The Mohawk Trail Regional High School field hockey team made a statement on Tuesday: It is the team to beat in the Bi-County League this season.
The Warriors got goals from four players and went on to throttle an upstart Turners Falls High School team, 8-1, in a BCL game in Buckland.
Turners Falls (3-2-0) had been a team making waves early in the season, nearly beating Frontier Regional School in the season-opener, then winning three straight games coming into Tuesday’s tilt with Mohawk. The Warriors also had gotten off to a strong start, winning their first three games under coach Lynn Hoeppner, who had returned to the team this season after a one-year hiatus.
Mohawk scored five times in the opening 30 minutes to jump out to a big lead and scored the first three goals of the second half before Turners Falls scored late to avoid the shutout. Mohawk has now scored 25 goals in four games this season, which already surpasses its offensive output from all of last season.
Ashley Walker scored three goals in the win, while Lizzie Herzig and Caitlin Johnston each had two goals and one assist. Sarah Herzig had a goal, Abby Sinistore notched a pair of helpers, and Mya Lesure and Taylor Williams had one assist apiece.
“It wasn’t just the offense that scored, but it’s the midfield as well,” Hoeppner said. “Ashley Walker is my center defensive midfielder, Caitlin Johnston and Lizzie Herzig are attacking mids. Abby Sinistore was a defender for me today. We are trying to look for each other, use each other and trust each other and it’s work well right now.”
The defense also did its part, holding a dangerous Turners Falls offense to just one shot, that coming with under a minute left when Cassidhe Wozniak scored an unassisted goal to help Turners avoid getting shut out.
“I’m very pleased with the defense and how they’re stepping up and supporting each other,” Hoeppner said.
Emma French and Zia Meyer each played a half in goal for Mohawk and did register a save. Haleigh Greene made 31 saves in the loss.
Amherst 3, FC Tech 0 — Rachel Kawall, Sora Green and Lindsey Campbell all tallied in the first half as host Amherst Regional High School captured a 3-0 victory over Franklin County Technical School in a Tri-County League field hockey game Tuesday in Amherst.
Tech (0-4, 0-1) improved in the second half, holding Amherst to no goals and just one penalty corner, but the Eagles were unable to break through against goalkeeper Lydia Sullivan (five saves).
Kailynn Mason-Emond recorded 12 saves for the Eagles, which next play Belchertown High School Friday.
Mahar 3, Greenfield 0 — Aria Flematti poured in seven aces and host Mahar Regional School finished with a whopping 20 overall to roll past Greenfield High School, 25-9, 25-11, 25-18, in a Northern Division girls’ volleyball match Tuesday night in Orange.
Flematti added five assists in the win for Mahar (5-2, 3-1), which received a team-high four kills from Maeve Powell. Juliana Herbert added three kills in the win, while Sophia Smith (four aces), Jordyn Berry (three aces, one kill) and Lauren Henne (two kills) also contributed.
Greenfield was led by Casey Noyes seven digs, two aces and two kills, while Ravin Graves added two kills, two aces and three digs. Jen Ortega contributed three digs, two assists and a kill.
Greenfield travels to Turners Falls High School Friday while Mahar is off for a week until hosting Franklin Tech Tuesday.
Mahar 17, Chicopee 7 — Corey Sanderson snagged medalist honors with a round of 40, leading the pack as Mahar Regional School waxed Chicopee High School, 17-7, in an independent golf match Tuesday at Ellinwood Country Club in Athol.
Sanderson won all four points in his match at No. 1 for the Senators (5-1). Tucker Ninteau also swept four points at No. 3 behind a round of 46, while Treyton Pasikinkas shot 47 at No. 2 and earned 3½ points.
Brandon Green shot 56 for the Senators at No. 4, earning 3 points.
Northampton 17½, Pioneer 6½ — Kyle Maynard was the match medalist after firing a 40, and despite earning all four point at No. 1, his Pioneer Valley Regional School golf team fell to Northampton High School, 17½-6½, in an independent match at Northfield Golf Course.
Garrett Cote earned a point at No. 2 after shooting 47, while Cam Baird also took a point at No. 4 (53). Jake Fuller’s 58 at No. 3 earned him ½ a point.
The Panthers (0-6) travel to Frontier Regional School today at 3.
Sabis 14½, Mohawk 9½ — Triston LaCross took a point at No. 1 after firing a low round of 47, but Mohawk Trail Regional High School dropped a 14½-9½ decision to Sabis International Charter School in a Bi-County West golf match Tuesday at Edge Hill Golf Course in Shelburne Falls.
Andy Robertson had a solid round at No. 3 for Mohawk (1-2, 1-1), firing a 47 to earn all four points. Tristan Keyser-Parker also won four points at No. 4 (57), as did Isabella Escribano at No. 6 (67).
South Hadley 20½, Frontier 3½ — Freshman Mikey Corduff took two points in his match at No. 1, shooting 42, but visiting South Hadley High School rolled to a 20½-3½ win over Frontier Regional School in an independent golf match Tuesday at Cherry Hill Golf Course in Amherst.
Rowan Blair shot 41 at No. 2 for the Red Hawks (3-3), earning ½ a point, while Kalen Evans carded a round of 43 at No. 3 to also earn ½ a point.
Despite the loss to the powerhouse Tigers, Frontier coach Bill Fitzpatrick has been pleased with his team’s showing so far this season.
“We’re right where I think they should be at this point in the year,” explained Fitzpatrick. “We’re tied for the lead (in the Suburban West), battling for our division. The kids are putting in a lot of work.”
Frontier gets back to Suburban West play today when it hosts Pioneer Valley Regional School.
Easthampton 15, Greenfield 9 — Ryan Cote won 3½ points after tying for medalist honors with a 40 in the No. 4 spot, but Greenfield High School dropped a 15-9 decision to Easthampton High School in a Bi-County East golf match Tuesday at the Country Club of Greenfield.
Gabe Larouche won 2½ points for Greenfield (0-3) at No. 3, thanks to a round of 48, while Hunter Roberts and Jake Cote each shot 50 in the Nos. 1 and 2 spots.
Easthampton’s Tyler Colby tied Cote with a 40 for medalist honors, winning all four points at No. 1.
St. Mary’s 13, Turners Falls 7 — Luke Willenburg shot a 42 and swept four points at the top spot and St. Mary’s Parrish School defeated Turners Falls, 13-7, in a Bi-County East golf match Tuesday at Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club in Turners Falls.
Kyle Kucenski was the medalist for Turners with a 49. Brian Poirier shot a 50 at No. 2 and took three points for Turners Falls. Joe Kochan also took thre points at No. 4 for Turners.