Harbormen Take Down Undefeated Arlington in Independent League Match-up

Junior Aidan Brazel ices the game late in the third with his second goal of the contest.

January 10, 2022 - Story and photos by Joshua Ross

The Harbormen improve to 4-2 on the season after their convincing 4-1 win over the third ranked Arlington Spy Ponders. The Sunday afternoon game featured two of top independent teams in the state. The Harbormen were looking to build on their 5-0 win against St. Johns Shrewsbury last week.

The Spy Ponders jumped out to an early first quarter lead on a power play goal, but senior captain Drew Carleton tied it up on a shot from the blue line that found the bottom right corner of the net just past the goalie's outstretched leg. The game remained tied until junior Aidan Brazel some how poked the puck past the goalie in a battle in front of the net. Behind senior goaltender Luke Merian's impressive second quarter, Hingham took the 2-1 lead into the third, where the Harbormen took over. Junior Billy Jacobus extended the lead off an outstanding pass from senior Connor Walsh and Brazel put the game away with his second of the game, and team leading fifth on the season, on a pretty move to get around the goalie to tap it in the wide open net.

Senior Luke Merian made some big saves in second and third periods to help secure the win.

Like almost every high school team in every sport, the Harbormen are just trying to find some rhythm and consistency as they hit the heart of their season.

"This one was huge," Carleton said after the game. "We are starting to find our rhythm. We had a tough start, a little streaky here and there, but we are really starting to get things going. It feels good. That was a good one."

One of things that's sparked winning is the defense's ability to score, as well as shut down their opponent.

"Bob (Falvey) always find a way, he's a clutch performer," he says of his fellow captain and defensemen. "I get some lucky goals here and there from the red line. It's happened before. We've been scoring a lot, trying to get up on the rush more and trying to be part of the offense. "

Junior Connor Richardson battles for position in front of Arlington's net.

The boys were supposed to take on Framingham tonight, but that has been postponed due to Framingham's two week sports hiatis. They will be playing Catholic Memorial tomorrow night at Babson College, a game that has already been resecheduled twice.

"We're just trying to win the day right now," Carleton adds. "All the stuff happening with COVID and what not, we're just trying to keep tunnel vision and focus on the next day, the next practice and focusing on getting 1% better everyday."