Concord-Carlisle boys net sixth state title, first at Div. 1 level
WALPOLE – With its first chance at the Div. 1 boys soccer title, Concord-Carlisle got an early lead and never looked back at Walpole High on Saturday night.
The top-seeded Patriots got a tally in each half to claim their first Div. 1 title and sixth overall as they won 2-0 over No. 2 Needham.
“It feels amazing,” said coach Ray Pavlik about Concord-Carlisle’s first title since winning the Div. 2 title in 2017. “These guys played their hearts out tonight. We knew it was going to be a really tough match. … I’m so proud of these guys that have come so far each year.”
Concord-Carlisle (20-0-1) made quick work as senior captain Brady Poor found senior captain Sean Fernandez-Davila for a header in the seventh minute as the Patriots took the 1-0 lead.
“(Needham) came out hot and we knew we had to make them respect us going forward, otherwise they would keep pushing guys,” Pavlik said about the importance of that early goal. “I think our forwards did a wonderful job of being dangerous. Both teams had a bunch of chances.”
For the rest of the half, the teams played evenly as Needham’s Max Edwards hit a crossbar. Concord-Carlisle led the shots advantage 6-4 in the first half.
In the 67th minute, Poor got a chance at a free kick from about 20 yards out and was able to get it inside the net for a 2-0 advantage for the Patriots.
“It’s not explainable,” said Poor about winning the state title. “It’s awesome and it’s amazing.”
Needham (18-3-2) bumped up the pressure over the final 13 minutes, but was unable to get a shot past senior captain Ben Wasserman.
“Ben’s amazing,” Pavlik said about his goalie. “He’s not loud and he’s understated out there, but he’s just so solid in net. He doesn’t make mistakes and is always there when you need him.”
Wasserman made five saves on the night, but Needham’s offensive pressure nearly led to several goals as shots were fired over crossbars as well as wide of the net on multiple occasions.
Concord-Carlisle’s Brady Poor celebrates his goal as his team topped Needham, 2-0, to capture the Div. 1 boys soccer state title. (Staff Photo/Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)