Heads-up play by Burke propels No. 1 C-C

Mike Burke deposited the ball into the net, but did it matter? Yes, in a big way. After some initial confusion, Burke's goal stood - and so did the top-ranked Concord-Carlisle boys' soccer team's 1-0 victory over No. 11 Westford yesterday.

The decision boosted the host Patriots (8-0-1, 4-0) into sole possession of first place in the Dual County League. Westford is 6-2-1, 2-1-1.

Fourteen minutes into the game, Burke headed a Theo Terri free kick toward the net. The ball went off the crossbar and bounced straight up; Burke headed in the rebound.

A referee thought Burke initially took the kick and therefore illegally touched the ball, but a quick conference clarified matters.

"I thought we played very well defensively and [contained] their two big forwards and, obviously, that's difficult, but the kids played pretty composed," said Concord-Carlisle coach Ray Pavlik.

Cape Ann: Junior Kevin Ivester's hat trick led Masconomet to a 6-1 victory over Manchester by the Sea . . . Georgetown (7-2-2) netted a 2-1 victory over Amesbury as Mike Salvaggio scored twice.

Catholic: Xaverian got by Malden Catholic, 2-1, behind a goal and an assist by junior Paul Dupre.

Hockomock: Mansfield (6-1-2) knocked off previously undefeated North Attleboro, 2-0, with senior Tom Giannouloudis scoring twice. North Attleboro is 8-1 . . . Sharon got two goals from Andrew Revanales and Devin Ligon for a 4-2 win over Franklin.

Girls' soccer
Atlantic Coast: Falmouth beat Nauset, 6-0, behind junior Molly Copeland's three strikes.

Cape Ann: No. 7 Masconomet rolled over Manchester Essex, 7-0, with Ashley McKenelley collecting two goals and an assist . . . Jenn Pino scored three goals as North Andover beat Rockport, 5-0.

Dual County: Striker Jocelyn Veilleux, the league's scoring co-leader, netted three goals as Westford Academy beat Concord-Carlisle, 5-0.

Northeast: Winthrop trounced Mt. Alvernia, 7-0, as senior Julie Dowson set the school career scoring record, connecting twice for 74 points.

Prep-Private: Mary Claire Pelletier scored with two minutes remaining to give Worcester Academy a 1-0 win over Pomfret.

South Shore: Abington's 5-2 win over Harwich was highlighted by Lauren Marella's two goals.

Nonleague: Bancroft got three goals each from Victoria Baran and Kelsie Tidman in beating Stoneleigh-Burnham, 8-1.

Girls' cross-country
Dual County: Lincoln-Sudbury knocked off top-ranked Newton South, 25-36, as Andrea Kekla placed third.

Field hockey
Cape Ann: Katie Boringa and Lauren Gaffny scored twice each in North Andover's 6-0 win over Hamilton-Wenham.

Tri-Valley: Medfield captain Courtney Egan scored with 50 seconds left to lift the Warriors over Medway, 1-0.