MARLBORO – Billerica knew its loaded offense, which had scored in double digits in all but one of its previous 19 games, would start clicking on all cylinders eventually to get some separation.

And as senior captain Adam Priest puts it – when they’re hot, they’re hot.

That’s exactly what the top-seeded Indians (21-1) showed in a Div. 2 state semifinal at Assabet Valley on Wednesday night, scoring four straight goals over the final 14 minutes to snap a late tie and defeat No. 5 Mansfield, 10-7.

Priest (two goals, assist) scored both of his goals in the fourth quarter, adding to a well-balanced attack that featured a hat trick from sophomore Daniel Venezia and two goals from sophomore Jackson Gearin. Defense wore a potent Hornets attack down in the meantime, shutting them down after they tied the game up late in the third quarter.

Billerica moves one win away from its first state title since 2001, set to face No. 6 Reading at Mass Maritime Academy.

Billerica’s Braden Martin dives for a no-look shot under pressure from Mansfield’s Thomas Donovan during Wednesday’s Division 2 state semifinal in Marlboro. The Indians held on for a 10–7 win to reach the final. (James Thomas for the Lowell Sun)

“We’ve been battle tested all year,” said Indians head coach Ryan Nickerson. “(Mansfield is) really, really good. We knew we were going to be in for a battle, we knew it wasn’t going to be an easy one. We were just waiting for the offense to kind of break through. … I knew once we could pull ahead, we’d be able to keep possession of the ball.”

“I think we’re just disciplined,” Priest added. “We stick with it. We’re always pushing each other to get better. We bicker here and there, but it’s just the game, it’s just brotherhood. … Now Reading is next, and it’s going to be a good game, for sure. It’s going to be a dog fight..”

Offense came aplenty in a back-and-forth first quarter. Goals from Cole Gibson, Nico Smith and Andrew DiGirolamo gave Mansfield (20-2) a 3-2 lead as Smith dominated faceoffs, but Venezia tied it up before goals from Gearin and Nathaniel Telep put the Indians ahead 5-3.

Offense from there was much harder to come by – up until the last 14 minutes.

Tommy Vallett (goal, assist) sent the Hornets’ crowd into a frenzy with his game-tying goal late in the third quarter. Billerica needed only two minutes to respond, re-taking the lead, 7-6, on Venezia’s second goal of the game.

The Indians locked in from there, competing well on faceoffs and controlling possession for long stints. Venezia’s goal with 9:15 left doubled the lead to 8-6, and Priest tallied his first less than two minutes later.

Billerica held possession for much of the next five minutes, and Priest’s goal to make it 10-6 proved the dagger in a 4-0 run.

Billerica’s Daniel Venezia, left, challenges Mansfield’s Nico Smith for position during Wednesday’s Division 2 state semifinal in Marlboro. Billerica came out on top, 10–7, to punch its ticket to the final. (James Thomas for the Lowell Sun)

“We had our runs, then they had their run,” Priest said. “Once we got going again, it kind of is just unstoppable from there. Once we get hot, there’s no stopping (it).”

Nickerson raved about the defense afterward. The Indians were the first group to hold Mansfield under 10 goals all year.

Nolan Heffernan had eight saves, and Caden Canney did well to limit All-American Cole Hogencamp to two goals for the Hornets.

“Our defense was awesome,” Nickerson said. “Caden Canney was awesome. Mike Rizzuto was phenomenal his first half – he kept us in it for the first half. And (Cameron) Penti, second half on faceoffs, was – he just adjusted. He was really resilient tonight. … That may be the best offense we’ve seen all year.”

Six different players scored goals for Billerica.

“We have great depth,” Priest said. “We can play anyone, any game – doesn’t matter. We’re always looking to feed, always looking to get points. It’s not who needs this goal, who needs that goal – it’s just whoever’s open, we’re throwing it. No one is selfish.”