The boys varsity soccer team beat Somerset Academy on Friday, Feb. 9 in a penalty shootout to advance to the Regional Championship Final.

The game was a test for the Raiders since they played without their captain Cosme Salas who is out due to an injury. During the second half, the Raiders also lost their vice captain, Tomas Sciarra since he received a red card and was out of the game. Even though the Raiders faced these challenges, they were able to come together and take the game to a penalty shootout.

Entering the penalty shootout, the Raiders found themselves on the wrong side of things since they were down two to one. The tables quickly turned when senior and goalkeeper Dominic Pratt blocked the last two penalty shots.

“I can’t even put it into words, it’s the best feeling ever from not being able to play last year, to now. It is amazing. We were playing for Comse, who couldn’t play today, and I was playing for my grandma who passed away three weeks ago,” Pratt said. “We aren’t just teammates, we’re family, brothers, for the rest of our lives,” Pratt added.

The Raiders had to rely on the senior’s experience in order to win the shootout, the seniors had the job to help the younger players and give them confidence to be able to score the penalty’s.

“This game especially, we relied on our seniors who have been here before,” Assistant Coach Fede Mor said. 

The Raiders now face Mater Lakes Academy on Wed, Feb. 14 in the Sean Taylor Memorial 01’ Field.