EAST BRIDGEWATER — Regardless of all of the success Scituate collected within the 20 years that Ross Maki has been on the helm, a state semifinal look at all times eluded the Sailors.
That was till Thursday night time, although, because it took some magic within the type of a Cinderella run to get Scituate into uncharted territory.
The No. 17 Sailors continued on their upset path by knocking off ninth-seeded East Bridgewater with a hard-fought 1-0 street victory in a Division 3 quarterfinal. Scituate (12-6-3) advances to the state semifinal for the primary time in program historical past the place it would face No. 4 Higher New Bedford Voke.
“It’s unbelievable,” senior captain Alex Roche stated. “Maki has put a variety of work into this program. We’ve had a variety of good groups through the years. I used to be sort of shocked once I heard we’ve by no means reached this pillar. So it truly is unbelievable for us to be the group to lastly try this.”
Scituate put stress on EB (13-4-4) from the outset and took the lead due to a heady play from Roche.
Roche patiently stalled on the appropriate wing in order that attackers joined him in transition earlier than unleashing an ideal cross into the field for Grady Fassenden to place residence within the thirty fourth minute.
“We’ve labored on all of it season,” Roche stated. “A number of instances, I’ll get the ball out extensive, I’ll go on a run down the width, I’ll tackle a couple of guys after which I’ll serve it in. He simply did an amazing job discovering the again submit and getting there, which is one thing we’ve talked about in apply the final couple of weeks.”
The Sailors couldn’t prolong their lead within the early parts of the second half, however their stout protection held the Vikings and not using a shot on internet for the primary 65 minutes.
However then EB got here at Scituate with a flurry of offense over the ultimate quarter-hour to attempt to internet the equalizer. The Vikings put 5 photographs on body over that span, together with a rocket from Kaden Amaral that Sailors goalie Andrew Borgman dove to cease.
“I believe that is the signal that we received a real champion right here,” Maki stated. “With the ability to face up to that, particularly the final quarter-hour that East Bridgewater threw at us and so they did an exceptional job. These guys responded and really deserving of attending to the place they’re going now.”
