NORTHAMPTON – At this point, very little surprises Northampton boys soccer coach Matt Card when he watches his team step onto the pitch. Much like last season, the Blue Devils started off the season with a winning streak. And now working with essentially the same group for the past two years, he knows what every guy brings to the table.
So when forward Will Senn-McNally dribbled past his defender, went from the right sideline to the left side of the goal, dribbling past the Amherst goalie in the process, to score his third goal of the game, nobody on the Northampton bench was shocked, not even the senior himself.
“I always wake up with that mentality,” Senn-McNally said. “You have to feel like you’re going to score three goals every game.”
His hat trick is the latest chapter in what is another fantastic start to the season for the Blue Devils. Senn-McNally’s performance helped Northampton take down Amherst 4-0 at home on Thursday, extending the team’s win streak to five games to start the season, two games short of tying last year’s 7-0 start.
Against the Hurricanes, Northampton scored two quick goals within the first 20 minutes of play. On the team’s second possession Bishop Loughrey sent a crossing pass into the box where Zane Poehler headed the ball for the score.
“I was open and saw the cross,” Poehler said. “I thought I’d go up for it and head the ball.”
Later in the first half, Poehler initiated a scoring sequence that showcased a level of ball movement to make any coach jump for joy.
Starting way outside the box on the right side of the field, Poehler kicked a crossing pass over the defense that connected with Busone in the left side of the box. Busone quickly zipped the ball in front of the net that found the foot of a diving Senn-McNally for the goal.
“It’s a big thing we wanted to do compared to last game,” Card said. “We were playing a little too direct too often. We moved the ball a lot better than we did yesterday and it was pleasing to see.”
“He’s a very smart player,” said Senn-McNally on Poehler’s impact on offense. “And he’s got a great tenacity to him.”
The Hurricanes managed to get a few shots on net before halftime, but could not get anything to go through.
Senn-McNally’s second goal came on a penalty kick in the second half, setting himself up later in the game to seal the hat-trick.
“He’s such a good player,” Poehler said. “He’s so fast. He’s strong with the ball. He can finish so well.”
Facing their toughest opponent this point in the season, the Hurricanes had to adjust as the game went on. In the second half, they generated multiple corner kicks and got four shots on net. Unfortunately it was too little too late for Amherst in their first loss of the season.
Goalkeeper Tobin Kaplan made three saves for the Hurricanes.
“I think the difference today was simply that we were facing a highly competitive team,” Amherst coach Jordan McCarthy said. “We started to control things a little bit and get opportunities. When you play some of the top teams, you have to have that from the get-go so that you’re not in a hole right away.”
The Blue Devils now await West Springfield for a rematch of last year’s Division 2 semifinals at home next Tuesday, a game they’ve been waiting for since the end of last year.
Amherst will host Pittsfield next Tuesday at home.
Northampton’s Will Senn-McNally celebrates after scoring against Amherst during the first half of the boys soccer game in Northampton on Thursday. RYAN AMES/Staff Photo 
Amherst’s Ra-Star Ferreira controls the ball during the first half of the boys soccer game against Northampton on Thursday. RYAN AMES/Staff Photo 
Amherst’s Sammy Nunez Saravia gets body position around a Northampton defender during the first half of the boys soccer game on Thursday. RYAN AMES/Staff Photo
Gateway 8, St. Mary’s 0 — The Gators sent in four goals in each half to easily acquire their first win of the season.
Jackson Renaud was Gateway’s only two-time goalscorer while goalies Zack Hess (two saves) and Oliver Renauld (three saves) combined for the shutout.
Hampshire 3, Taconic 0 — Riley Florek lifted the Raiders to their third win on the season in the victory over the Thunder.
Florek scored twice in the second half to seal the win for Hampshire.
Raiders goalies Max Johnson and Isaiah Isa combined for the eight-save shutout.
SICS 3, Granby 1 — The Rams only managed one goal in its second straight loss.
Conor Callery scored in the second half for Granby, while Gage Carter totaled 12 saves.
Girls soccer
Easthampton 2, Palmer 0 — Arie Kuchyt found the back of the net early and often for the Eagles in the shutout victory. Both of Kuchyt’s tallies occurred in the first half.
Easthampton goalie Natalie Lisatinski picked up the clean sheet with three saves.
Hampshire 2, Monson 1 — The Raiders erased a one-goal, first-half deficit to secure their third win in a row.
Trailing 1-0 at halftime, Brooke Labrie and Addie Miklasiewicz scored for Hampshire in the final frame to seal the comeback. Katie Krause added a pair of assists for the victors.
Smith Voc 4, McCann Tech 0 — The Vikings moved to 4-0 thanks to a combined shutout from keepers Julianis Suarez and Evelyn Wanczyk.
Erin Miller (goal, two assists) paced the Smith Voc attack with Isabella Letourneau, Savannah Fredette and Suarez also potting strikes.
Hopkins 8, Holyoke 1 — The Golden Hawks filled the opposing net a season-high eight times for their fourth straight win to start 2026.
Bridget Benoit netted a hat trick while Ephie Vissas (goal, three assists) was Hopkins’ top point-getter.
Kyra Lippman tallied the Purple Knights’ single strike.
Belchertown 3, Longmeadow 2 — The Orioles picked up their third win of the season after a big game from Adelina Gualberto.
Gualberto scored twice and assisted on Aubrey Klingensmith’s goal. Lia Pikul also contributed with an assist on the night.
Ava Stelmokas work in goal proved crucial for Belchertown as she stopped seven shots.
Golf
Northampton 159, South Hadley 178 — Aspen Murphy and Larson Simon shot a 38 and 39 to lead the Blue Devils at Ledges Golf Course for their first win of the season.
Max Sturdavantt and Eli Reed both finished with a 42 to help give the team its lowest score of the season.
Ryley McMahon, Colin MacGregor, and Richie Brown each hit a 44 for the Tigers. Mason Peters rounded out the scoring with a 46.
Belchertown 169, Frontier 184 — The Orioles picked up their third straight win with a strong showing at Cold Spring Country Club.
Andrew Wright led all scorers with a 39 on the day. William Mitus shot a 42 while Gavin Couchon and Mason Pobieglo both got a 44.
Frontier was led by Braiden Dion with a 44. Christian Powell was two strokes behind him with a 46. Jamie McCarthy and Addy Wood tallied a 47 and 49 respectively.
Hampshire 162, Southwick 175 — The Raiders improve to 7-2 after a win a Edgewood Country Club. All eight golfers shot a 47 or lower in the win.
Brayden Fennessy once again was the low-scorer for Hampshire with a 2-over-par 38. Wes Adamski had a strong showing with a 40.
Colby Cabrini and Kameron Locke each shot a 42 to round out the scoring for the Raiders.
Volleyball
Smith Voc 3, Pope Francis 0 — The Viking have back-to-back wins after a sweep against Pope Francis.
Hecmarie Diaz-Lopez dominated at the service line with 10 aces. She added a team-high 25 digs on defense. Ainsley Chrzanowski recorded 14 assists. Irelyn Marcoux had an all-around strong day with seven kills, nine digs, and six aces.
Late Wednesday scores
Golf
Westfield Tech 172, Hopkins Academy 189 — The Golden Hawks dropped a close match against Westfield Tech at Westover Golf Course.
Boys soccer
Northampton 3, Monument Mountain 1 — Sam Busone scored twice for the Blue Devils in the team’s fourth straight win to open the season.
Kai Webster added a goal as well and Zane Poehler tallied an assist. Madden Hatoum and Matt Walko combined for five saves.
Girls soccer
Granby 3, Frontier 1 —The Rams remain undefeated through four games thanks to a pair of goals from sophomore Marcela Tapia and a third from freshman Margo Healy.
Sophia Marsh and McKenna Cudworth each notched an assist. Goalkeeper Meredith Bartosz had another strong game with eight saves.
Mara Allium scored the lone goal for Frontier. Jazlynn Hayes and Kayla Tudryn combined for nine saves in net.
