Westfield’s Robyn Gurung (5) employs some fancy footwork against Northampton in a high school boys soccer game Thursday at Roots Field. (Photo by Marc St. Onge)
WESTFIELD – For the second time in four games, the Westfield High School boys soccer team was left pondering both sides of the coin. The Bombers tied the Northampton Blue Devils 1-1 at Roots Athletic Center Field.
Westfield scored in the 12th minute when Robyn Gurung took a cross from Nichita Solopa. Alex Robitaille set up the play, by distributing the ball to Solopa.
“We really controlled the first half; the second half was a little more back and forth,” Westfield boys soccer head coach Andrew Joseph said. “We got stretched out.”
Northampton scored the game-tying goal with eight minutes left in game.
“We kept pushing to get that goal back but we just couldn’t do it,” coach Joseph said.
It was the second tie of the season for Westfield (1-1-2), who also played Chicopee Comp to a 1-all tie in their season opener last week.
“Overall, our performance was much better than against East Longmeadow,” Joseph said, regarding a 4-0 loss to the Spartans in their last contest. “We’re getting a little bit better every game. We definitely took a step in a positive direction. If we keep doing that, then we’re going to be all right.”
Westfield will look to elevate its play a notch higher when the Bombers take on the Agawam Brownies Monday at home.
St. Mary’s 5, Commerce 4
Goals from Jack Lamirande elevated the play of St. Mary’s with assists by Brady Collins, Omario Nelson, and Jack Masciadrelli. The Saints put 22 shots on Commerce throughout the two halves.
St. Mary’s defensive backs Aiden Burke, Mike Pepe, and Nick Gregoire were solid, breaking up several Commerce runs. Mark Nelson and Masciadrelli did a great job taking way the middle of the field and feeding the front line.
St. Mary’s goalie Hayden Lussier delivered another great game, making 11 saves.
“Our game is changing and we’re moving in the right direction,” St. Mary’s coach Andy Lussier said. “We had strong play by the whole roster today. It was great to be able to put in all our players today and get some game time under their belts.”
GOLF
Westfield 161, Pope Francis 173
David Tirrell and Adam Blair each shot a 39 at Tekoa Country Club to help lift Westfield to 3-1.
Sabis 12.5, Westfield Technical Academy 11.5
Nick Moran finished as the team’s low Tiger with a 50 at Veterans Golf Course in Springfield as Westfield Technical Academy fell to 2-3. Dave Romani won his match, 4-0, Jake Collier scored three points, and Moran had 2.5.
FIELD HOCKEY
Southwick 1, Holyoke 0
Avey Glynn scored on a rebound off the post for the game-winning goal in the first half of Southwick. Clare Stratton made nine saves in net for the Rams to earn a shutout.
