Crusaders Advance...

Post date: Nov 12, 2012 11:18:42 AM

GRAFTON— If Groton-Dunstable senior captain Nate Pomeroy is the best boys’ soccer player in Central Mass., then Matt Tornaritis might be his heir apparent.

The slippery sophomore scored three goals and set up one of Pomeroy’s two as the reigning Division 2 state champion Crusaders defended their district title with a 6-1 win over Tyngsboro at Grafton High.

“I thought that we were talented enough to be able to really come out in this game and score some goals early and settle this in the first 40 minutes,” Groton-Dunstable coach Sean Wisbey said. “I think what you’re seeing is that a lot of teams are keying in on Nate and they’re not remembering Matt Tornaritis.”

Groton-Dunstable (16-2-3) will play undefeated Belchertown in a state semifinal at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Westfield State University. The state final will be held at Worcester State at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

“It’s a good victory for our team,” the 6-foot-1 Pomeroy said. “We’re not satisfied yet. We still have to defend our state title, so I think that’s our, kind of, end goal.”

The Crusaders’ memorable postseason run has included wins over Grafton in the quarterfinals and top-seeded Millbury in the semifinals. Groton-Dunstable also went undefeated in league play to win the Midland B title.

The Crusaders could also make their case as the best team in Central Mass., regardless of division, with two wins over Marlboro, a season split versus North and a tie at Algonquin.

“I would put my team on any field against anyone any day,” said Wisbey, whose squad is unbeaten since Sept. 15, a 17-game stretch. “I’m not afraid of anybody.”

Meanwhile, the Tigers (12-8-2) reached yesterday’s final with wins over Leicester, Valley Tech and David Prouty.

A speculative jaunt forward by on-the-edge center back Paolo Filho set the table for Tornaritis, but the sophomore dribbled through a crowd and, with the ball just inches in front of him, calmly tucked a low side-footer inside the left corner.

“He’s just so nice to work off of,” said Pomeroy, calling Tornaritis a “powerhouse.”

Tornaritis was back in the action soon after his eighth-minute opener, drawing a penalty kick in the 15th minute as he again frustrated Tyngsboro’s defenders with his composed play on the ball. Pomeroy stepped up to the line and proved a cool customer, taking the safe route and finishing just inside the right post.

Tornaritis was one step ahead in the 26th minute as well, dribbling in toward the right post and then cutting back a no-look low roller inside the far framework.

“The other team was playing close on Nate the whole game so there were a lot of holes all over the field for me to attack and get to the goal,” Tornaritis said.

Morgan Manthous added to that total five minutes later to make it 4-0 at halftime.

Tyngsboro’s goal came in the 47th minute when Paul Sickinger took a free kick from 30 yards to cut into the lead. Sickinger caught the Crusaders off guard building their wall and he sailed it in over the top.

Groton-Dunstable needed just three minutes to respond as Tornaritis and then Pomeroy headed home right side crosses from Dan McGuiness and Manthous.