ATHOL — A lot happened in the Bi-County contest between the Athol girls soccer team and Mahar Regional on Monday night. There was pushing, some shoving and multiple bodies hit the pitch due to contact from the other team.
One might say things got feisty on occasion.
Shots bounced off the crossbar and post for the Senators. With all of the activity on both sides of the field, nothing found the net in a 0-0 tie at O’Brien Field between the crosstown rivals.
Mahar controlled play for most of the game, amassing 19 shots. Athol keeper Ava Adams was steady and consistent, making 19 saves. One mistake or misplay could have cost the Bears the game. The mistake never came from Adams.
“It always feels good when I am making saves,” Adams said. “But it’s more fun to play because we know a bunch of players on the other team. Obviously, it’s a rivalry game and it gets really intense sometimes. It’s fun.”
The Athol soccer team greets keeper Ava Adams after their game against Mahar, Monday in Athol. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Vera Cruz (right) of Athol fights for position with Isla Burnham of Mahar, Monday in Athol. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Hannah Cardoso of Athol settles the ball against Mahar, Monday in Athol. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Annelise DeVries of Athol brings the ball up against Mahar, Monday in Athol. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Lexi Ares of Mahar Regional moves past the defense of Isabella Tarara of Athol, Monday in Athol. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Lilian Bajnoci of Mahar Regional lets go of a shot next to Alauna Choquette of Athol, Monday in Athol. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo
The Bears played without Maddisyn David, however the Bears had multiple players step up to help get the draw. Athol had limited chances during the game. In the second half, there set pieces that had excellent placement near the Mahar net. The ball just never found an Athol forward for a finish. Annelise DeVries almost got loose a couple times, but the Mahar defense did well in thwarting the chances.
“I’m thrilled to be honest with you,” Athol coach Tim Cleveland said. “Being down a pretty key player and a couple others. To come out against a tough team, it was a very physical game obviously which I don’t mind. We can match shoulder with shoulder. I am happy, a league tie without a player.”
The Mahar forwards had multiple opportunities to score. In the first 12 minutes of the game there were two golden opportunities. Lilian Bajnoci got close to the net and let go of a shot that hit the post. Lexi Ares later launched a shot from distance that hit the crossbar. Ares had another chance late in the first half, but a shot went wide.
“I think it was Tom Watson who said, ‘the more times you fail, you keep putting yourself in a position to eventually learn how to finish’, Mahar coach Chad Softic said. “We had the same issue last year. I think we are pressing a little.”
Adams’ play was a big part of Mahar’s lack of offense.
“You are facing a terrific goaltender,” Softic said. “You are not going to get any cheapies. You have to earn them. We hit a couple crossbars and Ava (Adams) made some great saves. But that’s who she is. She’s a heck of a goalie.”
Mackenzie Matthews made 10 saves for the Senators.
Holyoke 8, Greenfield 2 — The Purple Knights took down the Green Wave in a Pioneer North match up in Greenfield. Tayler Bergeron scored twice, with assists coming from Zephyr Jetzon. Valerie Bzomowski made 21 saves in net.
Franklin Tech 5, Smith Academy 0 — The Eagles cruised past the Falcons in a Bi-County match up in Hatfield. Lillianna Miller and Carly Walsh both scored the first goals of their varsity career. Miller added an assist. Faythe Sobieski scored twice for the Eagles. Melyn Ramirez-Martin added an assist. Sheyenne Ballentine made three saves in net to pick up the shutout. Kaelyn Mclean also scored for Franklin Tech.
Pioneer 3, St. Mary’s 1 — The Panthers scored three times in the second half to get the Bi-County win against the Saints. Brooke Welcome fed Maddie Keefe for Pioneer’s first goal. Dželila Cecunjanin scored unassisted on a breakaway for Pioneer’s second tally. Cecunjanin fought her way through multiple St. Mary’s defenders and finished her own rebound.
Jaelyn Boliski assisted on Keefe’s second goal of the game. Welcome and Maggie Tsipenyuk combined for eight saves in net.
Boys soccer
Frontier 2, Westfield 1 — A penalty kick by Xavier Fripp in the 58th minute gave the Redhawks a Holley win over the Bombers in South Deerfield. Grayson Bishop also scored, with an assist coming from Sebastien Migeon. Mason Weis made six saves for Frontier.
Golf
Chicopee Comp 162, Frontier 180 — Frontier fell at the hands of the Colts in a Suburban match up at Chicopee Country Club. Addy Wood, Christian Powell, Jamie McCarthy and Jacob Tomlinson all shot a 45 for the Redhawks.
Franklin Tech 148, Pioneer 194 — Braeden Talbot shot a 34 to lead the Eagles to a win over the Panthers at Northfield Golf Course. Weston Jones had the low round for the Panthers with a 48.
Volleyball
Franklin Tech 3, Ludlow 2 — The Eagles held off the Lions in an independent matchup in Turners Falls. Set scores were 25-21, 18-25, 25-20, 20-25 and 15-6. Lily Baldwin had 24 assists, while Sarah Beckwith led the defense with 22 digs. Beckwith added seven kills to help the offense. Madison Pettengill had 14 kills, four aces, six digs and three blocks.
