SOUTH HADLEY — The first of four MIAA Division 5 girls soccer state tournament semifinalists has been decided.
The top-seeded Granby girls soccer team shut out No. 9 Rising Tide Charter, 3-0, in the Round of 8 on Wednesday to punch its ticket to the Div. 5 final four.
“I’m really proud of the way the girls came out today,” Rams head coach Bob Weaver said. “That’s a tough team to play against. Very well-organized, played good defense against us, the girls really did a good job.”
Kalli White scored once and dished out two assists as Granby’s top point-getter in the victory as the junior’s speed and skill was too much for the Herons (11-7).
“We were looking at stat-sheets the past few games and there’s like eight, nine girls in the stat-sheet and it’s just enjoyable to see,” Weaver said. “They can’t [only] concentrate on Kalli…you leave other girls [open]. Now, the midfielders are really stepping up and finishing off so that’s a plus.”
Margo Healy started the scoring for the Rams less than three minutes into the mid-week matchup, giving Granby a 1-0 lead in short order.
About 15 minutes later, McKenna Zumbruski pounced on a loose ball within the Rising Tide’s penalty box and powered it across the goal line to make it 2-0 Rams.
Given the tenacity with which Granby was playing with during the first half, Zumbruski’s strike put the Herons in a much deeper hole than the score would indicate as the visitors rarely got past midfield with possession during the first 40 minutes.
“To generate opportunities like we did, I’ll take that everyday and to score five minutes in, it puts the other team right on their heels right away,” Weaver said. “We like to put high pressure at the beginning of the game all over the field. Maybe you can create a mistake here or there.”
The second half was much of the same for the Rams as White added on to their lead mere moments into the final frame. Granby’s No. 13 unleashed a left-foot curler from the heart of the attacking box, upping the Rams’ lead to 3-0.
Rising Tide made Granby goalie Meredith Bartosz turn aside some scoring bids later in the half, but the junior was up to the task, securing the fifth clean sheet in the past six games for the Rams.
Through four rounds of the state tournament, Granby has shown why it’s the No. 1 overall seed as its lethal offense, combined with its detail-oriented defense has been difficult for opposing teams to deal with.
But perhaps the Rams’ greatest strength as a unit is their “quiet confidence.”
“It’s not cocky, it’s nothing like that, they’re just confident in their play and the girls playing around them,” Weaver said. “It’s different. Even at practice, they’re very calm. It’s just an enjoyable time for them. They’re ecstatic to be here.”
Granby won’t know its next opponent until Thursday night after the Round of 8 showdown between No. 4 Monson and No. 5 Saint John Paul II. The Rams will play the winner in the semifinals, which will likely be next week.
Granby played Monson twice during the regular season and won each contest.
Granby’s Bri-Anne Kraus, left, runs with the ball around a Rising Tide player during the second half of the MIAA Division 5 girls soccer tournament Round of 8 game in South Hadley on Wednesday. RYAN AMES/Gazette 
Granby’s Kalli White (pink cleats), celebrates with teammates after scoring during the second half of the MIAA Division 5 girls soccer tournament Round of 8 game against Rising Tide in South Hadley on Wednesday. RYAN AMES/Gazette 
Granby’s Marcela Tapia takes a corner during the second half of the MIAA Divsision 5 girls soccer tournament Round of 8 game against Rising Tide in South Hadley on Wednesday. RYAN AMES/Gazette. 
Granby goalie Meredith Bartosz makes a slide save during the MIAA Division 5 girls soccer tournament Round of 8 game against Rising Tide in South Hadley on Wednesday. RYAN AMES/Gazette.