SPORTS: Crusaders Defeat Doherty; Reach D-1 Semi-finals
After a 3-0 decision against Worcester North in first round action, two-time Division 2 State Champions Groton-Dunstable defeated No.2 Doherty (12-4-2) 2-1 in a 2013 MIAA Division 1 boys' soccer quarter-final match. (GD moved up to Division 1this fall).
The seventh seeded Crusaders, now 9-6-3, met Wachusett (13-4-2) in the semi-finals at Foley Stadium this past Wednesday. Please check MIAA website for results.
It was GD's Matt Straw who opened the scoring seven minutes into play against Doherty. Pat Keating launched a long throw into the 18 box that Gabe Dingle headed to Straw who redirected the ball perfectly off the post and past Highlander keeper Nabeel Tokatli. GD led 1-0 and had the better of the first half opportunities.
Five minutes into the 2nd half, Doherty's Sem Zaimi took a great shot that hit the crossbar and fell to Etuon Rapi who finished past a diving Crusader keeper Connor Maguire knotting the score at 1-1.
Senior captain Dan McGuinness broke the tie with 11 minutes remaining to lift the Crusaders to the upset victory. McGuinness received a pass from Matt Krikorian, worked his way across the 18 box and shot a simple ball to the back post that goalie Tokatli could not get to.
The Crusaders began to take the momentum back, capitalizing on the McGuinness goal. GD received great play from Ryan Hardy, Anthony Resca, Brogan Walsh and Tim Hilbrunner. Game MVP went to Dan McGuinness
In the first round game against Worcester North, you knew the blustery winds blowing and swirling 30- 50 mph, would be a factor. "They lost the toss so I decided we would defend into the wind and play defense for the first half," stated GD Coach Sean Wisbey. The Crusaders played like a verse from Bob Seeger's Against the Wind: "We were runnin' against the wind, We were young and strong, we were runnin' Against the wind!"
With Connor Maguire in goal and Ryan Hardy, Tim Hilbrunner, Pat Keating and Anthony Resca patrolling the goal area, offensive opportunities for North were limited. What few chances they had were swallowed up by the Crusaders keeper.
Crusaders were rewarded a penalty kick when sophomore Matt Krikorian was taken down in the box. Senior captain Dan McGuinness converted with 8:41 remaining in the half to put the Crusaders on the board.
"It was a plus, playing into the wind and getting a goal when we were in a very defensive style," said Wisbey.
In the second half, with wind at their back and a 1-0 lead, it looked good for GD. Sophomore Jason Dingle scored out front, finishing a corner kick at 36:33 of the second half to make it 2-0. With the clock running down, freshmen Dean Tornaritis scored the third goal, breaking through the Worcester defense on a great feed from Ryan Hardy and beating Worcester keeper Angelo Perone. GD received solid play from Patrick Keating, Matt Straw and Matt Krikorian.
