MILTON – Weymouth entered the Div. 2 boys state final at Curry College looking to complete a three-peat, a first in program history and MIAA boys rugby history. The No. 1 Wildcats (8-1) needed every minute but managed to do just that, defeating No. 2 Hanover (7-2), 34-29, in a dramatic state final.

Cam Aieta led the offense with three tries and tallied the go-ahead score with just two minutes to go in the contest. Naheem Ridore added another two tries for the Wildcats and assisted on Aieta’s game-winner.

“These guys are awesome. That was the hardest game we played all season hands down. I have no words; I’m so proud of them,” said Weymouth coach Ryan Casey.

After a cagey opening few minutes, Weymouth opened the scoring with a try from Brendan Farrow. Aieta followed up with another try, but Savage missed both conversion kicks, keeping the Weymouth lead at 10-0.

Midway through the first half, Hanover’s offense finally found paydirt as Love’on Flowers juked around the Weymouth defense to find the inside of the pylon for a try. Weymouth responded immediately with another try from Aieta. However, Hanover’s offense found their rhythm as Timothy Carlson powered through the Weymouth defense for back-to-back tries. Garvey’s conversion kick on Carlson’s second try gave Hanover a 19-17 lead into halftime.

At the start of the second half, Weymouth recaptured the lead. Aieta found space through the middle to set up the Wildcats deep in the Hanover zone. Ridore finished the play for the try, putting Weymouth back up 22-19.

From there, Weymouth’s momentum faltered as Jamie Hopkins went to the sin bin for a yellow card. Minutes later, Farrow joined him earning a yellow of his own. Despite the disadvantage, Weymouth’s defense held strong but was unable to keep Max Goitia out of the end zone. The junior wing burst down the sideline past everyone, giving Hanover the 26-22 lead.

“These guys are so tightly knit together, instinctively picking up the slack for the other guys,” said Casey on Weymouth navigating multiple yellows. “It’s a team sport and there’s no better team.”

The Wildcats responded immediately, seizing possession deep in the Hanover zone and punching through for another Ridore try to go back up 29-26.

“When we scored with about five minutes left, we were running back and I was like ‘this is where champions are made,’ ” said Aieta.

Not to be outdone, Hanover marched back up the field and earned a penalty kick in the Weymouth zone. Garvey drilled the kick, tying the match at 29. With the game and the championship in the balance, Aieta nabbed his third and most crucial try, darting down the right sideline to put Weymouth up one final time, 34-29. With just seconds to go, Weymouth’s defense held strong and secured their third title.