Boys’ soccer fell to Brookline, 2-1, in an overtime thriller during the MIAA state championship game Saturday, Nov. 2 in Lynn.

“It hurts and we wish it ended differently, but we know that the results of one game is not going to define who we are as people,” said Roy Dow, the head coach.

In the first half, both sides came out with a slow pace and played conservatively. The Tigers played stellar defense, restricting Brookline from getting off any clean shots. However, North was unable to create goals on their offensive possessions, leading to a scoreless half. 

Senior Akash Sahadevan, a captain with seniors Rialto Janairo, Andrew Nielsen, and Will Rooney said that the size of the crowd was overwhelming at first, but the team played through it well. “It was pretty packed at the game, and we haven’t really experienced that,” he said. “I was nervous, but as the game got going, I didn’t pay attention to the crowd.”

In the second half, North played more aggressively and in sync with one another. They passed effectively and moved fluidly through Brookline’s defense. Janairo capitalized on a rebound that caught Brookline’s goalie off guard, scoring the game’s first goal. However, Brookline unexpectedly tied the game up through a dazzling strike to the top right corner of North’s goal. Regulation ended in a draw.

In extra time, both sides went back and forth, unable to break through each others’ defenses. Nearing the end of the second overtime, Brookline scored off of a long pass from their defender, securing the state title.

“We were putting them under pressure for most of the game, but we just got unlucky at the end,” said Sahadevan, “We did the most we could.”

Despite losing the game, Dow is happy with what the team has accomplished both athletically and personally. “I’m super proud of the commitment to the team that everybody showed throughout the year,” said Dow. “There were some ups-and-downs in terms of soccer and personal development.”

Sahadevan, who will graduate in the spring, has high hopes for North’s future. “Hopefully everyone has learned what it takes to make it this far, and they can replicate what happened this season,” said Sahadevan. “As seniors, we paved the path for them.”