WHATELY — Two first-half goals from Ethan LaFleur were all Frontier Regional School needed to beat Southwick-Tolland Regional High School, 2-0, in an independent boys’ soccer match Tuesday afternoon at Herlihy Park.
LaFleur’s goals were his seventh and eighth of the season and came in the 31st and 39th minutes. Both goals were assisted by Zach Hamilton.
The first goal of the game snuck past Southwick goalie Kyle DeMaio, while the second came on an impressive lefty strike off a sharp pass from Hamilton.
Southwick had a late chance to get itself back into the game on a corner kick but Frontier’s stout defense thwarted that opportunity.
Frontier’s goalie Peter Bronke led the charge with six saves in an excellent defensive effort from the Red Hawks.
Frontier led Southwick 17-11 in shots in a game that didn’t have much action in the second half on an unseasonably hot and humid day, where fatigue was a factor.
“Our thing is defense. We take pride in the defense and Southwick is a really good team. They were undefeated,” said Frontier coach Dale Totman.
Frontier improved to 6-0-2, while Southwick fell to 5-1. Frontier will try to stay undefeated Friday, when it visits Hampshire Regional High School.
“We have a ton of talent. Our mission is a state title,” Totman said of his team’s expectations for the season.
Athol 2, South Hadley 1 — Hayden Herk’s individual effort led to the game-winning goal with five minutes to play, and host Athol High School picked up a key 2-1 victory over South Hadley High School Tuesday night in a Schmid Division boys’ soccer game at O’Brien Field in Athol.
Herk found daylight just inside the 18-yard box and powered a shot past South Hadley goalkeeper Clayton Koppi to break a 1-1 tie.
Athol (5-2, 3-2) took a 1-0 lead early in the second half on a Bryce King unassisted goal.
South Hadley (4-3-1, 1-3-1) tied it 10 minutes later when Ryan Gage headed home a cross from John Samlall.
“It was probably our best game of the year, possession-wise,” Athol coach Dave King offered. “We put a bunch of pressure on them.”
The midfield of King and Justin Blake played well, as Athol held a 10-3 edge in shots.
The Red Raiders host Renaissance School Thursday at 6.
Pioneer 2, Sci-Tech 0 — Jordan Loughman and Eli Koester scored first-half goals, and visiting Pioneer Valley Regional School blanked Springfield School 0f Science & Technology, 2-0, in a McGrath Division boys’ soccer game Tuesday in Springfield.
Loughman got the scoring started in the 18th minute, when he put Pioneer (5-1-1, 3-1-1) up 1-0 with an assist from Jacob Quinn.
Koester made it 2-0 just 10 minutes later, with Loughman earning the assist to make it a 2-0 game.
The Pioneer defense held from there, with goalkeeper Ryan Underwood recording seven saves to pick up the shutout.
Mahar 3, Sabis 3 — Two goals from Matt Jenks and another from Jack Temple was enough for Mahar Regional School to earn a tie on the road Tuesday afternoon.
The Senators led at halftime but ultimately settled for a 3-3 draw against Sabis International Charter School in a McGrath Division boys’ soccer contest.
Mahar (5-1-1, 5-0-1) received assists from Jamie Temple, Jenks and Alex Gurganus, while Jovan Wallace scored all three goals for Sabis (1-5-2, 1-3-2).
Mahar takes to the road again on Friday, when it travels to play at Pittsfield High School (4 p.m.).
FC Tech 6, Ware 0 — Three players scored two goals each, and Franklin County Technical School blasted Ware High School, 6-0, in an independent boys’ soccer game Tuesday in Turners Falls.
Jared Vielmetti-Perusse, Reuben Galvez and Jovanni Ruggiano all scored twice for the Eagles (4-2-1), while Tony Barilone registered three assists. Tech led 5-0 at halftime.
Grayson Funk and Matt Regnier combined to pick up the shutout, with Regnier turning back four shots in the second half.
Four Rivers 7, Eagle Hill 1 — Evan Leaf scored the first four goals of the game on Tuesday afternoon and Four Rivers Charter School went on to defeat Eagle Hill School, 7-1, in a River Valley Athletic League boys’ soccer game in Greenfield.
Both teams entered the game unbeaten but Four Rivers got out to a big early lead against the defending RVAL champs.
Milou Riggoloud assisted on three of Leaf’s goals, and Leaf then set up Riggoloud for the fifth goal of the game. Avani Rivard and Muiris Lonergan each added goals later in the game.
Josh Gibson made three saves in net. The defense was led by Kiernan Crough.