The report says sixth-seeded Westfield won away against third-seeded Amherst, a result that sends the Bombers into the semi-finals. The 5-4 scoreline made for a one-goal finish in a match with nine goals overall; at that margin, one missed chance or defensive lapse could have changed the outcome.
Westfield’s reward is a meeting with Hampshire. The report says the semi-final is set for the Roots Athletic Complex in Westfield, though the league had not announced a date or kick-off time.
Southwick’s quarter-final ended in a different kind of drama. According to the report, the fourth-seeded Rams led by two goals before fifth-seeded Springfield scored three times after the interval to complete a 3-2 comeback.
The report also says the teams had identical regular-season records of eight wins, two losses and one draw. That narrow gap carried into the playoff bracket, and Springfield’s second-half response settled a contest between closely matched sides. For Southwick, the two-goal advantage was not enough to keep its season alive.
Westfield’s next challenge is Hampshire, with a place in the final at stake. The semi-final schedule remains the immediate question; beyond that, the Bombers will need another composed performance if they are to reach Saturday’s finals at Lusitano Stadium in Ludlow, as the report says they are scheduled to be played.