Westfield senior goalie Gwen Smith makes a kick save Monday against Holyoke. Smith recorded her 500th career save, and finished with 20 in the game. (Photo by Chris Putz)
HOLYOKE – Earlier this year, Westfield senior field hockey goalie Gwen Smith recorded a whopping 46 saves in an epic effort against Longmeadow. Although it came in a 3-0 loss, it was a big statement versus one of the region’s elite teams.
On Monday, a young Westfield squad suffered another tough defeat, losing to Holyoke 4-0, but the loss was drowned out by another gritty effort by its senior captain.
Smith logged 20 saves, but more importantly, on her 10th of the afternoon, made her 500th career stop.
“It means so much,” said Smith, who accumulated those stats in just three years of high school goaltending. “All you hear about these days is field players getting 100 points. No one ever knows about the goalies. I’m honored to be one of the first (in recent memory). It means a lot for the school and myself as a personal goal.”
GWEN SMITH
WHS field hockey senior goalie
Smith was under heavy pressure for much of the game as Holyoke attempted nearly a dozen penalty corners (to just one for Westfield). The Bombers withstood the barrage early, allowing no goals through the game’s first 22 minutes.
In the 23rd minute, Holyoke finally struck paydirt on the stick of Bridget Healy. Katie Keane made it 2-0 with the Purple Knights’ second score, coming with two minutes, 20 seconds left in the half.
Keane scored twice more in the second half to net a hat trick and salt away the game.
After the game, Westfield coach Linda Rowbotham expressed her frustration with the lack of offense, but commended the effort of her young players and her senior keeper’s milestone moment.
“These young players are gaining valuable experience,” said coach Rowbotham, whose varsity squad includes more freshmen than it ever has in the last 10 years. “They’re that much more stronger for it.”
“As for Gwen,” she said. “She is an amazing player. She has given 110 percent. I saw something in her back then as a JV player. Every ounce of effort has been paying off because of her heart and soul. She has worked very hard to get … where she is at.”
Notes: Player for both teams wore pink socks and pink ribbons in their hair in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. All of the money collected from Monday’s game is expected to be donated for cancer research. The game ball was given to a Holyoke family affected by cancer. Smith was also presented with a ball after the game.
Hough nets hat trick in Rams’ rout
Southwick-Tolland 8, Franklin Tech 0
Sarah Hough netted a hat trick, Emily Martin scored two goals, and Ashley Wild, Emma Barnard and Alex Grimaldi had one apiece for Southwick.
Lyle Massoia and Alex Grimaldi each had an assist.
Southwick keeper Clare Stratton (5 saves) recorded a shutout.
BOYS’ SOCCER
Tigers tourney bound
Westfield Technical Academy 7, Pathfinder 0
Brad Marion had a hat trick and Westfield Tech qualified for the Western Massachusetts tournament berth.
Stephan Nikiel finished with a goal and an assist, Philip Lisyanyy had two assists, freshman Simion Mocanu and Anatoly Suprunchuk each had a goal, and John Bush tallied the final goal.
Frank Florek, Darryl Reopel, and Ed Borodin all had assists.
“The guys are having a blast,” Westfield Tech coach Kyle Dulude said. “We are definitely one big happy family right now. There is so much optimism for these guys. I hope they keep it together and continue to do the day-to-day things correctly. We have a lot of tournament experience and knowledge and know how important it is to finish strong and keep the chemistry alive.”
Lancers silence Bombers
Longmeadow 2, Westfield 0
Longmeadow scored one goal in each half – the first coming on an own goal and the second on direct free kick with five minutes remaining in the game – to edge host Westfield.
GOLF
Rams stomp Colts
Southwick-Tolland 23.5, Chicopee Comp 0.5
Southwick improved to 14-0 overall, 8-0 division with Chris Baker (39), James Longhi (41), Brad Durand (42), Matt Garrity (42), and Nick Kavrakis (42) leading the way.
For the Rams it was 37 straight league wins, one away from clinching a league title.
Willenborg paces Saints
Smith Academy 19, St. Mary’s 5
St. Mary’s Luke Willenborg shot a 39 to lead all golfers at Country Club of Greenfield.
GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
Brownies win thriller
Agawam def. Westfield 19-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-13, 15-5
Madi Robitaille (10 kills, 2 aces, 1 block), Bella Kozciak (8 kills, 3 aces, 10 digs), Autumn Moccia (18 digs), and Tabby Franceschet (6 aces) delivered stellar efforts for Westfield in a thriller.
JV FIELD HOCKEY
Westfield 4, Holyoke 1
Westfield’s Abby Daley had a hand in three scoring plays, scoring two goals and assisting on another. Bombers’ Emma Mazeika scored unassisted, and Avery Guiel assisted on both of Daley’s scores.
Westfield goalie Danielle Coe made four saves.
LATE RESULTS – Fri., Sept. 29
BOYS’ SOCCER
St. Mary’s 3, Smith Voke 2
Aaron Blanchard scored both St. Mary’s goals. Jack Lamirande and Jacob Butler assisted.
St. Mary goalie Dom Nomakeo finished with 13 saves.
Pink balloons spell out “Play 4 A Cure” at Monday’s high school field hockey game between Westfield and Holyoke at Roberts Field in Holyoke. The two teams donned pink socks and wore ribbons in their hair in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. (Photo by Chris Putz)
