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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
The Dover-Sherborn High varsity boys soccer team picked up wins over conference foe and second-placed Norton (3-1), archrival Medfield (2-1), and Bellingham (8-1) this past week, improving to 10-1-2 on the season and overtaking first place in the Tri-Valley League.
Along with winning their last four contests, the Raiders are also currently tied with Holliston for best goal differential in the conference (+24).
On October 11 against Norton, the Raiders got off to a fast start on offense and played swift defense against a strong Lancer offensive attack. Less than 15 minutes into the match, senior captain Eli Yasuna was fed a pass from Ben Browne and fired a shot into the back of the cage to give DS the early 1-0 edge.
George Chaudoin gave DS some insurance in stoppage time when he took a pass from Owen Searle and chipped a ball over the head of the Norton keeper and into the net, giving the Raiders a two-goal lead at the half.
Eric Linden (19) makes a long pass to set up an offensive attack for DS.
Norton spoiled goalkeeper Robbie Black’s shutout bid with a goal on a penalty kick late in the second half, but Eli Yasuna added his second goal of the game midway through the half after receiving another slick pass from Browne, putting the game on ice.
After fighting to a 2-2 draw with Medfield in the beginning of the season, the Raiders entered their rematch with the Warriors on October 15 prepared for a hard fought battle with their nemesis.
Like the Norton game, the Raiders again got off to a fast start on offense with a goal coming just four minutes into the contest when Jack Gardiner capitalized on a scoring chance set up by a Michale Cellucci feed, putting DS up 1-0.
Eli Yasuna stayed true to his elite form and notched his fifth goal in three contests after receiving a pass from Owen Searle 20 minutes into the half.
Robbie Black (eight saves) kept the Warriors off the scoreboard in the first half and the DS back thwarted multiple scoring opportunities for Medfield, preserving a two-goal lead for DS at the half.
Medfield cut the deficit to one on a late goal in the second half, but the Raiders tightened up defensively and allowed Medfield zero room to work with and held on for the 2-1 victory.
The Raiders continued their winning ways on Wednesday night against Bellingham with a dominant 8-1 victory.
Ranked No. 34 in the state, the Raiders are entering the final stretch of the regular season red hot and look primed for a long run in the state tournament.
