NORTHFIELD — A visit from the Drury Blue Devils led to the Pioneer Valley Regional girls soccer team’s first loss of the season on Wednesday afternoon.
The Blue Devils held off the Panthers, 2-1, in the independent matchup. Drury scored in the 13th minute and took a 1-0 lead into halftime. Lily Mirante scored on a breakaway to give Drury the lead.
Into the second half, the Panthers (6-1-2) tied the game on a beautiful goal by Deveney Pillsbury. With a defender closing just inside the left side of the penalty area, Pillsbury lifted a shot that found the right corner just under the crossbar.
Drury took the lead on another breakaway, with Ella Bond finding the net for the Blue Devils with 12 minutes, 34 seconds left in the game. Pioneer had some chances late but couldn’t quite find the net. Pioneer forward Maddie Keefe has 99 points for her career.
“When I play I typically don’t try to think for myself,” Keefe said. “I don’t like being selfish when there could be an opportunity for someone younger than me.”
Keefe models her attacking style after Hailey Ring, who graduated from Pioneer in 2024. Ring finished her senior season with 22 goals. The Warwick native moved on to play soccer at Framingham State.
“I always try to follow what she taught me,” Keefe said of Ring. “She put everyone before herself. That’s what I want to continue doing. It’s helped me get better. Giving other people chances and opportunities has opened up more chances for myself.”
Maggie Tsipenyuk made 12 saves in net for the Panthers. Pioneer hosts McCann Tech on Saturday at 11 a.m. as part of Homecoming Weekend festivities.
SICS 6, Athol 0 — Ava Adams made 13 saves for the Bears in a loss to the Bulldogs in Springfield.
Golf
Franklin Tech 155, Hopkins Academy 204 — The Eagles won their 12th straight match at Thomas Memorial. Brady Wood carded a 35 for the Eagles. Jack Day, Grady Deery and Braeden Talbot all finished with a 40 for Franklin Tech.
Frontier 175, Southwick 185 — The Redhawks downed the Rams at Edgewood Golf Course. Christian Powell shot the low round for Frontier with a 42. Jamie McCarthy and Addy Wood both finished with a 44.
Turners Falls 203, Athol 226 — Liam Kerivan shot a 49 for the Thunder in the win over the Bears at Ellinwood Country Club. Tyler Kaczmarczyk won medalist honors, shooting a 46 for the Bears.
Smith Vocational 160, Pioneer 177 — The Vikings held off the Panthers at Wycoff Country Club in Holyoke. Weston Jones shot a 40 for Pioneer, while Parker Gerry finished with a 40.
Westfield Tech 175, Mohawk 203 — Conner Bergeron shot a 42 for the Warriors in a loss to the Tigers at Shaker Farms Country Club in Westfield.
Volleyball
Hampden Charter 3, Mahar 2 — The Wolves staged a massive comeback in the win over the Senators at Grzesik-Bixby Gymnasium. Set scores were 19-25, 13-25, 25-17, 25-18 and 15-6. Mckenzie Scribner had 18 assists for Mahar. Serenity Packard led the hitting effort with five kills. Leading the defense was Scarleth Aranda Lebron with eight digs.
Frontier 3, Baystate Academy 0 — Aimee Talbott had 12 kills in the Redhawks’ sweep of Baystate Academy at Goodnow Gymnasium. Set scores were 25-17, 25-19 and 25-23. Kaelyn Johnston and Avah Spearance had 11 digs each. Karinna Kostov led the offense with 12 assists.
