Fighting back from an early goal deficit against visiting Dennis-Yarmouth, the boys' hockey squad defeated the Dolphins 3-2 to became the third Vineyard team in four days to qualify for the postseason tournament. The basketball teams each reached their respective 10-win marks on Friday. 

Dennis-Yarmouth jumped out to a quick lead, scoring in the first minute of the game. The Vineyard survived a power play shortly after, but Dennis-Yarmouth scored five minutes in as Adam McClay outpaced the Martha's Vineyard defenders to swipe the puck into the net.

The Vineyard's offensive attacks continued in the second period with 13 shots on goal. Equally impressive was the possession imbalance: the team defense held Dennis-Yarmouth to just three shots on goal. With three minutes remaining, freshman Emerson Mahoney notched the first Vineyard goal — and his first on the varsity squad — on assists from juniors Brian Fraser and Tyson Araujo. The team began the third period on a power play, and though they could not capitalize just then, Araujo flipped a rebound past Lacroix on an assist from junior Sam Burke and senior Shay Hill.

With seven minutes remaining in the game, the Vineyarders survived a penalty and scored the game winner immediately afterward, as Araujo and Fraser rushed the goal. Fraser slipped the puck between the goalie's legs, with Araujo and senior captain Charlie Ashmun earning the assists. 

The Vineyard coaching staff described the win as one of the best of the season, praising the team defense and the players' ability to rally in the face of the early deficit. 

"We just need one — one goal at a time," assistant coach Max Sherman said. 

Although the team has earned a berth in the postseason for the second year in a row, coach Sherman said the Vineyarders' sights are set a bit higher than merely qualifying. 

"We want to think it's 18-2 to get in to the tournament," he said. 

Earlier this weekend the boys' squad shut down visiting Somerset for a 4-0 win.

The Vineyard boys outshot their Somerset opponents 38-7 in the afternoon game, putting forth a tremendous team effort to defeat the Raiders. Four different players scored for the Vineyarders, with the team defense in full effect and the Vineyarders retaining possession for much of the game.
The team is now 10-2 with eight game remaining on their schedule.