HINGHAM - The first two rounds of the postseason offered little resistant for Hingham in its new trek through the Division 1 state tournament.
But last night’s South semifinal matchup against No. 5 Xaverian presented a stiffer challenge for the top-seeded Harbormen.
After trailing by two after one quarter, Hingham responded with its defense clamping down on the Hawks’ multi-dimensional offense to take command and prevail, 10-4.
Hingham (22-2) now has a chance to win its fifth straight South title - the last four came in Division 2 - when it faces BC High Friday.
“We’re playing as long as we can, as hard as we can,” said Hingham senior captain Frankie Higgins. “Doesn’t matter who we’re playing, what division, where we are, what time, we’re just doing our job to live another day.”
A goal from Dylan Gardner put Xaverian (16-5) up, 3-1, after the opening frame before Hingham seized control with a dominant second quarter.
The Harbormen scores four unanswered goals in the stanza with Higgins getting it started with a tally off a turnover.
Ryan Hill then made a terrific pass from behind the net to set up Sam Ward (three goals, two assists) for a goal before Hill assisted on a tally from Cooper Dainton and Jake Quility scored for a 5-3 halftime lead.
Even with Teagan Alexander (13 saves) keeping the Hawks in it, Hingham’s lead was in good hands with its stalwart defensive unit nearly impenetrable.
Xaverian scored just once over the final 38 minutes - coming 2:15 into the third quarter to get the Hawks within one - before Hingham’s defense shut the door for good and the Harbormen pulled away with five straight tallies.
“(The defense) was the difference,” said Hingham coach John Todd. “We knew they were an attack oriented team and our defense stood to the task.”
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