With a veteran returning team, all signs point to Pioneer Valley Regional School taking a big step forward this fall.
The Panthers got off to a nice start Tuesday, scoring nine goals in the first half and cruising to a 14-0 win over Duggan Academy in independent boys’ soccer action in Northfield.
Jordan Loughman and Dana McRae notched hat tricks in the victory for the Panthers (1-0), with Loughman’s third goal coming on a nice header. McRae added two assists in a big offensive outing.
Michael Menard scored twice and assisted on another for Pioneer, which also received single goals from Jack Loud, Jacob Quinn, Felix Pruitt-Dahl, Joel Emberley, Brad Norwood and Alex Taylor.
The goalkeeping tandem of Ryan Underwood and Zack Piescik combined to make two saves in earning the shutout.
Pioneer returns to action Friday night when it hosts Mohawk Trail Regional High School in the McGrath Division opener at 6 p.m.
Gateway 3, Athol 0 — Jessica Vanheynigen scored a pair of second half goals as Gateway Regional High School upended Athol High School, 3-0, in a Pioneer North Division girls’ soccer game Tuesday in Athol.
The Gators took a 1-0 lead in the first half when Athol was called for a trip in the penalty box, leading to a penalty kick that Charlotte Kazalski buried with 6 minutes, 33 seconds left in the half.
Gateway put the game away early in the second half. Julianna Dickensen served the ball into the box off a corner kick that was booted home by Vanheynigen three minutes in. Less than 10 minutes later, the duo struck again when Dickensen set up Vanheynigen for her second of the game.
Despite the loss, Athol coach Tim Cleveland remained upbeat after the season opener.
“We need to get up to game speed and figure a few things out, but I thought we had a good 25 to 30 minutes, where we played fairly well and controlled some play,” he explained. “We looked a little tired and got out of position a bit, but it was not a terrible first game. Gateway is a quality team and I’m not completely disappointed.”
Peyton Parker finished with 11 saves in the Athol net. Becca Herman stopped all three shots she faced to record the shutout.
Frontier 5, Pope Francis 2 — Freshman Cambrie Hamilton scored the first two varsity goals of her career and host Frontier Regional School got its season off on the right foot with a solid 5-2 victory over Pope Francis High School in Pioneer North girls’ soccer action Tuesday at Herlihy Park in Whately.
“It’s some good momentum to get us going into the season,” said Frontier coach Phil Pittelli of the opening win. “We kind of wore them down with our passing, got them to chase a little bit and that opened things up.”
Hamilton scored twice and assisted on Natalie Denkiewicz’s strike as well. Denkiewicz assisted on both of Hamilton’s tallies and added a third helper. Pittelli said the duo will be counted on heavily to carry the offense this fall.
“We’re definitely going to be leaning on those two,” Pittelli said of Hamilton and Denkiewicz..
Meghan Self and Makayla Santos also scored in the win for the Hawks (1-0, 1-0), which held a commanding 29-8 advantage in shots. Angela Self assisted on Santos’ goal.
The goalkeeping tandem of Lexa Boyden (5 saves) and Marisela Ackerman (1 save) combined to pace Frontier in the back.
The Hawks have a big one Thursday night, when they travel to play Pioneer North newcomer Mahar Regional School at 7 p.m. in Orange.
Ware 9, Greenfield 0 — Visiting Ware High School scored seven times in the first half en route to a 9-0 victory over Greenfield High School in the teams’ Pioneer South opener Tuesday afternoon.
Caitlyn Hess and Maraide McClure tallied three goals apiece in the win for Ware (1-0, 1-0). Jackie Dugay added a pair of markers.
The Green Wave hits the road to Hatfield Thursday when they visit Smith Academy in Pioneer South action at 4 p.m.