V. Boys' Soccer Win MBIL

With less than 10-minutes left, the Gators score two goals to clinch the leage title over Boston Trininty Academy.

The team celebrates its victory, Co-Captain Olivier Khorasani '20 lifts the league trophy above his head. Photo by Ken Munkacy.

The team celebrates its victory, Co-Captain Olivier Khorasani '20 lifts the league trophy above his head. Photo by Ken Munkacy.

Down 1-0 with less than 10-minutes left on the clock, yesterday, the Gators scored two goals, defeating Boston Trinity Academy (BTA) for the 2019 MBIL title for the first time since 2012.

"I'm so proud of how even though we were a goal down for most of the game, the team kept battling to the end," Head Coach Chris Hardman said. "They didn't quit, and they knew they could get back in the game. I could see BTA start to get tired, and I saw these guys keeping their efforts level high the whole way through the game."

Late in the second half, Co-Captain Miles Munkacy sent a through ball to Tristan Durocher '21, who beat a defender to get into the box. He brought the ball to his outside left foot, drilling it across his body and hitting the bottom right of the goal.

"It felt absolutely electric," Durocher said. "I knew we had it in us. We were playing well the whole game, and we just needed one chance."

A few minutes later, Durocher dribbled through a defender.

"I knew that I was either going to have to get a shot off, or get fouled to prevent my shot," Durocher said. "I got pushed over inside the 18-yard box, which calls for a penalty kick."

"When I put the ball on the penalty spot, I thought about nothing besides the ball going into the back of the net," Co-Captain Olivier Khorasani '20 said. "I told myself that there was no way I was going to miss this penalty, and sure enough, the net rippled a few seconds after the ball left my foot. We all went crazy, and I was in disbelief, realizing that I had just scored a penalty that could have won us the championship."

Co-Captain Miles Munkacy '20 echoed Khorasani.

"The game was the best example of the teamwork that our team has worked so hard to develop," Munkacy said. "Everyone contributed and used everything they had, even when we were down with less than ten minutes left."

Karen Munkacy hugs her son, Co-Captain Miles Munkacy '20, after the game. Photo by Ken Munkacy.

Karen Munkacy hugs her son, Co-Captain Miles Munkacy '20, after the game. Photo by Ken Munkacy.

In an email to the community, Athletic Director Jeff Gates praised the team.

"The Gators never gave up and battled to the end scoring twice in the last few minutes to stun the BTA team," Gates said. "Great team effort.  What a great season."

The team will find out this weekend if the team gets a bid to the Class-D New England Preparatory School Athletic Conference. Last year, the team won its foundround but lost in the semifinals against Lexington Christian Academy.

The team rushes Head Coach Chris Hardman after the whistle to end the game. Photo by David Cutler.

The seniors pose with the MBIL trophy after the game. Photo by Ken Kacy.

The team poses for a shot in their game-winning shirts, along with a Gator mascot. Photo by Ken Kacy.

The team rushes Head Coach Chris Hardman after the whistle to end the game. Photo by David Cutler.

The seniors pose with the MBIL trophy after the game. Photo by Ken Kacy.

The team poses for a shot in their game-winning shirts, along with a Gator mascot. Photo by Ken Kacy.

The team celebrates its big win. Video by Miles Munkacy '20.

The team celebrates its big win. Video by Miles Munkacy '20.