The slope looked steep. There were obstacles left and right during his ascent.

However, nothing could stop Newton North from achieving its ultimate goal this November. The 31st-ranked Tigers (10-9-1) began arguably the greatest Cinderella run in Massachusetts high school sports history by winning the MIAA Div. St. 1st men’s football championship with a stunning 2-1 win against St. John’s (Shrewsbury). It was a sub-.500 program before the playoffs. During its historic postseason run, Newton North earned wins over second-seeded Lowell and then defeated two Catholic Conference heavyweights en route to lifting the trophy with a heroic performance from Gabino Talisayon ​​in net. The goaltender proved to be the biggest difference for the Tigers as they made history.

Can Oliver Ames achieve the three-peat? It’s no easy feat, but things paid off as the third-seeded Tigers (18-2-2) captured the Div. This time, under the feet of Jackson Mercieri, he achieved his second championship for the third consecutive season. The star scored the game-clinching score in double overtime, helping his group beat No. 4 Hingham 1-0. It was the school’s fourth state championship and sixth since 2014 under coach John Barata.

We predicted that Div. 3 men’s football fields would be a complete mess considering there are so many contenders competing for the title. This resulted in a lot of sadness. However, at the end of the day, second-place Dover-Sherborn managed to clinch their first title since 2010 by defeating Norwell 2-0 as Wesley Bunn and Jack Martin scored back-to-back second-half goals for the Raiders. 2-0 victory.

Div. 4 fields came down to the wire. Top-seeded Cohasset (19-4-2) pulled off a wild 3-2 win over No. 2 seed Lynnfield, with Sam Ellinger hitting the game-clinching score in the final two minutes. The victory ended the championship curse for the Skippers, who won the state title in six tries, three of which went to overtime.

Despite the drama, No. 1 Sutton (20-3-0) won the Div. 5 boys soccer crown, defeating fourth-place Dearborn STEM Academy in penalty kicks (3-1) for a memorable 1-0 victory. Goalkeepers were the heroes of this classic. As the final match progressed, Issac Bradley was substituted out during regulation and extra time sessions before German exchange student Paul Kupker sealed the deal with a superb performance in the penalty shoot-out. This was the programme’s first title since 2014 and sixth title overall.

Dave Wainwright knew he was getting into a good situation with Wellesley, and the legendary football coach was able to smile at the new Bay State Conference contender at season’s end. Emily Burnham collected the go-ahead point and the second-seeded Raiders (19-3-1) finally advanced to their first Div. girls soccer crown since 2004 with a memorable 3-1 victory over No. 4 Bishop Feehan.

It was a long time coming, but top-seeded Masconomet (22-0-1) was finally able to exorcise its demons and capture its first Div. 2 girls’ football championships since 1989. In the fall, Alison Lecesse’s team entered the season undefeated, with head captain Amanda Schneider scoring a hat trick to put the Chieftains in a 5-0 rout of No. 2 Duxbury.

Your div. 3 girls football championships proved to be exciting; Kyah Montano buried the decisive goal in the 67th minute to give No. 4 Nipmuc (21-1-1) its first championship in a decade, beating No. 1 1-0. 2Medfield.

Meanwhile, top-placed Sutton managed to retain their grip at the top of the Div. 4 girls soccer won its fourth straight title with a 2-0 win over No. 2 Hamilton-Wenham. Ava Magnuson and Addy Jerome scored as the Suzies captured their 12th state title in their 16th finals appearance since 1990.

After a back and forth Div. In the 5 girls soccer championship game, No. 1 Douglas (17-5-1) made it to the other side with its first state title since 2002 after an epic 3-2 win over second-seeded Hull. Meghan Brazeau scored a pair of goals, including the highlight shot in the 69th minute. Freshman goalkeeper Jasmine Trudeau then made a heroic save on a breakaway in the closing minutes as the Tigers finished the season in miraculous fashion.

First Publication Date: November 30, 2024 11:44 EST