LEOMINSTER — The epicenter of the Massachusetts soccer world in 2025 is Natick.
In a dramatic Division 1 boys final, Cole Boggis’ goal with 7:51 left in regulation helped the Redhawks upend No. 1 St. John’s Prep, 3-2, for the school’s first boys soccer title and a sweep of the D1 crowns.
“It’s just phenomenal. Two great teams and I’m so proud of my guys,” Natick coach Dan Joseph said. “These guys are the most resilient group I’ve ever been with. We threw everything at them and St. John’s kept hammering back.”
On the biggest stage of the season, the Redhawks’ (17-5-0) best players shone in the bright sun at Doyle Field.
All-America selection Luke Dougherty had a goal and helped set up Boggis’ winner. Boggis also added two assists while goalkeeper Jack Stephens survived a Prep onslaught in the second half, making nine of his 12 stops in the second half.
In front of a raucous crowd, the Redhawks made an early statement as Boggis cut through the Prep defense and fed Owen Ford for a one-touch finish past Matt Droggitis just 2:15 in.
Natick’s defense also kept the explosive Eagles’ offense in check for most of the first 40 minutes. But it wouldn’t be that way at the half as Ryan King finished off a nifty back pass from Finn McCabe with 2:48 left to tie things at the break.
The fireworks were only beginning as St. John’s (19-2-2) came out of the halftime break intent on taking control. Garrison Murphy had two golden chances for the lead in the opening minutes but came away empty.
One All-American was snakebit at one end, another one, however, gave Natick the lead again in the 47th minute. Daugherty took a Boggus feed and didn’t miss from in close.
Murphy, however, was relentless in keeping the pressure on the Natick defense, and with 26:33 left, his efforts were finally rewarded off a perfect through ball from Michael Hutchinson.
The ebb and flow continued as Dougherty just missed on two shining chances midway through but Joseph knew that if he could getting the ball to him, something good was coming.
“I knew if we could just get over the top one more time, where it was Cole or Luke, I was confident they were going to slot it,” Joseph said.
That proved to be the way the winner came as Dougherty lofted a pass to Boggus, who was able to shield off a defender and tuck his shot around Droggitis.
Stephens would take care of the rest for Natick as he stopped three Prep corners over the final five minutes to get the Redhawks to the title.
“This just means so much. They played their hearts out and just how we wanted them to,” Joseph said.
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