Westfield senior forward Chandler Pedolzky (9) watches the flight of the ball out in front of the Northampton goal during Thursday’s season opener at Westfield High School. (MARC ST. ONGE PHOTO/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
WESTFIELD – The coronavirus may have delayed the Westfield High School girls soccer team’s return to the field this season, but it did not slow their high-flying start.
Westfield senior forwards Chandler Pedolzky and Catie Bean combined for seven goals and four assists in leading the defending Western Massachusetts Division 1 champion Bombers past the Northampton Blue Devils in a 14-0 rout Thursday at Westfield High School.
The season debut came about four weeks later than originally planned due to coronavirus concerns, and included several new rules changes to reduce contact among players.
“It’s definitely a lot to adjust to which is totally fine,” said Pedolzky, who finished with four goals and one assist, “but I am just glad to be back along with everyone.”
The COVID-19 rules did not appear to slow down Westfield, and neither could Northampton.
In the opening minutes, Bean delivered a pass upfield to Pedolzky, who dribbled the ball toward the right side of the net untouched and struck it past Northampton freshman goalie Caroline Riordon for the game’s first goal.
“Scoring the first goal brings back memories from last year Western Mass., all that we were feeling,” Pedolzky said. “It just feels great.”
Less than a minute later, Bean set up Riley Byrnes for a goal. Bean scored the next two goals midway through the first quarter to give Westfield a commanding 4-0 lead. “I think I read the ball pretty well,” Bean said.
Westfield High School girls soccer senior forward Catie Bean dribbles past the Northampton defense during Thursday’s season opener. (MARC ST. ONGE/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
The floodgates opened in the second quarter.
Kelsey Bouchard led a wall of defenders down the field, dribbled in close, and kicked the ball. The goalie guessed wrong and in the 21st minute it was 5-0.
Six more goals were scored before halftime as Westfield built an overwhelming 11-0 lead. The Bombers tacked on three more goals in the second half.
Bean finished with three goals and three assists.
“This is just the end of what we’ve been building on since freshman year,” Bean said. “Sadly we don’t get to do tournament or whatever (this season due to restrictions amid coronavirus concerns). We’re trying to win every single game.”
Much of the team got in on the scoring act.
Byrnes recorded a hat trick and had one assist, Maggie Prystowski netted three assists, Bouchard tallied a goal and two assists, and Nina Prenosil contributed a goal and an assist. Annie Boisseau and Autumn Lalli scored one goal apiece. Sydney Goyotte and Ryan Prystowski each had an assist.
“I think it is good that everyone is sharing the love,” Pedolzky said, noting that even freshmen got in on all the scoring. “Since we were freshmen, I think we’ve carried the same vibes. This year, we are just going to pretty much finish what we started. Obviously there is no tournament, so we are just going to win as much as we can.”
BOYS SOCCER
Tigers chase Smith
Westfield Technical Academy 8, Smith Voke 1
The Westfield Technical Academy Tigers scored four goals in the first quarter and cruised to a convincing victory in their season opener.
David Bulatov, Vlad Chemeris, Simion Mocanu, and Landon Dion all scored for Westfield Tech. Tigers’ Raven Carrasquillo, David Bulatov, Vlad Chemeris, Tim Lezhnyak, Simion Mocanu, and Adam Strycharz each assisted.
“Everyone played great under the circumstances,” Westfield Technical Academy boys soccer head coach Kyle Dulude said. “The game is definitely changed with the current modifications, a little confusing for some at times. I feel it is especially hard for those players who have played the game longer and for those who are used to being physical and learned to play with contact.”
“I told the guys it is ‘just the game within the game’ right now and (to) enjoy the challenge,” Dulude added. “Just playing the game today I felt brought back some sanity for the guys.”
Liviua Mocanu (6 saves) delivered a solid game in net for Westfield Tech and also scored on a penalty kick.
“It was great to see how much he cares and his competitive nature,” Dulude said.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Westfield def. Holyoke 25-6, 25-12, 25-11
Westfield enjoyed a sweeping victory on opening day, defeating visiting Holyoke in three straight sets.
Viktoria Pavlyuk (10 kills, 1 block), Irelis Rodriguez (6 kills, 9 aces, 5 digs), Abigail Menzel (20 assists, 8 aces), Grace Regan (6 aces, 2 digs), and Kaitlin Price (2 kills, 2 aces, 3 digs) contributed for Westfield.
GOLF
Tigers link together rip-roaring 3-0 start
Westfield Technical Academy 182, Central 232
Hunter Loomis show a low score of 41 to help Westfield Technical Academy remain unbeaten and in first place in their “bubble” with a win over Central at East Mountain Country Club.
Westfield Tech’s Riley Sullivan (45), Trent Adam (47), and Deven Werbiskis (49) finished atop the leaderboard. Jake Collier shot a 50 for the Tigers, good for fifth place.
“I am pleased with our start,” Westfield Technical Academy golf coach Bob Eak said this week. “Our entire team is working hard and improving daily.”
On Wednesday, Sullivan and Loomis each shot a match-low 47 as three Westfield Technical Academy golfers finished atop the leaderboard in a 194-219 victory over Sabis at East Mountain Country Club. In that match, Adam logged a 49, and Tigers’ Nick Moran recorded a 51.
Northampton bedevils Bombers
Northampton 167, Westfield 175
Westfield suffered its first defeat of the 2020 season, falling to the Northampton Blue Devils at Tekoa Country Club. The Bombers opened the season 3-0.
Garrity paces Rams, fuels victory
Southwick 170, Agawam 183
Southwick’s Matthew Garrity show a match-low 39 and the Rams went on to beat Agawam at Edgewood CC’s par 36. Jesse Johnson (41), Andrew Morris (45), and Joey Malkoon (45) were also instrumental in the victory.
