Derry coach Kevin Tarr hails Emeralds’ high standards after crucial rival clash
Donegal teenager Killian Doherty fires unbeaten Boston to the summit of New England soccer
The Boston Emeralds have preserved their perfect, undefeated season in spectacular fashion, defeating fierce rivals Vermont Clover to claim sole possession of the top spot in the UPSL Division 1 standings.
The match, which featured two of the most heavily hyped organisations in the league, saw the Emeralds snap Vermont’s own unbeaten streak. The victory leaves Boston sitting clear at the summit of the table with a perfect 7-0 record, accumulating 21 points with just four games remaining in the season.
The star of the evening was 18-year-old Donegal native Killian Doherty, who enjoyed a dream debut in the UPSL Division 1. The young Irishman stole the headlines by scoring both goals for the Emeralds, instantly cementing his place as one of the most exciting young prospects on the New England soccer scene.
Speaking after the momentous victory, Emeralds management expressed immense pride in the culture and standard being set at the club.
"We knew we had the talent and ability in our locker to travel to Vermont and get the win," said assistant coach Tarr. "There has been a lot of hype around ourselves and Vermont Clover, and in my opinion, it’s greatly deserved. Both organisations have talent in abundance throughout their clubs and both have ignited the division in their inaugural season.
“At the beginning of the year we had a lot of doubters, and now it’s fantastic to know we’ve been able to put them straight by letting our football do the talking. We set high standards here, from the players right through to our coaching staff and background team.
The rapid rise of the club is a testament to the foundation laid by the management group since day one.
"Myself and Buncrana native Keegan Hegarty are extremely happy and proud of what we’ve built here, and everyone involved has poured their heart and soul into the organization," Tarr added. "From day one, we expected to go on and gain promotion, and now we are just a few games away from achieving that in our first ever season."
With the finish line in sight, the Boston Emeralds turn their attention to the final four matches of the campaign as they look to secure historic promotion and close out a perfect inaugural year.