Senn-McNally's hat trick powers Northampton boys soccer past Amherst 4-0

NORTHAMPTON — Forward Will Senn-McNally scored three goals to lead Northampton boys soccer to a 4-0 victory over Amherst on Thursday, extending the Blue Devils' win streak to five games to start the season.

Northampton's offensive execution impressed coach Matt Card. The team scored twice in the first 20 minutes, with Zane Poehler heading in a crossing pass from Bishop Loughrey for the opening goal. Later, Poehler sent a crossing pass from outside the box that Busone redirected in front of the net for Senn-McNally to finish. Card noted the improvement in ball movement compared to the previous game.

Senn-McNally said his mentality going into each match is to score multiple goals. "I always wake up with that mentality," he said. "You have to feel like you're going to score three goals every game." Poehler, who set up multiple scoring chances, drew praise from Senn-McNally for his soccer intelligence and physicality on the field.

Senn-McNally's second goal came on a penalty kick in the second half before he completed the hat trick late in the game by dribbling past the Amherst goalkeeper. Poehler called Senn-McNally fast, strong with the ball, and an excellent finisher.

Amherst, facing one of the top teams in the division, generated multiple corner kicks and four shots on net in the second half but could not break through. Goalkeeper Tobin Kaplan made three saves for the Hurricanes. Coach Jordan McCarthy said his team struggled early and did not adjust quickly enough. "When you play some of the top teams, you have to have that from the get-go so that you're not in a hole right away," McCarthy said.

Northampton is two wins short of matching last year's 7-0 start to the season. The Blue Devils face West Springfield next Tuesday at home in a rematch of last year's Division 2 semifinals. Amherst will host Pittsfield next Tuesday.