In a back-and-forth battle between two strong teams, an unreal second-half goal sent the Chieftains to the Sweet Sixteen.
Even with five lead changes in the game, the Chieftains never found themselves trailing. However, every time Masco struck, Chelsea answered right back with a goal of their own.
Early in the first half, Masco was ball-dominant in Red Devil territory. After the ball went out of bounds, junior midfielder Luke Fiedler stepped up to deliver a corner kick. He placed it beautifully—high and centered—and senior midfielder Quinn Lodewick showed off his bounce, jumping higher than everyone else and heading in the opening goal.
Chelsea quickly answered on a rebound from a wild free kick, tying the game at one apiece.
Masco continued to push the ball deep into the Red Devils’ den, and just as it appeared the Chelsea defense had made a good stand, senior midfielder David Palmer lofted the ball right over the goalie’s head, giving the Chieftains their second lead of the night.
Both teams went into halftime tied at two, hungry to break the deadlock and keep their seasons alive.
With around twenty minutes left, Masco saw an opportunity and pounced. Fiedler dribbled past Chelsea’s defenders and rifled one past the goalie into the top shelf, giving Masco yet another lead, 3–2. After the goal, emotions were flying as Fiedler and his teammates ran over and jumped into the student section.
The Chieftain back line—consisting of seniors captain John Green, Nate Mroczek, and Max Cabrera—stayed strong with the lead and made senior goalie Gabe Russo’s life much easier. Russo had a stellar game in goal for Masco.
The Chieftains now head to Danvers High School, where they will face (11) West Springfield, who just defeated (22) Nashoba 4–0. The first whistle will blow at 11 a.m.