Pioneer Valley Regional School and Franklin County Technical School still have plenty of work to do if they want to qualify for the the postseason. Wednesday’s result actually helped them both.
The Panthers scored midway through the second half, the Eagles answered late and the teams finished in a 1-1 draw during their independent boys’ soccer match Wednesday in Turners Falls.
Both teams were unable to notch a goal until Pioneer’s Mike Menard headed home a cross from Jordan Loughman in the 58th minute.
Franklin Tech was finally able to tally the equalizer in the 73rd minute when Jovanni Ruggiano scored unassisted.
The Panthers carried the balance of play and finished with a 17-9 edge in shots.
Grayson Funk was solid in the Eagles’ goal with 11 saves. The Panthers’ Ryan Underwood was credited with 7 saves.
Both teams return to the pitch Friday afternoon at 4 — Franklin Tech (3-5-3) faces St. Mary’s Parish School of Westfield, while Pioneer (2-5-2) entertains Granby High School.
Frontier 2, Smith Academy 0 — Frontier Regional School needed just over a half to break through Smith Academy’s smothering, packed-in defense and eventually walk away with a 2-0 independent boys’ soccer victory Wednesday in Hatfield.
The Red Hawks struggled to break through in the first 40 minutes but eventually created some pressure and were awarded a penalty kick in the 45th minute. Zach Hamilton took the kick and calmly booted it past Falcons goalkeeper Jack Hession.
It remained a one-goal game until the 78th minute, when Ethan LaFleur took a pass from Ian Newman and scored the insurance goal.
Frontier held a commanding 22-3 advantage in shots. Peter Bronke was called on to make 1 save for the shutout. Hession finished with a dozen stops.
Frontier (5-2-2) heads to Southwick-Tolland Regional High School Friday at 4 p.m.
Hopkins 1, Athol 0 — A first-half goal proved to be enough for Hopkins Academy as it outlasted Athol High School, 1-0, in a Schmid Division boys’ soccer match Wednesday in Hadley.
Vance Cannella notched the game’s only tally for the Golden Hawks, assisted by Michael Curran.
Jack Feltovic had one save to record the shutout in net for Hopkins, which outshot the Red Raiders 14-6.
Colby Mason kept Athol in the contest by making 9 saves.
Athol (5-4-2) travels to Palmer High School Friday at 3:30 p.m.
Westfield Tech 1, Greenfield 0 — Anatoliy Suprunchuk made 8 saves to earn the shutout in goal and lead Westfield Technical Academy over Greenfield High School, 1-0, in an independent boys’ soccer match Wednesday in Westfield.
Bradley Nelson struck for the Tigers’ only goal in the 46th minute when he received a cross from David Tikhonchuk and fired a shot into the far corner.
Green Wave goalkeeper Hunter Campbell played well in goal, making 18 saves.
Greenfield (2-7-1) hosts Renaissance School Friday at 4 p.m.
Comp 4, Mahar 0 — Ross Alvaro scored twice to lead Chicopee Comprehensive High School to a 4-0 win over Mahar Regional School in an independent boys’ soccer match Wednesday night in Chicopee.
Bryan Atimbo added a goal and two assists for the Colts, who led 3-0 at intermission. Ryan Santos also scored.
Bryce Cleveland recorded 14 saves in goal for the Senators, who were outshot 18-1.
Mahar (4-5-0) hosts Smith Academy Friday at 4 p.m.
Mahar 1, Hopkins 0 — Mahar continued its stellar play Wednesday, getting a second-half goal from Kenzie Tenney to knock off Hopkins Academy, 1-0, in independent girls’ soccer action Wednesday at the Woodward Complex in Orange.
Tenney — who eclipsed the 100-point mark for her career Tuesday — got right back on the score sheet Wednesday when she converted a pass from Ella Fontaine with 21 minutes left in regulation.
The Golden Hawks (8-2-0) managed to register 16 shots, but Senators goalkeepers Marie Nottleson (5 saves) and Tori Tenney (2 saves in the final 2o minutes of the first half) were able to record the shared shutout
Mahar finished with 35 shots. Hopkins keeper Miranda Pitta made 19 saves.
“It was a quality and much-needed win against a tournament team,” said Senators head coach Chad Softic. “Kenzie continues to come up big for us.”
Mahar (6-2-1) travels to Smith Academy Friday at 3:30 p.m.