By David Klimasmith, Belmont Voice correspondent
The number-eight-ranked Marauders kicked off their playoff campaign with a 2-0 win over number-25 Framingham on Thursday night at Harris Field. The win was hard-earned, as Belmont managed to overcome a physical opponent to secure a spot in the next round.
Captain Martha Dimas started in goal, behind a back line of Captain Ashley Waters, Vivi Capitani, Farrah Harris, and Elisabeth Schreiner. The midfield consisted of Zoe Marrion, Madhavi Ramadas, and Cassie Griener. Nora Goulding, Mackenzie Tierney, and Captain Danica Zicha started on the attack.
Belmont started the game on the front foot, keeping 65% of the possession. Their main attacking threat came through Tierney and Goulding, who put numerous dangerous low balls into the penalty area. The Framingham defense played tough, committing 11 fouls in the first half, one of them a crunching tackle on Marrion, who left the game and did not return. She was replaced by freshman Clara Sciandra.
Neither team was able to score and went into halftime at 0-0.
As the second half kicked off, Framingham’s defense began to show some cracks. Zicha latched onto a loose ball, only to be denied by a perfect slide tackle from Ava Callahan. Goulding picked up the rebound and passed it to Sciandra, who was taken down by Framingham’s Arranza Ramirez, who was given a yellow card. Sciandra took the following free kick and curled it beautifully into the bottom left corner from 25 yards out, giving Belmont a 1-0 lead. They doubled their advantage 10 minutes later, as a chaotic corner kick fell perfectly for Zicha, who slammed it into the roof of the net.
Framingham rallied in the waning minutes, forcing Ramadas to pick up a yellow card, but it was too little too late, and Belmont hung on to a 2-0 win.
Coach Jemmy Cange said while Belmont made some defensive adjustments to counter Framingham’s attack, the Marauders “didn’t change much” and played their game “all the way through.” He attributed the shift at halftime to the team settling its nerves, a statement that Zicha echoed. She discussed how their first touches and passes had improved, and that the team had become calmer and more connected as the game progressed. This deliberate focus on composure and fundamentals proved decisive in breaking down the stubborn Framingham defense.
The support from the non-starters was also a key team dynamic. Eva Berlis said that “our bench energy was a real driving force, and it helped keep us aggressive even when we took the lead.” Their drive and composure under pressure will be necessary assets as Belmont progresses in the tournament.
The Marauders advance to the round of 16 in the MIAA Division 1 Tournament and will take on number-nine Central Catholic, which beat Attleboro 6-0 in its opening playoff game. The game will be at Harris Field on Monday, Nov. 10 at 6 p.m.