By Mike Rubin

With a tournament berth clinched, the Somerville High School boys soccer team is continuing to emerge as one of the area’s top teams. After cruising to a 5-0 win over Billerica last Tuesday, the Highlanders won 4-0 over Andover on Thursday night.

Currently, the Highlanders stand at 8-5-3 overall.

“We’re playing our best soccer at the right time of the season,” said coach George Scarpelli. “We’re playing to our potential, and everyone is stepping up. It’s not just one person, it’s the entire team. We’re in great position to make a run at it.”

In the North Andover win, freshman sensation Thayrone Miranda led the way, recording two goals and an assist while senior Kevin Montiel also recorded a goal while delivering two assists. Also contributing was Charlemers Pierre-Louis, who also added a goal.

Despite the Highlanders firepower, Scarpelli is also missing a key important cog in the lineup, Homero Morais, who’s already tallied 17 goals and 13 assists this season.

In the Andover win, the Highlanders delivered a 1-0 lead just 7:00 into the contest. Off a corner kick from Edgardo Perez Vazquez, Montiel positioned in front of the net, knocked in the rebound.

Moments later, the Highlanders struck again for the 2-0 lead as Miranda, off a feed from Montiel, unloaded a shot that sailed into the back of the net.

Midway through the second half, the Miranda struck for his second goal of the contest. Off another pass from Montiel, Miranda whisked a shot into the corner of the net. Pierre-Louis also added a goal in the final minutes as the Highlanders cruised to the win.

Minding the goal was Bruno Souza, who recorded 12 saves in earning the shutout.

In the Billerica win, Montiel led the way, recording two goals while Miranda also added a pair.

The Highlanders aimed to improve their state tournament seed in Monday’s non-league match against Whittier Tech.