ORANGE — With goals and victories flowing for the Mahar girls soccer team, one aspect of the team has begun to shine just as brightly as the offense.
Just without the recognition in the statistics.
The play of Mahar’s midfield has come to the forefront following a 9-1 win over Amherst Regional, Tuesday. In particular the play of Natalie Belloli and Tori Tenney.
“They (Belloli and Tenney) are doing a really good job,” Mahar coach Chad Softic said. “It’s been a 10-year problem for us. Our midfield has really struggled. I think our midfield was dominant today winning balls and creating constant pressure.”
Anytime the ball trickled out of the offensive end, a Mahar midfielder was there to service it back into scoring areas. When those scoring areas are patrolled by Delaney Parker, the attempts are usually finished with the ball in the net.
Parker had six goals for the Senators (10-1). A perfect illustration of the midfield creating offense was on Mahar’s fifth goal. After gaining possession, Tenney sent a towering ball just over the Amherst defense to a streaking Parker, who finished for the Senators.
“The midfield is doing really well with threading the ball through the defense,” Parker said. “Getting it over there heads where I can run onto it. I’ve been working some breakaways during warmups so that helps a lot.”
Parker is scoring goals at a high level. She now has 28 goals and five assists on the season, giving the sophomore 91 points for her career. Kenzie Tenney had 117 career points for the Senators, while Jill Waters holds the all-time career mark with 128.
“I’ve improved with handling the ball and getting it to other players,” Parker said. “But also being selfish with myself too. I’ve been selfless, and selfish in times of need.”
Parker’s second goal was her using her speed and beating the entire defense to the goal, while her fourth goal was the result of an impressive one-on-one juke move past an Amherst defender.
The defense had to pick up its play here and there, with Abby Bonk and Jeanne Grutchfield leading the unit. Behind the team was the vocal Marie Nottleson who made five saves, giving up one goal on a second-half penalty kick by Amherst’s Alyssa Smith.
Mollie Burke had two assists in the first half and added a second-half goal for Mahar. Jazmyn Vautour had two assists from the midfield, while Lani DeDiego also had an assist.
Emma Currier scored just before halftime, giving the Senators a 6-0 lead at the break.
Emma Savoy scored the game’s final goal, on an assist from Sophia Apteker.
