The Wareham Youth Soccer BogRats grade 8 boys team has won the South Coast Soccer League division championship after its third trip to the playoffs and second finals appearance.

“The boys played well, some of the best soccer they’ve played. Winning means a lot to them and they deserve it,” said Coach Bob Catarius. “It is a combination of great kids, their hard training and their family’s commitment to the team. It’s fantastic.”

In the finals, the BogRats faced Fairhaven’s Mariner team. Earlier in the season, the team’s match up ended in a 0-0 tie.

The scoring started for Wareham midway through the first half when Brody Garber shot from a distance and sneaked one past the keeper.

The BogRats started the second half moving the ball wide, spreading the defense and creating space. Midfielders Nate Wiley, Shane Mazzoli, Aidan Fowler, Nate Conlon and Arman Araujo moved the ball well outside and kept the pressure on the Mariner back line. Center midfielder Ben Brogioli outhustled everyone, winning every ball and distributing through and wide.

The second goal came when Araujo picked up the ball wide, kept possession in the corner, and passed back to Garber at the top corner of the eighteen. Garber bent a left footed shot up in the far corner for a 2-0 lead.

Forward Nick Petronelli broke through the defense then collected a rebound and slid it past the keeper for a 3-0 lead. Mariner pressured the Wareham back line with scoring opportunities and was rewarded a free kick just outside the eighteen. They shot low and hard and the ball bounced in off the Wareham wall for a goal. Late in the game, Aidan Fowler passed across to Ryker King who turned and fired the fourth goal high in the corner. Once again the back line of Wiley, DeCollibus, Richards, Yancey and Girard held Mariner to one goal. When the final whistle blew the BogRats celebrated the championship.

Wareham’s semi-final against Fall River was a 0-0 game through the first half. Both teams had scoring chances but could not capitalize on their opportunities.

Early in the second half Wareham was rewarded with a freekick 25 yards out. Garber stepped up and shot a rocket under the crossbar to take a 1-0 lead. King scored two, slotting his second up in the far corner. Forward Seamus Braley picked up a through ball and ripped it short side to beat the keeper. The defense of Kevin DeCollibus, Luke Wiley, Charlie Richards, Nate Girard, RJ Yancey, lead by goalkeeper Stephen Sprague played well and secured the 4-0 win.

The BogRats completed the first place season 5-1-0, outscoring the competition 14-7.