Top-seeded Concord-Carlisle claims Div. 2 North title

Concord-Carlisle boys’ soccer captain Mitchell Palmer watched the ball bounce once, rotated his body, and released a winding bicycle kick with enough torque to spin past the goalie and into the net.

“To be honest, I was as surprised as everybody else was when it went in,” Palmer said. “When it went in I was just ecstatic.”

Palmer’s tally in the 14th minute was the first of a barrage of goals as the top-seeded Patriots (19-0-1) surged by No. 15 seed Woburn, 5-2, in the Division 2 North final on Tuesday.

Five players scored for Concord-Carlisle, but there was no goal more impressive than Palmer’s bicycle kick.

“It was great,” coach Ray Pavlik said. “It was a spectacular goal.”

Woburn entered the game as the heavy underdog. After squeaking into the tournament, the Tanners ripped off wins over Masconomet, Boston Latin, and Winchester. Palmer and Co. knew a key was to squelch their momentum early and grab a lead.

“I think they were demoralized,” Palmer said. “I think it took a toll on them.”

Garrett Leahy and Andrew Verrilli added goals for Concord and Michael Haley scored for Woburn as it stood at 3-1 at halftime.

Midfielders Xavier Arroyo and Ben Beyer tacked on goals in the second half for the final margin.

“The past couple seasons we haven’t made it this far,” Palmer said. “We’ve had great seasons but we’ve come up a little short. We’re hoping to go all the way this year.”