Postgame Blog: Blackstone Valley Tech Pulls Away from Monty Tech Late

BVT middie Reece Hendricks was all smiles after his six-goal performance Monday.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Blackstone Valley Tech used a 5-0 fourth quarter run to pull away from host Monty Tech 16-12 Monday, completing a season sweep of the Bulldogs, and seizing total control of the Colonial.

This one was far from easy for the Beavers (5-3, 5-0 Colonial), though, as Monty Tech (4-4, 2-2 Colonial) held a 12-11 lead with 9:30 remaining in the game. Then, BVT turned it on, rattling off five goals, while goalie Casey Gosselin stood on his head, turning away 5 shots, three of them at point-blank range.

"Their goalie, wow, he stopped a lot of them," Monty Tech coach Jonathan Shea said with a laugh. "Even one where our kid picked it right up off the ground in front and tried to flick it in. Just… What can ya do about that?"

A Critical Victory

Blackstone Valley Tech has all but locked up at least a share of the Colonial title, sitting at 5-0 with only three league games remaining. The Beavers would almost have to lose out in the league to not get a share of the crown, and with the way they're playing right now, that seems pretty much impossible. The win also clinched a season sweep of Monty Tech, assuring a tie-breaker against the league team most likely to catch the Beavers.

BVT is pretty much in the D3 tournament at this point, and can now focus itself on preparing to surprise somebody in the postseason.

Standouts

You wouldn't expect it in a game where 28 goals were scored but, as I wrote above, Gosselin was absolutely huge between the pipes for BVT.

BVT goalie Casey Gosselin stood tall in the fourth quarter for the Beavers.

During the Beavers' 5-0 run, the Bulldogs generated nearly as many chances as BVT, but Gosselin turned them away time and time again. He may not have had the best start, giving up five goals in the fist quarter, but man did this kid finish strong.

It was also a huge day for Beaver middie Reece Hendricks. The OM scored six total goals, and three during BVT's big run, including the goal that initially tied the game at 12. Hendricks was smooth cutting toward the cage without the ball, and his teammates did a great job of finding him late.

Mike Jango also added four goals for the Beavers, as did Stefan Saldon, who also dished out three assists.

It was a great offensive day all around for BVT, who put on a ball movement clinic and made the most of its opportunities.

Monty Tech sophomore attackman Eric Glover

On the other end, Monty Tech sophomore Eric Glover made his presence felt with five goals and two assists. Like BVT, the chemistry was there for the Bulldogs up front on offense, and this team has a great core of underclassmen to build around for the next few years.

Pulling Double Duty

I really wanted to speak with first year BVT coach Andrew Barksdale, but the man works too hard. Seconds after he sent his varsity guys off the field, he started warming up his JV goalie with shots.

He then proceeded to coach the JV game.

It always amazes me when coaches can do this, and both these coaches being able to field competitive teams with far fewer kids than traditional high schools is very impressive. A Voke school may not win the state championship this year, but these coaches and kids are working hard, and it definitely shows.

Looking Ahead

BVT's path to the tournament is crystal clear at this point, both in terms of them being in great position to win the Colonial, and in terms of the Beavers being so close to clinching at least a .500 record.

Things are still interesting for the Bulldogs, however, as Monty Tech tries to reach the postseason for the first time in its fourth year as a varsity program.

The Bulldogs will face back-to-back games against Nashoba Tech next week, before moving onto face rematches with league foes Advanced Math and Science Academy, and Assabet. Monty Tech defeated both of the latter teams in close ones earlier this year, but knows it won't be easy to complete the sweep.

That being said, it's easy to see the Bulldogs coming away from that stretch with two or three wins, maybe even four. That should set them up well with a slightly softer finish to their slate.

Is this team playoff bound? Nobody knows yet, but Monty Tech has actually set itself up pretty nicely to make program history this season.