Martha’s Vineyard boys win to clinch state soccer tourney berth

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Jack Roberts, seen here against Nauset in September, scored the match winner against Barnstable to put MV into the playoffs. — File photo by Ralph Stewart

The Vineyard boys soccer team punched a ticket to the MIAA state tournament with a 2-1 win over Barnstable on Tuesday at Dan McCarthy Field. The Vineyarders are 6-3-5 and are assured a .500 or better record with two matches remaining.

Kane Araujo put the Vineyarders ahead 10 minutes into the match and Jack Roberts added a second in short order on a looping strike from outside the box.

The Purple conceded an own goal in the second half, but Vineyard goalie Jackson McBride came up with several key saves to keep the Red Raiders from grabbing an equalizer.

The win over a tough Division 1 side like Barnstable should serve the Vineyarders well in the Division 2 state tournament and in Thursday’s match on Nantucket against the 12-1-2 Cape and Island League champion Whalers. The match was rescheduled from October 20 due to rain.

Last Thursday, October 18, the Vineyarders tied host Somerset Berkley, 1-1. Martin Aranzabe scored for M.V.

The Vineyarders wrap up the regular season at home on Saturday in a senior day clash with Sturgis West Charter School of Hyannis. The match gets underway at 3 pm.