TURNERS FALLS — History was made at Franklin County Technical School under the lights on Monday night. The Franklin Tech girls soccer team defeated Dearborn STEM Academy, 3-0, in the Division 5 state tournament preliminary round to secure its first ever statewide playoff victory.
“It’s a big deal for us,” Franklin Tech coach Jason Butynski said. “We are little Franklin Tech. We know what we are. But what I think what we are is a team that has really worked hard all season. The girls, they listen. We are capable of playing some pretty good soccer.”
The Eagles advance to play No. 4 Monson on the road.
“Obviously, Monson is Monson,” Butynski said. “If we are going to compete though, you only get so many opportunities to put the ball in the net. Especially with our team.”
Dynamic freshman Faythe Sobieski opened the scoring for the Eagles. Sobieski collected an excellent pass from Mady Lynde and finished on a breakaway early in the game. Sobieski jumped onto the scene this season for Franklin Tech and the chemistry grew throughout the season.
“It was hard because I was new,” Sobieski said. “We were all just getting to know each other. It felt really good because I think we worked really hard to get those types of things and win these types of games.”
The Eagles did not score again until there was 15 minutes, five seconds left in the game. While holding the one-goal lead for most of the game, the Eagles’ defense played relatively mistake free. This led to the Wolverines having an overall lack of quality chances on net against the Eagles.
“Defensively, we did a really good job of doing what we do,” Butynski said. “Which is step up at midfield and try to hold that offensive end.”
Samantha Duncan played a big part on defense for the Eagles. While protecting the lead, one mistake could have changed the entire game for Franklin Tech.
“We have to keep our energy up,” Duncan said. “We have to keep pushing up as a unit on defense. For me, I have to keep myself calm and have faith in our team an know that we can do this together.”
The second half brought several scoring chances for the Eagles. Eventually, the Eagles pushed through and gained some insurance goals. A corner from Sobieski found the head of senior Tristan Bliss, who finished the bid, to give Franklin Tech a 2-0 lead. It was Bliss’ first-ever varsity goal and it came in a big spot for Franklin Tech.
Sobieski scored her second goal of the game on a free kick late in the match. A Dearborn player swatted at the ball as it crossed the goal line. In that situation, a goal is allowed for the offense.
Shayly Martin made eight saves in the shutout for Franklin Tech.
Greenfield 4, Renaissance 0 – The Green Wave advanced in the Div. 5 statewide preliminary round with a home win over Renaissance on Monday afternoon.
Greenfield, which holds the No. 25 seed, will travel to No. 8 Rockport on Wednesday. After not facing much resistance against the 40th-seeded Phoenix, the Green Wave will rely on their tough league match ups and practice to get ready for Rockport.
“Our league overall got us ready for the postseason,” Greenfield coach Ben Johnson said. “We took our lumps during the season. But it was in preparation to get ready for the tournament. This is the best time to be playing our best.”
Tayler Bergeron scored two goals and added an assist for the Green Wave (4-12-3). Greenfield had double-digit shots against Renaissance. The eighth-seeded Vikings (4-11-3) will present a considerable challenge for the Green Wave.
“We need to work well together,” Bergeron said. “We need to move the ball up the field and get to the ball first to make sure we have a chance to score. We do the best when we take our time and pass and not rush the shots.”
Zephyr Jetzon also scored twice for the Green Wave.
“I think our team is really good at chasing down through balls,” Jetzon said. “We definitely need to rotate and subbing more so we have bursts of energy. More passing and connecting up top.”
Sarah McCloud set up Greenfield’s first goal with a pass to Bergeron who scored with 34 minutes, nine seconds left in the first half. Jetzon scored later on an assist from Bergeron in the 11th minute.
Elderina Cecunjanin assisted on Begeron’s second goal with 11:38 left in the first half. Greenfield’s final goal in the second half came on a precision pass from Natalia Cody. The sophomore connected with Jetzon who dribbled and fired for her second goal.
Lexi Berry made two saves to record the shutout for Greenfield.
Mahar 2, Prospect Hill Academy Charter School 0 – The Senators advanced at the Woodward Complex in the preliminary round of the Div. 5 statewide tournament on Monday.
“I was really pleased with our emotional investment tonight,” Mahar coach Chad Softic said. “It’s really come a long way throughout the season.”
Lexi Ares and Addy Almeida scored for Mahar. Ares found the net just 34 seconds into the game for the Senators with an assist from Lexi Murcell. Ares also had an assist.
Mackenzie Matthews made four saves in the shutout.
Mahar will play top-seeded Granby on the road on Thursday at 2 p.m.
Frontier 8, Lynn Vocational Technical Institute 2 – Maddie Fagan scored four times in the home win for the Red Hawks in the Div. 4 preliminary round. No. 22 Frontier advances to play No. 11 Tahanto Regional. Date and time to be determined.
Addie Morrey had two goals while Skyler Steele and Mara Allium each had a goal. Allium and Abby Cenderowski also added assists. Danica Kapcza chipped in with two assists.
State Volleyball
Lenox 3, Franklin Tech 0 – The No. 13 Eagles lost on the road to the No. 4 Millionaires in the Div. 5 Round of 16 on Monday night.
Jenna Petrowicz had seven digs, two blocks and three kill. Emma Petersen added four kills and six digs. Sarah Beckwith chipped in with six kills and four digs.
