The Mathews High School varsity soccer team advanced to the Region 1A East semifinals last Wednesday, where the Blue Devils lost to the Riverheads Gladiators, 9-2.

Mathews advanced to the regional semis after defeating Windsor the day before, 9-1.

Mathews hosted the Dukes in the quarterfinal matchup. Since neither team had played each other in three years, little was known about how Windsor would play against the Blue Devils.

It became clear early that Mathews would finish on top as the team controlled possession; this paid off when Stuart Anderson scored a goal five minutes after the referee blew the starting whistle. Windsor was on its heels for the rest of the half. Kevin Jenkins and Jordan Bozza would score two goals each and the half ended, with MHS leading 5-0. 

Mathews didn’t let up during the second half with Jenkins scoring two goals and Anderson scoring one for Mathews. During this time, the MHS defense remained stout, allowing few chances for Windsor. With onl...