Martha’s Vineyard varsity soccer loses Division 3 South title to Norwell Clippers

The Clippers win 2-1.

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Martha's Vineyard fans filled three busses and cheered on their team to a first goal to lead Norwell just minutes into the Division 3 South final game at Taunton. –Photo by Ralph Stewart

Updated at 4:45 pm Saturday.

For about 25 minutes on a sunny but cold Saturday in Taunton, the Martha’s Vineyard varsity soccer team led the Norwell Clippers 1-0, and visions of a trip to the state championships danced in the heads of the scores of Vineyard fans who filled the stands to cheer on their team in the Division 3 South finals.

Members of the MVRHS football team, who had triumphed over Bellingham on Friday night at home, were some of the supporters who arrived in three fan busses. Andy DiMattia told the times, “We came to support the school, see how they’re doing. They’ve come pretty far in the playoffs so it’s good to show some support.” Cooper Wilson added, “They’re always out there to see us play so we thought we’d return the favor.”

With just over 27 minutes remaining in the first half, Ben Poole scored for the Vineyard, and the team remained in the lead until Norwell’s Connor Horan kicked a goal with two minutes left to play, leaving the teams tied at half time.

The teams remained tied through the second half. With less than two minutes left in the game, Clipper Ty Studley scored the second and winning goal for Norwell, assisted by Connor Horan.

It was a hard fought match.  Vineyard coaches Ryan White and Esteban Aranzabe told MVTimes correspondent Edie Prescott that they believed the better team had not prevailed.

“I’m proud of this team, said Coach Aranzabe, “And I applaud them for an exceptional season.”