H.S. Roundup: Mahar field hockey’s offense comes alive in win over Turners Falls

ORANGE — An offensive explosion for the Mahar Regional field hockey team led to a 7-3 win over Turners Falls at the warm and sunny Woodward Complex on Thursday afternoon.

The offensive output was a season-high for the Senators (2-8). The win also avenged a narrow loss to the Thunder earlier in the season. For Mahar, it’s all about executing properly.

“In general I hope they remember where they are supposed to be in our offense,” Mahar coach Colleen Bannister said. “I also hope they remember how good it feels to actually score rather than hitting the goalie’s pads. It’s all about spacing… if they can do what they practice we can keep it going.”

The Thunder (2-7-1) actually scored first when Niki Nelson set up Daisha Ovalle Perez just one minute after the opening whistle. The Senators’ offense took over from there, scoring six straight goals. Adeena Maselli had three goals for Mahar. In the first contest between the two teams, there was one goal scored in 60 minutes.

“I think our spacing was a lot better,” Maselli said. “We were spread out a lot more and we were communicating.”

Going into the game, Mahar was on the wrong side of several lopsided games. Opponents had outscored Mahar 37-7 until Thursday.

“It makes everyone more proud of themselves,” Maselli said. “A lot of people get in their own head when we are losing. I think that’s a really big problem that we have. Once we look at the score we doubt ourselves…If we keep up what we’ve been doing with our positive attitudes I think we got it.”

Mahar scored four times in the first quarter to take command. Carly Paluk set up the Senators’ first goal. Paluk’s run up the sideline led to a cross to Makayla Beauchemin who scored for the Senators. Beauchemin later assisted on Maselli’s first goal with four minutes, 47 seconds left in the first quarter.

Maselli scored for a second time on another assist from Beauchemin for Mahar’s third goal. Katy McGinnis found the net later in the quarter to give Mahar a 4-1 lead.

Beauchemin scored on an assist from Ella Smith in the second quarter. Maselli and Smith closed out the scoring for Mahar, with McGinnis adding two more assists.

Ella Larouche scored two goals in the fourth quarter for the Thunder. Dagny Ovalle Perez had the assist on Larouche’s second goal. Bella Burnett made 12 saves for Mahar. Connor Glennon stopped 20 shots for the Thunder.

Franklin Tech 1, Mohawk 0 — Leah Meattey accounted for all of the scoring in the Eagles’ win over the Warriors in Buckland. Franklin Tech (9-1-1, 9-0) remains at the top of the County league standings. Brynlee Purington made 13 saves for the Warriors (6-4-1, 5-2-1).

Longmeadow 1, Greenfield 0 — Dylan O’Malley’s first quarter goal was enough for the Lancers in the win over the Green Wave at Woodcock Field. Jenny Seeley assisted on the tally for Longmeadow.

Volleyball

Franklin Tech 3, Pioneer 0 — The Eagles continued rolling after a sweep of the Panthers in Turners Falls. Set scores were 25-8, 25-17 and 25-13. It was Franklin Tech’s seventh straight win. Sophia Wood had four kills and six blocks for Pioneer. Lily Baldwin had 25 assists and three kills for Franklin Tech. Janiylah Wan (six digs) and Taylor Underwood (five digs) shored up the defense.

Boys soccer

Frontier 1, Monument Mountain 0 — Henry Pleasant’s goal gave the Redhawks a win over the Spartans in the Berkshires. Xavier Fripp registered the assist. Mason Weis made six saves for Frontier. (5-5-3).

Golf

Belchertown 157, Frontier 166 — The Redhawks couldn’t stay with the Orioles at Cherry Hill Golf Course. Braiden Dion and Christian Powell both shot a 41 for Frontier. Addy Wood finished with a 42.