Photo by Owen Ziegler
Senior Harry Hayes scans the field
By Owen Ziegler
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
On Thursday, September 4th, a thrilling encounter between the Westwood Wolverines boys soccer team and the Norwood Mustangs left the fans shocked. With some last minute heroics, Westwood was able to clinch the win 2-1, improving their record to two wins and zero losses. Coming into the game, the odds pointed to a Westwood blowout, but Norwood's superb defense kept the game alive. This season, Westwood will don a countless number of seniors, crafting a superb lineup, with lots of experience they hope to make a good run.
The Wolverines showed not only their defensive strength, but their comfort in the first half, as defenders Harry Hayes and Ethan Butner honed their skills dribbling the ball and dishing passes to the midfield. Midway through the half, Westwood struck first, with a perfectly placed corner kick from Alexandros Michalacos, Trevor Ferreira was able to place a header right past the goalkeeper. In his first season as the varsity coach, Coach Mitchell has shown his excellent tactics when it comes to set pieces,along with the Wolverines’ superior height and strength expect a majority of goals to come from free and corner kicks. Along with Ferreira and Michalacos, the rest of the midfield was complemented by senior Jack Tateosian; they were able to keep the ball in Westwood possession for the remainder of the first half.
The second half had a little bit more flair than the first, although starting off slow, sophomore George Stamatakos attempted a bicycle kick that missed just right. With the score 1-0 in Westwood's favor, Norwood lined up a long free kick from about the 50 yard line, but with a little help from a Westwood miscommunication, they were able to slip the ball into the net. For the next 20 minutes, Westwood had countless opportunities to score, but Norwood's goalkeeping was unstoppable, chance after chance, saved by the goalie. With just five minutes remaining in the game, Michalacos stepped up to take one of Westwood's signature free kicks, he placed a perfect low ball right onto Trevor Ferreira's foot, who, with a one time shot, launched it into the goal.
“We made eye contact, and we both just kind of knew” says Ferreira, describing the set up with Michalacos to those two corner kicks. The Wolverines were able to squeak out a 2-1 victory, thanks to their entire team, and some last minute heroics, and next week they will face Holliston and Dedham, two tough matches that they hope to add to the win column.
