GILL — When you have depth like the Northfield Mount Hermon boys soccer team, opponents have a difficult time trying to keep up in the second half. 

St. Sebastian’s found that out the hard way on Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the NEPSAC Class A tournament. 

NMH — the top seed in the Class A field — had multiple chances to take the opening lead against the eighth-seeded Arrows in the first half, but were unable to capitalize, leading to a scoreless first half. 

Continuously substituting players, the Hoggers were able to have a fresh group on the pitch throughout the second half and the results showed. NMH took the lead in the 57th minute and tacked two goals on in the ensuing 15 minutes to run away with a 3-0 victory at Compton Family Field. 

“When you have a team victory like that and you’re playing 16 kids and grinding them, you’re able to turn the corner, you’re fresh in the box and you’ve worked out some those jitters you might have had in the first half,” Hoggers head coach Charlie Malcolm said. “Then you have the fans. Their energy helped pick us up.” 

Wednesday marked was the 200th career win for Malcolm at NMH. The longtime coach noted that the Hoggers’ goal entering each season is to reach the NEPSAC semifinals, and after winning the Class A tournament in 2021 and reaching the semis in 2022, it’s been three years in a row NMH has reached its preseason goal. 

Waiting for the unbeaten Hoggers (12-0-3) in the semifinal round is No. 4 Milton Academy, which defeated No. 5 Phillips Andover in penalty kicks. That semifinal matchup set for Saturday in Gill. The winner of that game will play for the championship on Sunday at Suffield Academy. 

“They really care about each other,” Malcolm said. “You don't want it to end. Our goal is always to make it to Friday. That means we’ve had every practice possible together and whatever happens in the semis and the finals happens.” 

While NMH had nothing to show for it on the scoreboard, it had the better chances through the opening 45 minutes of play. 

In the final 15 minutes of the half alone Nicholas Dwamena cracked a shot that went just over the crossbar, Henry Lester had a header that just missed hitting the crossbar while Yoav Feingold took a shot that dribbled inches away from the right post. 

That positive momentum carried into the second half. After holding possession and switching play twice, Lester received the ball in the box and blasted a shot that was deflected in front of the St. Sebastian goal. The ball bounced over to Dwamena, who knocked the rebound home to give NMH a 1-0 lead. 

Just one minute later, the Arrows had their best chance of tying the game back up. Hoggers goalie Alastair Hafner-Schnee was whistled for a handball just outside the box, setting up a free kick right on the edge of the 18-yard marker directly in front of the NMH goal.

Sebastian Martinez took the free kick but knocked it wide left, keeping St. Sebastian’s off the scoreboard.

Ten minutes later, in the 68th minute, the Hoggers tacked on their second goal of the game. Lincoln Coleman received a pass up the left sideline and crossed the ball in to Noah Vettese who rocketed a shot into the back of the net to give the Hoggers a 2-0 edge.

One minute later, NMH added another insurance goal. After forcing a turnover, Serigne Babacar Diallo dribbled the ball into the box and fired a shot that deflected off a St. Sebastian defender. Similiar to the first goal, Dwamena was right on the spot to corral the deflection and fire it home to give the Hoggers a 3-0 lead.

With the way the NMH defense has played all season, recording nine shutouts in its 13 games, NMH isn’t the type of team to fall behind against. 

“I’ve had the pleasure of coaching these guys for a bit,” Malcolm said of his defenders. “Their risk-reward decisions have gotten progressively better. I’ve still lost a fair amount of hair but they’re a great group. I’m really happy for them.” 

While some coaches might ride their starters during the stretch run of the postseason, Malcolm said he will continue to rotate his players in order to constantly stay fresh and keep the pressure on the opponent. 

“We came out of this game healthy,” Malcolm said. “We just have to trust our depth and stay with it even when we’re struggling a little bit. You don’t want to just ride your first 10 but understand that if we play everyone, we’ll be able to wear teams down.”