WESTHAMPTON — As a defender, scoring opportunities are few and far between for senior Katie Krause with the Hampshire girls soccer team. For most of the game, the co-captain is leading the Raiders’ backline.
But with a few minutes left in the first half in its Division 4 Round of 32 playoff game against Uxbridge on Tuesday, Hampshire brought almost everyone into the box for a throw-in from junior Olivia Whitaker.
As the ball came into the middle of the goalie box, Krause took a hop and hit a head ball that arched over Uxbridge goalie Madyn Lame for the score.
“Definitely a great feeling,” Krause said. “Especially using my head and getting it in makes it 10 times better.”
Kraus’ goal was part of a 4-0 win over the No. 27 Spartans (8-8-4) to advance the No. 6 Raiders (15-4-1) to the Round of 16. Three of Hampshire’s captains scored while also getting production from a freshman.
“We talked about working on our combination play, getting the ball, the timing of the runs and behind,” Hampshire head coach Steve Croft said. “They did a great job executing and putting goals on the board.”
While Hampshire’s senior class carries more experience than most teams, it was freshman Claire Pickard who netted the first goal for the Raiders.
Midway through the first half, junior Caroline Puttick carried the ball up the field and took a strong shot that Lame deflected back into the box. As a scrum formed in front of the net, Pickard got a knee on the ball and fell backwards.
It took a moment, but she realized she scored as her teammates raced over to her to celebrate.
“Thank God it went in,” Pickard said. “I was just really happy I put it in.”
After receiving significant minutes as an eighth-grader last fall, Pickard has stepped up to be on of Hampshire’s top weapons on offense. She is third on the squad with 10 goals.
“She’s always ready to go,” Krause said. “Even though she’s younger, she sizes up with all the older player. She always puts 110 percent effort out there.”
Pickard’s goal would have been enough on its own for Hampshire. Over a week since giving up three goals to Belchertown in the Western Mass title game, the Raiders limited Uxbridge to just four shots on net.
“We communicated, we were flowing,” Krause said. “We found those passes and got open. Every time someone got beat, we dropped right back for them. Instead of just kicking, we found passes in the midfield and played it out.”
In the second half, two of Krause’s fellow senior co-captains, Addie Miklasiewicz and Shayne Moynahan, each scored.
At the 23 minute mark, Pickard placed a pass over Uxbridge’s backline and set up Moynahan for a shot inside the box to make the score 3-0.
In the final minutes of the game, Miklasiewicz ripped a deep shot outside of the box that bounced in to put the exclamation point on the win.
“Without (the seniors), I don’t know what I’d do,” Pickard said. “They’re telling me where to do, encouraging me. When I get older, I want to be like them.”
The win brings Hampshire to the Round of 16 for the second straight season. The Raiders host No. 22 Ipswich, who upset No. 11 Mount Greylock, on Thursday at 3 p.m.
Div. 3
Belchertown 3, Ludlow 1 — The Orioles tamed the Lions in the Round of 32 while earning their fourth straight win in the process.
Sixth-seeded Belchertown will host No. 11 Dedham next in the Round of 16 on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Div. 4
Cohasset 6, Easthampton 0 — The Eagles couldn’t keep pace with top-seeded Cohasset in the Round of 32.
Easthampton finished the season 10-9-1 overall.
Div. 5
Hopkins 5, Mahar 1 — Five points from Ephie Vissas powered the Golden Hawks past the Senators in the Round of 32.
Vissas scored twice and dished out three assists as No. 4 Hopkins advances to the Round of 16 for a showdown with No. 13 David Prouty.
Olivia Earle (two) and Morgan Augustin also scored for the Hawks, while goalie Hannah Guggino-Laramie picked up the win with four saves.
Hopkins will host David Prouty on Thursday at 2 p.m.
Boys soccer
Div. 2
Northampton 5, Chelsea 0 — An all-Hampshire County Round of 16 battle is set after the Blue Devils’ shutout.
Northampton will host Amherst next on a date and time to be determined.
Div. 4
Hampshire 1, Manchester Essex 0 — The Raiders went on the road and played the role of spoiler in its Round of 32 win.
Riley Florek scored in the first half and that held as the only strike of the contest as No. 27 Hampshire took down the sixth-seeded hosts.
The Raiders will travel to No. 22 Westport next on Thursday at 2 p.m.
Div. 5
Collegiate Charter of Lowell 7, Smith Voc 4 — The Vikings’ season came to a close in the Mill City.
Smith Voc went 9-6-3 on the year.
Girls volleyball
Div. 5
Saint John Paul II 3, Smith Voc 0 — The Vikings couldn’t solve the fourth-seeded hosts’ attack in the Round of 16 defeat.
Leah Franklin (ace, 17 digs, kill), Ainsley Chrzanowski (ace, eight assists, four digs) and Irelyn Marcoux had (ace, 11 digs, six kills) led Smith Voc in the season-ending defeat, to go 12-6 this season.
Field hockey
Div. 4
Monomoy 2, South Hadley 0 — The Tigers held their own against the fourth-seeded hosts in their Round of 16 loss.
South Hadley concluded the season at 15-3-1.
