HOLYOKE — The rematch is set for the Frontier Regional field hockey team.
The top-seeded Red Hawks beat No. 4 South Hadley, 3-0, in the Western Massachusetts Division 2 Tournament semifinals, Monday at Holyoke High School.
The win sets up a finals confrontation with No. 2 Greenfield (14-4-1), Thursday 6 p.m. at Agawam High School.
The Green Wave beat the Red Hawks last season in the finals.
Greenfield and Frontier are friendly off the field, but it is all business between the lines.
“When they put their uniforms on it comes to Frontier and Greenfield,” Frontier coach Missy Mahar said.
McKenzie Patterson, who missed last year’s playoff run with mononucleosis, scored Frontier’s first goal on an assist from Emma Wesoloski.
“That first goal proved why I am here,” Patterson said. “Why I am here for my team, my coach and myself.”
Constant pressure on the Tigers (10-8-2) produced several penalty corners for the Red Hawks (14-2-3), who converted two of them.
Olivia Vecellio scored twice in the second half. Vecellio’s first goal, also assisted by Wesoloski, was a laser from 15 yards out.
The Red Hawks welcomed another game against the Green Wave. Frontier won 3-0 in South Deerfield and the teams tied 2-2 in Greenfield.
“Greenfield is our rival,” Vecellio said. “We love seeing them.”
South Hadley’s Brittany Cote was excellent in net, making eight saves.
“She played really well for us,” South Hadley coach Tara Cole said. “She was fantastic.”
But South Hadley could not get through Frontier’s midfield and defense for many scoring opportunities.
“They move the ball very well and they’re fast,” Cole said. “They have good skill and chemistry.”
It was the final game for South Hadley seniors Cote, Julia Miele and Jillian Ayers.
“They were leaders on and off the field,” Cole said.
Isabella Yee’s playmaking ability is something to watch in the future for the Tigers.
Skyla Burniske made two saves in the shutout for Frontier. In three career playoff games, Burniske has allowed one regulation goal.
After Patterson’s goal, the Tigers made a push against the Red Hawks before the half.
During the season, the Tigers came back from a 2-0 deficit against the Red Hawks to tie 2-2.
“We talked about it going into this game,” Mahar said. “You can’t rest with a one-goal lead or a two-goal lead. They coached well and are a strong team.”
Vecellio scored her second goal with about 11 minutes left in the game, before adding her second three minutes later to make it 3-0.
