VERGENNES, Vt. — The Woodstock High boys soccer team pulled off a major upset Wednesday in the VPA Division III semifinals, knocking off No. 1 seed Vergennes, 3-2, to advance to Saturday’s state championship game.
After a scoreless first half, the fifth-seeded Wasps (12-5-0) took the lead 15 minutes into the second half on a goal by junior midfielder Ben McKenna. Vergennes equalized five minutes later on a corner kick before taking the lead with 12 minutes left.
Woodstock responded on a penalty kick by junior midfielder Ezra Lockhart and then scored the game-winner with three minutes to play after a shot from Lockhart was fumbled by the Commodores’ goalkeeper and slotted home by senior forward Declan McCullough.
“The boys were patient, playing against a very good Vergennes team, and took their opportunities when they came along,” Wasps coach Rob Stainton said. “They battled all the way to the final whistle.”
Woodstock, in its first year in Division III after playing in D-II since the program’s inception in 1978, has reached its first final since 2018. The Wasps, who in six chances have never won a state title, will face No. 3 seed Peoples on Saturday at Applejack Stadium in Manchester, Vt.
MANCHESTER — The No. 3 seed Royals (16-2-1) reached their first state boys soccer championship game in school history with a victory over the second-seeded Cougars in the NHIAA Division III semifinals at Manchester Memorial.
Grant Suttie opened the scoring with an eighth-minute goal, assisted by Tanner Moulton. The rest of the game was a physical battle with both teams exchanging chances. Mascoma’s defense played particularly well, with Aidan Smith clearing a chance off the goal line to keep the Royals in the lead.
James Thomas gave Mascoma a key insurance tally, assisted by Zach Thompson, with five minutes left. It was a score the Royals would need because Campbell came down on the kickoff and got a goal right back.
Mascoma held on, though, thanks in part to 14 saves from goalkeeper Matt Favreau — many of them in the final moments.
The Royals will be back at Manchester Memorial to play for the title against No. 1 seed Gilford on Sunday.
EXETER, N.H. — The fifth-ranked Bears (14-5-0) rolled over the top-seeded Jaguars in an NHIAA Division I semifinal at Bill Ball Stadium.
Hanover will meet No. 2 Nashua South in Sunday’s D-I state final back in Exeter. Look for a detailed account of Wednesday’s victory in Friday’s Valley News print edition.