HOLYOKE — Tears filled Dina Brunetti’s eyes as the Belchertown field hockey team lined up to accept its runner-up plaque following the No. 1 Orioles’ 4-2 loss to No. 2 Southwick in the Western Mass. Class B final on Monday night at Holyoke High School.

The second-year Belchertown coach couldn’t wait for the opportunity to coach in the championship after falling in the semifinals a year ago. And for three quarters the Orioles were the better team, but Southwick buried three goals in the one quarter they weren’t.

Those trio of goals came in the opening frame – including a penalty stroke in the final seconds – and were too much to overcome. Brunetti and Belchertown are going to have to wait another year for their time.

“I just know what I have on this bench, and we fell short. It just hurts,” Brunetti said as she wiped drops from her face. “I’m not crying for me. I’m crying for this team of girls.”

That team of girls certainly didn’t quit despite standing in the massive hole it dug itself early. Junior Edith Audette found space in front of the goal midway through the second quarter, received a pass from Mya Philpott and made a fancy touch around a Southwick defender.

Audette’s move freed herself up and she rifled a shot that danced through traffic and skipped into the cage to bring Belchertown to within two, 3-1 – which ultimately ended up as halftime’s score.

But Southwick’s Kameron Normandie continued to dominate the game. He scored in the third quarter – his third goal of the night – after burying two in the first and Southwick seized momentum back.

Brunetti was well-aware of Normandie’s abilities coming in, and the Orioles had a game plan to try their best to shut him down. But he kept getting free on breakaways, and in the end his speed overwhelmed the Belchertown defense.

“I know they have a point scorer on their team,” Brunetti said. “I know we had to shut him down. I know that he's fast. I know what he was gonna bring. I saw what he did to Franklin Tech [in the semifinals]. I saw what he's done all season. But I've got point scorers. I got a whole team of point scorers. And god, that first quarter just killed us.”

Audette tallied her second of the night late in the fourth quarter (assisted by Lila Roy) on a penalty corner to make it 4-2. Brunetti shifted Audette to the outside, and the Orioles began peppering the Southwick goal and generated several terrific opportunities throughout the entire fourth quarter.

Only one ball got past Southwick goalie Angelica Racette, however, and the consistent pressure was simply too little too late.

“I waited too long to try a different move in the fourth quarter and put Edith out on wing,” Brunetti said. “And the momentum was brought by that. I'm kicking myself now that I didn't pull that in the third quarter.”

When Belchertown practiced at Holyoke High School over the weekend, the Orioles looked sharp, according to Brunetti. So when they came out flat-footed in the first quarter, it came as a shock to her and the players.

Belchertown tried to play slow up the field on Monday, connecting on short passes and taking its time. But that’s not typically the Orioles’ style of play, especially when they’re on turf.

“My team wasn't playing the way I needed them to play, the way we play on turf,” Brunetti said. “They were making short passes. We don't do that. We make these long, great passes. Then it was a fight back the whole time. And I think we were making our moves back. But time ran out.”

Belchertown’s (13-5) bid at a second Western Mass. title in three years fell short, but it graduates only two seniors – Chlose Moss and Natalie Haluch – both of which play defense. So it’s likely the Orioles will have a shot to be right back in this position come next fall.

And, of course, they’re still ready for a crack at the MIAA Division 3 state tournament. Seeds and brackets will be released on Tuesday.

“We still got work to do,” Brunetti said.