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LOWELL | Concord-Carlisle soccer standout Michael Burke took a big blow to the head in a regular season game against Westford Academy more than two weeks ago. The resulting concussion was serious enough that some people believed his high school career was over.

A strong, physical Stoneham team pushed the Masconomet Regional boys soccer squad in last night's Division 2 North quarterfinal matchup. Then, they pushed some more with a relentless rough-and-tumble style that would leave most teams flustered.

On paper, it didn't seem likely that the Rockport boys soccer team would get the tie it needed to stay alive for a postseason berth against Cape Ann League power Masconomet yesterday.

But as the old saying goes, games aren't played on paper. The Vikings tied Masco 1-1 to remain alive for the state tournament. Rockport is now 7-8-2 and needs a win tomorrow against Manchester Essex to qualify for the postseason.

Masconomet coaching legend Len Emmons has never been a fan of night soccer. He drew even further away from the idea of it after his previously-unbeaten Chieftains (12-1-3) fell at Wilmington last Friday, 2-1.

Minutes after Cape Ann League scoring leader Mike Kennedy spotted Lynnfield a one-goal advantage yesterday afternoon, one thing became abundantly clear | host Masconomet was done fooling around.

The Chieftains assaulted the Pioneers' net in the latter stages of the first half to emerge with a 4-1 victory that kept their unbeaten record intact at 12-0-3.

If last Tuesday's tightly played 1-0 loss to North Andover wasn't a wake-up call to the rest of the league that Georgetown was for real, then yesterday's Royals' 0-0 draw against Masconomet made that clear.

"We're picking up steam all the time," Masconomet boys soccer coaching legend Lene Emmons said, recapping a 7-0-1 start. "Kevin Van Lenten at center midfield and our stopper, Ian Gelinas, have been solid on defense. Tyler Bodengraven's return from a groin pull has made us a much better team.

Ali Olia and Brad McDonald scored to propel Masconomet past Triton 2-0. Andrew Panella did a great job starting the offense and Andrew Mello played well for the Chieftains.

BOXFORD | The Masconomet boys' soccer team has taken on some tough teams in the early going | yet is still unbeaten. Yesterday afternoon, behind a pair of goals from senior captain Kevin VanLenten, the Chieftains methodically handled visiting Hamilton-Wenham, 3-0, in their first Cape Ann League contest of the season.

Masconomet beat North Andover 1-0. Brad McDonald scored the only goal for the Chieftains. Ali Olia played well on offense while Andrew Panella had a strong defensive game.