18 October, 2023
-Hopkinton Hillers Boys Soccer defeats Ashland Clockers 2 to 1
On a cloudy chilly Tuesday afternoon, Hiller Boys Soccer captured a tough, physical 2-1 win over a very good Ashland Clockers team. The Hopkinton Hillers improve to 9-2-3 with the win, while Ashland fell to 9-4-1 on the season. The Hillers currently rank #10 in the D2 playoff bracket while Ashland ranks #5 in the D3 playoff bracket.
The Hillers completed the season sweep over Ashland with Tuesday's 2-1 win. Hopkinton also defeated Ashland back on September 5th, 3 to 2. In the cross-town rivalry both teams played physical and left everything on the field. The 1st goal of the game was scored at 14:14 left in the 1st half by Junior, Jake Garron off a throw-in from Jan Antvelink (JR). The score remained 1-0 heading into the halftime break.
Ashland came out firing on all cylinders in the 2nd half. The Clockers took control and kept the ball away from the Hillers for the majority of the first 20 minutes of the 2nd half. The Clockers eventually broke through for a goal as Victor Andrade netted the game-tying goal at 24:22 left to go. After the Andrade goal, the Hillers took back control and forced multiple corner kicks and throw-ins. At 15:00 left, Jake Garron would take advantage of a beauty of a throw-in by Will Bialobrzeski (SR) right into the box and head it in the right-side of the net to make it a 2-1 game.
The Hillers displayed nearly-perfect ball control and excellency with their throw-ins, corner-kicks and free-kicks for the final 20 minutes of the 2nd half and won the possession battle barely allowing a shot on net for the final frame.
It was a great battle and another epic part of one of the best cross-town rivalries in the State (perhaps the best..) Both teams left it all on the field and battled until the end. With the win, the Hillers inch closer to a TVL Large title.
Watch Game below:
