Hopefully, there’s a North wind blowing for St. Mary’s boys soccer

LYNN – Looking for its first sectional title since 1988, the St. Mary?s boys soccer team faces Manchester-Essex in the Division 4 North final. With Lynn?s Manning Field hosting the finals, the Spartans should have home-field advantage on Sunday at 4:15 pmSt. Mary’s is the No. 1 seed, with a record of 17-1-2, while Manchester-Essex is No. 7 (10-5-6).The Spartans reached the final by beating Rockport, 1-0, and with a 2-1 win over Boston International earlier in the week. Cristian Chavez scored the game winner against Boston International on a penalty kick with 18:54 left in regulation.The Spartans lost to Classical in the first game of the Lynn City Tournament — their first game of the season. They have not lost since, with their best record in coach Mike D’Agostino’s 12-year coaching career.The seniors on this year’s team have experience going deep into the tournament. The Spartans played Rockport four years ago and lost on penalty kicks.?These kids who are seniors experience that and they’re ready for a victory in the North final,” D’Agostino said.D’Agostino sees Manchester-Essex as a solid team that possesses the ball well.?They have a different formation, a different style of play,” he said. “The Cape Ann League is a very tough league. They have some great competition there.”Manchester-Essex has a very good goalie and a very talented defense, D?Agostino said, with a great center midfield and a forward who may be injured, but will be a key player if he’s healthy.Manchester-Essex will encounter a St. Mary’s team with multiple offensive weapons. Chavez (18 goals, 24 assists) and Noah Camelo (23 goals, 20 assists) take care of a big chunk of the scoring, but they have plenty of company.?We have many different kids who can put the ball in the net,” D’Agostino said.Erik Whitcomb has been taking care of business at the other end of the field. Although pressed into action when the team needed a goalie this season, Whitcomb has more than risen to the challenge.?Erik wasn’t even a goalie, but he got some great training and he’s thriving in net,” D’Agostino said. “He’s stepping up to fill a role that’s hard to fill.”The past few weeks have been hectic for D’Agostino. His team?s success has kept him busy, and his family has faced challenges. His three sons have all undergone surgeries recently. His 15-month old twins had tubes placed in their ears and his 3 1/2-year-old son Landon, who has Charge Syndrome, had adenoid surgery in preparation for heart surgery that will take place in a few weeks. D’Agostino said his players have been very supportive of Landon and the whole family.?They keep him in their minds,” D’Agostino said.