MARBLEHEAD — The playoff energy was in the air in Marblehead as Somerset Berkley Reg. came to Marblehead to take on the Magicians.
It’s been eight years since the last time the Magicians won a home playoff game. Although they needed double overtime to do it, Marblehead got the job done, beating Somerset Berkley Reg. 2-1 in Division 2.
With the game tied at one, extra time was needed. Both teams relied on their defense to get them through the first overtime, but when the second overtime period came, the Magicians weren’t leaving the field without the win.
In double overtime, a deflected ball spilled out in front of the net. Marblehead’s Jared Halpern was able to get the rebound and poke it in. The goal caused a frenzy of excitement by the Marblehead faithful as the goal advanced Marblehead to the Round of 16.
“Pretty much, we knew that if we could get a shot from the sidelines, we figured we would have enough people to crash. Especially the far post and the shot came and we got a great bounce and Jared Halpern just put it in,” Marblehead coach Elmer Magaña said.
Marblehead had to fight for this win after going down a goal in the first half. Despite being down, the Magicians had their chances of scoring, but they couldn’t find the back of the net.
When Marblehead needed it, they pushed the pace and Ilan Druker forced a penalty, and on the ensuing penalty kick, he put one in the back of the net to tie the game up at one apiece.
Throughout the game, goalie Rory Zampese made some incredible saves to keep Marblehead’s hopes alive.
“We knew it was going to be a battle, and it was. Unfortunately, we fell behind, but we did not give up and we kept on pushing for the tying goal. The tie came and we continued to push forward, our passing got much better, our pressing and we knew that the second one was coming and it was just a matter of time,” Magaña said. “We didn’t want it to go to penalties because we have the talent and we knew they were playing on the counterattack. I am extremely proud of our guys and so happy that they got a playoff victory.”
The Magicians will face the winner of No. 7 Wayland/No. Doherty Memorial
Owen Finn is a student at Endicott College studying journalism
