Dover-Sherborn tops Norwell to claim first state boys soccer title since 2010

WORCESTER – For the third time in program history and the first time since 2010, Dover-Sherborn has won a Div. 3 boys soccer state title.

Over a five-minute span, junior Wesley Bunn and senior captain Jack Martin scored in the second half to lift the No. 2 Raiders over reigning Div. 3 state champion and No. 9 Norwell, 2-0, at Worcester State University on Friday night.

“I’m so proud of our guys,” Raiders’ coach Joe Gruseck said. “I said from day one, the chemistry, the senior leadership, the attitude, these guys all truly love each other and I’ve been saying it for the last three weeks. I was just hoping to get rewarded, so that not only for them, but everybody else who has been watching it gets rewarded when they do the right stuff.”

Dover-Sherborn’s Caio Dos Santos clears the ball away from Norwell’s Nicholas Adams during Friday’s state title game. (Staff Photo/Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)

After a first half that had a total of one shot on goal, Dover-Sherborn (18-3-2) finally broke through in the 53rd minute as twin brother Winston Bunn found Wesley Bunn, who headed it into the net for a 1-0 advantage.

“We know we’ve had battles and, truth be told, (Norwell) has had the upper hand for the last few years,” said Gruseck about being able to get the lead. “At halftime, we talked about it and said ‘Hey, keep playing your game.’ In the second half, once we score, we tend to get a big rise out of it.”

Martin was rewarded with a free kick just outside the penalty box in the 57th minute and buried it in the bottom right corner to make it 2-0.

“It feels amazing,” said Martin about winning the state title.” I’ve been dreaming about this for months, years, my whole life. It feels amazing. I’m just super happy.”

Norwell’s Samuel Pesko jumps over Dover-Sherborn’s Caio Dos Santos during the Div. 3 boys soccer title clash. (Staff Photo/Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)

From there, the defense came up strong along with junior goalie Patrick Driscoll in net. Driscoll came up with timely saves in both halves even if he only tallied four on the evening against a potent Norwell (20-2-2) attack.

“He’s been our anchor back there,” Gruseck said about Driscoll in net. “He doesn’t always get the credit he deserves.”

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