Kaylee Gibson pumped in two goals and host Pioneer Valley Regional School shook off an early conceded goal to capture a pivotal 4-3 win over McCann Technical School in a Pioneer South girls’ soccer game Thursday in Northfield.
McCann (1-5, 1-5) jumped out to a 1-0 lead just six minutes into the game when Michaela Huberdeau tallied for the Hornets.
Pioneer (3-1-1, 3-1-1) responded in the 18th minute with an unassisted goal from Avery Kelton, and Emily Raymond and Gibson also tallied before intermission to swing the game and give the Panthers a 3-1 halftime advantage. Aiden Gries and Raymond notched assists in the first half.
McCann cut the deficit to 3-2 with a goal early in the second half, but Gibson scored her second of the contest 10 minutes later, with an assist from Raymond, to make it 4-2. McCann scored four minutes later to make it 4-3, but the Panthers held on from there to capture the much-needed victory.
“We worked for the win but overall our intensity was inconsistent,” admitted Pioneer coach Nikki Pullen. “We’ve been starting off slow and becoming complacent after goals. I was proud of our performance but frustrated that we didn’t capitalize on the many opportunities that we had.”
Pioneer, which held a 25-7 edge in shots, hosts Smith Academy Monday night at 6.
Smith Voke 2, Mohawk 0 — Ella Sherman scored just three minutes into the game, and visiting Smith Vocational & Agricultural High School took care of business from there en route to a 2-0 victory over Mohawk Trail Regional High School in a Pioneer South girls’ soccer game Thursday in Buckland.
Mohawk (2-2-1, 2-2-1) played better in the second half despite allowing a goal to Marissa Mayhew, but the early deficit was too much to overcome.
“When you play good teams, you really have to start the right way,” began Mohawk coach Steven Tomi. “We had a defensive miscommunication there and (Smith Voke) capitalized. We had a better second half but couldn’t finish around the goal to get back into it.”
Mohawk held an 18-11 edge in shots against first-place Smith Voke (4-1, 4-0), which received 17 saves from Sydney Cyr to earn the shutout. Warriors goalkeeper Lilly Seaver turned back seven shots in net.
The slate doesn’t get any easier for Mohawk, which hosts Ware High School Monday in another key Pioneer South game.
Frontier 2, Hopkins 1 — Natalie Denkiewicz scored on a through ball from Angela Self early in the second half and Frontier Regional School improved to 4-1-1 on the season with a 2-1 victory over Hopkins Academy in a Pioneer North Division girls’ soccer game Thursday in Hadley.
Hopkins jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute. Juliette Cook took the ball on the wing and crossed it into the box, where Mary Kate Farnham stood unmarked and fired it home. Denkiewicz tied the game in the 12th minute on a penalty shot. The shot was stopped by Hopkins goalie Miranda Pitta (nine saves), but Denkiewicz jumped on the rebound and buried it.
The score remained tied through halftime and Denkiewicz tallied the game-winner five minutes into the second half by taking a through-ball from Self and breaking in on net, beating Pitta for the eventual game-winner.
“We are clicking well. We definitely have been moving the ball around well,” Frontier coach Phil Pittelli said. “Our rotations have been better. They haven’t panicked when they’ve gotten behind. They’ve showed great resiliency.”
Lexa Boyden made 14 saves to pick up the victory.
Mahar 0, Easthampton 0 — Lili Pioli made 16 saves to help Easthampton High School play Mahar Regional School to a 0-0 draw in a Pioneer North game Thursday in Easthampton.
Mahar dominated the game, outshooting the Eagles, 24-2, but the Senators’ inability to score bit them for the second consecutive game, and the team had to settle for another scoreless tie despite a big edge in play.
“Today was the same game as Hopkins,” Mahar coach Chad Softic said. “We controlled play but couldn’t score. We continue to panic in our offensive end and the decision-making just isn’t there yet. We’ll continue to work at it.”
Marie Nottleson made two saves in the Athol net.
Duggan 2, FC Tech 1 — After starting the season 2-1 overall, Franklin County Technical School entered Thursday’s game against Duggan Academy in Springfield on a three-game losing streak. Oddly, each of the three losses were by identical 2-1 scores.
Make that four straight.
Rhylee Kelly scored a pair of second-half goals and Duggan Academy came back from a 1-0 halftime deficit to hand the Eagles their fourth straight 2-1 loss.
Franklin Tech coach Dan Prasol said that what has made the losing streak even worse is that in three of the games his team has scored first.
“I think it’s fair to say that everyone on the team is frustrated with our performance,” Prasol said. “We’ve really got to figure out our identity and our team goals moving forward if we still want to make the tournament.”
The Eagles scored late in the first half to take the 1-0 lead into the break as Abi Corey got on the board on an assist from Olivia Whittier.
Duggan came back in the second half. Kelly tied the game 13 minutes into the second half with an unassisted goal and two minutes later she struck again, this time on an assist from Alexandra Carliell.
Mackenna Kelly made six saves to earn the win, while Tabi Hamilton stopped six shots in the loss.
Athol 8, Narragansett 0 — Junior Angel Rivera scored three goals and assisted on another as Athol High School dominated Narragansett Regional High School for an 8-0 independent boys’ soccer victory Thursday in Baldwinville.
Athol (3-2) led 5-0 at halftime en route to the dominant win. Bryce King had a goal and two assists, while Hayden Herk also scored and assisted on a goal. Noah Aukstikalnis and Connor Mahony also tallied, while Narragansett was charged with an own goal.
Goalkeeper Jordan Carrasquillo made three saves to pick up the shutout.
Athol outshot Narragansett, 25-6.
The Raiders travel to Granby High School for a Schmid Division game today.
Pioneer 4, Greenfield 0 — Three first-half goals staked host Pioneer Valley Regional School to a 3-0 halftime lead, and the Panthers tacked on one more after intermission to pick up a 4-0 shutout of Greenfield High School in a McGrath Division boys’ soccer game Thursday night in Northfield.
Jack Loud scored two goals for Pioneer (4-1-1, 2-1-1), and he got the scoring started with an unassisted strike in the 12th minute.
Dana McRae and Eli Koester scored first-half goals, and the duo assisted on each others’ tallies to make it a 3-0 game at the break. McRae finished with two assists in a strong outing.
Brendan D’Augustino recorded four saves in the net for Greenfield (0-5-1, 0-3-1), which was outshot by a 21-4 margin.
Ryan Underwood and Zach Piescik combined for two saves in the Pioneer net to earn the shutout.