Franklin County Technical School head coach Jenna Carme had been struggling with low numbers and no reserves to utilize during the first four games of the season.
That changed on Wednesday, when the Eagles were finally at full strength, and that little bit of depth paid big dividends as they whitewashed Nashoba Valley Technical High School of Westford, 5-0, in independent girls’ soccer action Wednesday in Turners Falls.
“This was the first time we were able to move players to the spots where they usually play,” said Carme. “It was nice to be able to field our full team.”
One of the biggest beneficiaries for Franklin Tech was Brooke Adams. The dynamic sophomore was able to break loose for three goals and lead the Eagles to their first win of the season.
Adams scored unassisted in the third minute, then used an assist from Kate Garcia in the ninth minute to put the Eagles in front 2-0. Rachel Shearer’s marker in the 21st minute from Amanda Murphy extended the advantage to 3-0, which stood until halftime.
Adams completed her hat trick in the 51st minute and Garcia booted home the final goal in the 70th minute. Both were unassisted.
Franklin Tech didn’t play its best game on defense, but Tabi Hamilton was able to come up with 13 saves to record the shutout. Cayleigh Sherwood made 10 saves for the Vikings.
“I thought the girls did a good job of facilitating from the middle and some of it helped Brooke get more opportunities,” Carme said. “… I also thought our team chemistry was much better. It was by far our best game as far as chemistry is concerned.”
Franklin Tech (1-3-1) hosts Putnam Technical Academy Friday at 4 p.m.
Athol 4, Sabis 1 — Anthony Negron registered a hat trick to lead Athol High School over Sabis International Charter School, 4-1, in a Schmid Division boys’ soccer match Wednesday in Springfield.
Negron’s first goal came in the 37th minute, assisted by Dennis St. Jean, to give the Red Raiders a 1-0 lead by halftime.
Negron scored unassisted in the 46th minute upping the lead to 2-0 before Javan Wallace’s penalty-kick goal in the 54th minute helped the Bulldogs cut the deficit back to one.
Angel Rivera used a helper from Tucker Deleo in the 57th minute to make it 3-1. Athol missed a penalty kick in the 65th minute but Negron put the game away with his tally in the 78th minute. Justin Blake had the assist.
Colby Mason stopped 7 shots in goal for the Red Raiders, who outshot Sabis 15-9. Dariel Santana made 10 saves for the Bulldogs.
“I like this team,” said Athol head coach Dave King. “The ceiling is high. I think we have a lot of players who have talent and skill, but we also have a ton of room to grow and develop.”
Athol (3-0-2, 2-0-1 Schmid) hosts Frontier Regional School tonight at 7.
Drury 5, Mohawk 1 — A four-goal first half was more than enough for Drury High School as it downed Mohawk Trail Regional High School, 5-1, in an independent boys’ soccer match Wednesday in Buckland.
Connor Clark, Reece Racette and Jonah Miles all score first-half goals to stake the Blue Devils to a 3-0 halftime lead.
Matt Daugherty and Bryce Webb added the other two goals for Drury, while Bennett Boucias scored unassisted in the 54th minute for the Warriors’ only tally.
The Blue Devils outshot Mohawk 21-9. Brian Christian had 4 saves in the Drury net. Gabe Bauer had 7 stops in the first half and Souahn Crawford turned aside 5 shots in the second half for the Warirors.
Mohawk (0-3-1 overall) hosts Mahar Regional School Friday night at 6.
Charlemont 2, Four Rivers 0 — The Academy Charlemont blanked Four Rivers Charter School, 2-0, in River Valley Athletic League boys’ soccer play Wednesday in Greenfield.
Aiden Brenizer and Sam Fisher each scored a goal and assist for the Aardvarks, while Harper Walker West contributed an assist. Henry Walker West was a defensive standout.