Perfection represents a byproduct more than an aim for the South Hadley girls soccer team.
The Tigers are 23-0-0 entering Saturday’s Division 3 state championship game against Norwell, scheduled for 12:15 p.m. at Woburn High School.
“The perfect season is definitely something that we like, and we’re really proud of it,” senior defender Carla Jarrett said. “The last game is what it comes down to. If we want to keep the perfect season, that would mean winning states, and that’s our ultimate goal.”
South Hadley has never played for a girls soccer state championship. The Tigers hadn’t even reached the state semifinal round as Western Massachusetts champions before last year. South Hadley last won a state championship when the baseball team captured the Division 3 crown in 2012. The Tigers cheerleading squad won a state championship in 2016.
Despite the unfamiliar circumstances, South Hadley’s ambition won’t waver.
“The perfect season is fine, but they’re very focused on a state title,” South Hadley coach Rich Marjanski said.
South Hadley reached this point behind a suffocating defense. The Tigers shut out their last 10 opponents and have 18 clean sheets. They’ve only allowed seven goals in 23 games.
“We just all work together. We can kind of read each other on the defense because we’ve worked together all season, and that puts us ahead,” senior Bailey Gawron said.
Once the defense wins the ball, South Hadley’s offense gets to work. The Tigers have outscored tournament opposition 28-0 in five games. Alexa Blaney (11 assists) and Reese Carey both have 26 goals on the season, while Olivia Blaney and Lindsay Marjanski both reached double digits in goals and assists.
South Hadley jumped on Monson in the Western Mass. final and Blackstone Valley Tech in the state semifinal with goals in the seventh minute of each game.
“They’re excited to play the first 40 minutes. I told them ‘don’t let your excitement get you in this one because we need to be focused and ready to go,’” Rich Marjanski said. “We’re going to be very offensive, but at the same time we’re aware they’ve got some talented kids on there.”
Freshman Giuliana Gianino netted a hat trick for Norwell (21-2-1) in a 3-0 state semifinal win over Swampscott on Wednesday. Rich Marjanski watched it after South Hadley’s game Tuesday.
“They’re very skilled, they’re very fast. They’re similar to us,” he said. “I think that’s the fun of it, it’s going to be an up and down game.”
Rich Marjanski will have the perfect vantage point.
“It’s going to be very fun for me to sit and coach,” he said. “They’re so comfortable with the way they play together, that’s what this season has been about.”
Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com. Follow him on Twitter @kylegrbwsk.