NORTH EASTON — Oliver Ames has achieved principally the whole lot it may the previous couple of years. Capturing three straight Division 2 state crowns and 7 consecutive Hockomock League titles is proof.
The one factor lacking for the Tigers was a win over Harmony-Carlisle and OA bought the long-awaited victory Saturday at Muscato Stadium.
After shedding to the Patriots every of the final 4 seasons — plus two state closing defeats within the 2010s — the Tigers broke by with two second-half objectives and a standout efficiency from senior goalie Zack Gilson to earn a 2-0 nonleague win in a matchup of premier applications within the state.
“We’re excited that we’re in a position to have an opportunity to truly win a recreation as soon as in my 17 years in opposition to them,” OA head coach John Barata stated. “However on the finish of the season, doesn’t matter who we performed, the efficiency we delivered is type of what I’m extra enthusiastic about. We’re moving into playoff mode taking part in good soccer and that’s what we have to do.”
OA (12-0-3), now driving a 21-game unbeaten streak ever since shedding to the Patriots final yr, put stress on C-C (10-5-1) within the first half however couldn’t get a shot previous goalie Niko Kocic, who completed with seven saves.
That modified for the Tigers due to senior captain Nick Babanikas. Babanikas can play all around the discipline and was slotted into an attacking place in opposition to C-C, which labored out with him blasting dwelling a shot from the highest of the 18-yard field within the 61st minute for a 1-0 lead.
Babanikas was concerned in OA’s subsequent aim six minutes later because the Tigers placed on a terrific passing show. Babanikas laid the ball off to Cyrus Hanjani and Hanjani discovered a slicing Derek Walsh, who buried his probability from contained in the field.
“We have now a tradition of selflessness and we simply play wherever the workforce wants you,” Babanikas stated.
Gilson, who made 5 of his seven saves within the second half and who has conceded simply seven objectives this season with 10 shutouts, stored the lead protected along with his glorious play in internet.
Gilson stood as much as heavy stress to start the second half and made an acrobatic save within the 53rd minute when he absolutely prolonged to knock away a shot that C-C’s Mikey Jantzen had ticketed for the higher nook from a tricky angle.
“The sky’s the restrict with this workforce,” Gilson stated. “I’m actually happy with how laborious they labored.”
