A decisive shutout for the Vineyard boys that showcased an unsung defense and a bittersweet loss for the girls that capped a strong season were the benchmarks of the weekend as the early rounds of high school soccer playoffs got underway.
The Martha’s Vineyard girls soccer team is moving on to the second round of the playoffs after a physical 2-1 victory over Dighton-Rehoboth Friday at home.
The regional high school boys’ and girls’ soccer squads face inter-Island rival Nantucket at home on Sunday. The girls game begins at 12:30. The boys game follows at 2 p.m.
The Vineyard girls’ varsity soccer team has faced tough nonleague competition in its first matches of the season, most recently dropping matches to the mainland powerhouses of North Plymouth and Barnstable.
Boys and Girls Soccer Teams
A scramble for the ball on a set piece.
A scramble for the ball on a set piece.
The boys varsity team huddles up before their game.
The boys varsity team huddles up before their game.
A shot on goal.
A shot on goal.
MVRHS goalkeeper makes a save.
MVRHS goalkeeper makes a save.
Executing a pass.
Executing a pass.
Racing ahead to get the first touch.
Racing ahead to get the first touch.
A quick shot.
A quick shot.
The Vineyard crowd gets to their feet.
The Vineyard crowd gets to their feet.
A defender on the JV team clears the ball.
A defender on the JV team clears the ball.
The junior varsity team playing Falmouth.
The junior varsity team playing Falmouth.
The MVRHS girls soccer team waiting on the bench.
The MVRHS girls soccer team waiting on the bench.
Working together to get to the goal.
Working together to get to the goal.
The Vineyard led at halftime.
The Vineyard led at halftime.
Controlling the ball.
Controlling the ball.
School spirit is never in short supply.
School spirit is never in short supply.
The Vineyard girls varsity team huddle sup with coach Matt Malowski.
The Vineyard girls varsity team huddle sup with coach Matt Malowski.
A night games under the lights brings the community out.
A night games under the lights brings the community out.
Both the boys and girls MVRHS soccer teams see strong starts to their seasons. The boys are currently 6-2-1, and the girls are 6-3-1.