May River’s boys soccer team survived multiple lightning delays and a stiff challenge from visiting Academic Magnet to claim a 6-4 victory Saturday and advance to the Class 3A Lower State final for the first time.
The match ended about five hours after the scheduled kickoff thanks to numerous lightning delays. The Sharks came out energized and grabbed the lead on two early goals from Mikey Chappelear, but the Raptors answered with two quick goals to tie it before the first weather delay.
When play resumed, May River’s Joel Fleek put in two quick goals for a 4-2 halftime lead, but the Raptors again came back with two straight goals to tie it.
Chappelear finished his third straight hat trick and regained the lead less than a minute later and added a fourth goal following another weather delay.
The Sharks (18-3-1) will host top-ranked Bishop England for the Lower State championship Tuesday. The Bishops have ousted May River from the playoffs the past two seasons.