Longmeadow boys silence Needham, 2-0, in Div. 1 soccer final

WORCESTER — Needham coach Jimmy Odierna saw his team score the requisite tallies, especially in the second half, to come out on top throughout the state tournament.

But Saturday, the goals never came for the Rockets.

Longmeadow administered a standout defensive performance, holding Needham to just two shots on the net as the Lancers captured the program’s first Division 1 state title with a 2-0 victory at Worcester State’s Coughlin Memorial Field.

“I was confident we’d be able to get back into this game, but credit to the other team, they shut us down,” Odierna said.

Odierna added: “You don’t get here very often and that’s a lot to be proud of. It hurts right now, but in the long run we’re going to remember this as a phenomenal season.”

Longmeadow (21-0-1) got out to an early lead in the 11th minute when Joseph Cardaropoli dished a pass off to Andrew Healy, who tucked his shot inside the near post.

Needham (17-4-3) had its chances offensively, recording five first-half corners, but the Lancers denied each one. Longmeadow’s defense, anchored by Luke Hornyak and Jared Smith, clogged the middle as aside from a shot from Steven Donovan in the 65th minute that sailed over the crossbar, the Rockets couldn’t generate enough quality chances.

“Our backs have been pretty much the staple of our team throughout the course of this season,” said Longmeadow coach Brad Miller, “and they were under some pressure and they showed what they can do.”

Andrew Ortiz gave Longmeadow a 2-0 cushion in the 67th minute when he deposited his shot in off the post, and after falling in the state final two years ago, the Lancers weren’t going to let a chance at history slip away.

“It was a good redemption day for us,” Miller said.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2pJRw74