by John Osborn ·
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Mark Schwiegershausen (right) reaches a hand to a disappointed Luke Karis at the end of the match against Monson. It was the last game of both boys' high school careers. (Photos by Lisa Aciukewicz)
Jack Armstrong winds up to send the ball downfield.
The Bromfield boys soccer team lost to Monson 1-0 tonight at Lunenburg High School in a hard-fought semi-final contest for the MIAA Division 4 state championship.
Monson forward Mike Murphy scored the single goal of the evening midway through the first half, but it was enough to secure a victory for the Mustangs who are now headed to the state finals where they will face St. Mary’s of Lynn, Massachusetts.
Both teams mounted strong defenses, but Monson’s offense kept the Trojans back on their heels for most of the game and Bromfield managed only one or two shots on goal. In the second half, goalkeeper Austin Franklin made a beautiful save, punching a tough shot over the crossbar and out of play.
“[Monson’s] quickness to the ball was a big difference tonight,” said coach Tom Hill after the game. “They are a very, very good team and I will be surprised if they don’t win the finals.”
Tom Hill repeated his praise for the Monson players in his postgame talk to his players. “We lost to very good, clean team,” he said. “There’s no shame in that.”
A standing room only crowd of parents and fans was on hand to cheer on the team as temperatures dipped below 30 degrees.
For seven seniors, tonight’s game was their last at Bromfield. They include captains Roman Vellante, Nate Dutkewych, Luke Karis, and Mark Schwiegershausen, as well as Kadin deRuijter, Thomas Greene, and Jonathan Stadler.
The Bromfield boys varsity soccer team poses with the Central Mass Division 4 championship trophy.