The Mascenic boys’ soccer team earned a trip to the semifinals by beating Trinity 3-2 in the quarterfinal round of the NHIAA Division III playoffs on Saturday.
No. 3 Mascenic (16-2) was the first team to beat No. 6 Trinity (13-5) this season, snapping the Pioneers’ nine-game win streak and sending them careening to a 3-4 record down the stretch. Trinity remembered it well, and came out with intensity.
“They brought a lot more physical play today,” said Mascenic head coach Andy Helliesen. “It was tough.”
Trinity jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Mascenic’s Dylan Vaillancourt drew a penalty in the box, setting up Noah Caballero for a penalty kick to break the ice for the Vikings. Just before the half, Caballero ripped a shot from 30 yards out for another goal to tie the game.
Early in the second half, Mascenic’s Nate Wilkins drew another Trinity penalty in the box, took the PK himself and scored it to put the Vikings ahead, 3-2.
“We defended the lead for the rest of the game,” Helliesen said, behind the stellar goalkeeping of Chris Wilkins and an effort from the defense that Mascenic’s coach called the best of the season.
Meanwhile up north, No. 7 Hopkinton upset No. 2 Gilford, 2-1, to set up a semifinal match between the Hawks and Vikings at Bank of NH Stadium at Laconia Wednesday at 4 p.m. Hopkinton beat Mascenic in the regular season opener, 4-2.
No. 1 Campbell plays No. 5 Mascoma Valley in the other semifinal Wednesday at 6:15 p.m.