Eighty minutes of regulation soccer are all that’s between the boys varsity soccer team and the Division I State Championship title. This title hasn’t been in Londonderry since 1999.
After Wednesday’s games, third-seed Londonderry defeated second seed Hanover and first seed Bedford fell to fourth-seed Concord.
“We just kept our heads, did what we could control, and no matter what, we were going to fight until the final whistle blew,” senior captain Nate Gaw said.
After a tied score of 2-2 through double over time and a tie-breaking penalty kick shoot out, the Lancers came out on top.
“Penalty kicks aren’t ideal,” senior captain Max Hastings said.”We would’ve rather won in regulation. The only strategy is: don’t miss and hope the other team does.”
The semi-final game was played at Stellos Stadium in Nashua, and while the environment was unfamiliar, the fan section made the boys feel right at home.
“[Having support from fans] was huge to us and it does make a difference,” Hastings said. “Looking up and seeing all those kids and hearing them throughout the game helps everyone push through and keep fighting.”
The championship game will be held at Southern New Hampshire University on Saturday, Nov 7, at 7:00pm. Don’t miss the game that has been 16 years in the making.
In addition to the players previously mentioned, keep an eye out for the following players on Saturday’s championship game.
Jayden West #8
“He had the game of his season [semi-final] and he stepped up when we needed him most,” Gaw said.
Tommy Stanley #3
“He’s a force in the midfield defensively and he is always working hard,” Hastings said.
Tarik Dallahi #10
“The kid never stops working. He will win battles that no one else would even think about going into. He is relentless and is one of the scrappiest kids I know,” Gaw said.
