NORTHAMPTON — Franklin Tech goalie Kylee Gamache did all she could to keep the Eagles’ season alive on Monday in the MIAA Division 5 Girls Soccer preliminary round. 

The 37th-seeded Eagles went on the road to face 28th-seeded Smith Vocational, a familiar opponent. The two school squared off twice during the regular season, with the Vikings walking away with 1-0 and 3-0 victories. 

Franklin Tech withstood a relentless push from Smith Vocational. The ball stayed on the Eagles end of the field throughout, but the Vikings had nothing to show for it on the scoreboard as Gamache stopped 20 shots in net. 

That changed in the 75th minute. Smith Vocational’s Monique Fredette stole the ball, dribbled to the right of the box and fired a cross in. The ball took a funky bounce and landed at the feet of Kate Wolcott and the freshman smashed it home to give the Vikings the late lead. 

That goal proved to be the game winner, as Smith Vocational advanced with a 1-0 victory at Florence Fields. 

“We’ve played them twice this season and knew they’re a solid, complete team,” Eagles coach Jason Butynski said of the Vikings. “We had trouble mounting pressure in both of our games this season. We worked the last couple days on holding our defensive shape and keeping everything outside the box. 

“Kylee is a hell of a goalie and she showed it today,” Butynski added. “There were some real good saves in there. We figured if we could keep most of their shots coming from 20 yards out we would have a chance. Whether it’s sneaking something past their goalie or something else… anything can happen after regulation.”

The loss marked the end of the season for Franklin Tech (7-8-4) while the Vikings (16-2) advanced to face No. 5 Maynard in the Round of 32. 

“I’m super proud of my team,” Butynski said. “They gave me everything they had. We lost five starters from last year but the kids gutted it out to get into states and I couldn’t be more proud.” 

While the defense was holding the Vikings attack in order, the Smith Vocational defense didn’t allow anything near its goalie, Maggie Lauder. 

The senior wasn’t called into action to make a save, a credit to the work the Vikings defense did in front of her. 

“We weren’t just packing it in,” Butynski said. “We were trying to play our game but be mindful defensively. Especially out of the midfield because in the last game, it was 20-30 yards out where we were cracking. They’re a good team. We came in and executed our game plan. Good ball on the corner [for the goal] and it took a good bounce in the box.” 

Pioneer 2, Avon 0 — A long bus ride to Avon proved worthwhile for the 36th-seeded Panthers on Monday.

Maddie Keefe buried a pair of goals, and Pioneer blanked No. 29 Avon 2-0 in the MIAA Div. 5 preliminary round.

The Panthers (9-5-2) will play at No. 4 Georgetown in the Round of 32 on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Jaelyn Boliski and Natalie Rios recorded assists on Keefe’s goals, and goalie Kyler McClelland stopped all six shots she faced for the clean sheet in net.

Div. 5 Round of 32

Tahanto 4, Greenfield 0 – After a convincing victory over Athol in the state preliminary round, the 30th-seeded Green Wave saw their 2024 campaign come to an end on the road Monday night.

No. 3 Tahanto held serve at home in the Round of 32, notching a 4-0 victory to advance to the Round of 16 and a matchup with No. 14 Academy of Notre Dame.

Greenfield finished its outstanding season 14-5 overall.

Girls volleyball

Div. 5 Round of 32

Baystate Academy 3, Greenfield 0 – The 37th-seeded Green Wave sprung a road upset in the preliminary round against No. 28 Keefe Tech last week, but a matchup with No. 5 Baystate Academy – last year’s state semifinalist – proved too much on Monday night in Springfield.

The Bulls cruised to a 3-0 sweep, earning a spot in the Round of 16 and a date with No. 21 Innovation Academy Charter.

Greenfield finished its season 10-10 overall.

Late weekend results

Girls soccer

No. 34 Frontier 4, No. 31 Carver 2 — Maddie Fagan, Mara Allium, Josie Fosnot and Skyler Steele each found the back of the net in the Redhawks’ MIAA Div. 4 preliminary round victory on the road against Carver on Sunday. 

Allium and Jazzy Hayes had the assists, Steele made six saves and Aylen Shaw made four saves. 

Boys soccer

Putney 2, Four Rivers 0 — The Otters’ run through the River Valley Athletic League tournament came to a close in the championship game on Saturday, falling to Putney on the road in the title game. 

The game was scoreless at the half before Putney tossed two goals in during the second half to win the title. Marley McConkey played well for Four Rivers in the loss.