GRANBY — It was a meeting of champions Thursday.
The four-time Western Massachusetts Division 4 champion Monson girls soccer team visited two-time Division 3 champ Granby.
After a slow start, Monson beat Granby, 3-1.
While the Rams returned a number of starters from its 2016 team, sophomore Julia Gauvin made her second career start in net.
Gauvin had never played soccer before this season, but according to coach Bob Weaver, she has outperformed expectations so far.
“She’s learning with each game and coming along nicely as a player,” Weaver said.
The first 20 minutes of the game were a defensive struggle where both teams threatened in the offensive zone.
Monson scored first when freshman Lizzie Miller scored her first goal of the season in the 25th minute. Assisting on the goal was Marley Nissenbaum, who was able to guide her pass through defenders right to the foot of Miller.
Summer Molin responded for the Rams by notching her second goal of the season. Assisting on Molin’s goal was Nora Young.
Despite only earning an assist in the game, Young’s presence on the field created countless opportunities for the Rams, who ended up with 13 shots on goal. Late in the game, Young was racing toward the net when the ball deflected off her shin and just barely cleared the crossbar.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Rams were able to keep up with the two-time state runner-up Mustangs, who were state champs in 2015.
Gauvin, who faced 11 shots, was busy making several jumping saves that helped keep the game within reach until the final minutes.
With seven minutes remaining in the first half, the Mustangs (3-0) scored what would eventually become the game winner when Olivia Colling was assisted by Molly Gallo on a breakaway.
“Monson’s always a great team, they’re really well coached, and they’re always ready to play,” Weaver said.
Granby was unable to get the quality shots it needed. Despite several valiant efforts, the Mustangs’ defense was able to consistently drive the Rams to the corners of the field.
“We changed a few things coming into the season so I think we’re getting better each game at a time,” Weaver said. “You have to give credit to Monson, they capitalized off of a lot of the mistakes we were making.”
Nissenbaum’s second assist of the game came off a goal scored by Shannon Jalbert.
With the loss, the Rams fall to 1-1 on the season.
“We’re going to have practice tomorrow, and we play again on Saturday, so there’s no real let up here,” Weaver said.