CHESHIRE, Mass. – The Hoosac Valley girls soccer team’s final game of the season went a little like the season itself: a slow start and a strong finish.

 

But despite dominating the last 20 minutes of Monday’s Division 5 State Tournament Preliminary Round game, the Hurricanes could not finish one of its numerous chances in a 1-0 loss to Springfield International Charter School.

 

The 31st-seeded Hurricanes (5-12-1), who finished the regular season with three wins in their last five games, could not advance into the Round of 32 in their first appearance in the tournament since the statewide format was introduced in 2021.

 

Allanah Chambers scored for the Bulldogs in the 55th minute to break a scoreless tie.

 

Hoosac Valley then took control, generating six of its eight shots on goal in the final 18 minutes.

 

“Our struggle was really in the beginning of the game,” Hoosac Valley coach Lindsay McGinnis said. “They weren’t playing like they can. And after that goal, we needed to step it up. And they did. We just needed a little more time on the clock.”

 

The Hurricanes actually started the game strong, keeping SICS pinned in its end for the first five minutes of play.

 

But the Bulldogs got the game’s first shot on goal about six minutes in.

 

Emma Meczywor made the stop in the Hurricanes’ goal, but the momentum started to shift in favor of the visitors, who went on to outshoot Hoosac Valley 4-1 in the first 40 minutes.

 

Maryn Capiello did put Hoosac Valley’s first shot on frame in the 23rd minute of play. But most of the action was in the Bulldogs’ attacking zone.

 

The Hurricanes got a good chance early in the second half from Kimberly Mach, and Meczywor – who moved from the goal to attack at half-time – just missed a connection on an entry from Cappiello moments later.

 

Neither side could put a mark on the scoreboard until Chambers scored in traffic with 25 minutes left.

 

The SICS bench called timeout immediately after taking the lead, but it was the Hurricanes who took advantage of the stoppage, locking the Bulldogs in their end for most of the remaining time.

 

Perhaps the best chance came in the 70th minute.

 

Cappiello took a direct free kick from the middle of the field about 35 yards from the goal that was on target, forcing Chambers to punch the ball in traffic. Ashlyn Lesure was there to get the rebound, but her shot from inside the 6 hit the crossbar.

 

With about two minutes left, Mach was on the receiving end of a Cappiello corner kick from the right wing, and the senior’s shot was on target but gathered up by Chambers to snuff out Hoosac Valley’s last good opportunity of the game.

 

“When I’m looking at the entire game - the last 20 minutes, they did put their all in and they were pushing,” McGinnis said. “I know they’re pretty down right now.”

 

But the Hurricanes, who graduate five seniors, do have some positives to take away, including earning a home game in state tourney after going 0-7 to start the year.

 

“Our last few games have definitely been close games too,” McGinnis said. “Even the losses, they’ve definitely been holding their own.

 

“I’m very proud of them. I know this was a tough loss for them today, but I’m very proud of them. They’ve come a long way.”