SOUTH DEERFIELD — Good luck scoring goals on the Frontier field hockey team this postseason. 

The Redhawk defense has been lights out all season long, allowing more than one goal just twice during the regular season. That defensive effort has continued throughout the postseason, as Frontier didn’t give up a goal en route to a Western Mass. Class C championship before knocking off Franklin Tech, 6-1, in the MIAA Div. 4 Round of 32. 

On Wednesday in the Round of 16, 13th-seeded West Bridgewater found out just how hard it is to score on the Redhawks. 

Frontier tallied twice in the second quarter and tacked three goals on in the fourth quarter, all while its defense recorded its 11th shutout of the season to lift the fourth-seeded Redhawks into the quarterfinals with a 5-0 victory. 

“I think they’re starting to peak at the right time,” Frontier coach Missy Mahar said. “The regular season is a battle with who we play in the league and our crossovers. Then we have the chance to play Greenfield in the postseason which is always a big rivalry.

“They start to switch gears to turn that on for the postseason because they know if you don’t win, you don’t continue,” Mahar added. “There’s no second chances in states with single elimination. You have to own that and work hard through that. That’s something we’re drilling in since the state tournament started.” 

The Redhawks (17-2-2) advanced to host the winner of No. 5 Manchester Essex and No. 12 Ipswich in the quarterfinals at a date and time to be determined. 

“I think we had it in us to make a run like this,” Frontier’s Macy DeMaio said. “It’s going to take a lot of grit and a total team effort to keep this going.” 

Along with their defense, the Redhawks have a deep forward group that can all put the ball in the cage. That was on display Wednesday, as four different players tallied goals in the victory over the Wildcats (12-5-3). 

“Scoring comes from anyone on the forward line,” Mahar said. “That’s great to have. If one forward is off, someone else steps up and is able to produce. That’s a great problem to have. You have kids that can come off the bench, produce and keep the same tempo of the game in. We talk about having that sense of urgency in the circle and making things happen. It was nice to see them come to life today.” 

It was DeMaio who kicked off the scoring in the second quarter. After a scramble in front of the West Bridgewater goal, Stella Heflin was able to get her stick on the ball and knock it over to DeMaio, with the junior knocking it home to give Frontier the opening lead. 

The Redhawks didn’t have to wait long for their second goal. After drawing a corner, West Bridgewater goalie Allie Edgerly tried to clear the ball, but it went right onto the stick of Ashlie Galenski and the junior fired it home to give Frontier its 2-0 halftime lead. 

DeMaio scored her second of the game early in the fourth quarter off an assist from Harper Modestow. The goals came quickly from there, as Addie Harrington and Lauryn Kalinowski netted back-to-back goals to close out the scoring. DeMaio had the assist on Harrington’s tally while Heflin assisted Kalinowski’s goal. 

“It feels great,” Mahar said. “I’m really proud of the girls. We had a little bit of a slow start but I was really happy to see them pick it up after halftime and play the type of field hockey they’re capable of playing. West Bridgewater stayed in it and gave us a good game. They’re a resilient team so hats off to them.” 

Frontier finished with 23 shots on goal and a 14-0 corner advantage. Kyra Richards was called on to make just two saves in the victory. 

With a tough opponent ahead in the quarterfinals, Mahar is hoping to keep the momentum going into the next round. 

“The plan is to keep this rolling,” Mahar said. “We’ll enjoy this victory then prep for the next team we have to play.”