"I know every time in my mind, I have to score. I have to make my team the top," said Registe, who earned MVP of the match.

The Lions (11-2-3) avenged a 3-2 loss to Latin Academy in last year's championship game.

"I think it fueled everybody. It fueled me as a coach, it fueled a lot of the players that returned this year," said Boston International coach Edmar Varela. "There's no other team that deserves this more than us."

Registe scored the opening goal with one minute remaining in the first half. He found a pocket of space in the midfield and ripped a shot from 30 yards out that trickled through the gloves of Dearborn STEM senior goalkeeper Jose Maria Alves Gomes.

Midway through the second half, Registe struck again. He controlled a cross-field pass on the right wing, cut back to his left foot, and unleashed a shot to the near post that beat the outstretched arm of Alves Gomes.

He ran to the crowd waving his arms up in the air before being mobbed by his teammates.

"He definitely stepped up today," Varela said of Registe. "On a day like today, you know, it was meant to happen."

Dearborn STEM (6-7-5) tried to find late answers but the Lions backline, led by sophomore captain center back Steevenson Chanson, nullified any chances to keep the shutout.

Boston International, ranked No. 1 in the MIAA Division 5 power rankings, now has a second trophy it is gunning for.

"For this year, the key is just winning the state too," said Chanson.