Hanover boys’ rugby defends its Division 2 title with resolve and a breakaway play

QUINCY — The 2025 title game was a Hanover runaway.

On Thursday night, the second-seeded Hawks were tested in a Division 2 rematch against No. 4 Brookline, but established control, defended and registered a 26-17 victory to repeat as MIAA champion at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

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“We’re just proud of these guys for having that composure to see it out,” said Hanover coach Andy McLean after his team finished a 7-1 season with its third championship in its sixth appearance. “They’re just a tough, tough team. They’ve shown all through the season the mental toughness that they have.”

Junior Jaydon Yoo set the tone with a try 10 minutes in, and while the score was kept close, a strong defensive effort kept things in check the rest of the way.

Junior captain Nolan Ghostlaw produced the game’s highlight 25 minutes in, using breakaway speed to outrun every Brookline defender down the left sideline.

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“That’s the fastest I’ve moved in a while,” Ghostlaw said. “I was gassed for the rest of the game, though. But it was worth it for the team.”

Tyler McDonough added another try 13 minutes into the second half, and the Hawks were content to keep the ball near the middle areas as the clock ticked down. Lucas Almeida cashed in on three of his four conversion attempts.

For Brookline (5-3), St. Bonaventure-bound senior B’Call Hooks plowed into the right side of the try zone to halve the lead early on. Jameson Young scored late, but a missed conversion put the game permanently out of reach.

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