MIAA girls soccer: Franklin Tech advances with win over Tech Boston Academy in Div. 5 prelims

TURNERS FALLS — Put another state tournament victory into the record books for the Franklin Tech girls soccer team. The 30th-seeded Eagles dispatched No. 35 Tech Boston Academy, 5-1, in the MIAA Division 5 state tournament preliminary round on Sunday afternoon to advance to the Round of 32.

The Eagles are one year removed from their first tournament victory in program history.

“Winning for the second year in a row is wonderful,” Franklin Tech coach Jay Butynski said. “We are trying to build this program into something that I want it to look like. A few years ago it was making the tournament. Now it’s trying to win games in the tournament.”

The Eagles had a 4-7 record on October 6 but managed to play more consistently over the last month. Franklin Tech has won seven of their last eight games. Next up is a daunting trip to the coast for a game with third-seeded Hull High School on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

“It takes some time at the start of the season to figure everything out because we aren’t playing out of season,” Butynski said. “I am really proud of the girls for figuring everything out and really believing in each other. When we are playing as a team we are a tough team.”

Melyn Ramirez-Martin and Kim Ramirez-Martin both scored for the first time all season. Melyn Ramirez-Martin had two goals, which were the first of her varsity career. Faythe Sobieski and Summer Williams also scored for the Eagles.

“Having three of our five goals come from kids who haven’t scored a goal all year is a big deal,” Butynski said. “I think sometimes it becomes the Faythe (Sobieski) scoring show, which is great because she’s a fantastic soccer player, but it is nice when we are moving the ball around. It makes us that much more difficult to defend.”

Melyn Ramirez-Martin found the net quickly, sending a well-placed shot over the head of Tech Boston Academy keeper Aliyah Ambali in the 12th minute.

“I think it’s something exciting for everyone,” Ramirez-Martin said. “It’s my first time and it brought me a lot of excitement. We have improved a lot. Those two goals helped me and my team. The connection between me and my team is getting stronger. It was amazing. Me and my sister are not usually goal scorers.”

Sobieski picked her spots against the Bears. The sophomore did well setting up teammates and initiating the offense. Sobieski found the net in the 27th minute on an assist from Indira Wiles. Hull represents a sizable challenge for Sobieski and the Franklin Tech offense.

“It will be more of a team game,” Sobieski said. “I can get around a few people usually but I feel like it will be more of a team game, even if we win or lose. I’ll be using everyone. I do most of the time but it will be more team-based. Letting everyone get a chance to have the ball. I score a lot of the goals but seeing other people can do that too, it brings the team more confidence.”

Sheyenne Ballentine only had to make one save in the victory, but it was a big one for the Eagles. While protecting a 1-0 lead in the first half, Ballentine pounced on a corner kick that bounced around the penalty area. The save preserved the lead for the Eagles.

Summer Williams scored on an assist from Lillianna Miller in the 36th minute to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead going into the intermission. In the 43rd minute Sobieski sent an immaculate free kick to the far post to the feet of Kim Ramirez-Martin, who buried her opportunity. Carly Walsh set up Melyn Ramirez-Martin’s second goal later in the second half.

Payson Lynde did well closing down most of Tech Boston Academy’s offensive opportunities on the back end of Franklin Tech’s defense.

Dora Oliume scored for the Bears, while Ambali made 10 saves in net.