Boys' soccer: Steinberg scores, but Worcester Academy falls to Berkshire in NEPSAC Class A final

WORCESTER — While the third time wasn’t the charm for the Worcester Academy boys’ soccer team, the group played determined and competitive ball before falling, 3-1, to the top-seeded Berkshire School in the NEPSAC Class A championship on Sunday.

Playing a matinee matchup under gray skies at Morse Field, the Hilltoppers (15-2-4) spotted the Bears an early goal off the foot of Jacob Shaffelburg.

But the tenacious hosts carried a 1-1 tie into the half thanks to a 20-yard laser off the foot of Westboro's Carlton Steinberg that whizzed past the reach of Berkshire goalkeeper Marco Saborio, warming the chilly fans in the 35th minute of play.

After the break, the Bears took advantage in the 56th minute of play on a fluke goal.

Deng Kur boomed a free kick from 50 yards out into the goal area that eluded a half-dozen players before improbably bouncing off the cold turf and under the crossbar for what proved to be the game-winning score.

“They’re a very good team and they have a great group of players. We just ran out of gas,” said Worcester Academy coach James Proctor. “The second goal for them was a little bit lucky, but it happens in sports. It’s just unfortunate.”

Worcester Academy’s third finals appearance was a rematch of the 2016 title game that the Bears won, 5-1, on their home field in Deerfield. Berkshire also took home the Stewart Cup in 2012 through 2014 while the Hilltoppers are still seeking their first New England prep school crown.

“This season’s been excellent,” said Proctor. “(The team) lost 16 players the year before and to only have seven return and to rebuild a team and take a step further than we did last year. I mean, look, we’d all love to win it, but we’d have taken a final (appearance) at the beginning of the year.”

The Hilltoppers pressed play as the clock was winding down including a point-blank shot from Max Proctor with 10 minutes to play and several corner kicks that were snared by Saborio.

Berkshire tallied an insurance goal during stoppage time when Tyrese Caines swiveled one home to seal the championship.

“(Worcester Academy) is one of the most organized, disciplined and toughest teams out there,” said Berkshire coach Charlie Bour, He praised his players for their competitiveness and the high standards established by prior coach Jon Moodey and current assistant Tony Amolo.

The Hilltoppers played the final minutes without senior midfielder and team captain James Michielli who was given a red card after a hard sliding check attempt.

“It’s unfortunate, but we’re brothers,” said Michielli. “It’s not the result you want, but we won’t give up. This is not the end of it for us. We’ll come back next year with a strong team and everyone (will) stick together.”

“I think we proved that we’re a team out there and we know how to be a family as well," he continued. " I’m proud of us and I’m proud of this season.”

—Contact Shaun Suhoski at sports@telegram.com.