SOUTH HADLEY — Anna Evans and the South Hadley girls soccer team use the Pioneer Valley Summer Soccer League to help team chemistry going into the fall.
With two precision assists, Evans took that sentiment to new levels in a 5-1 over Gateway in the PVSSL B Division quarterfinals Tuesday night under the lights.
On two occasions, Evans had passes go to a teammate who had the luxury of shooting at an open net.
“You have to look up and know where everyone is on the field and communicate,” Evans said. “We are incorporating everyone’s skills into the game.”
Top-seeded South Hadley (12-0) advances to the semifinals and will play at home on Thursday night.
“We work really well as a team,” South Hadley coach Samantha Gawron said. “We pass around the field with nice crosses and we finish.”
Evans set up Teagan Gawron for the game’s first goal, bypassing a good shot for herself for a wide open shot for Gawron.
“We have improved with our passing and talking,” Evans said.
Evans’ second assist came on South Hadley’s fifth goal. She used her speed to get past a Gateway defender and placed a cross to the far post. A streaking Jade Samlall tapped in the goal.
South Hadley kept Gateway goalie Rebecca Herman (seven saves) busy most of the game.
Olivia Blaney scored South Hadley’s second goal with 4 minutes, 29 second left in the first half.
Paige Marjanski and Lindsay Marjanski added goals in the second half.
Reese Carey assisted on South Hadley’s fourth goal.
For No. 8 Gateway (6-4-2), its summer season came to an end, with a familiar face on the bench coaching.
Sam Belardo, who played a key role on Gateway’s 2016 run to the Western Massachusetts finals, coached her former teammates this summer.
“I’m hoping they did some connecting,” said Belardo, who will attend and hope to play at Western New England. “I want them to become a team. We have a lot of freshmen who haven’t played with the older girls.”
Jessica Van Heynigen scored Gateway’s lone goal on a low shot from 25 yards out that found the corner just before halftime.
Van Heynigen is adjusting to playing with the younger players heading into the fall high school season.
“It’s going to be a rebuilding year,” Van Heynigen said. “We have good youth though.”
Rebecca Hyjek and Hannah Duggan will likely have increased roles for the Gators on offense.
Van Heynigen played some defense in the game against South Hadley.
“If we need someone to play defense then they need to play defense,” Van Heynigen said.
