EAST LONGMEADOW — Monson goalie Mike Tranghese did not need to make a save for the first 26 minutes, 13 seconds of the game.
Yes, the Mustangs were that dominant.
No. 1 Monson was in control from the start and the two-time Division 4 champions defeated Gateway Regional, 4-0, Thursday night in a Western Massachusetts boys soccer semifinal at East Longmeadow High School.
The No. 5 Gators finished their season at 11-6-3.
Gateway had no answer for the way Monson played defense. The Mustangs (15-4-1) used a controlled attack to keep the ball away from the Gators.
Monson will face No. 2 Lenox (15-2-3) at 3:15 p.m. Saturday in the finals at Westfield State. Lenox beat Granby, 3-1.
“We ran into a buzz saw,” Gateway coach Tim Gamble said. “We played a lot of guys and we were respectable. We didn’t go away.”
Gateway got a tremendous game in goal from Shane Mastello (five saves). He withstood a solid attack and did all he could to keep the Gators in the game by making several spectacular saves.
“He came on late in the season and he played great,” Gamble said.
Monson was led by Mike Murphy, who scored two goals. Ryan and Kyle Monaghan also scored.
After a couple of near misses, Ryan Monaghan connected 1:35 into the game off a pass from Connor Hicks. Murphy scored unassisted seven minutes later after the ball deflected off a Gateway defender.
Kyle Monaghan provided Monson with a 3-0 halftime lead when he struck with 7:07 left. Murphy closed the scoring with 10 minutes remaining in the game.
It was the final game for Gateway seniors Nick Cooper, Franky Tangredi, Conner Glebocki, Phillip Glulchov and Mastello.
“We finished well,” Gamble said. “These kids have been brought up right and you didn’t see any of them with their hands on their hips. We lost to a great team.”