By Mike Rubin

The Somerville High boys' soccer team has righted the ship. With wins over Malden and Cambridge, the Highlanders now stand at 5-3-3 overall. - Photo by Sabrina Kerr

Even despite injuries and obstacles, the Somerville High School boys soccer team has managed to stay the course.

Led by a balanced attack, the Highlanders cruised to a 4-0 win over Malden last Wednesday at Dilboy Field. Coupled with last Tuesday’s 2-2 tie with Medford and a 2-1 win over Cambridge, the Highlanders now stand at 5-3-3 overall.

“We’ve had a slow start, but now we’re hitting our strides and moving forward,” said coach George Scarpelli. “Our defense has improved a lot, and now we’re trying to generate a solid offensive attack. I’m very happy with the way this team has improved and now we’re hoping to have a strong finish down the stretch. Right now we’re just focused on ourselves and not on the other teams.”

In the Malden win, the Highlanders delivered an early 1-0 lead with 34 minutes remaining as Murilo Zaneete finished off a corner kick by Kevin Montiel with a header that landed just inside the far post.

Just six minutes later, the Highlanders increased the lead to 2-0 as Richard Rodriguez managed to finish off a corner kick, one-touching a shot that landed into the back of the net.

“We’re finishing our chances, and that’s something that we haven’t done earlier in the season,” said Scarpelli. “If we continue to finish off our chances, then I think we’ll be in great shape.”

Continuing to dominate in the first half, the Highlanders increased the lead to 3-0 when last year’s Greater Boston League MVP Homero Morias found the net. Breaking through a stream of defenders, Morais positioned himself just outside of the penalty box and fired a high shot that landed in the goal’s top corner.

“We came out attacking in the first half and we were able to take advantage of our opportunities,” said Scarpelli. “We’re starting to turn things around and really take things to the next level.”

In the second half, the Highlanders added another goal by Rodriguez before the Highlander defensive led unit of Toby Moynihan fared solid, delivering several defensive stops while goalkeeper Bruno Souza recorded six saves in the shutout.

In the Cambridge win, the Highlanders overcame a slow start and recorded goals by Morais and Rodriguez. Defensively, Moynihan recorded another solid effort while Souza stopped six shots in the win.

“(Toby) has done a great job on defense and he’s been able to hold his own,” said Scarpelli. “Our goalkeeping has been huge these past few games, and we’re hoping to keep it going.”Top of Form