Schools: Palmer boys soccer tops Mahar, 3-2

A challenging independent game was something Mahar Regional School boys soccer coach Dan Guertin welcomed. His team’s 3-2 loss to Palmer Tuesday in Orange was disappointing, though Guertin said there are positives to take away from a tight contest against a good team.

“There were a lot of mistakes we made that we’ve gotten away with so far this year but that wasn’t the case today,” said Guertin, whose team lost for the first time to fall to 5-1 overall. “It’s good to learn from those things. And it’s good to have quality competition and challenge yourself.”

Tied 1-1 at intermission, Palmer (3-1) put the pressure on right away in the second half. Joey Chartier scored five minutes into the frame to make it 2-1, and he added another just 30 seconds later to give the visitors a 3-1 advantage.

Andrew Herk pulled Mahar closer with 15 minutes remaining, however. The defender scored for the second consecutive day, with an assist coming from Julius Chace, to make it 3-2.

“We had a lot of pressure the last 15 minutes of the game and generated a lot of scoring opportunities but those two back-to-back (Palmer) goals hurt,” Guertin admitted.

James Temple tallied on a beautiful volley in the first half for the Senators, which held a 12-10 advantage in shots during the loss. Logan Dodge and Ethan Williams combined for 7 saves in the Mahar net.

The Senators get a few days off before returning to McGrath Division play with a game against Sabis on Monday.

Girls soccer

Hampden Charter 5, FC Tech 1 — Madison Sheehan scored three goals, and host Hampden Charter defeated Franklin Tech in a Tri-County League game at Rivers Park in Chicopee.

Hampden Charter (3-1 overall, 3-1 TCL) led 3-1 at halftime, with Franklin Tech (2-2, 2-2) receiving its goal from Abi Corey.

Mylai LaPalm and Catriona Moreno also scored for the Wolves, which held a 13-4 edge in shots.

Emily Merritt recorded 8 saves in net for the Eagles.

“We were down four starters so I’m proud of the effort the girls put in, especially during the second half,” Franklin Tech coach Dan Prasol said.

Franklin Tech hosts Pathfinder this afternoon in Turners Falls.

Palmer 3, Mahar 2

Goals: (P) Cole, Chartier 2. (M) Temple, Herk.

Assists: (P) Keith. (M) Chace.

Shots: Palmer 10. Mahar 12.

Saves: (P) Smith 10. (M) Dodge 3, Williams 4.

Hampden Charter 5, FC Tech 1

Goals: (FT) Corey. (HC) Sheehan 3, LaPalm, Moreno.

Assists: (HC) LaPalm 2, Sheehan, Quinones 2.

Shots: FC Tech 4. Hampden 13.

Saves: (FT) Merritt 8. (HC) Valcinord 2, Mendez 1.

Greenfield 6, Smith Academy 1

Goals: (G) Hickey 3, Bresciano, Haselton 2. (SA) Hobert.

Assists: (G) Hickey, Joy. (SA) Guimond.

Shots: Greenfield 11. Smith 7.

Saves: (G) Smith 6. (SA) Cavanaugh 5.

Corners: Greenfield 6. Smith 7.