Back to Back State Titles

Post date: Nov 18, 2012 2:50:52 PM

WORCESTER— Groton-Dunstable Regional third-year coach Sean Wisbey told Nate Pomeroy at the beginning of the season that the Crusaders were going only as far as the senior captain took them.

Last night at Worcester State, Pomeroy capped an incredible ride by scoring two goals to lead Groton-Dunstable to a 2-0 victory over Medway and its second straight Division 2 state championship.

“I didn't feel as much pressure as I did last year,” said Pomeroy, who will be playing soccer at Brown University next fall. “We came in (to the tournament) with a decent record, and that kind of put us under the radar, but it let us play our game. I've had a great time with these guys.”

Groton-Dunstable (18-2-2) went 17-0-3 in its last 20 games after an early-season loss to Division 1 Nashoba Regional.

“When we lost to Nashoba, that really grounded this team,” Wisbey said.

“It was definitely good to come into the playoffs not being undefeated,” Pomeroy said.

Under Wisbey, the Crusaders are an amazing 50-8-10 with a pair of state championships and a dynasty in the making.

“It's unreal,” said senior Ben Lutz, who missed last season with a broken wrist. “It just helps us keep our composure when we play serious, and it shows, winning two straight state championships.”

“It feels really good,” said junior goalkeeper Connor Maguire, who was named the starter near the end of the regular season and throughout the postseason. “It hasn't set in yet. This year, it feels better than last year. This year, I just feel that everyone came together and played as a team.”

“We came into the game not nervous,” said Wisbey, who had only six returning starters from a year ago, most of them on defense. “This is the way I look at it: It's about winning a state championship. It's not about defending one.”

Streaking down the left side, Pomeroy, a 6-foot-1 forward, put the Crusaders on top, with 22:58 left in the first half, sending a cross kick that deflected off Medway goalkeeper Brian Kokoszka's leg. Lutz, who plays left wing, was credited with the assist.

“I decided to hit it across and, luckily for me, it hit off the goalie's leg,” Pomeroy said. “It was a real nice finish. I thought that got us going. It was great to get that momentum early in the game. It shook them.”

“It just kind of gave us confidence to put the game away,” Lutz said. “Nate's an explosive player. He made a run down the wing. I dished it off to him and I knew he'd tuck it away. It's huge. You get the first goal, it gives you a huge lead mentality-wise.”

Groton-Dunstable, which outshot Medway (19-4-1), 11-8, made it 2-0 with 23:35 left in the game on a header by Pomeroy that started as a free kick. Mike Keating blasted it from the 40-yard line and somehow found Pomeroy, who got it past the outstretched arms of Kokoszka (four saves).

“I told Nate before the season, 'This is your year,' ”Wisbey said. “I put it on his back in the preseason. I couldn't have written a better script for him.”

“I didn't feel as much man-to-man pressure on me, which opened much more space,” Pomeroy said.

Maguire needed to make only four saves, but was forced to dive numerous times to secure loose balls that could have been disastrous. The all senior back line of Eric Stone, Mike Keating, Adam Kmetz and Polo Filho did a great job keeping the ball away from Maguire. Wisbey used three goalies this season with senior John Nyilis getting the bulk of the work. He played the final two minutes in net.

“I'm critical of myself,” said Maguire, who plays on the Crusaders' hockey team. “I've kind of peaked toward the end of the season. The defense saved me a couple of times (last night). It was a team effort.”

“I let him come along (this season) and he's playing his best soccer,” Wisbey said of Maguire. “I can't say anything bad about Nyilis. He had a great year.”

“They all fight it out,” Lutz said. “(Maguire) was unreal. He definitely deserved a spot and he showed it.”

Wisbey thought that Alex Murphy and Doug Rosa did a terrific job dominating the middle of the field while Keating really solidified the defense.

Photo galleries

• SLIDESHOW: Groton-Dunstable wins Div. 2 State Soccer title