SOUTH DEERFIELD — A year ago, the Frontier Regional boys soccer team endured an early exit from the state tournament. South Hadley upset the Redhawks in the Round of 32, ousting them unexpectedly and ending their season abruptly.
Flash forward to this season, and the specter of that loss might have crept into the first half of the 14th-seeded Redhawks matchup with No. 19 Excel Academy Charter on Monday night.
The thought of having the same fate dawned on the team. The Wolves controlled possession for the first 40 minutes.
“You are on edge about getting upset and knocked out,” Frontier coach Evan Horton said. “Which happened to us last year.”
There would be no upset this season, as Frontier’s offense awakened in the second half in a 3-0 win over the Wolves in the MIAA Division 4 state tournament Round of 32.
The Frontier Regional boys soccer team huddles before its match against Excel Academy Charter, Monday in South Deerfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Henry Pleasant of Frontier moves up the field against Excel Academy Charter, Monday in South Deerfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Grant Biancamano of Frontier tries to move through the defense against Excel Academy Charter, Monday in South Deerfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES 
Henry Pleasant of Frontier moves up the field against Excel Academy Charter, Monday in South Deerfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Ben Zarotny of Frontier looks up the field against Excel Academy Charter, Monday in South Deerfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
The Frontier Regional boys soccer team celebrates a goal against Excel Academy Charter, Monday in South Deerfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo
The Wolves gave Frontier everything they could handle in the first half. Mason Weis had to make multiple desperate saves to keep the game scoreless going into halftime.
“We felt like this was going to be a pretty even match up,” Horton said. “We tried to instill that to our players…we said to them today that this is always the toughest round. It’s really difficult because you don’t know what to expect.”
The Redhawks advanced to play third-seeded Monument Mountain in the Berkshires on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
“We are just trying to give ourselves a chance to be the spoiler,” Horton said. “We are there now. As a 14-seed we know now that we aren’t going to be a favorite in any of these games. But that’s fine, we like that.”
Frontier mounted some offense late in the first half off long throw ins by Oscar Higuera but were held in check for the most part. It didn’t take long for the offense to strike as play began in the second half. In the 48th minute, Henry Pleasant drew multiple defenders down the right sideline before finding Xavier Fripp for the team’s first goal.
“In our huddle we talked about having to let go of the nerves,” Fripp said. “This could have been our last game. But we had to let go of everything and have fun out there. We had to leave it on the field, and I think we did that very well.”
In the 52nd minute, Pleasant took a pass from Higuera in front of the net. Pleasant swiveled and uncorked a shot that tested the structural integrity of the net, giving Frontier a comfortable 2-0 lead.
On both goals, Pleasant sprinted to the corner the field before sliding into his teammates who gathered from the field and the bench area. Some rain fell during the game, giving the field a slight glaze perfect for the celebration.
“Especially on this half because our bench is right there,” Pleasant said. “I just wanted to go to the corner and celebrate with them. With the wet grass, we love to slide. It’s a big thing. We love our bench. They keep us fired up.”
The Spartans beat Southwick, 4-0, on Monday night. Monument Mountain (7-8-4) represents a difficult challenge for the Redhawks in the Round of 16.
“We just have to stay positive and stay happy,” Pleasant said. “We know we can do it. We are the underdogs, but we know we can upset some teams and go far if we just have the passion and work together as a team.
Frontier got a third goal on an Excel Academy Charter own goal late in the second half. Weis finished with five saves in the game. With under five minutes remaining in the first half, Weis made a diving save on an attempt by Omar Raoul.
Sebastian Forhan played a strong game on defense for Frontier. Micky Brownlow also played well in the midfield for the Redhawks.
Franklin Tech 4, Old Colony Regional 1 — The 14th-seeded Eagles advanced with a win over No. 19 Old Colony in the MIAA Division 5 state tournament Round of 32 in Turners Falls. The Eagles play No. 8 Keefe Technical in the Round of 16 on Wednesday at 1 pm. in Framingham. The victory marked the program’s first venture into the Round of 16 in state tournament play.
Girls soccer
Rising Tide Charter 3, Pioneer 0 — The Panthers season came to an end in Plymouth, as the 15th-seeded Rising Tide won in the MIAA Division 5 state tournament Round of 32 at Forges Field.
Littleton 3, Frontier 2 — Tenth-seeded Littleton ousted the 23rd-seeded Redhawks in the MIAA Division 4 state tournament Round of 32 at Littleton Middle School.
Volleyball
Franklin Tech 3, Madison Park 2 — The eighth-seeded Eagles outlasted Madison Park in the MIAA Division 5 state tournament Round of 16 in Turners Falls. Set scores were 25-21, 23-25, 26-24, 14-25 and 15-12. Emma Petersen had seven digs and five blocks at the net for Franklin Tech. Taylor Underwood added eight digs. Lily Baldwin had four kills and five assists for the offense. Laura Fuess also had a strong match at the net with six kills and four blocks. The Eagles play the winner of top-seeded PVCA and Southbridge.
