CHICOPEE — The South Hadley girls soccer team earned its 10th straight shutout following its 6-0 win over Blackstone Valley, Tuesday in the state Division 3 semifinal at Chicopee Comp.
The Tigers (23-0-0) have received unwavering praise for their offensive abilities this season, but defense is what they take pride in.
The unit has played exceptionally well this season. In 23 games, including tournament matches, it has allowed only seven goals this season. That meets the goal that the Tigers set for themselves at the beginning of this season, which was to only allow no more than 15.
“We do a ton of defensive work together,” South Hadley coach Rich Marjanski said, “and the best thing for them is they go against our offense. How can’t you get better going against every one of those kids.”
South Hadley goalie Bridget Sears made four saves in Tuesday’s game, and has a total of 18 shutouts this season, including the playoffs. She attributes her success to the defense in front of her.
Playing in front of Sears throughout the season have been Anna Moriarty, Carla Jarrett, Bailey Gawron, Anna Evans, Amy Hampson, McKenzie Butzer and Emma Blaney.
“We have a phenomenal defense this year,” Sears said. “Really unstoppable, they don’t let anything by them.”
Sears along with Jarrett are two of the leaders on defense. Both play large roles for the team.
“Carla plays more with her head than anybody I’ve coached to be honest with you,” Marjanski said. “And Bridget’s starting to feel the game and help them back there, come out, clear the ball, get the ball, so it’s like another defender back there.”
The Tigers’ dominance on defense is visible. They play aggressive and fast, and that directly translates into their scoring on offense.
“Defense is speed,” Marjanski said. “We always play one person in front and one person in the back, and very rarely the person in the back needs the help, and if she does need the help, the person in front is fast enough to get back there and recover.”
The Tigers also stress communication as a large factor that has contributed to their success. They are a close team and that makes communicating with each other easier.
“I think we work well as a defense by talking,” Jarrett said. “That’s our biggest thing and rotating on players. If there’s a key player, we try to have one in front and one behind and we communicate that.”
A simple yet highly effective formula for South Hadley has been aggressive defense.
The focus since the beginning of the season has always been defense for Marjanski, who sees himself as a defensive-minded coach.
“It’s like going against the best offense in western Mass, and going against the best defense in western Mass,” Marjanski said. “We have battles in practice and they figure it out.”