Penalty Kicks Boot Bedford Boys Soccer From Postseason

The bracket will indicate that the Bedford boys soccer team was eliminated with a loss to Wilmington in penalty kicks of the North Division 2 quarterfinal round. But Buccaneers head coach Dave Boschetto saw it differently.

“I consider this a tie,” said Boschetto, whose charges played 100 minutes of scoreless soccer against the No. 3 Wildcats. “We didn’t get a chance to advance because of the PKs, but I consider that separate from the game. We tied a good team today, and I can’t complain. Our guys played their (butts) off tonight.”

Bedford had a golden opportunity to win the game in overtime when a Buccaneer shot appeared destined for an open left side of the net. But Wilmington midfielder Drew Foley stuck a foot out and cleared it out of harms way, preserving the tie.

Then in double overtime, it was the Wildcats who nearly ended the game. Colin Doherty rifled a shot from about 20 yards out that beat Bedford’s goaltender. But the shot clanged off the right post and the game went into penalty kicks just minutes later.

Clayton Hafer, Michael Dushman, Dan Anderson and Peter Whallon all cashed in on their chances in penalty kicks, tying the score at 4-4 after regulation kicks.

In the first sudden death frame, Wilmington connected on its chance. But Wildcat goalie Luke Foley made a sprawling save of Bedford’s final shot, ending the Buccaneers season at 12-2-5.

Boschetto praised his coaching staff of Gunner Olson, Dave Dilson and Ryan Tillman for their hard work throughout the year, and said it would be difficult to say goodbye to his senior class.

“These guys have worked really hard all year and put us to a different level as a program. They made it a pleasure to coach,” said Boschetto. “It’s the hardest working group of kids I’ve ever had. But we have a lot coming back next year, which I’m looking forward to.”