EASTHAMPTON — As time ticked down under a minute, the Hopkins girls soccer team moved the ball down the field looking to score the game’s first goal against Easthampton at Nonotuck Park on Tuesday afternoon.
Both teams had their chances, but neither team found the back of the net. The Golden Hawks had one last gasp, and Ephie Vissas sent a ball into the box to sophomore Morgan Augustin. With lots of space to operate just inside the 18, Augustin turned and had a clean look on goal — one of the best scoring chances either team saw all game.
Just before she was about to put a shot on goal, the referee blew his whistle three times — signifying the end of the game as time ran out. The Eagles defense was tested all afternoon, and each time they stood tall against a relentless Hopkins attack.
Tuesday’s contest ended in a 0-0 draw as neither team could break through. Both Hopkins and Easthampton scored at least four goals in each of their first two games (both going 2-0), so this Pioneer League North matchup was certainly a different test.
Hopkins head coach Vincent Catania felt his team was well prepared for it, as although the Golden Hawks (2-0-1) outscored their opponents 9-1 in those first two games, they felt similar to the high level of play Easthampton brought on Tuesday.
“It felt very similar to the past couple of games, even though the score lines of those games were different,” Catania said. “Both of those games could have gone either way at any time, and that’s exactly how this game was too. The score line told the story in this one a little bit better. We had our chances, they had their chances. It was back-and-forth the whole time, which is how those first two games went.”
Easthampton (2-0-1) won 7-2 and 5-2 in its first two bouts of the season, so to face some adversity in a competitive league tilt is exactly what head coach Brian Miller had hoped for.
After a first half in which Easthampton struggled to possess the ball consistently, the Eagles looked like a much-improved bunch over the second 40 minutes as they generated a handful of opportunities. Junior forward Arie Kuchyt had the best chance, as she took off on a breakaway midway through the second half. Her shot rolled just wide of the goal to keep the game at 0-0.
“It was good for us to play in a game like this,” Miller said. “I thought they stepped it up in the second half and showed that they weren’t just going to fold. In that first half, we were under pressure quite a bit. I don’t know if we got the ball over midfield five times. So for them to just kind of hang in there and buckle down, I thought they did a nice job possessing the ball and being more aggressive.”
In a game where no goals were scored, it’s only right to highlight the defenses and goaltenders. Starting with Easthampton considering the Eagles were on their heels for a good chunk of the game, it was Sonia Romero who used her speed to track down Hopkins attackers and eliminate scoring threats. Sophomores Mackenzie Coffey and Bella Mercado also helped clear the ball out of harm’s way often, as did all of Easthampton’s young back line.
In goal was Noey Ryan, who originally Miller planned to play at left back this season. But because of an injury or two, he’s had to rotate some players around. Those changes led to Ryan playing in goal, and she came up with seven important saves on Tuesday.
“That’s sort of always our thing; it’s tough to score on us,” Miller said of his defense. “Sonia does a great job in the back just clearing things away. We have a lot of young girls in the back who are just starting to learn how to use their body and learn the positioning that we’re looking for. Mackenzie is another one who is solid and just never loses her mark. If you have a solid center back and sweeper, you’ve got something to work with. And we do.”
On Hopkins’ side, keeper Abril Cabrera stopped four shots in the box. Junior center back Cassie Dion impressed Catania the most. It’s her leadership that has rubbed off on everyone else, and they’ve been one of the best defensive teams in Hampshire County over the past several seasons. In 2024, Hopkins gave up only four goals to opponents in the entire regular season. The Hawks have surrendered just one through three games so far in 2025.
Defense is their identity, and that won’t change so long as Catania is coaching.
“Cassie has taken a big role in the center, and that’s helped everyone,” he said. “Defense is how I’ve always coached the game. Defense first, and then we attack. It worked well for us last year, so the girls know that defense is priority. The goals will come. Today they didn’t, but they will. If we can deny the other team the opportunity, then at least we have a chance.”
Easthampton returns to action on Friday afternoon on the road against Palmer at 4 p.m. while Hopkins will host Holyoke at 5 p.m. also on Friday.
for positioning on the ball.
