Batiz’ hat trick lifts Boston International

Jesus Batiz made sure the third time was a charm for Boston International.

After falling to Burke twice during the regular season, the Lions exacted revenge, using a hat trick by Batiz to win their second consecutive Boston City League boys title, 4-1, last night at Boston English.

The game was a rematch of last year’s final, won 2-1 by Boston International.

“We lost the first two to Burke, but our kids knew they had it in them to come out here tonight and play well,” International coach Apolinario Barros said. “Jesus (Batiz) left it all out there. He is special.”

Batiz’ first goal came five minutes into the second half with the Lions (12-2-2) holding a 1-0 lead. Burke’s defense played the ball back to goalkeeper Lourenco Pereira, whose low line drive was blocked by Batiz. He corralled the ball and fired it into an empty net for a 2-0 lead.

Boston International keeper Helder Vaz-Depina (five saves) held the Bulldogs (10-4-3) scoreless through the first 50 minutes, but Anilson DepinaFernandes was able to tap in a rebound to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Batiz immediately gave the Lions another two-goal cushion with a header for a 3-1 lead. The junior midfielder completed the hat trick by flying down the left side in the waning moments and finishing with a shot into the right corner.

“For me, that type of play is expected because I have watched (Jesus) for the last three years,” Barros. “Today, though, he definitely took it up a notch.”

Nixon Arriola also scored for the Lions.

Girls

Latin Academy 3, O’Bryant 1 — Coach Kara Stafford cringed when she got word her Dragons were headed to a City League title rematch against O’Bryant at Boston English. Last year, she watched her team suffer a crushing overtime loss to the Tigers on the same field.

Thanks to Elizabeth Frattaroli, however, there was no more heartbreak. The sophomore forward clinched the crown with a last-minute goal as Latin Academy earned some payback.

“It’s absolutely gratifying,” Stafford said. “I know that last year hurt a lot. We have been preparing for an entire year.”

The Dragons (15-4-3) jumped ahead four minutes in when Frattaroli found teammate Haley McLaughlin for an easy goal. O’Bryant (10-7) answered in the 10th minute on freshman Anissa Baptise’s goal that ricocheted off the right post.

Just moments before halftime, Rebecca Murtagh netted a goal to give Latin Academy a 2-1 advantage. After the Tigers had a potential game-tying free kick sail wide left late in the game, Frattaroli (BCL championship MVP) closed the book by weaving through multiple defenders and scoring.

“In the end, this is what we came for,” Frattaroli said. “We came for some revenge, and we got it.”

Latin Academy will enter the Div. 3 North tournament as the No. 3 seed.