Last night out at the MAC, the varsity boy’s soccer team won their 7th match in a row, 5-3, against First Baptist Academy in the regional semi-final, one of their most thrilling competitions of the season.
Due to their recent success, the stands were packed for this one, but it was quiet at the outset as the Falcons fell behind early. As the match went on, though, the Falcons gained control of the tempo and possession. Senior captain Kieran Cloutier opened the scoring by creating just enough space outside the box, and firing a low shot into the right corner.
After that, the Falcons hit their stride and followed with two goals from Alex Holmes and Leo Martin.
Following two mistakes with 20 minutes to play, suddenly First Baptist turned the tide and scored two quick goals, bringing the score to a tie.
Senior Tristan Bosek, who attended last night’s game, said it was a tense and energetic match.
“It was electric,” stated Bosek. “We had a bunch of fans out there, especially parents who were cheering on the team.”
The game went into overtime, tied 3-3, but the Falcons turned it on in the first OT period. Senior Kieran Cloutier received a long ball near the right endline, found space toward the middle, and fired a goal into the upper left corner to bring the score to 4-3.
Bosek said that the initial doubt that the crowd felt before overtime quickly went away with that goal.
The Falcons continued to control the game from there, and finished with a final finish from Holmes in overtime, advancing the team to their first Regional Finals since 2015.
Senior captain Kieran Cloutier was very proud of how the team’s ability to remain composed when the going got tough.
“We came in really hopeful and energetic because we haven’t been this far in a long time,” said Cloutier. “They [First Baptist] scored early, but we still didn’t let up and we ended up getting 2 [goals] back on them, so it just shows how resilient the team’s mentality is.”
The boys will face Canterbury (Fort Myers) on Friday for the regional final match.
“I think we’re prepared,” Cloutier said. “We know how they play as a team, and we’ve had the best team we’ve had in years.”
