by Fiona Morrison
The Bromfield varsity boys soccer team shut out Boston International to win the MIAA Division 4 state championship Saturday, Nov. 18, at Fitchburg State. The final score was 3–0.
A crowd of more than 300 parents, alumni, students, and team fans drove from Harvard to support the Trojans. Despite steady rainfall beginning at the end of the first half, the crowd enthusiastically cheered the team on throughout the game. Junior Charlie Pappas scored twice, once in each half. His first goal, nineteen minutes into the first half, had the team jumping up and down high fiving one another. Senior and co-captain Jack Armstrong scored the third and final goal in the second half with an assist from junior Patrick Flanagan. It was Bromfield’s ninth state championship in 12 appearances. Their last state win was in 2008.
Charlie Pappas goes in for Bromfield's second goal of the night. (Photos by Kent Boynton)
After the game the team was ecstatic, shouting, cheering, and hugging in the frigid air as they congratulated one another. Jack Armstrong described the evening as “surreal” and identified Bromfield's strong offense and levelheadedness as two of the team’s major strengths.
Boston International Coach Apolinario Barros said that Bromfield’s “offensive firepower” was surprising. He said the Trojans’ play made it difficult for his team to defend against them.
The team celebrates after its victory.
This match was Coach Tom Hill’s final game after 41 years of coaching soccer at Bromfield, which included twenty central Mass. championships. Hill described how the dedication of the players, their parents, Assistant Coach Alex Horne, and subvarsity Coaches Nathanial Adleson and Chris Marrese had cumulatively led to the team’s victory. He also credited the 28 players for the team’s chemistry, talent, and determination. With all of this and the leadership of co-captains Jack Armstrong and Riley Fitzsimmons, the team was able to achieve its season-long goal of winning a state championship.
“These kids worked their tails off” this season, Hill said, adding that the team is “one of my all-time favorite groups.” Assistant Coach Horne will be Bromfield’s head boys varsity soccer coach next year.