Postgame Blog: St. Bernard's Wins a Thriller at Nashoba

St. Bernard's attackman Curtiss Vachonn (13) scored two goals and dished out an assist, but Nashoba goalie Robby Atwood (24) didn't make things easy, turning away 19 shots.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

It was a game of inches Saturday in Bolton, as visiting St. Bernard's edged Nashoba 7-6 when a last-second shot by Chieftain attackman Tim Leach flew just wide right.

Before that final shot, those in attendance were treated to a back-and-forth affair between two teams hungry for a win. The Bernardians (4-1) were coming off a surprising loss to Bromfield, while Nashoba (0-4, 0-2 Mid-Wach A) was just hoping to pick up its first win of the young season.

CMass Lax Preview: The 2016 Nashoba Chieftains

Nashoba goalie Robby Atwood

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Many teams around Central Mass are returning boat loads of experience and gearing up for a year of senior leadership.

Nashoba is not one of those teams.

After losing a dozen seniors, including stars Eric Demmer and Casey Elkins, the Chieftains return senior goalie Robby Atwood and… That's about all they know for now.

"Robby and I spoke before practice started," Nashoba coach Kevin McNamara said. "And he asked me, 'coach who's going to be starting on attack.' I told him that, other than goalie and who's taking our face-offs, nothing's set yet."

That might seem like a bleak picture, but for a program looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2013, some fresh blood might not be a bad thing.

Nashoba Will Relish Underdog Role in Division 2 State Championship Game

Egan Bachtell (11) and Jake Fire (29) celebrate Nashoba's D2 state semifinal win over Springfield Central.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Ed. Note- This is the first in our series of MIAA state championship game previews, focusing on the three squads from Central Mass to qualify for Gillette. We begin today with Nashoba's date in the D2 final with Reading, but will feature previews of both Northbridge and St. Bernard's in the next week.

After a wild weekend of state semifinals, three CMass squads have punched their tickets to Gillette Stadium for the state championship games on December 5th.

Central Massachusetts went 3-1 against its rivals from Western Mass this past Saturday, as St. Bernard's defeated Lee in Division 6, Northbridge topped Hoosac Valley in Division 5 and Nashoba bested Springfield Central in a classic Division 2 semi.

Division 4 is the only district Central Mass competes in that won't see a CMass team at Gillette, as Grafton's comeback bid came up short against Chicopee Comprehensive.

Any way you slice it, Saturday was a success for the region, as both Northbridge and St. B's won convincingly, while Nashoba continued to come up big when it mattered most, stopping Springfield Central on fourth and goal twice in the game's final minute.

Postgame Blog and Video: Nashoba Earns Signature Win at Leominster

The Nashoba offensive line asserted itself Friday night, and quarterback Robby Atwood made every play that was there to be made.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Nashoba, it would seem, is back, as the Chieftains scored a massive road win against perennial power Leominster to clinch at least a share of the Mid-Wach A title and grab control of the race for home field advantage in the Division 2 Central playoffs.

Here's your quick reminder that this blog is not a complete recap, only my wandering thoughts on the game, along with some highlights and postgame video reactions from Nashoba coach Jamie Tucker and senior Jake Benjamin.

If you'd like my full story, head on over to ESPN Boston.

Well, let's get on with it.