Each of the last two seasons has been a step forward for the South Hadley girls soccer team.
Two years ago, the program won its first-ever Division 3 Western Massachusetts championship, however, it fell in the state semifinals, 3-2, to Sutton.
Last season, the Tigers advanced to the state championship, but fell to Norwell, 2-0.
The Tigers (21-0-1) are back in the state final this season and will look to take the final step when they play Stoneham (20-3-0) on Saturday at Foley Stadium in Worcester at 5 p.m.
“I think we are much more prepared this year,” South Hadley senior Maddie Doolittle said. “Last year we were really inexperienced. … We are going to put 100 percent into it.”
The Tigers defeated Holy Name Central Catholic, 3-1, in the state semifinals to earn a spot in the state championship.
Stoneham defeated Dover-Sherborn, 4-0, in its state semifinal to advance to the championship.
The Spartans are led offensively by sisters Samantha and Amanda Caldarelli. Stoneham has outscored opponents 11-1 through four tournament games.
South Hadley has defended against talented strikers before, but Stoneham’s depth in its midfield and forward groups will present the team with a unique challenge.
“This late in the season you have to roll with what you have,” South Hadley coach Rich Marjanski said. “The kids have been playing great defense all year. The speed in the back fixes a lot of mistakes. … We are going to control the ball and play how we play. We aren’t going to change anything. We are going to play good solid defense and try not to make mistakes.”
The task of defending talented forwards mostly falls to center backs Anna Evans and Amy Hampson, and goalkeeper Bridget Sears.
When teams press with their forwards and create pressure in the Tigers’ back end, Sears, a third-year starter, has the ability to play the ball on her feet and drop passes to full backs along the outside to ease the pressure.
During practices, Sears regularly participates in full-team drills that simulate live games and gives her reps working the ball out of the back. Having this ability has given the program a new dimension this season.
“Every year has been a progression with (Bridget),” Marjanski said. “The first few years we weren’t playing the ball back to her, but now we are and she is making great decisions and hitting forwards. She sees the whole field. We rely a ton on her to make the right play.”
Coming off a state championship berth last year, the team understands that nerves will come with Saturday’s game.
“(We’re) pretty prepared for it,” Marjanski said. “They’ll know what to expect with the hype and the game itself. They’ll just go out and play. It’s one of those things that stick with you. It’s your last game in high school for the seniors. These guys have been playing since August. It’ll either be tears of sadness of joy. They’ve had a great, tremendous year.”