WESTFIELD – Order has been restored in the Whip City.
One week after getting picked apart by the Central Golden Eagles, the Westfield High School football team returned to its winning ways. The Bombers turned back the Holyoke Purple Knights 47-7 Friday night at Bullens Field.
Westfield senior quarterback Mike Nihill rushed for three touchdowns and threw for another, and senior running back Dakotah Moynihan had three touchdown runs, two of which went for 45 yards or greater.
Westfield (6-1) owned the field position battle early, and it paid off.
Moynihan had a nice return on the opening kickoff, taking the ball into Holyoke territory.
Although Westfield wasted the good start, at least initially, driving all the way to the Holyoke 8 yard line while taking nearly six minutes off the clock, the Bombers made up for it a short time later.
Westfield’s Christian Nalepinski (3) looks over his shoulder as he outruns the outstretched hand of a Holyoke defender Friday night at Bullens Field. (Photo by Randy Burlingame)
After forcing a 3-and-out for Holyoke – the Purple Knights gained just a few yards – Westfield needed just four plays – scoring on Nihill’s 16-yard touchdown scramble.
Westfield forced another Holyoke 3-and-out on the next possession. The Bombers completed two passes, a 12- and 15-yarder, before Moynihan rumbled 45 yards for a touchdown. The score came with 10:47 remaining, and made it 14-0.
Holyoke finally got on the scoreboard late in the first half, taking advantage of a short field and scoring on senior running back Kenrick Williams three-yard touchdown spurt.
Holyoke recovered a surprise onside kick, but failed to capitalize, going 3-and-out.
Westfield came back with a scoring drive that culminated with a Nihill 12-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Mason Collingwood with 1:13 left in the half.
The two teams exchanged interceptions in the final 60 seconds of the half.
Westfield owned the second half.
Westfield forced a key turnover early in the third quarter when C.J. Skribiski stripped the ball from a ball carrier and took possession, giving his team the ball on Holyoke’s 20.
Four plays later, Nihill scored on a short QB sneak.
Holyoke turned the ball over again on its next drive. Westfield struck again, scoring on its first play from scrimmage when Moynihan weaved together an electric 47-yard scoring run.
Westfield tacked on a touchdown early in the fourth quarter on a Nihill 11 yard run and another late in the quarter on a Moynihan 19 yard run.
BOYS SOCCER
Tigers title winners
Westfield Technical Academy 3, Pioneer Valley Christian 0
Westfield Tech secured its fifth straight Bi-County League championship with a home shutout.
“It really is a great accomplishment for these student athletes,” Westfield Tech coach Kyle Dulude said. “They play the game the right way and with class.”
Westfield Tech outclassed the competition with goals from three different players.
Frank Florek scored the game’s first goal on a nice ball from Brad Martion. Darryl Reopel’s goal, which came on a feed from Ed Borodin, made it 2-0. Adam Strycharz connected from Michael Minchala for the third goal less than 30 seconds after both players came off the bench.
“The best part about everything is that we are playing as a team,” coach Dulude said. “There are no superheroes.”
St. Mary’s goalie Everett Stec played well in goal. Saints’ O’Mario Nelson, Easton Pan, Aidan Burke and Mark Nelson also delivered solid efforts defensively.
Blanchard, Lamirande score at will
St. Mary’s 8, Duggan Academy 2
Aaron Blanchard had a hand in all eight St. Mary’s goals, scoring four goals and assisting on four others. Saints’ Jack Lamirande had a hat trick and two assists.
Hayden Lussier scored his first high school goal. Lussier and Jack Masciadrelli each had an assist.
Eagles clip Gators
Easthampton 3, Gateway 0
Easthampton scored a pair of two first-half goals, and held off Gateway. The Eagles outshot the Gators 11-6.
Jon Folley (4 saves) and Preston Coffey (3 saves) and Shane Cooper (1 save) split time in net for Gateway (4-8-1).
GIRLS SOCCER
Saints celebrate
St. Mary 8, Commerce 0
The St. Mary Saints are tournament bound.
St. Mary punched its ticket to the postseason in dramatic fashion with four goals from Allie Goodreau, Emma Goodreau had two scores, and Chloe Lussier and Maura O’Neil had one apiece.
Lussier put forth a sensational effort, taking a corner kick she bent into the net on the fly. O’Neil notched her first varsity goal off a corner kick with a perfectly placed shot.
Goodreau and Mary Tubolski each had two assists. Vicky Gargan and Allie Goodreau had one assist apiece.
St. Mary goalie Jess Crosby (2 saves) earned the shutout in net.
“I’m so proud of the Lady Saints,” St. Mary’s coach Patrick Olearcek said. “It’s been a while since the program had made the tournament. It’s a huge step in the growth of this team and the girls who have worked so hard.”
Rams down Renaissance
Southwick 7, Renaissance 3
Kayla Russ scored two goals, and Autumn Waitt, Brooke Waitt, Emily Giancola, Karli Langan, and Mikaila Davenport tallied one goal apiece for Southwick.
Waitt, Lauren Kowal, Jordyn Demyon, and Isabella Poules each had an assist.
Southwick goalie Hannah Gerrish made five saves.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Rams take down PVCA
Southwick def. Pioneer Valley Christian Academy 25-12, 25-14, 19-25, 25-13
Kaitlyn Haseltine (9 digs, 3 aces, 3 kills, 6 assists), Allie Methe (3 digs, 9 aces, 1 kill), Sarah Cerone (3 digs, 4 kills, 3 blocks), Jen Motsko (3 digs, 1 ace, 4 kills), and Kayla Andrade (6 digs, 2 kills, 11 assists) fueled the latest Southwick victory.
FIELD HOCKEY
Martin paces Rams
Mohawk 4, Southwick 1
Caitlin Johnston scored two goals to lead Mohawk.
Emily Martin scored the lone goal for Southwick on a pass from Alex Grimaldi with .01 seconds left in the game. Rams’ goalie Clare Straton had nine saves.
