CHICOPEE — A three-time defending champion stood in the way of the Franklin Tech boys soccer team from capturing its first sectional championship on Sunday afternoon. Top-seeded Mount Greylock proved too much to overcome for the Eagles in a 5-2 loss in the Western Mass. Class C championship game at Chicopee Comp High School.
The Mounties won their fourth straight championship and are currently ranked 18th in the state in the latest MIAA Division 4 power rankings.
“They move the ball well, their touches are outstanding,” Franklin Tech coach Dan Prasol said. “They’re an excellent program. “They are a well-coached, highly skilled team.”
Nick Prasol of Franklin Tech pursues the ball against Mount Greylock. Sunday in Chicopee. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Dyllan Duval of Franklin Tech battles for possession with Mount Greylock, Sunday in Chicopee. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Kaiden Price of Franklin Tech charges up the field against Mount Greylock, Sunday in Chicopee. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Sawyer Cadren of Franklin Tech watches the ball against Mount Greylock, Sunday in Chicopee Comp. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Nathan Gheorghita of Franklin Tech moves up the field against Mount Greylock, Sunday in Chicopee. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Nathan Gheorghita of Franklin Tech moves up the field against Mount Greylock, Sunday in Chicopee. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo
Franklin Tech ranks 13th in the latest MIAA Division 5 power rankings. After some early quality scoring chances courtesy of Nathan Gheorghita, the Mounties scored four straight goals to take a commanding lead.
“At halftime we set a goal of winning the half,” Prasol said. “We might not win the game, but you can win the half. We won the half, 2-1. We are going to focus on the positives We are going to focus on the good plays. We are going to focus on the fact that we’ve done something the school can be proud of. We are going to rally around that and move forward.”
Jonathan Gheorghita scored two second half goals for the Eagles. The second goal was a beautiful strike from close to midfield. Nathan Gheorghita concealed the plan verbally by speaking in Moldovan to his brother.
“My brother, in Moldovan, said just I am just going to touch it,” Jonathan Gheorghita said. “Just rip it and see what happens. He touched it and I looked at the ground and hit the ball. When I looked up it just went in. It was crazy.”
When the ball reached its apex, it was clear that it had a chance to find the net. As the ball descended, it found room just under the crossbar. The traveling fan section full of family and friends appreciated the play.
Netting a couple goals and staying competitive with the Mounties should help the team moving forward in the state tournament. Franklin Tech was the first team to score a goal against the Mounties in the tournament.
“I am proud of the boys anyway,” Jonathan Gheorghita said. “When it shows that you can score against bigger teams, I feel like there is more confidence to score on other team and compete. We went all the way to the end and didn’t give up. That’s one of (Dan) Prasol’s philosophies. Just compete until the end.”
Jakob George was under heavy fire for most of the game for the Eagles. The keeper stood tall, making 12 saves for Franklin Tech.
Mount Greylock’s Liam Hnatonko opened the scoring for the Mounties with a goal in the ninth minute. Everett Bayliss later scored to give the Mounties a 2-0 lead in the 13th minute. Lukas Burrow assisted on the goal. Owen Koamaya’s tally increased the lead to 3-0 in the 17th minute.
Bayliss netted his second goal in the 26th minute. Mount Greylock went into halftime with a 4-0 lead. Jonathan Gheorghita scored his first goal in the 65th minute. Keaton Repetto scored Mount Greylock’s fifth goal minutes later.
