ORANGE — A first-half goal by Delaney Parker propelled the Mahar Regional girls soccer team past Mount Greylock, 1-0, in the Western Massachusetts Division 3 quarterfinals, Saturday afternoon at the Woodward Complex.
It’s the first time in program history that the Senators will play a semifinal game.
At the beginning off the season, the young Senators (17-1-2) had the goal of rebuilding.
“We really thought this was going to be a rebuilding year,” Parker said. “I expected that too. Now that we are here, we can beat anyone. We have so many strengths in every area.”
Third-seeded Mahar advances to play at No. 2 Hampshire Regional (13-3-2), which beat No. 7 Monument Mountain, 4-0, in another Saturday quarterfinal.
“This year is pretty cool,” Mahar coach Chad Softic said. “We are still playing. Still left with Monson, Hampshire and South Hadley. That’s a credit to the girls.”
The Mounties had some offensive opportunities throughout the match but could not capitalize.
“We had a number of chances,” Greylock coach Tom Ostheimer said. “It was an evenly matched game. Stretches of the game we dominated. It was a game of momentum. We’ve been having trouble putting the ball in the back of the net. We just didn’t have the firepower up front.”
Through two playoff games the Mahar defense, consisting of Kendrah Doane, Gracie Rich and Mackinley Drew along with keeper Maddie Lloyd, has not given up a goal.
“I would not able to score without them,” Parker said of her defense. “It all starts in the back.
Natalie Belloli marked Clara McWeeny for most of the match, limiting her opportunities.
Sienna Moore picked up an assist on Mahar’s goal on a flick header that found the feet of Parker, who split two defenders for a clear lane to the net with 17 minutes, 23 seconds left in the first half.
“Delaney Parker gives us headaches,” Ostheimer said. “Even when we had three or four on her she knows how to wheel and deal.”
The Mounties almost tied the game midway through the second half, but Micalyn Mailloux kicked away a bouncing ball near the goal. Lloyd had left the net to challenge a shot from the right side and it bounced through some players.
“It hit from the inside of the post,” Mailloux said. “Bounced near the line and I went up and booted it out. I covered Maddie. I stepped up and grabbed her back.”
Lloyd had to make a couple horizontal saves in the first half for the Senators.
Jane Skavlem had a chance on a direct kick a few minutes before Lily Lesieur loaded up a shot for the Mounties near the net.
Lloyd made both saves to keep the score tied and finished with seven saves. In two playoffs games Lloyd has two shutouts.
Parker had a first-half breakaway with defenders in pursuit but Greylock keeper Delaney Babcock charged off her line to bury the ball.
Babcock made nine saves for the Mounties (13-5-2).
Lily Lesieur hit the crossbar with 6:39 left in the game, fighting off a charging Lloyd to get the ball on net.
Lloyd went down on the play, and had to be subbed out for Drew but later returned.
