RallyNorth.net

LOWELL | Brendan Slein tried to downplay the pain.

Make no mistake though, his right knee, deeply bruised and lacerated, was bothering him.

"Not a ton," he said. "But enough."

Enough to possibly keep him out of yesterday's Division 2 North semifinal-matchup against No. 6 Dracut.

Mukena Mbiye picked a good day to turn in his best game of the season.

The senior forward scored twice to lead No. 7 Central Catholic to a 2-0 victory over No. 15 Winchester in the quarterfinals of the Division 2 North tourney.

Central Catholic upended Melrose 3-2 on penalty kicks in the first round of the Division 2 North tournament.

Central's Josh Voto and Tim Adamchuk each scored a goal to give the Raiders a 2-0 lead. But, Melrose responded with two goals late in the game to send it to overtime.

Mukena Mbiye scored to lift Central Catholic over Dracut 1-0. Mike Zappala, KB Oshodi and Ryan Emery anchored the defense for the Raiders.

Mukena Mbiye set up a pair of K.B. Oshodi goals as Central Catholic cruised to a 3-1 win over Billerica. Marc Crowley scored a second-half goal assisted by Oshodi, and Brendan Slein made nine saves as the Raiders improved to 4-1-2.

Andover and Central Catholic dueled it out to a scoreless tie. Andover controlled the first half while Central Catholic dominated the second. Andover's Josh Sideman played well on defense and Sam Percival played well as a midfielder for the Golden Warriors.

Josh Voto notched two goals and an assist as Central Catholic rolled over Lowell 5-0. Mukena Mbiye also scored twice, and Dan Caruso added a goal and an assist as part of the Raiders' 19-shot assault. Brendan Slein made four saves to record his third shutout of the year.

2006 record: 5-4-7, did not make state tourney

Returning starters (7): Mike Bakhtiari, Sr., midfield; KB Oshodi, Sr., forward/defense; Brendan Slein, Sr., midfield; Marc Teal, Sr., midfield; Mike Zappala, Sr., defense; Daniel Caruso, Soph., midfield; Tim Adamchuk, Jr., defense