Joe Maia Leads Norton Past Medway and Into 1st Place

Posting his third shutout of the year, Joe Maia stopped several point blank shots in Norton’s 2-0 win against Medway (6-1-2) yesterday in a battle of previously undefeated teams.  The win moved Norton (7-0-2) into first place in the Tri-Valley League.  

Medway came out strong in the first half and had Norton pinned in their own end for much of the first 15 minutes.  Less than two minutes into the game, Joe Maia found himself face-to-face with a Medway striker five yards from the net, but was able to turn away the chance.  The big save seemed to energize Norton as they began to turn the pressure the other way.  

 In the final minutes of the first half Norton carried the play and had Medway on the defensive.  With less than ten seconds remaining in the first half, Matt Bukowski layed off a perfect pass to a charging Wayne Belcher who drilled home what proved to be the game winner from twenty yards out.

The second half was back and forth with both teams getting chances to score.  Norton's defensive back four of Noah Lach, Matt Erickson, Elliott Ariola and Jared Kahn worked together to keep Medway's potent scorers off the board..  Norton's finally iced the game when Jonathan Lach cut around two defenders and crossed to ball to a wide open Matt Bukowski for a blast into the upper 90, and into 1st place.

Norton's next game is Friday at home vs Medfield where they look to avenge one of their two ties.