NORTHAMPTON — Blue and gold balloons were placed in every corner of Northampton High’s stadium.
Three signs bordered in gold glitter, were placed in front of the bleachers. On the opposite side of the field, the same three signs were placed in front of the bushes that spelt out “NHS.” The decorations meant one thing, it was senior night.
For seniors Olivia Pruett, Sienna Paulsen and Lauren Parks, the matchup against Longmeadow could possibly be their last soccer game at home.
“It’s sad but at the same time we will be preparing for the playoffs,” said Parks.
The Blue Devils were red hot as soon as the ball hit the ground and never cooled off, winning 6-1 Monday.
Northampton (8-5-4, 4-1-2 Kurty-Fielding) won its fifth straight and clinched a share of the Kurty-Fielding League title.
“It was nice,” first-year Northampton coach Vanessa Patry said. “It’s perfect timing. We’re peaking at the right time for the playoffs.”
Brigitte Goeler-Slough got Northampton on the board first, when her shot squeezed by the goalie’s fingertips.
Goeler-Slough notched an assist 13 minutes after her goal, when she connected with Caroline Tanner.
Tanner fought of a swarm of black jerseys, and shot to the right side of the net to add to the Blue Devils’ lead.
The Lancers cut the deficit in half when Allison Tetreault chipped the ball over a charging Sydney White (six saves).
Caroline Tanner closed out the first half by adding two goals to Northampton’s 2-1 lead.
Tanner was hungry for more goals.
“I hope I get another one,” Tanner thought to herself after each of her goals.
Tanner scored one more goal 20 minutes into the second half from a bizarre angle. She was standing alongside the post with goalie Morgan Strassburg right in front of her, but Tanner somehow slipped the ball past her for a 5-1 advantage.
Northampton’s last goal came by the foot of Anna Stiles. Stiles found the back of the net even though she was in the middle of a horde of white and black jerseys in front of the net.
Patry credited a matchup with Agawam on Oct 13 as Northampton’s turning point. Hamp won 2-0, the start of four straight shutouts.
“Agawam turned our season around,” said Patry. “Our defense came together as a back four and are playing solid ever since.”
During the closing minutes, Northampton seniors were called off the field and greeted by thunderous ovations and a white rose.
“It really felt like Northampton, as a town, was behind us,” said Pruett. “It felt really good knowing that we provided some pride for our town.”