NEWTON, Mass. – The margin of error had been razor-thin for Newton North.
The Tigers had dropped their first three games of the season by way of a 2-0 shutout at Framingham and a pair of 3-1 losses, one to Wellesley and one at Andover.
So, it's no surprise Roy Dow's team found another gear against Natick, riding a pair of quick goals early in the second half to a 2-0 victory, their first of the season, and handing the Red Hawks (3-1-0) their first loss.
Natick mostly controlled possession initially, generating a quality scoring chance off an early free kick. But Newton North (1-3-0) picked it up, thanks to speed and creativity from Santi Cuervo and Yorvin Arriaza Lopez.
Cuervo authored quick-strike offense for the Tigers with a pair of goals inside the box to start the second half. He struck from the right of the net just six minutes in and again beat Jadon Connors in tight just two minutes later.
Gabino Talisayon locked it down the rest of the way in net for the Tigers, despite a close call for Natick as Brady Dubeshter thought he cut it to 2-1 in the 56th minute, but the referee ruled offside.
Let's dive into five standouts from the game.
