[ccfic caption-text format="plaintext"]
By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
The Dover-Sherborn boys varsity soccer team had themselves quite the week by extending their unbeaten 2016 campaign with a pair of victories over TVL foes Ashland (9/28) and Medway (9/26).
While the Raiders (5-0-2) were able to come out on top of both of their games, that does not mean that they did not face any adversity. In their 3-2 victory over conference-leading Medway on Monday, September 26, DS trailed 2-0 just 17 minutes into the game after the Mustangs notched two early goals and grabbed much of the momentum.
DS responded with a goal from Michael Mastrabuono four minutes after Medway notched their second goal to cut the deficit to one.
With six minutes to play in the half, DS captain Eli Yasuna chipped a pass over to Owen Searle, who struck home a shot to the back of the net to knot the score at two at the half, seizing back all of the momentum for the Raiders.
After storming out of the gates to begin half number two, Michael Mastrabuono sealed the victory for the Raiders in minute 15 with his second goal of the game, putting the Raiders ahead for good.
On Wednesday, the Raiders entered their game against Ashland still flying high and carrying a huge amount of momentum with them from the big win over Medway two days prior.
Captain Sam Hartley got Raiders off to a strong start with a goal in minute 21 to put DS up 1-0.
Following the goal by Hartley, the Raiders played lockdown defense and held Ashland’s offensive attack in check. The game remained 1-0 in favor of DS until 17 minutes remaining in the game when George Chaudoin put the game on ice with an incredible header on a corner-kick attempt. Goalkeeper Robbie Black earned fourth shutout of the young season.
At the time of printing, the Raiders will look to remain unbeaten in two big upcoming conference matchups against Westwood (10/4) and Hopkinton (10/6).
