NORTHAMPTON — A two-goal lead wasn’t what the Northampton girls soccer team wanted at halftime Tuesday.
In the Western Massachusetts Division 1 Tournament quarterfinals against sixth-seeded Belchertown, the No. 3 Blue Devils were weary of that score, as one goal could make it a game again.
“We talked about it at halftime,” Northampton’s Emma Tanner said. “After a third goal they would deflate.”
Northampton got the third goal, and ended up winning 6-0 to advance to the semifinals against No. 2 Minnechaug (12-3-4), Thursday at Central.
The Blue Devils (13-3-3) tied the Falcons 1-1 during the regular season.
“We have periods where we play well and periods where we drop off,” said Tanner, who scored three goals against Belchertown. “We have to put together 80 minutes.”
Belchertown had more chances than Northampton in the first half, but Sydney White made six saves to keep Hamp ahead 2-0 at the break.
Much of the first half was Belchertown possessing the ball in Hamp’s end.
Belchertown’s Emma LeBlanc had a breakaway late in the half where White made a diving save.
“We look for Syd to make those saves,” Northampton coach Vanessa Butynski said. “We know she can do that.”
Bailey Maurer’s consecutive goals made it 3-0 and helped the Blue Devils pull away.
The Orioles (7-8-4) graduate five seniors in Samantha Birk, Tess Gadoury, Libby White, Madeline Medina and Michayla Hosmer.
“I had faith in them,” Belchertown coach Kyle Thibeault said. “Had to be tough for the five seniors. We were ready and prepared. You could see that in the first half.”
LeBlanc and Allyson Tatro were able to shake loose on a couple occasions for the Orioles, but they couldn’t get one past White.
“Not our night,” Thibeault said. “We were winning 50-50 balls and generating offense. Just couldn’t put one away.”
Birks made four saves for the Orioles.
Northampton’s Caroline Tanner controlled the midfield for the Blue Devils, and had the assignment of marking Tatro.
“In those situations I really take on more of defensive responsibility,” Caroline Tanner said. “I just want to take the best player out of the game.”
Emma Tanner scored the game’s first goal on an assist from Peyton Pettiford-Rowan.
Alex Bertuch-Wallace’s shot dinged the post later in the first half. Maurer collected the rebound and netted it while taking a hit from a Belchertown defender.
Gabby Katz set up Maurer in the second half to make it 3-0.
Katz got a goal minutes later on Bertuch-Wallace’s second assist.
Emma Tanner’s second goal was on a breakaway, and her third came when she collected a loose ball and found the net.
