The weather was hot and muggy. The cleats and shin pads came out for the first time in a while. The beginning of the soccer season was imminent. Even way back during this time, the Turners Falls boys soccer team had a special feeling about the upcoming season.
A core group of 13 seniors knew they were brewing something that could be conducive to something historic. An eclectic mix of backgrounds and skill sets forged a team built for any challenge in its path.
“There was a lot of optimism,” Turners Falls coach Matt Kolodziej said. “This year they really wanted to win western Massachusetts. They wanted to do that. That was their goal. Be the first team in that school to be able to have a banner. Those boys wanted to be the ones to do that and get the program there.”
The goals for the postseason were in stone. But the team had to accomplish things in smaller increments. The Thunder did just that, in impressive fashion, finishing the regular season undefeated. After a 4-0 win over Athol on Oct. 10, the Thunder clinched a Tri-County North league championship.
“When the postseason kicked in,” Matt Kolodziej said. “There was a sense of urgency. We relaxed into let’s finish the job. Three more games to go.”
The Thunder then began play in the Western Mass. Class D tournament. Turners Falls dispatched Smith Academy in the quarterfinals, 3-1. The second step was Gateway Regional. Turners Falls beat the Gators, 2-0. Then, it was on to the championship match against Monson at Berkshire Community College. The Thunder built a 3-0 into the later stages of the second half. The Mustangs then scored three goals in the final minutes to send the game to overtime. Two overtimes did not decide the outcome, sending the game to penalty kicks.
“A lot of nerves against Monson,” Matt Kolodziej said. “We knew they would be tough. But I felt the confidence of those boys and their ability.”
After a huge save from Jackson Cogswell and a clutch penalty kick from Kainen Stevens, the Thunder accomplished their goal. A sectional title for the first time in program history. A banner that would go up and never come down. The Turners Falls boys soccer program returned in 2023 after a 10-year hiatus.
“We talked about looking up at the banners in the gym,” Noah Kolodziej said. “We talked about the last time it was someone besides softball or volleyball. We fought very hard to get this program back. So it felt like we repaid the faith of our athletic directors and the people in charge. If you give us a program we will give you something back. It felt like this was us saying thanks.”
The Turners Falls soccer team consists of multiple nationalities and backgrounds. The team came together in a unique way for a common goal. John Ramirez-Martin’s parents are from Mexico and Guatemala.
“It was meaningful for the school and for us,” Ramirez-Martin said. “We put in the work during the summer. Every year we try to put in as much work as we can. Especially me, I try to hold captain practices as much as I can. Even when I am working or not. A lot of schools don’t recognize the diversity they have in their schools. I think it’s very important and very different from any other school.”
Sergey Alexeyenko comes from Kazakhstan.
“I was so happy when I heard that nobody had done that before,” Alexeyenko said of the sectional championship. “It’s so great that we have people from other countries. They bring something from their countries. It’s so cool. We play like a family. We still play like a team.”
Then came the state tournament. A big, skilled team from Hull came to Turners Falls High School. The Pirates dominated play for the first half, but then everything changed. A late goal from Yolvin Ovalle-Mejia sent the Thunder into the Round of 16. On Nov. 8, the season came to an end against the fifth-seed Rockport. The Thunder fell, 2-1. Emotions were high after the loss.
“I wasn’t expecting a loss to that team,” Ovalle-Mejia said. “I know we could have beat them. Especially with the group that we had. But overall I was pretty sad that was the last game with those guys. That the season was over. There were no more games after that game.”
Another big part of the season is the unrelenting support of the fans surrounding the team. For such a small school, the home games had the noise levels of a game at a much bigger school. The support never wavered. Whether it was parents, teachers or members of the community the stands were always packed.
“It was amazing,” Ovalle-Mejia said. “I honestly enjoyed and really loved and appreciated every single one of the fans that came out. Especially during the cold weather. That was pretty amazing to have. A bunch of students came out, alumni. Family members, even friends. It was just amazing to have. Screaming and chanting us on for victories game to game.”
One of the loudest moments came when Ovalle-Meija scored the go-ahead goal against Hull and he removed his shirt in celebration. The moment where he picked up the shirt and showed it to the fan section brought about a thunderous cheer.
While the 13 seniors were advantageous to this year’s team, it leaves the future of Turners Falls soccer in somewhat of a difficult position going into next season. The Thunder have four returning players on their current rosters. Current middle-schoolers have expressed an interest in attending Franklin Tech.
“We will have to find out in the springtime,” Matt Kolodziej said. “We have to find out how many people are interested. Unless I get 12 or 15 different families that all love soccer move and go to Turners Falls it might be difficult. We are going to wait and see come spring, and make a final analysis.”
Matt Kolodziej had a special message for people who followed the team this year.
“The one thing I would love to say thank you for is just the parents, the support from the community, the teachers,” Matt Kolodziej said. “Everybody that has come out to support the kids. It’s a very humbling thing when you go through this process.”
