With the state boys soccer match looming, Boston Latin Academy nonetheless wanted to clinch what has turn out to be probably the most elusive of wins Saturday at Madison Park.
The Dragons used crisp, well timed passing within the first half and a suffocating protection over the ultimate 40 minutes to defeat a tenacious East Boston squad 1-0 to seize its first Boston City League title since 1994.
“This was a group that was completely in control in a big game,” mentioned BLA head coach Dan Hackett. “It took years of hard work to get there. I think the emotion and euphoria that we feel right now comes from the work we put in.”
Voted the sport’s most excellent participant, Dragon ahead Fernando Vargas completed off a fantastically developed play with a fast kick on the far nook for the lone tally within the twenty fifth minute of the competition.
The win improved BLA’s file to 13-4-1, whereas the Jets’ moved to 12-6. The showdown was the third of the season between the groups, with every profitable a sport heading in. BLA reached the championship contest by defeating Madison Park on Thursday 1-0. East Boston edged Boston Tech 2-1 to succeed in the ultimate.
Vargas’ objective got here on the heels of a number of prime scoring probabilities that have been thwarted by eighth-grade goaltender Santiago Montoya.
The scoring play went like clockwork. Midfielder Fabrizio Zuluaga broke down the left wing and despatched a crossing cross to midfielder Barra Ryan, who led Vargas in the direction of the web. Montoya, who saved East Boston within the sport within the opening half, dove to his left however had no shot to make the save.
“The passing patterns of the last few weeks, that was right off the training ground floor,” mentioned Hackett. “They know the patterns. They know the concepts. They know how to go inside out and outside in, up, back and through. The most beautiful thing is when they pull it off in a game, but they also improvise, too. In the run of play you have to find the right space.”
The Dragons very practically had their first objective earlier within the half, however Montoya moved fast to his proper to smother a shot by midfielder Ariel Dasilva. East Boston’s finest probability of the half got here shortly after goaltender Sebastian Patino, who chalked up his eighth shutout this fall, leaped excessive to knock away a blast from 20 yards out by Jets’ midfielder Jeremy Ramos.
Montoya made a superb cease within the closing minute of the half, smothering a Santiago Vanegas bid after getting the rebound of a Vargas shot that rattled off the crossbar.
BLA assistant coach Pat Mudie believed the win will give the squad momentum into the postseason.
“I think we’re going to enjoy this one today for sure,” he mentioned. “It’s been 27 years since we’ve won a city title. I teach phys-ed and we look at the banner every single day. Every year we’ve taken the team into the gym and we’ve looked at the banner and we’ve wanted our year up there. I think we’re riding this as momentum to the state tournament.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com