MIAA Boys: Takeaways and standouts from Oliver Ames’ 1-0 win over Needham

Victor Nascimento scored the lone goal in Monday's clash between OA and Needham. (Brian Kelly/NESJ)

NEEDHAM — Monday’s MIAA boys’ soccer showdown between Oliver Ames and Needham played out mostly as expected: even possession, physical play and low scoring.

So when the clock hit the 60-minute mark in a scoreless match, both teams knew one goal might be enough. Oliver Ames was happy to be the side to break through.

In the 62nd minute, junior Victor Nascimento beat a defender to the spot and buried a gorgeous cross from Derek Walsh for the game’s lone goal, delivering third-ranked Oliver Ames a pivotal 1-0 win over second-ranked Needham in a non-league clash between state title hopefuls at DeFazio Field.

“I learned we have some grit and leadership,” said OA coach John Barata. “We were very organized in our press, so that was good to see. We played a very athletic team in Needham. Now it’s about taking what we learned back home with us and continuing to get better.”

Oliver Ames, the three-time defending Division 2 champions, improved to 5-0-2, while Needham (6-1-1) dropped its first match of the fall after blitzing through the Bay State Conference. Both coaches intentionally scheduled this match, knowing that the lessons learned would be beneficial during the state tournament in November.

Here are some takeaways and standouts from Monday’s match: