Boys play "best game of season"
BY LINDAWILLIAMS
After triumphing over Norwood 4-1 in their first meeting, Nantucket again bested Norwood at home Sunday, 4-0, for the squad's fifth shutout of the season, a record of 10-2-1 and second place in the division just behind Martha's Vineyard, the loser of two games last week for a record of 11-2-2.

Caleb Mitchell opened the scoring on a header in the 14th minute of play. Coach Rich Brannigan characterized the goal as "a little late for us, though we did score first," in reference to Nantucket's propensity for scoring in the first five minutes of the game. Caio Correa put the ball down the right side line from mid-field to Yuve Montenegro who then crossed the ball high towards the net and a leaping Mitchell. Eight minutes before the break, Mitchell returned the favor to Montenegro to go up, 2-0.

"We changed strategy at the half, with a two goal lead we went to a 4-5-1 with Philipe Brazilio the lone striker," Brannigan said. "We did the same thing at Scituate with a two goal lead. I am trying to teach the guys a different formation for the playoffs when we have the lead in order to protect it by dropping back into a more defensive format."

Nantucket scored two more times in the second half. Correa got off a "nasty, nasty shot" two minutes in off a back-pass from Bazilio. Brannigan was awed. "It was one of those highlight goals. It was like a knuckleball-type pitch that really sealed the deal, with one touch, no spin and the ball driven to curve down about five feet to dip into the bottom right hand corner of the net." Steven Cranston closed out the scoring on an assist from Correa.

Brannigan felt that the "key thing about the win was that all of our goals were highlight goals and everything leading up to the goal was perfect - the passes, the crosses, really nice looking stuff all over the field with everyone executing.

"It was one of the best games the team has played all season. I was excited as a coach and the guys were just like, hey, just business as usual. They just show up do the job and win games. For me, as a coach, I was more excited about the execution and styles of goals." He added: "I will just sit back and enjoy the ride."

With two points in the game, Correa has managed to score in all 13 games so far this season for a state-leading total of 41 points.

Nantucket plays the off-island trifecta this week when the team faces Cape Cod Academy on Wednesday, South Shore Christian High School on Thursday and Sturgis Charter School on Friday.

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