NORTHAMPTON — Smith Vocational goalkeeper Maggie Lauder was expected to reach a major milestone on Monday, entering the Vikings’ MIAA Div. 5 preliminary round contest against Franklin Tech sitting at 399 career saves. 

Thanks to the play of the Vikings defense, the senior did not eclipse the 400 save mark. 

Smith Vocational did not surrender a shot on goal throughout the 80-minute contest. The 28th-seeded Vikings smashed in a goal with just five minutes to play, leading to a spot in the Round of 32 thanks to a 1-0 victory at Florence Fields. 

Lauder will have a chance to hit the 400-save mark on Tuesday when Smith Vocational (16-2) takes on No. 5 Maynard in the Round of 32. That contest is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. 

“It’s awesome to be so close,” Lauder said. “It’s quite interesting. It would mean everything to show that goalies everywhere can do exactly what I’m doing. I hope it gets people to play the position more because it’s a dying position.

 “It’s really nice winning a state tournament game, especially where it’s my senior year,” Lauder added. 

Vikings coach Alicia Carter said Lauder has had an incredible final season in goal, playing her best in the Western Mass. Class C semifinal against Mount Greylock as well as against Norfolk Agricultural in the State Vocational Tournament last week. 

“She’s a senior this year and those are going to be some really big shoes to fill,” Lauder said. “She’s kept us in some big games. Last game she had some incredible saves and her game against Mount Greylock is really when she shined the most.”

Smith Vocational dominated possession on Monday, keeping the ball in the 37th-seeded Eagles’ half throughout the contest. Franklin Tech goalie Kylee Gamache was on top of her game, stopping 20 shots.

The lone that got past her was a great play by the Vikings. 

With five minutes to play, Monique Fredette stole the ball on the Eagles side of the field, dribbled down the right sideline and crossed it into the box. 

The ball took a funky bounce in front of the Tech goal, going onto the foot of Kate Wolcott, and the freshman smashed it home for the eventual game-winning goal. 

“They just needed to settle in,” Carter said. “We were playing a kick and run game and that’s not our game. Once we were able to find each others’ feet and possess, that’s the way we get our goals. Once they settled in, we were fine. They just had to take that deep breath and settle down.” 

As a goalie sitting back, Lauder is able to take in the game and see what needs to be improved on. That was especially true on Monday, and she said being better in possession will be necessary going into Tuesday’s clash with the Tigers. 

“I get to see it all happen in front of me,” Lauder said. “At halftime or at the end of the game I can tell my teammates what I saw and where I think we can improve. At this point I’d say we need better touches and better passing to people, not to the other team.” 

Winning a state tournament game is another step forward for the Smith Vocational program, and Lauder said players were much more knowledgeable heading into the season than in years past. 

“A lot of players know how to play this year,” Lauder said. “In past years we’ve had to teach people how to play. This year every single one of them knows how to play and has the skills to help our team.” 

After a relaxing day in goal, Lauder said she is preparing for much more action on Tuesday. 

“I’m expecting more shots,” Lauder said. “They’ll be coming from everywhere.”