Barnes’ goal gives QND life, but late surge isn’t enough in one-goal loss at home to Springfield

QUINCY — Ellison Barnes practiced what Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer coach Mark Thomas has preached, and it gave the Raiders a chance against Springfield on Monday at Advance Physical Therapy Field.

With the Raiders trailing the Senators 2-0 and five minutes left in the second half, Barnes, a junior forward and midfielder, made a run down the middle of the field toward the Senators goal just before Makayla Patton made a long, aerial pass.

“We talk a lot about making the run before the ball is played, and I just locked in on that,” Barnes said.

Barnes’ attention to detail paid off. Senators defender Lucy Ambrose attempted to clear the ball, but she partially fanned on it, opening the door for Barnes making her run. Barnes settled the ball and slotted it past goalkeeper Lydia Auble to get the Raiders within a goal with her second tally of the season. 

“I just took the opportunity, went with it, kept going, and I scored,” Barnes said.

The Senators hung on for a 2-1 victory, but Thomas commended Barnes for getting the Raiders within striking distance by doing precisely what he has asked of his players all season long.

“Make the run before the ball is played,” Thomas said. “It was good to see her put herself in a good spot and finish that. It was a good goal to give us a chance at the end there.”

The Raiders did not generate another scoring chance, but Thomas was pleased with the Raiders’ effort against a Springfield team that has lost once and scored 100 goals in 19 games this season.

“They have a ton of firepower, and we knew that,” Thomas said. “I thought if we could keep them at one, we’d get our chances to score, and we did. Overall, it was a good game. You’re never happy to lose, but I was happy with how hard we played and a lot of things we did tonight.”

One of those things was containing the likes of junior forward Kamryn Hoffman, who has 36 goals, has scored multiple goals 11 times and has just one game without a goal this season. Hoffman netted the Senators’ first goal in the 27th minute, but senior Sage Stratton, who moved to the back line from her usual midfield spot, and others kept Hoffman in check the rest of the game.

“She’s probably one of the best, if not the best, players we’ll see,” Thomas said of Hoffman. “Sage had her most of the time. (Stratton) is strong and physical, and she’s a really smart player. She’s played in the back before, mainly with Quincy United when she was younger. Her and (center back) Sierra (Thomas) have a pretty good relationship there.”

Bridget Lyons scored the Senators’ second goal when she made a run up the right wing, received a pass from Hoffman and tucked it home past goalkeeper Tessa Porter on the short side.

“You give (Hoffman) and those forwards half a chance, they bury them, and that’s what they did,” Mark Thomas said.

QND (9-6-1) will recognize its seniors during a home game against Jacksonville on Wednesday before a rematch with Quincy High School on Friday.