By Mike Rubin

The Somerville High Boys Soccer team suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 loss at the hands of Brookline in Friday's Division 1 North Semifinal Match.

For the Somerville High boys soccer team, a trip to the Division 1 North Sectional Final just wasn’t meant to me.

Led by Tito Curran and Eric Buck, Brookline prevailed in a hard fought 2-1 victory over the Highlanders in Friday afternoon’s Semifinal showdown at Arlington High School. With the loss, the Highlanders finished the season at 12-6-4 overall.

After its struggles in the tournament in recent years, the 17th seeded Highlanders earned their second consecutive trip to the semifinal round. Unfortunately, the season once again ended in heartbreak for the Highlanders.

“They (Brookline) were able to get to use early,” said coach George Scarpelli. “We didn’t do much in the first 20 minutes, and then we were able to move around and get to them in the second half. We didn’t get many shots on goal and didn’t attack the net like we should have. They were able to capitalize on their scoring opportunities early, and their defense did a nice job shadowing our guys.”

After both teams capitalized on several opportunities, the Warriors struck first and grabbed a 1-0 lead as Curran fired a shot from the left side that eluded Highlander goalkeeper Bruno Souza top corner.

Aiming to battle back, the Highlanders nearly tied the contest as defender Toby Moynihan weaved through a pair of defenders and whistled a shot that landed wide.

Defensively, the Warriors were able to neutralize Greater Boston League MVP Homero Morais, who was limited to just several shots in the offensive zone.

“They were able to zero in on him, and limit his opportunities,” said Scarpelli. “We have other guys that have contributed all season, but we just couldn’t find a way to finish.”

With a 1-0 halftime lead, the Warriors added a key insurance goal as Buck fired a low shot that sailed past Souza low side for the 2-0 lead with 29:51 remaining in the contest.

Only moments before, the Highlanders nearly tied the contest as Morais’ shot within the 20-yard line landed inches wide off the far post.

Battling back, the Highlanders closed the gap within 2-1 as Murilo Zanette cashed in on a scoring opportunity. Dribbling the ball at the middle of the field, Zanette penetrated through the Warrior defense and whistled a shot that eluded goalkeeper Matt Hillamn with 21:55 left.

In the waning minutes, the Highlanders created several prime scoring opportunities by Morais along with Zanette and Moynihan, but Hillman stopped several key shots down the stretch en route to the win.

“We had a great run, and Brookline did a tremendous job,’’ said Scarpelli. “We just came up a little short.”

Earlier in the state tournament, in a grudge match between two top Greater Boston League teams, the Highlanders prevailed in a 3-2 victory over Medford in Wednesday’s quarterfinal round.

For Scarpelli, the victory served as a bittersweet one as the former longtime Medford assistant was able to upend his old squad.

“Medford has a great group of kids, and I know them very well,” said Scarpelli. “It was as great win for us, and it was one of the many highlights we enjoyed here in the tournament.”

After both teams failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities, the Highlanders grabbed a 1-0 lead as Homero Morais unloaded a shot from the 20-yard line that landed into the back of the net with 22:43 remaining in the first half for the 1-0 lead.

With 6:45 remaining in the first half, the Highlanders increased the edge to 2-0 as Murilo Zanette fired a cross to Edgardo Perez, who whistled a shot top right corner.

With a 2-0 halftime lead, the Highlanders surrendered a goal with 31:46 remaining in the second half. Jon Pires fired a shot that landed past Highlander goalkeeper Bruno Souza and into the back of the net, trimming the lead to 2-1.

Adding a key insurance goal, the Highlanders increased the lead to 3-1 as Morais notched his second goal of the contest. Andre Rolim, positioned just outside the box, fired a shot that Morais redirected into the back of the net.

Minutes later, Pires notched his second goal of the contest for the Mustangs, taking a feed off of John Dumbuya and landed a shot past Souza short side.

Refusing to quit, the Mustangs created several prime chances in the final minutes, but Souza held the fort, stopping several key shots en route to the win.