On the path to an illusive state championship, the Granby girls soccer team will need to conquer the team that beat it last year.
The Rams (16-2-3) play Central Massachusetts Division 3 champion Millbury (18-3-1) in the state semifinals Wednesday 5 p.m. at Westfield State.
Last year, the Woolies beat the Rams 3-0 en route to a state championship.
Millbury returns its entire roster from last year’s team, which includes forward Kelsey Cummings, who has verbally committed to play at Rhode Island.
“She is a prolific goal scorer,” Granby coach Bob Weaver said. “Our players know her well.”
The Woolies also feature midfielder McKenna Kennedy, who is committed to play at Boston University.
The Rams counter with the senior leadership of Erin Mikalchus and the aggressive offensive play of Summer Molin.
The emergence of freshman Nora Young will also be a factor for Granby. In the Western Mass. final against Wahconah, Young had three goals.
Goalie Brooklyn Baran will need to be solid in net for the Rams.
The Rams are without two key contributors from last year’s team in Kate Sullivan and Kate Sarnacki, who both went down with ACL injuries.
Last year’s game, a scoreless tie at halftime, got away from Granby in the second half.
“They had some chances in the first half,” Weaver said. “If they put them away it might have been a different game.”
Granby does not have revenge on its mind facing Millbury.
“They are excited to play,” Weaver said. “They look at it as a challenge. Revenge is not a factor.”
