WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — When the Hartford High boys soccer team was upset in the first round of the VPA Division II state playoffs last season, coach Connor Brooks said his squad didn’t come out with enough urgency in its 2-1 loss to Milton.

It’s been a point of emphasis early this season for Brooks, who has guided the Hurricanes to four victories and a plus-19 goal differential in their opening four games.

“We need to come out of the gate fast and be ready to play Hartford soccer,” Brooks said. “We’re doing a better job with it.”

Hartford got off to another blistering start Friday against Middlebury in a 4-1 win at Maxfield Sports Complex, courtesy of senior Sebastian Fraser’s thunderous right-footed effort in the first minute of action.

After the Hurricanes’ initial corner kick was booted away, Fraser belted a looping half-volley from nearly 30 yards out over several Tigers defenders, who could only stand idly by as the ball kissed the woodwork and nestled into the back of the net.

With Fraser’s goal, his second of the season, Hartford was off and running only 49 seconds in. It was a harbinger of the Hurricanes’ attacking onslaught.

“It’s especially something that we struggled with last year — we started games really slowly,” said senior midfielder Tighe Hrabchak. “Being able to really pick up right off the bat is good, put teams on their heels and be able to finish the games that we need to.”

Hrabchak bagged a brace in the win, his third such feat this fall, stretching his season goal tally to seven. His first score came just five minutes after Fraser’s effort.

Entering the game, Hrabchak said he knew some of Middlebury’s defenders would get “frazzled” if subjected to heavy on-ball pressure. When he saw the Tigers’ right-back unable to collect a pass off a restart, Hrabchak pounced. He poked the ball free and was through on goal. His subsequent right-footed chip was initially blocked, but the ball rolled into the side netting after Middlebury’s keeper was unable to parry it away.

Facing a 2-0 deficit, the Tigers got on the scoreboard in the 20th minute when forward Joshua Kafumbe capitalized on a deflected ball that split Hartford’s center backs. Brooks said his defense “didn’t react in time” to the loose ball but collectively played a compact and strong game overall.

The Hurricanes’ back line has only conceded four goals on the season, yet it has been unable to produce a clean sheet. It’s a thorn in the side for Brooks and senior captain Cavan O’Brien, who echoed similar sentiments about steady improvement but reiterated the desire to shut opponents out.

“It absolutely bothers me,” Brooks said. “I want to keep a clean sheet every game, and there’s a couple games we definitely should have and we didn’t. We let one slip, but we’re going to keep working on it, and we’ll continue to improve in the back.”

The back line’s steady play coalesced with another stellar attacking effort from Brooks’ bunch.

A goal at the half-hour mark from Hrabchak handed Hartford a 3-1 advantage before the intermission. Senior midfielder Sam Peckinpaugh’s tally in the 50th minute cemented the game’s final scoreline.

Hartford (4-0-0) returns to action Tuesday afternoon, hosting Fair Haven (2-0-1) in a clash between two unbeatens.

“We want to go as far as we can,” Hrabchak said of the Hurricanes’ goals for the season. “We have a lot of kids that are hoping to play in college, so it’s really just about kids giving everything they have and taking advantage of their last year.”

Alex Cervantes can be reached at acervantes@vnews.com or 603-727-7302.