The Hopkinton Hillers boys soccer team faced off against Westwood Tuesday night in a competitive affair. The Hillers were galvanized by their senior night, honoring their last year with the program, and pulled out a big 3-1 win over the Wolverines.
Tim Zakharov and Ian Weilding scored in the first half for Hopkinton, giving the Hillers an early edge. Daniel Morrissey added the lone second-half goal to clinch the victory and seal the night for the seniors. The win brings Hopkinton to a 7-5-3 record for the season and gets the Hillers back in the win column after the loss to the Holliston Panthers.
Beyond the three goals, the result carried meaning as Hopkinton clinched a playoff spot. The Hillers were listed as the No. 30 seed in D1 soccer, and by dispatching a playoff-bound Westwood squad, they punched their ticket to the tournament. Clinching a berth on senior night gives these departing players a memory they’ll carry beyond high school.
Hopkinton turns around quickly and plays Ashland today at 4 PM. Ashland enters the match 9-3-4 and sits as the No. 9 seed in D2 soccer, presenting a stiff test on short rest. The Hillers will hope the momentum from senior night and the win over Westwood carries into the next challenge.
