The Bromfield Trojans fought hard to overcome the 10th-seeded Lunenburg Knights (13-5), and they ultimately won that first-round playoff battle 11-8 on Bromfield’s home field June 4. This win allowed the team to advance to the MIAA Central/East Division 3 quarterfinals.
Many players contributed to the victory, including Maynard sophomore attackman Sam Hills, who scored seven goals, and Ayer Shirley junior attackman Joey Robinson, who provided multiple assists.
Defense was a key component to the Trojans’ win over the Lunenburg Knights. From left, goalie Logan Reed, Henry Fredericksen, and Dylan Ashe prevent their opponent from shooting a goal. (Photos by Lisa Aciukewicz)
The first quarter started quickly, as both teams had something to lose. Three minutes into the game, Hills sent the ball toward the net. The ball hit the side pole but went in. Hills’ goal was met with palpable excitement both from his teammates and from Bromfield supporters. Halfway through the quarter, Lunenburg scored twice within a span of two minutes. Two minutes after the Knights’ second goal, Hills flung the ball into the net, evening the score momentarily. But with 35 seconds left in the quarter, the Knights scored once more. The quarter ended 3-2 in Lunenburg’s favor.
To the dismay of Bromfield supporters, the gap between Bromfield and Lunenburg widened in the second quarter. A minute into the period, the Knights got past the Trojans’ defense and scored. Minutes later, Bromfield senior midfielder Ian Miller ran up the field and scored, with an assist from Robinson. Miller’s teammates celebrated his goal, cheering loudly from the sidelines. Four minutes after Miller’s goal, Lunenburg got two goals in a row, spread a mere minute apart. Hills pushed forward and four minutes later was rewarded with a goal assisted by Miller. With nine seconds left, the Knights pushed back and scored. The quarter ended with Lunenburg leading 7-4.
Sam Hills winds up for his last shot on goal of the evening in the 11-8 victory over Lunenburg. Hills led the Trojans in scoring with seven goals for the night.
Bromfield made a comeback in the third quarter, tying the game. Two minutes into the quarter, Ayer Shirley freshman midfielder Jackson Ehwa scored unassisted. Ten seconds later, Hills sent the ball into the net, with an assist from Robinson. Bromfield supporters were thrilled, cheering loudly for the team. The teams went back and forth for the next six minutes before Maynard sophomore midfielder Aiden Young scored without an assist. With one minute left, Lunenburg scored its eighth goal and it looked as if the quarter was going to end 8-7; however, Hills scored with 42 seconds left in the quarter with an assist from Robinson.
The Trojans scored their final three goals in the last quarter, holding Lunenburg scoreless. Four minutes into the period, Hills scored unassisted, bringing Bromfield up by one. Seconds later, Miller sent the ball into the net assisted by Hills. The ball went back and forth until the last 27 seconds, when Hills ran up the field, dodging Knights players, and flung the ball into the net, to the cheers of overjoyed fans.
In its upcoming quarterfinal match, the Trojans will face the second-seeded Littleton Tigers (14-4) June 6 at 7 p.m. on Littleton’s home field. With its Tuesday win, Bromfield’s season record is 12-7.
Erin Flynn is a Bromfield freshman.
