Westfield’s Lilly Taglieri (19) fires a pass against Southwick during a high school field hockey game Monday. (MARC ST.ONGE/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
WESTFIELD – A neighborly battle turned very contentious – – in a good way – – as two local field hockey squads battled it out in the Whip City early this week.
Westfield slipped past Southwick in field hockey action Monday, narrowly defeating the Rams, 3-2.
Meghan Bowen scored two goals, Claire Griffith delivered three assists, and Lilly Taglieri had a goal for Westfield. Bombers goalie Lindsey Brown made one save.
Agnetha Furst and Devan Fox had one goal and one assist apiece for Southwick. Rams keeper Ezri Johnson made four saves.
“Westfield and Southwick both showed up to this match,” Westfield field hockey coach Courtney Albee said. “It was a strong fight but we came out victorious by our intensity in the offensive circle.”
Westfield honored its seniors.
“We got them the win,” coach Albee said. “Meghan, Lilly, and Claire all played very aggressive and intense in the circle and defense made some great plays.”
BOYS SOCCER
Oct. 19
Tigers rally for league title
Westfield Technical Academy 2, Hoosac Valley 1
Westfield Tech rallied from a 1-0 deficit, scoring two goals in the final 15 minutes to secure a thrilling come-from-behind victory and clinch the Bi-County league title Tuesday.
“It is a new league this year with a lot of teams and something to be extremely proud of,” Westfield Tech boys soccer coach Kyle Dulude said. “It was one of our major goals from Day One.”
Westfield Tech played a phenomenal first half of soccer but just could not finish. Fifteen minutes into the second half, the Tigers suffered some defensive miscommunication that led to a Hoosac goal.
Finally, Westfield Tech’s Adam Strycharz and David Bulatov found each other twice in the last 15 minutes. Strycharz assisted Bulatov on the first goal; Bulatov set up Strycharz for the second.
“Those two worked together and it was pure magic,” coach Dulude said.
Westfield Tech midfielders Logan Gendron and Mason Jaquier locked down the opposition in the midfield, captains Jon Vella and Alex Smith took over on defense and finished strong.
Said Dulude: “I felt their leadership was instrumental for the team’s success today.”
Fortier’s 40-yarder nets Bombers’ tie
Westfield 1, Monument Mouuntain 1
Jack Fortier helped Westfield escape with a tie, scoring on one of the more incredible free kicks one might see at any level from 40 yards out with 14 minutes to go. Aiden Van Oostveen made five saves for the Bombers.
“The crowd really helped the boys get the intensity level up, especially after playing yesterday,” Westfield boys soccer coach Andrew Joseph said. “It was great to see the support from their classmates.”
Oct. 18
Bombers stomp Comp
Westfield 3, Chicopee Comp 0
Cam Klee scored first in the second minute off an assist from Nichita Solopa. The Comp keeper came out to challenge Solopa but Solopa found Klee, who capitalized on a partially open net.
Michael Liquori placed a beautiful shot in the far side, netting in the 10th minute to make it 2-0. He was assisted by Kaden Bush.
Nichita Solopa scored in the 76th minute from Jack Fortier to make it 3-0.
Aiden Van Oostveen made three saves for Westfield. Roberto Amezdro made five saves for Chicopee Comp.
Baillargeons, Collins lead Saints
St. Mary’s 5, Ware 2
Jonathan Baillargeon (2 goals, 2 assists) and Brady Collins (2 goals, 2 assists) led the offense, Thomas Baillargeon (8 saves) manned the defense in St. Mary’s latest victory. It was their fifth game in six days.
Liam Ramos had one goal and Trevor Corriveau had one assist for St. Mary’s.
Oct. 16
Baillargeon nets six points in Saints’ rout
St. Mary’s 7, Duggan Academy 1
Jonathan Baillargeon had a hand in six of the seven scores, tallying five goals and one assist for St. Mary’s. Saints’ Brady Collins had one goal and one assist and Josh Cote netted his first goal off a great pass from Trevor Corriveau. Ben King also had an assist.
St. Mary’s Everett Stec, Seamus O’Neill and Evan Durkee worked the Duggan attacks, shutting down their front line. The Saints midfield was solid by keeping the opposition ineffective in the middle of the field.
St. Mary’s goalie Thomas Baillargeon made nine saves. He also had two assists.
GIRLS SOCCER
Oct. 19
Slack, Tigers prevail
Westfield Technical Academy 3, Putnam 0
Mia Slack scored twice – – one goal came on a penalty kick and the other on an unassisted goal – – for Westfield Tech. Tigers goalie Lindsey Deland (3 saves) earned a shutout.
Putnam’s goalie had an own goal.
The victory improved Westfield Tech’s record to 6-3-2 and secured a spot in the state tournament. The Tigers return to action Thursday against Putnam at Bullens Field. Game time is 5 p.m.
Oct. 18
Puttick puts Saints past Red Raiders
St. Mary’s 3, Athol 0
St. Mary’s Anna Puttick played up top and put two goals into net, including a great header on a perfect cross from Allie Goodreau. Goodreau also had a goal and two assists and Macy Woodger chipped in with an assist.
Amelia Willenborg made four saves for a shutout for the Saints (14-2).
Macy Woodger and Anna Puttick adjusted wonderfully to new positions on the night,” St. Mary’s girls soccer coach Patrick Olearcek said. “Emma Bialas, Lilian Nadler, Kailyn Cabrini, Jess Armstrong, and Tori Smith stood out on defense, along with Amelia.”
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Oct. 19
Phaneufs pace Bombers
Northampton 18, Westfield 45; Ludlow 20, Westfield 41
Westfield completed its regular season with its third 5K race in the past week, a double dual meet at Ray Ellerbrook Field in Northampton.
Westfield’s Antonio Phaneuf placed fourth overall with a time of 18:24. Andre Phaneuf placed 15th in 19:40. Pratham Makonahally was 20th (20:25). Liam Lynn placed 23rd with a personal best time of 20:44. Nicholas Krawiec rounded out the top five for the Bombers, placing 26th in 21:36.
Charlie Darling and Matthew Moriarty also logged personal bests for Westfield.
Sikand sizzles in Rams ‘three-peat’
Southwick 24, Gateway 31; Southwick 24, Smith Voke 31; Southwick 17, Hopkins Academy 42
Southwick’s Nick Sikand finished in first place. The Rams sweeping victory results in a final regular season record of 9-6, their most wins in a season since 2009. They were 5-4 in league competition.
Southwick compiled a 2-21 record over the previous two seasons (2018, ’19).
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Oct. 19
Sanctuary helps Rams split
Gateway 22, Southwick 35; Southwick 22, Hopkins Academy 38
Southwick’s Elleigh Sanctuary claimed first place against Hopkins. The Rams finished the regular season 9-6, tying their most wins in a season since 2009. They were 5-4 in league meets.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Oct. 19
Bombers win on ‘Senior Night’
Westfield def. Chicopee Comp, 25-18, 25-14, 25-12
Westfield improved to 14-2 overall, 7-0 Eastern with a win on “Senior Night.” Bombers’ Livia Ciubotaru (11 kills, 2 aces, 4 digs), Emma Petzold (6 kills, 3 aces, 4 digs), Piper Ashton (13 kills, 3 aces, 3 digs), Kaitlin Price (2 aces, 19 digs), Abbie Menzel (33 assists, 10 aces, 3 digs), and Kailey Downs (2 kills) fueled the victory.
Rams sweep Red Raiders
Southwick def. Commerce, 25-10, 25-16, 25-19
Gillian Bourque (4 aces, 17 assists, 2 kills), Lina Carr (1 ace, 1 dig, 1 assist, 5 kills), Aniya Kamara (2 digs, 9 kill), Emma Burkovskiy (1 kill), Georgiana Andrade (2 aces, 1 block, 2 kills), Emily Hanifan (2 aces, 3 kills), Mia Pompi (2 aces, 1 dig), and Emily Buchter (5 aces, 4 digs, 1 kill) led Southwick to another sweeping victory.
Oct. 18
Bombers clinch league title
Westfield def. Longmeadow, 25-14, 25-15, 25-16
Westfield clinched its first-ever share of the new Eastern League title with a road sweep of Longmeadow. The Bombers improved to 13-2 overall, 7-0 league.
Livia Ciubotaru (13 kills, 2 aces, 6 digs), Lauren Carnes (14 kills, 3 aces, 3 digs), Kaitlin Price (2 assists, 31 digs), Abigail Menzel (3 kills, 38 assists, 4 aces, 3 digs), and Piper Ashton (7 kills, 1 ace) led Westfield.
Oct. 16
Bombers lose battle
Lincoln-Sudbury def. Westfield, 25-21, 18-25, 25-19, 25-22
Abigail Menzel (4 kills, 35 assists, 1 ace, 8 digs), Kaitlin Price (3 assists, 1 ace, 21 digs), Livia Ciubotaru (11 kills, 9 digs), Lauren Carnes (13 kills, 4 aces, 8 digs, 1.5 blocks), Emma Petzold (5 kills, 1 ace, 2 blocks), Kailey Rowell (2 aces, 11 digs), and Piper Ashton (6 kills) contributed for Westfield.
GYMNASTICS
Oct. 19
Johnson wins all-around; Bombers win two
Westfield 130.45, Minnechaug 128.95, Chicopee 105.80
Westfield posted two more wins Tuesday. Bombers’ Kaela Johnson and Bella Goodreau finished first (33.3) and third (32.05), respectively, in the all-around.
Johnson won the uneven bars with a score of 8.5. Goodreau followed in second (8.1). Johnson was also first on the floor exercise (8.6).
Westfield’s Jocelyn Yarasavych captured gold on vault (8.6). Emery James was third on vault (8.5) for the Bombers, and Lizzy Galczynski tied for third on the beam (8.4).
GOLF
Oct. 19
Westfield Tech’s Grant paces local golfers at D3
Palmer’s Ethan Beauchemin won the individual title with an even-par-72 at the Western Massachusetts Division 3 championship at Country Club of Greenfield. Lenox won the team title with a 320.
Westfield Technical Academy’s Evan Grant tied for 29th with a 94. The Tigers placed 10th overall (431) in the team standings.
