LEOMINSTER — The Trojans have climbed the mountain once again and achieved the ultimate glory.
No. 2 Bromfield boys soccer clinched a narrow, 1-0, victory over No. 5 Rockland in the MIAA Division IV state final at Doyle Field on Friday.
Bromfield (20-1-2) won its 14th state title in program history, the most amongst all boys soccer programs in the state, and the Trojans’ first since lifting the Div. V title in 2022.
“(This trophy) means everything, honestly. It’s the culmination of the last three years,” Conor Glew said after the match. “… it’s the end goal, I don’t know what else could top this feeling.”
The Trojans had a slight edge in possession during the half, but the Bulldogs were not without their chances to score first. The opening goal of the match took nearly the entire first half, but the resulting play was worth the wait.
After receiving the ball just outside of the box, Liam Glew played his brother through on goal with a sublime forward pass into the box. With just the keeper to beat, Conor tucked the ball calmly into the bottom right corner, putting the Trojans ahead in the 35th minute.
“I don’t score very much… I was excited for it even going into the net, so the fact that it (came from Liam) was wild,” Conor said.
The Trojans were put to the test in the second half to secure the victory. The Bulldogs did well to create a few openings, but Bromfield’s backline was quick to close them down and challenge the opposition, not allowing many clean looks on goal.
Bromfield searched for a second goal, but the Trojans were careful not to get caught out with numbers forward and maintained their defensive shape even when they lost possession.
As the final whistle blew and the scoreline still read 1-0 Bromfield, the Trojans cleared the benches and rushed onto the field, swarming their teammates in celebration before running to the stands to join their friends and family.
“It was unbelievable, and it’s a dream come true,” Bromfield boys soccer coach Alex Horne said, earning his fifth state title. “Not just for the Glews, but for all 26 members of our team, all our coaches, and our community.
“We’ve been away from (the state finals) for the last couple of years, lost in the state semis, and this team has (earned) some grit and really worked hard to earn the right to be here, and they capitalized on the moment.”
The Trojans’ backline was the unsung heroes in Bromfield’s state title run. As they didn’t allow one single goal in the postseason, and finished with a program record of 19 shutouts. All-in-all, the Trojans allowed just six goals all year.
“Defense wins championships, there’s nothing else to say about it,” Horne said.
Bromfield’s assistant head coach, Tom Hill, emphasized what those losses in the 2023 and 2024 state semifinals did to this senior class, spurring them to not let their final year end in disappointment.
“The last two years, losing in the semifinals to Sutton and Douglass… that really motivated the coach and our kids,” said the Trojan’s former head coach and nine-time state title champion.
The Trojans graduate 12 seniors this spring, but with their program’s rock-solid foundation, Bromfield is well-equipped to replenish and reload for next season.
“Keep it going,” Liam Glew said. “You know what it takes to win — now you just got to keep it going.”
Rockland finished its season with a 13-6-4, reaching the state final for the first time since winning the Div. II state title in 1985.
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