October 28, 2026 by David Wolcott, photos by Joshua Ross
Harbormen clinch a playoff invitation by taking down previously undefeated Marshfield High
Bonus games are in the future for the Hingham High boys soccer team. The question now is how many games can the Harbormen cash in on?
Pairings for the Division 2 state tournament will be announced by the MIAA on Thursday, Nov. 5. Opening round games can begin as early as Friday. Nov. 6. Hingham (9-5-3) is 30th in the latest Div. 2 power rankings with games against Whitman-Hanson (Oct. 29) and then B.C. High (Oct. 31) to close out the regular season.
A factor in Hingham’s favor as they get ready for a five game-sprint to a potential state championship is they have recently been playing their best soccer of the season. Heading into the second half of the schedule with a record of 4-5-2, the boys found the next gear they had been looking for and went on a 5-0-1 run since a 3-1 to Whitman-Hanson on Oct. 8.
They have out-scored the opposition 10-3 over the last six games, highlighted by three clean sheets from junior goalkeeper Beckett Williams. Hingham head coach David Leahy would love to see the team continue on a solid roll into the playoffs and then let the chips fall where they may.
“We’ve become a different team over the last couple of weeks and we are playing our best soccer at the right time of the year,” said Leahy. “The Whitman-Hason loss was a setback for us, but since then we have refocused. The younger guys have matured and the older players are incredible leaders. It’s not just one person. It’s been everyone who has brought us to this point.”
Two juniors, captain Aiden Holmes (assist) and Nolan McManus, both scored Tuesday night in the 2-1 win over Marshfield. The loss was the first of the season for the Rams (14-1-1).
With multiple seniors getting an opportunity to start on Senior Night, Hingham took an early lead when Holmes set the table with a nice lead pass by the Marshfield defense where McManus was available to tap the ball around the charging goaltender for the opening score.
Marshfield responded with 10:00 remaining in the opening half. Cole Sombronsky found some open space along the sideline and dropped a pretty pass near the net to Brady Hansom for a goal to tie it up.
The Rams had several solid chances for more goals but some solid work in net by senior Noel Eigenmann and then Williams kept them off the scoreboard.
Hingham senior captain Matt Volpe is a ball of energy on the forward line and on one charge to the net a Marshfield defender got too physical and hauled Volpe down for a penalty kick with 26:40 left to play. Holmes was picked to shoot and he converted to give Hingham the lead for good.
“It feels good to secure the playoffs in front of our home fans” and give the seniors one more crack at the state tournament, said McManus.
Games against Marshfield are always going to be a battle, which is why knocking their rival from the unbeaten ranks is a special feeling. The loss snapped a 12-game winning streak for the Rams. They allowed more than one goal in a game just once during that winning run.
‘There nothing more satisfying than beating a previously undefeated team. We’ve come so far this season and are playing our best soccer of the year right now,” said Holmes.
Hingham’s senior class were honored before the game on Senior Night. The group includes captains Sean Christofferson and Matt Volpe as well as Henry Healey, Callum Owen, Luke Matherwiez, Martin Blanch, Dom Lieto, Ollie Sandifer, James Zandbergen, Noel Eigenmann, Justin Fisher, and Kelvin Kamotho.