GRANBY – Moving a step closer to a transcendent goal, the Granby girls soccer team remained focused on the immediate with a 6-0 win over Mahar Regional in the MIAA Division 5 tournament Round of 32 on Thursday afternoon.
“We talk about the next game,” Granby coach Bob Weaver said. “We call them one-game tournaments. You win; you move on. If you don’t, your season is done. They know what’s at stake. “
The program has two losses in the finals of state tournaments, but in the new format the team has never made it to the quarterfinals. This season marked the first time Granby (13-3-4) got the top seed on the statewide field.
Mahar, the No. 32 seed, used a shadow on defense for Granby’s leading scorer Kalli White. It didn’t stop White from scoring two minutes into the game. With White getting extra attention, other offensive threats emerged and found the net.
“During the season there’s a high number of girls who are into scoring,” Weaver said. “If they want to spend all their time on Kalli White, there’s other girls that are going to find the net. This year there are a number of girls who have stepped up. We have a tremendous midfield that gets involved. Which I think has helped us in a lot of ways.”
Brenna Moreno picked up a hat trick for the Rams. While the goal is one game at a time, a deep playoff run is on the mind of the Granby players.
“It’s something we’ve wanted for so many years,” Moreno said. “But it’s one game at a time and relying on each other. We do it for each other. Not just for ourselves.”
Every goal by the Rams had an assist except for one, when Moreno picked up a loose ball and fired a shot just outside the 18-yard line in the first half. McKenna Zumbruski had two assists for Granby.
“I had everyone helping me with assists,” Moreno said. “We want as many people on the team to score as well. I am glad I could contribute to the win today.”
Granby will host No. 17 West Boylston in the Round of 16. The young Mahar team loses only one senior to graduation after this season.
“I am excited,” Mahar coach Chad Softic said. “The whole team is back. I thought we even played well today. That’s an excellent team, obviously. But yeah, everyone is coming back. We have a foundation. We’ll figure it out over the summer.”
Starting keeper Autumn Cleveland is the lone senior on the roster. She missed the game with a concussion.
“Obviously we feel for her,” Softic said of Cleveland. “She’s had a good career and played a lot of big games for us. It’s tough to see your senior captain not be able to end it on her terms. But we are proud of the effort she gave over her career.”
Mahar’s Mackenzie Matthews faced over 30 shots against the Rams’ offense. Matthews made 13 saves on the day. Meredith Bartosz did not have to make a save for Granby. Mahar managed only one shot in the game on a free kick toward the end of the first half. Sophia Labonte entered the game late in the game for Bartosz and did not face a shot.
McKenna Cudworth assisted on White’s goal to open the scoring and give Granby an early 1-0 lead. Moreno’s first goal went unassisted in the 16th minute. Carlie Zobka set up Bri-Anne Kraus for Granby’s third goal. Kraus made a nice move to set up the shot and give Granby a 3-0 lead in the 32nd minute.
Marcela Tapia also scored in the second half. Sophia Marsh assisted on Moreno’s third goal of the game.
