SOUTH DEERFIELD — An early offensive barrage lifted the fifth-seeded Frontier Regional field hockey team in a 4-0 win over No. 12 Seekonk in the MIAA Division 4 tournament Round of 16 on Wednesday afternoon.
Frontier preached starting quickly in the game against the Warriors. The Red Hawks executed the game plan with precision, with nine shots and 11 penalty corners in the first frame.
“Excellent in the first quarter,” Frontier coach Missy Mahar said. “With that fast start we talked about increasing the tempo of the game, controlling the pace of the game. That was great to see, to come out fired up and ready to play.”
Frontier advances to play No. 4 Sutton on the road on Saturday at 11 a.m. Frontier lost to Sutton, 2-1, at home toward the beginning of the season. The state quarterfinal matchup will be on the turf at Auburn High School.
“Very similar team,” Mahar said. “Very balanced. They are speedy. I know the girls look forward to a rematch. It should be an intense game because we are evenly matched.”
Elsa Brown scored first just a few minutes into the game with the assist coming from Addie Harrington. Four different Frontier players scored in the win.
“It’s really important,” Brown said. “If one person gets marked, then you don’t have any goals if you only have one scorer. But if you have even balanced scoring then anyone can score at any time.”
Mahar lauded Brown’s play as center-midfielder.
“We talk about her as a center-midfielder controlling the space,” Mahar said. “Today was one of her best games doing that. I was happy to see that.”
Ashlie Galenski later scored for the Red Hawks when she finished off a rebound from the Seekonk goalkeeper. The goal gave Frontier a 2-0 lead in the first quarter. In the third quarter, Harrington found open space and scored for Frontier. Haly Doucette-Kaplan distributed a nice ball from around midfield to get Harrington a lane to score on the breakaway.
Galenski set up Bella Orrell for Frontier’s final goal. Frontier goalie Brooke Charest did not have to make a save in the shutout. Frontier’s defense allowed one shot and one penalty corner in the game.
Girls soccer
Rockport 6, Greenfield 1 – Tayler Bergeron scored for Greenfield, but the Green Wave were eliminated in the Div. 5 Round of 32.
Zephyr Jetzon had the assist for Greenfield. Lexi Berry made five saves in net.
Norfolk County Agricultural 6, Pioneer Valley Regional 0 – The Panthers lost on the road in the Div. 5 Round of 32.
Tahanto Regional 4, Frontier 1 – The Red Hawks fell on the road in the Div. 4 Round of 32.
