Newton North’s boys’ soccer team defeated Natick, 1-0, on Natick’s home turf in the Elite Eight round of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) state tournament Wednesday, Nov. 13. After coming into the tournament seeded 31st, the Tigers punched their ticket to the Final Four, keeping fans on their toes with their inspiring underdog journey.
North kicked the game off strong with senior Ross Toma, a co-captain alongside senior Santi Cuervo, expertly slotting a shot past Natick’s goalkeeper just nine minutes into the game.
From there, North’s defense and goalkeeping proved unbeatable. Natick’s offense was relentless, firing seven shots throughout the game, but each attempt was skillfully saved by senior Gabino Talisayon, the goalie. According to Toma, Talisayon’s performance in goal was nothing short of spectacular.
“It’s a lot easier to play the game when you have reliable teammates who do their job,” said Toma.
As the second half progressed, the match shifted into a more defensive battle. North’s backline, led by junior Peter Reale and senior Seth Rao, stood strong, blocking several dangerous attacks and clearing the ball away from the box with determination.
Natick also put up its best effort, and strong play from the team’s center midfielders and left-back shut out several attacks from North’s junior Bishrelt “Giga” Bat-Erdene and senior Thiago Rubino. However, excellent communication and timing from North’s backline ensured that the defensive structure remained rock solid.
“I think we officially have the best defense in the league,” said North senior and fan Juan Talisayon.
The energy in the stands was palpable, with chants and cheers filling the air. The “nnhs_ultras,” a student group dedicated to supporting North’s athletes, led the charge with coordinated chants. The group communicates with Athletic Director Michael Jackson to ensure that the environment remains fun and spirited without crossing any lines.
“It makes my job easier at games and is pretty fun to watch,” said Jackson.
With the defense clicking, the offense firing, and the momentum on its side, North hopes to make a serious push for the title. As the underdogs continue to upset tough teams, the state championship title looks more and more like a reality.
“Obviously we didn’t have the best season, but this team is really starting to come together and make fewer and fewer mistakes,” said head coach Roy Dow.
Looking ahead, North will face Xaverian Brothers High School in the MIAA Final Four semifinal Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Woburn High School at 7 pm. The winner will advance to the MIAA championship game at Worcester State University, where it will meet the winner of the semifinal game between Saint John’s and St. John’s Prep.
Newton North boys’ soccer defeats Natick 1-0
