MIAA boys soccer: Northampton withstands harsh conditions, shuts out Amherst in Div. 2 Round of 16

HOLYOKE — Playing on a slippery surface in cold, wet and windy conditions on Thursday night, the Northampton boys soccer team weren’t quite as sharp as they wanted to be against Amherst. Passes skidded along Holyoke’s turf, cleats slipped on cuts, and bodies flew when anyone tried to stop.

Fighting against the adverse conditions, Blue Devil seniors Sam Busone and Will Senn-McNally fell back on their ability to know where the other will be thanks to years of sharing the field together.

Fans who ventured through the storm witnessed that connection in action early in the second half. Senn-McNally received a deep ball from the midfield and dribbled into the box before making a back heel pass to Busone. Crashing up the middle of the field, Busone gave the ball a hard kick and found the back of the net for Northampton’s second goal of the game.

The duo each tallied one goal and one assist, propelling the third-seeded Blue Devils (18-0-2) to the 3-0 win to eliminate rival No. 14 Amherst (7-7-4) in the Round of 16. It is the second time this season Northampton took down the Hurricanes

“We always know how we can play off each other,” Busone said. “How we let each other get our own moments too. Back away, take the pressure off the other one and let him do his thing.”

Near the halfway point of the first half, Busone saw fellow senior Owen MacLachlan move into the goalie box as he dribbled toward the end line. Knowing MacLachlan’s speed, Busone had the confidence to cross the ball to the front of the net.

“I know Owen is a lightning fast guy,” Busone said. “He can get to anything you put him under. I think you just have to challenge him sometimes.”

MacLachlan received Busone’s pass and needed one touch on the ball to score and put Northampton up 1-0.

The teams two previous matchups this season had drastically different outcomes. Northampton won the first meeting 4-0 in September behind a hat trick from Senn-McNally. Amherst stepped up in the second game, working to a 1-1 tie.

Northampton has won eight straight matches since that tie.

“They gave us probably our biggest test of the season,” Northampton head coach Matt Card said. “They got a lot of quality and finished their season strong as well.”

After seeing his childhood teammate score, Senn-McCally scored his team-leading 14th goal later in the second half off a pass from senior Justin Vinskey to put the game away at 3-0.

“A lot of people say 2-0 is the most dangerous lead,” Busone said. “The next goal is what defines the game. It was important at that point that we get the last goal and just finish the game there. I don’t think anyone on the team wanted to stay here longer than we had to.”

As he has done throughout the season, Card split the goaltending time between seniors Matt Walko and Madde Hatoum. The duo and the backline worked together for their fifth straight shutout.

“Defense played phenomenal today,” Card said. “The ball skids off so it’s really difficult to be sending back. For them to keep a clean sheet in these conditions in this field is really good for them.”

Both teams started the tournament with impressive victories. Northampton beat No. 30 Chelsea 5-0 earlier in the week.. Amherst meanwhile overcame a 2-1 halftime deficit to hand No. 19 Newburyport its first loss.

“I think we definitely expected to come in here and take care of business,” Busone said. “We know these guys and we hate seeing their season end like this. We’d rather play someone else from Eastern Mass. We always want to support our Western Mass. teams.”

Northampton heads to the quarterfinals for the second straight year. It faces No. 11 Revere who just upset No. 6 Holliston in the Round of 16.

Div. 4

Westport 2, Hampshire 1 — The Raiders nearly pulled off the upset, but were outdone in penalty kicks.

Hampshire wrapped up its season at 12-6-3.