Martha’s Vineyard Under-15 boys win state soccer championship

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The MV United Under-15 boys travel soccer team posed with its championship trophy and gold medals in Oak Bluffs, after returning Sunday from the state tournament. — Photo by Ralph Stewart

The MV United Under-15 boys travel soccer team became the second Island team in two weeks to bring home a state championship, following a 2-1 victory over the Dorchester Lions Sunday, in the final match at the Massachusetts Tournament of Champions (MTOC) in Lancaster.

On June 14, the high school boys tennis team won the state crown and finished with a perfect 23-0 record.

The U-15s triumphed after playing five matches (three on scorching hot artificial turf) in 48 hours, while enduring 90 plus degree heat and volatile weather.

Perhaps most impressive was that the Purple and Black won the state title while playing up in age in the 16 and under division.

Head coach Esteban Aranzabe and assitant coach Matt Poole guided the team to a 17-2-1 overall record and a 4-1 mark in the MTOC.

In the state final, United played Dorchester for the second time in two days. The Lions won the first match on Friday but the Vineyard got the result that counted most, in the rematch. Colin Cameron scored first and Tim Roberts got the match winner for M.V.

Earlier in the day, MVU won a thrilling semifinal over Brockton, 5-3, in extra time. Brandon Dwane notched a hat trick and scored both Vineyard goals in the extra periods. Ben Poole converted a penalty kick and Noah Kleinhenz scored on a header.

Saturday, the Vineyard blanked Worcester, 3-0 to close out the round robin portion of the MTOC with a 2-1-0 record.

United split Friday’s matches, losing to the Lions, 1-0 and beating Wilmington, 1-0 on a goal from Colin Cameron.

In all, three Vineyard teams made the trip to Lancaster. The MV United Under-18s had a good run and reached the semifinals before losing on penalty kicks to the Newton Rangers, following a 1-1 tie.

The U-18s started off the tourney with a 2-1 win, Friday, over Middleboro. The team played twice on Saturday. MVU tied Dorchester, 0-0, in the morning and thrashed Cape Ann, 5-0, in the afternoon.

The MVU Under-19 squad also made the MTOC and finsihed with a 1-3-0 record. The Vineyard win came on Saturday, 3-1, over Townsend.