RallyNorth.net

As regulation ended in yesterday's Division 1 North quarterfinal soccer match between sixth-seeded Gloucester and third-seeded Lexington, you got the feeling that the contest was destined to be decided by either penalty kicks or a fluke goal.

After 80 minutes of regulation, nothing separated Gloucester and Lexington in the Division 1 North quarterfinal.

After 10 minutes of overtime, the score was still knotted at zero. However, a few minutes into the second overtime, the Middlesex League Champions from Lexington (16-1-3) scored the sudden death tally after a scramble in front of the Fishermen goal. For Gloucester (13-4-2), it was a bitter end to such a grueling contest and another highly successful season (second straight NEC South title).

Through skill and some fortunate luck, both the Gloucester boys and Rockport boys soccer teams will be hosting MIAA State Tournament games this weekend.

Rockport is the No. 17 seed in Division 3 North and will play No. 16 Maimonides (a K-12 Jewish school from Brookline) in the preliminary round. Maimonides' home field didn't meet MIAA specifications so the Vikings will get an unexpected home game today (1:30 p.m.).

In soccer, goalies and forwards usually get the biggest share of the glory. They make the timely saves and score the goals, and thus tend to get noticed the most.

The real thankless work, however, is done by the midfielders.

The beautiful weather yesterday afternoon made it seem like a preseason game.

But the truth of the matter is that it's getting down to the end of the regular season for local high school soccer teams. Each point counts dearly as local squads try to win conference titles and lock up playoff positions.

Luke Cosgrove, Shane O'Neill and Ben Hannah each scored for the Fishermen. Nick LoCoco and Alex Trotsky provided the assists while goalkeeper Dom Braga made five saves to earn the shutout. Gloucester (10-2-2) closes out the regular season with three tough games: home to Marblehead, at Swampscott and home to Danvers.

GLOUCESTER | Yesterday's soccer match between Gloucester and Salem pitted two of the top teams in the Northeastern Conference and was expected to be one of the closer games of the season.

But this one was over early.

The Gloucester boys soccer team has perhaps the most feared striker in the Northeastern Conference in Shane O'Neill, who suffered an injured left calf in a recent match vs. Masconomet. Sources indicate the senior standout may have a tear; he'll be out of action for another week.

Shane O'Neil scored a goal and added two assists to lead Gloucester past Peabody 3-1. Alex Trotski scored another goal for the winners.

DANVERS | Last year, after the Gloucester boys soccer team beat Danvers on its home field to clinch the Northeastern Conference title, swarms of Fishermen fans rushed from the stands to join the celebration.