David Magen found the back of the net four times in #31 Marblehead’s (11-6-1) 4-2 preliminary round victory over Shepherd Hill Regional High School (10-1-7) at Piper field on Saturday afternoon.
“It feels absolutely amazing,” the senior striker said post match. “Finally, in senior year, right back on home field, we won today and we have the same date with the team we lost to sophomore year in Wayland.”
Magen slotted a penalty shot into the bottom left corner of the net in the game’s third minute to put the Magicians up 1-0.
The Magicians had a series of strong chances, but were unable to capitalize until three minutes before halftime when Megen punched in a second chance effort off of a rebound from the shot by Julian Poitevin.
Shepherd Hill were awarded a penalty shot seven minutes into the second half. After the shot bounced off the goal post, Marblehead goalkeeper Andrew Halverson came up big, pouncing on the second chance effort to start a Magician counter.
The Rams scored their first goal an hour into the match off the boot of Sebastian Janusz, but The Magicians responded in short order with Magen rolling the ball past the keeper to pick up his hat trick.
After being awarded a free kick in the attacking third, Shepherd Hill found the back of the net once again, this time on a long range header by Ryan Cronin off a floated ball by Naz Joudi.
On the first sequence of play following the goal, Magen scored his 21st goal of the season to cap off a stellar day and send Marblehead into the round of 32 of the MIAA Division 2 boys soccer state tournament.
The #31 seeded Magicians will travel to #2 Wayland (14-2-0) for their next match. Kickoff is scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m.
