Boys soccer: West Springfield edges Northampton 1-0 in MIAA Div. 2 state semis

LUDLOW — A bid for a state championship fell by the wayside for the Northampton boys soccer team on Tuesday night. The second-seeded Blue Devils lost to West Springfield, 1-0, in the MIAA Division 2 state semifinal round on the turf at Ludlow High School.

As West Springfield closed the game out, fans rushed the field in celebration. Several Northampton players collapsed on the field. After the stinging defeat, the message from coach CJ Holt to the team was clear.

“We were trying to remind them of what we’ve done this year,” Holt said. “And how special it has been. It’s a great send off for the seniors. The season we put together for them in their final year here. We are proud of that. But it’s a tough pill to swallow.”

Gregory Salem, Charlie Ames, Noah Tejirian, Jasper Cantor, Siggi Perry, Derek Rivers, Johnny Nields-Duffy, Max Stocker and Tate Norsen played their final game for the program. The entire team had an undeniable chemistry.

“They get along with each other,” Holt said. “They are so coachable. It is a fun group to be around. They are very technical and love the sport and it shows in the training. They love coming to training. There is never any drama or issues. It’s easier to have fun when you are winning. “

It’s Holt’s fifth season with the Blue Devils.

“It’s always been a good group of kids that have come focused,” Holt said. “And really hungry to get better. I think we’ve made strides every year. That’s what I emphasized.”

A goal by West Springfield’s Nate Renaud in the 45th minute was the difference. Caleb Eickelberg assisted on the goal for the No. 11 Terriers, who advanced to play second-seeded Duxbury on Saturday in Leominster for the state championship.

“We had a lot of good passages of play,” Holt said ” Steady possession. We just couldn’t break through and get that goal. Tonight, we just couldn’t find that final touch.”

Northampton did not muster much offense in the first half. A shot by Derek Rivers near the endline in the 25th minute was Northampton’s first shot on net. There were chances in the second half for the Blue Devils, but the West Springfield defense did not waver. West Springfield keeper Chris Zarelli snuffed out anything that trickled through his defense.

Zarelli made most of his saves in the second half. Northampton serviced several balls inside West Springfield’s 18-yard line in an attempt to score. West Springfield beat Northampton to the balls, enabling a successful clear.

“We just couldn’t put one in the back of the net,” Holt said. “But for us not to get one is unlike us. It’s a weird place to be. To not score a goal is tough. But I think the boys played great. It’s a great season in the end.”

Northampton (18-2-3) went undefeated in the regular season and won a Churchill Conference championship. The Blue Devils’ emergence rallied support from the community. Support came from everywhere for Northampton.

“It uplifted the community,” Holt said. “Their families, their friends. The kids from school were here. The girls’ team was here cheering for us. We’ve had a lot of support. We got a lot of people to come and check us out and watch the games from our community and surrounding community.”

The Blue Devils faced a season where their success made them more of a target for opposing teams. Northampton handled that pressure.

“That’s new for us,” Holt said. “The boys really answered that call…We had that target on our back and the boys embraced it. We were happy to play with that target and show up knowing teams were going to scheme and plan to beat them.”

Salem made six saves in net for Northampton. Zarelli made five saves for the Terriers.