WILBRAHAM – The Belchertown girls’ soccer team took it to overtime to secure a spot in the semifinals of the MIAA Division 3 state tournament at Minnechaug Regional High School on Saturday.

In an overtime thriller, the fourth-seeded Orioles bested No. 5 Stoneham, 2-1, thanks to a game-winnig goal by Avery Klingensmith that left fans and players in shock.

After a missed penalty kick opportunity by Klingensmith that hit the side post, it only took a few more shots at goal for the chance to clinch the game in a heavily-contested competition to open up. 

“I had a couple good shots before that, so I figured to just give it a go at goal,” Klingensmith said. “As it came off my foot, I could feel it was a good strike on the ball and I was just hoping it would go over the goalie’s head and it did.”

On the two-shaded grass turf at the 20 yard line stood Klingensmith as time was ticking down in OT. In a solo drive toward the goal, Klingensmith swung left and then quickly swept right to pass a defender and to find an open shot at goal from beyond the goal box. The distance wasn’t intimidating however, because Klingensmith launched one without hesitation that flew off her foot with substantial airtime to stay out-of-reach for Stoneham’s goalkeeper. The Orioles swarmed the field to celebrate a spot in the semifinals.

There is no team in the state tournament that should be taken lightly according to Belchertown head coach Kyle Thibeault, and Stoneham was a prime example of one to not let their guard down too quickly. 

For the majority of the first half, it was all about navigating the heavy winds and working to obtain the most possession over the other. When Stoneham got the first punch on Belchertown at the 16-minute mark from a penalty kick execution, the Orioles rallied right back regardless of the troublesome winds that occurred. Klingensmith got the first goal for Belchertown at 10:18 in the first half to tie it at 1-1. After that, it became a battle between wind and the desire to get to the ball before the opponent.

“First half, we were struggling a little to maintain possession,” Thibeault said. “What many of them said and what I said was that keeping the ball on the ground when you’re against the wind is key.” 

Fortunately enough, the Orioles got their chance to test out that statement as they forced overtime being on the side with the wind and then had the wind supporting them in the extra session to take the victory. 

Despite the go-ahead penalty kick for Stoneham, the Spartans managed to have just three shots on goal compared to seven shots on goal for Belchertown. Once the Orioles found their stride fending off the attackers, the game became a down-to-the-wire scenario. 

With the win, Belchertown advances to the semifinals where it will face No. 1 Norwell on Tuesday at a site still to be determined.