Woodstock
With a trip to the VPA Division II boys soccer championship on the line, second-seeded Woodstock defeated No. 3 U-32, 1-0, off its only shot of the second half on Tuesday at Woodstock Union High School.
Woodstock (11-3-1) will play top-ranked Harwood (12-0-1) for the state title at 1 p.m. on Saturday at South Burlington High.
Emilio Montano had the ball just outside the Raiders’ penalty area 14 minutes into the second half. Montano attempted a shot that was blocked by a slew of U-32 defenders. The ball bounced to the foot of Woodstock’s Tom Bissaillon, who put the ball to the left of U-32 goalkeeper Max Kissner, off the post and into the net for the goal that led the second-ranked Wasps to the title match.
Bissaillon had one thing running through his mind when the opportunity struck.
“Don’t mess up,” Bissaillon said. “You only get one shot. Low and hard, and it went in.”
Although Bissaillon was the one who scored, the win was hardly a one-man effort for the Wasps. The Raiders had plenty of chances, and the best was with about two minutes left in the first half. Woodstock goalkeeper Stephen Bianchi tipped the ball just enough to bounce off the post and out of harm’s way. Bianchi finished with five saves to earn the shutout. U-32 (10-4-2) outshot Woodstock, 5-2.
Wasps defender Min Purvis put his body on the line as well, coming up with two huge blocks that could have potentially led to a tying goal. One came with under a minute left to play in regulation.
“I’ve been told if you’re not putting your body on the line every second, that you’re not really playing,” Purvis said. “When you’re up 1-0 and there is under two minutes left, that is just what you got to do. I try to always put the team first.”
Woodstock coach Tom Avellino will take his Wasps to their third final in his tenure and their first in three years. Woodstock lost back-to-back title games, to Rice in 2014 and U-32 in 2015.
“We certainly played with a lot of grit, a lot of passion and a lot of desire,” Avellino said. “It’s just a great feeling, a great, great feeling.”
Purvis shed tears after the game, having a hard time containing his excitement and passion for his team and his sport.
“I can barely keep it together, it means so much,” Purvis said. “We have come so far. Everyone on this team has something to be proud of.”
Many Wasps already had begun thinking about Saturday’s game against Harwood.
“We’re taking it. No question,” Bissaillon said.
Purvis, also exuberant, showed his excitement for what’s next.
“Championships aren’t a gimme type of thing,” Purvis said. “It’s who wants it more. I want to go out there, and I think we deserve it.”