The Hopedale Blue Raiders boys soccer team survived a dramatic semifinal against Keefe Tech, rallying late to best the Broncos 3-2 and punch a ticket to the D5 championship. Keefe Tech entered as the No. 6 seed with an 11-5-2 record and a strong early playoff goal differential; Hopedale carried the No. 2 seed into the matchup after a 7-6-5 regular-season slate and four straight wins entering the heavyweight contest.
The game was tightly contested through the first half, with Gui Cardoso accounting for Hopedale’s lone tally before the break. Keefe Tech carried a 2-1 lead into halftime, but Hopedale rallied in the second half. Nicholas Gebarowski tied up the game on a chip in goal and put Hopedale back in the hunt. Cardoso delivered again in the clutch, scoring the game-winning goal with under five minutes remaining to complete the comeback and send the Blue Raiders into the title match.
Hopedale now awaits the winner of Boston International and Brighton in today’s championship at 5 PM. The Blue Raiders will lean on Cardoso’s late-game poise and the group’s recent momentum as they prepare for the decisive match.
