perfectly on the ground to the goalie’s right.
“It was nice to see us equalize it with the wind at our faces. It was kind of an uphill battle facing that wind,” Brannigan said.
The Mustangs had a chance to re-take the lead minutes before the half. A Norwood midfielder found space in front of the Whalers’ bench and launched a rocket at the net with his left foot. Alex Perkins took a step to his left, but the wind took the ball back to the right. The sophomore keeper was able to readjust and put a stiff-arm on the ball to punch it over the crossbar to maintain the tie.
“Between the wind and the velocity this guy put on the ball, it was going to be tough to handle even if he was positioned right. It was a great save. It was probably one of the best saves of the season, considering the importance of that save at that time in the game,” Brannigan said.
In the second half with the wind at their backs, the Whalers dominated possession of the ball and peppered shot after shot on the Norwood net. After multiple chances by Henry Farrell, Emil Bender, Luke Daniels and a failed penalty shot by Bazilio, the game was still tied with nine minutes remaining.
Then the Whalers earned a penalty on the right side of the box in the 71st minute. Bazilio took the direct kick and with the help of the tail wind, put a strong shot on net. The goalie got a fingertip on the ball, but not enough to stop it and the Whalers led 2-1.
Nantucket added an insurance goal almost immediately, as Guzman played the ball down the left sideline on a give-and-go with Tarcitano. Tarcitano got the ball on the baseline and was able to beat the defender and tip the ball across the line past the keeper for the score.
Sturgis paid a visit to the island with tournament hopes on the line last Friday. The Storm came into the game with an 8-9 record, needing a win to earn its first-ever trip to the postseason. The Whalers meanwhile, were playing with a mix of varsity and junior varsity players in an attempt to stay fresh for the Norwood game the next day.
Nantucket scored once in each half on unassisted goals by Gordon and Bazilio. It would be all they needed to earn the victory and keep Sturgis out of the playoffs.
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