Frontier Regional School’s inconsistent play appears to be a thing of the past.
The defending Western Massachusetts Division III champions, who were just 1-2-3 in their last six matches, put together a solid 80-minute effort and smacked South Hadley High School, 5-0, in an independent boys’ soccer match Wednesday night in South Deerfield.
Ian Newman scored in the eighth minute from Keaton Warren, Ari Vanegas converted a feed from Alex Gheorghita in the 17th minute and Dan Bronke used a helper from Newman in the 32nd minute to stake the Red Hawks (6-3-3) to a 3-0 halftime lead.
Ethan LaFleur scored in the first minute of the second half, assisted by Zach Hamilton, and Ian Newman scored less than a minute later from LaFleur for the final marker.
Frontier held a 23-5 advantage in shots. Peter Bronke was called to make only 2 saves for the shutout in net. Nehemiah Wilson made 13 saves for the Tigers.
“We played very well all-around,” said Red Hawsk head coach Dale Totman. “I thought it was our best overall game. We attacked, defended and communicated very well.”
Mahar 1, Gateway 1 — Mahar Regional School scored with 15 minutes left in regulation and earned a 1-1 draw with Gateway Regional High School in independent boys’ soccer play Wednesday night in Huntington.
The Gators (7-3-3) had taken a 1-0 lead in the 49th minute on Jayden Marge’s goal, assisted by Franky Tangred.
The Senators (4-6-1) tied it when Brennan Mailloux took a pass from Matt Jenks and fired it home.
Bryce Cleveland stopped 13 of the 14 shots he faced in Mahar’s goal. Gateway’s Shane Mastello made 6 saves.
Hunter Apteker and Jon Blattenburger played solid defensively, and Connor Arsenault also played a strong game for the Senators.
Monson 6, Athol 1 — Michael Murphy notched a hat trick to lead Monson High School over Athol High School, 6-1, in an independent boys’ soccer match Wednesday at O’Brien Field in Athol.
Connor Hicks scored the Mustangs in the 10th minute, but the Red Raiders’ Maysin Carvell converted a pass from Bryce King two minutes later to tie it at 1-1.
Monson took the lead on an own goal in the 19th minute, then Michael Murphy scored in the 38th minute to make it 3-1.
Kyle Monaghan scored and Murphy netted the final two goals in a three-minute span to complete his hat trick.
Colby Mason made a dozen saves for Athol, which was outshot 18-3.
Athol (5-6-2) hosts Sabis International Charter School Saturday at noon.
Renaissance 3, Pioneer 0 — A quick start was all Renaissance School needed as it went on to post a 6-0 win over Pioneer Valley Regional School in independent boys’ soccer action Wednesday at Marshall Roy Park in Springfield.
Eamonn Mahoney put the Phoenix on the board in fourth minute when he ripped a shot past Panther goalkeeper Ryan Underwood. They upped the advantage to 2-0 on Isaiah McCaskill’s marker in the 24th minute, then Mahoney struck for his second of the contest in the 29th minute to make it 3-0.
McCaskill scored twice in the second half. He also picked up two assists. Evan Payne had the other Renaissance goal.
Kyle Kalin made 3 saves in the Renaissance net for the shutout. Ryan Underwood stopped 9 shots for the Panthers.
Smith Academy 8, Mohawk 1 — Carrie Ellis fired home four goals to lead Smith Academy to an 8-1 independent girls’ soccer win over Mohawk Trail Regional High School Wednesday in Buckland.
The Falcons (4-6-1) scored twice in the first four minutes and led 6-1 by halftime. Hannah Rickert added two goals, Carley Pedruczny collected one goal and one assist, and Erin Gilrein also scored.
Sarah Gokey scored the Warriors’ only goal.
Gabby Tisdale made 11 saves for Smith, while Mohawk’s Lilly Seaver had 13 saves.
Mohawk (3-9-0) travels to Pioneer Saturday at 11 a.m.
Four Rivers 3, Eagle Hill 1 — Four Rivers Charter School won for the sixth time in eight outings by besting Eagle Hill School, 3-1, in River Valley Athletic League girls’ soccer action Wednesday in Greenfield.
Eolann McMillan scored the first goal from Anna Goldstein, and an own goal helped the Otters take a 2-1 lead into the break.
Lyra Macek netted an early second-half tally for Four Rivers (6-2-0). Teagan Cardaropoli made 4 saves to earn the win in goal.
Four Rivers hosts Buxton School today at 3:30 p.m.