This past week the seemingly unstoppable Bromfield Trojans (17-1-4) notched two more victories on their march toward a third consecutive state championship. Last Thursday, Nov. 14, the team beat the Littleton Tigers 1-0 to win the MIAA Central Division 4 title, and then on Tuesday, Nov. 19, shut out the western champion Lenox Millionaires 5-0 to advance to the Division 4 state final. Both games were played under lights at Whitcomb Middle School in Marlborough to enthusiastic crowds.
Bromfield’s Jack Yu takes a shot at the goal against Lenox. (Photo by Kent Boynton)
The game against Lenox began quickly, played in 40-degree weather on wet turf. Bromfield wasted no time going on the attack and within two minutes, had brought the ball into Millionaire territory. Senior Will Armstrong took the first shot and came up short, but moments later senior Eli Fishbein launched an elegant cross from the left to Armstrong, who headed the ball past Millionaire goalie Daniel Munch for Bromfield’s first point of the game. Armstrong, who turned 18 Tuesday, was serenaded by fans with a chorus of “Happy Birthday” as the team celebrated and regrouped.
Bromfield’s second goal was scored minutes later by junior Alex Jorgensen, who fired a free kick from the 30-yard line above the hands of Millionaire Munch and into the net. Bromfield dominated play for most of the half, allowing Lenox few opportunities to score. Later, former Trojan coach Tom Hill said it was the best he’d seen the team play all season. The Millionaires’ best opportunity came 13 minutes into the half when a shot by attacker Andre Collins threatened to roll into the net, only to be stopped by a diving save by junior Bromfield goalie Ethan Fitzsimmons. And on its counterattack, Bromfield scored again, this time on a shot by Fishbein that hit the goalpost before rolling into the net, bringing the score to 3-0.
Goalie Ethan Fitzsimmons’ saves keep Lenox scoreless in Bromfield’s victory in the MIAA Soccer District 4 state semifinals. (Photo by Kent Boynton)
The second half began with a fourth Trojan goal following a scuffle in front of the penalty box. Armstrong had passed the ball to sophomore Ryan McNulty, who managed to roll it past Munch. As the game clock counted down the minutes remaining, Coach Alex Horne began rotating less experienced players into the lineup, “an army of Trojans,” as the announcer described one substitution. Included in the mix was freshman Tucker Madison, the junior varsity team goalie, who replaced Fitzsimmons for the final five minutes of play. By game’s end, all 26 players—with the exception of injured junior Colin Milliken— had spent time in the game.
The final goal was scored by freshman Liam Morrison with 13 minutes remaining. After an earlier attempt had been ruled offside, Morrison redeemed himself seconds later with one that counted. The opportunity came when Millionaire goalie Munch came into the penalty box to counter junior Jordan Colon, leaving space for Morrison to slip past and score.
Eli Fishbein (No. 9) narrowly avoids being tripped up by a Lenox defender. (Photo by Kent Boynton)
After the game, Horne said he had told the team beforehand that if they played with “heart, purpose, and passion,” they would win the day. He told interviewers he was ready to check off all three. “I can’t think of a team I’d rather be taking to a state championship,” he said.
MIAA Central District 4 Final
The victory against Littleton on Nov. 14 was hard won, however. The Trojans’ defense worked hard to bottle up a dangerous Littleton offense and ultimately their efforts paid off. Ethan Fitzsimmons, the Trojans’ junior goalie, notched five saves compared to Littleton goalie Daniel Hurley’s 11. The defense was also key to providing the offense with opportunities in Tigers’ territory. Junior Alex Jorgensen, senior Marcos Lora, and sophomore Geraghty Vellante sent the ball up the field numerous times. However, at the half’s end, neither team had scored.
Senior co-captain Tom Khuu strides into the ball in Bromfield’s 1-0 win over Littleton Thursday, Nov. 14. (Photo by Kent Boynton)
Bromfield’s winning goal came in the final moments of play. Ten minutes into the second half, Bromfield senior Will Armstrong sent the ball to sophomore Ryan McNulty, who attempted a goal for Bromfield, but Hurley saved it. A few minutes later, sophomore Zachary Becker sent the ball toward the Tigers’ net, but the ball passed a few inches over the top of the net. The pressure was on to score before overtime, and with three minutes remaining, award of a free kick gave Bromfield the opportunity it had been waiting for. Jorgensen took the kick from the 40-yard line and sent it up the field past Littleton’s goalie and into the net.
“It was unbelievable,” Jorgensen said, “I wasn’t really looking to shoot, more to get the ball into a dangerous area to give the team a chance to score. Jorgensen’s goal brought the score to 1-0, in Bromfield’s favor, allowing them to win the game and the district championship.
The Trojans’ last game of the season is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 23, at noon at Foley Stadium in Worcester, when they will face off against either Jeremiah Burke High School or Cohasset High School for the MIAA Division 4 state championship.
Erin Flynn is a Bromfield sophomore.
John Osborn contributed to this story.
