AGAWAM – The last two times the Smith Academy and Granby boys soccer teams met on the pitch, they played to 0-0 draws. Neither team was able to solve the other’s keeper.
They met for a third time on Wednesday in the Western Mass. Class E final, where something had to give in order for a champion to be crowned.
It was Riley Intrator that played hero for the Falcons on Wednesday, soaring in and launching a rocket that got past Granby goalie Daniel Gauvin off an assist from Ben Hudzik. It was the first and only goal of the night, propelling top-seeded Smith Academy to its second consecutive Western Mass. championship via a 1-0 victory.
“It feels great. We’re lucky enough to do this two times – most kids don’t get to do it one time,” Intrator said. “So I’m really, really grateful for the group of guys that we have to be able to do this two years in a row.”
Both teams expected it to be another tight defensive matchup, and the rubber match didn’t disappoint. Both back lines and keepers kept the game tight from start to finish. Intrator and his team knew that if they wanted to break through, they were going to have to pounce on every opportunity they got.
“Their defense is insane… 240 minutes of soccer and only one goal between us. I knew that if I wanted to score on these guys, I just had to hit it early, no matter where it was,” Intrator said. “(I) just hit great contact and it went exactly where I wanted it to.”
Both keepers were up to the task; Smith Academy goalie Ryan Belina and Granby’s Gauvin both made key saves to keep things tight.
“[Belina], he’s too good just to leave him in the middle of the goal. So [we were] trying to get him so we could move him out of position and be able to shoot back post, but we weren’t able to build to that,” Granby head coach Todd Dorman said.
Granby had a few good opportunities, including a late corner with two minutes left on the clock and a pair of shots in the second half that flew just over the crossbar. The Rams came inches away from tying the game up, but just couldn’t get a shot to fall.
“Little differences in that moment, the shooting touch versus hitting it a little high or wide, having that right body position at that moment. Their one shot had it and ours didn’t,” said Dorman.
The win was a special one for Smith Academy head coach Jason Duncan, who’s been around the program even before he stepped in as the group’s head coach. Being able to lead the team to a sectional title for the second year in a row was particularly special.
“We kind of talked about repeating as Class D champions, but then they put us in Class E, so we got this instead,” Duncan said, gesturing to the championship plaque he was holding. “Pretty special, you know? I’ve been chasing this for a long time. I used to run sidelines for my dad who was here when I was a little kid… I think this is my 16th year coaching. It’s a good group, they work hard together. They really deserve it.”
It was Granby’s first appearance in a Western Mass. final. Despite the outcome, Dorman said he was grateful of what his group was able to accomplish this season.
“Our guys did a great job, got us to our first Western Mass. final. They’ve taken the program as far as it’s ever been,” Dorman said. “I’m really proud of them and what they’ve done all season.”
Both teams will have just a short time to rest before turning around and playing in the MIAA state tournament. Smith Academy will host Hoosac Valley in the Div. 5 preliminary round on Friday while Granby will host McCann Tech on Saturday at 11 a.m., also in a Div. 5 preliminary game.