HADLEY — The Pioneer Valley Regional boys soccer team lost to Hopkins Academy, 2-1, in a Tri-County North matchup on Tuesday afternoon. The Golden Hawks scored two minutes into the game to take the lead.
The Panthers fought and clawed to get back into it and eventually did with a second-half goal by Josh Mauthe. After Hopkins Academy took the lead again, the Panthers had a free kick just outside the 18-yard box and a corner kick in the final seconds but couldn’t find the net. On several occasions, the Golden Hawks launched the ball out of bounds to let the clock run out.
Wyatt Soriano (left) and Mauricio Hanono of Pioneer battle for possession, Tuesday in Hadley. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Tyler Welenc of Pioneer (right) and Matthew Mushensiki of Hopkins Academy battle for possession, Tuesday in Hadley. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Josh Mauthe (left) of Pioneer battles for possession with Brody Palmisano of Hopkins Academy, Tuesday in Hadley. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Brody Welcome of Pioneer looks for a teammate against Hopkins Academy, Tuesday in Hadley. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo
The Panthers used full-on sprints to retrieve the ball to secure more chances to score. The free kick by Hayden Girard deflected to the right of the net. The corner resulted in two shot attempts, but the Golden Hawks blocked them and found a clearance before the final whistle sounded.
“These guys have a lot of heart,” Pioneer coach Michael Italia said. “They put everything into it. They are working very hard to improve each game. They never give up. If we can continue at that pace, we are going to win some games.”
With 12 players on the varsity roster, the Panthers work with only one substitute throughout games. The low number is not something the team discusses. The Panthers have what they have, and they roll the ball out and play.
“We do a lot of conditioning throughout the week,” Italia said. “We had preseason. I hate to say that we only have one sub. I hate to use that as an excuse. We know that’s what we have and we have to work with that and keep playing hard. They get tired but they have to get their second wind at various times throughout the game. Especially at the end of each half…we are letting that go and playing.”
Elliot Potter scored for Hopkins Academy early in the first half. Drew Crutch assisted on the play. The Panthers tied the game on Mauthe’s goal, with an assist coming from Anthony Ellis. Later in the second half, Mutee Hafiz sent a corner kick to Owen Cain who finished to give the Golden Hawks a 2-1 lead.
Aaron Meuse kept Pioneer close in the second half with three huge saves. One stop had Meuse going fully horizontal to deflect a shot right on net. Meuse finished with eight saves overall.
Matt Feltovic made three saves for the Golden Hawks.
Granby 4, Mahar 0 — The Rams shut out the Senators in a Schmid matchup at the Woodward Complex. Clayde Thompson made six saves for Mahar.
Golf
Hampshire 167, Frontier 180 — Brayden Fennessy shot a 35 for the Raiders in a Suburban league win over the Redhawks at Blandford Country Club. Jamie McCarthy finished with a 44 for Frontier.
Franklin Tech 156, Mohawk 208 — Braeden Talbot shot the low round for the Eagles in the win over the Warriors at the Country Club of Greenfield. Talbot finished with a 34 for the Eagles (10-0). Jack Day and Grady Deery both shot a 40 for Franklin Tech. Chayton Massa carded a 45 for the Warriors.
Westfield Tech 172, Pioneer 180 — The Tigers outlasted the Panthers at Northfield Golf Course. Weston Jones shot a 40 for the Panthers. His round included a chip-in birdie on the seventh hole. Chris Pederson shot an eagle on the second hole for the Tigers. Carter Gerry finished with a 45.
Girls soccer
Hampshire 3, Frontier 1 — Skyler Steele scored, but the Redhawks lost to the Raiders at Dorunda Field in Westhampton. Jazzy Hayes made 14 saves for Frontier. Morgan Lawler had two goals and an assist for the Raiders.
Field hockey
Frontier 8, Auburn 0 — The Redhawks paid a visit to Worcester County and came home with an easy victory. Bella Orrell scored a career-high four goals for Frontier. Haly Doucette-Kaplan, Brynna Fahey (assist), Elsa Brown (three assists) and Addie Harrington (assist) also scored for the undefeated Redhawks (5-0). Ivy Cloninger and Harper Modestow added assists. Brooke Charest (four saves) and Simone Toschik (one save) combined on the shutout.
Boys cross country
Mahar 15, Franklin Tech 50; Mahar 15, Pioneer 50 — Isiah Whitmore (18:21) topped the field for Mahar in a pair of wins over the Panthers and the Eagles. Leo McDonald placed second (19:47) for Franklin Tech. Emmett Henderson was third (20:00) for the Panthers. Harper Hake ran in the boys field, finishing fourth (20:59) for Pioneer.
Volleyball
Hampden Charter 3, Turners Falls 0 — The Thunder took a loss in Chicopee in straight sets. Scores were 25-21, 25-20 and 25-23. Abby Moffatt had seven digs. Maddie Haight led the offense with five assists. Jahkia Williams and Gianna Marigliano had five kills each.
Late Monday results
Boys soccer
Frontier 1, Brattleboro Union 1 — The Redhawks had to settle for a tie with the visitors from Vermont in an independent contest in South Deerfield. Henry Pleasant scored on a penalty kick in the 20th minute for Frontier. Mason Weis made two saves in net.
Girls soccer
Athol 7, Smith Academy 0 — The Bears cruised past the Falcons in a Bi-County match up at O’Brien Field.
