Hingham Soccer Advances to Semi-Finals [VIDEO]

The  No.4 ranked Hingham boys soccer team is moving on in the MIAA South Division 2 tournament.  The Harbormen defeated cross-town rival Norwell, 1-0 Wednesday afternoon in front of packed crowd at Hingham High School.

The Harbormen (15-3-3)  will move on to play Sandwich (19-1-0) on Friday at 11:30 a.m. at Cohasset High School in the Semi-Finals.

After a scoreless first half Wednesday, Hingham senior  captain Ryan King tipped a shot past Norwell goaltender Willie McDonald to score the only goal of the game, giving the Harbormen a 1-0 victory.

“When it came in, I was really just trying to flick it over the goalie’s head,” King said. “When I was on the ground, I turned around and saw my teammate there and I had thought he put it in. But when I saw he didn’t, I just got up as quick as I could and tried to put it in the back of the net.  It feels great, I just wish we could have had more.”

The Habormen had 35 shots on McDonald, and only managed to score just once.

“We managed to score when we had to, even though we had a lot of opportunities that went begging,” said Hingham Head Coach Ken Carlin.  “Sometime players are hitting the ball too high or right at the goalkeeper.”

The Harbormen came out firing in the second half, riffling shot after shot at McDonald. Senior defender Phillip Agostino missed an opportunity by shooting over the net while McDonald was out-of-place. Senior forward Levi Dwyer tried bicycle kicking a cross pass, but missed the net. Senior Captain James Ross placed a perfect cross to Dwyer ,who missed  the shot to the left of the net. Junior defender Kevin O'Neill  place a cross pass to King, who missed on a header.  Sophomore midfielder Patrick Burke was denied by the post.

Hingham could not finish until King connected with the goal.

“It was the second time the ball traveled through the penalty area, and (junior) Connor MacKay was the one who put the ball back in through Norwell defenders,” said Carlin.  “King was a little bit higher and swatted it in.”

The Hingham defenders made major stops throughout the game led by  Agostino, Captain Jake Awtry, Will Harlow, and O’Neill. The 1-0 victory is the second straight tournament shutout for senior goalkeeper Simon Merryweather. On Monday, Hingham shutout Foxborough 4-0.

On Friday, Hingham will play Sandwich, a team they lost to twice this year (Sept. 19 and Nov.1).

In their off day Thursday, coach Carlin said there will be a light practice with 2v1 drills on one half of the field.

In his 12 years as coach of the Harbormen, Carlin has led Hingham to the Eastern Mass Championship game in 2005 and as the South Sectional runners up in 2006.

For a look at the tournament bracket, click HERE.