Gateway’s Nick Cooper (7) dribbles the ball out in between a crease in the defense. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WESTFIELD – There comes a time every few seasons when an underdog somehow finds a way to defy the odds and conjure up a big victory or a miracle run.
The Gateway Regional High School boys’ soccer team has joined that conversation.
Nick Cooper took a pass from Zach Otterack with about 10 minutes remaining in regulation, scoring the equalizer and helping the Division Gateway Gators pull off a stunning 1-1 tie against Division 1 foe Westfield Monday in the Whip City.
For Division 4 team Gateway, the tie (1 point) will likely stand as a highlight for years to come. On the other end of the spectrum stood Westfield.
“(This is) about as disappointing as a result as we’ve had here I think since I’ve been coaching,” Westfield coach Andrew Joseph said. “Gateway had a game plan … we couldn’t crack it.”
Westfield cracked the goose eggs on the scoreboard midway through the first half. Sam Winiarski drilled a kick off a nice feed from Aiden Dunn through the Gateway defense midway through the first half. The lead held up for nearly 50 minutes, until Cooper tied it.
Shane Mastello made seven saves in net for Gateway.
“There wasn’t really anything wrong with our effort,” coach Joseph said. “We just didn’t have the ball go in the net for us. We just have to move on.”
Red Raiders overwhelm Saints
Commerce 7, St. Mary 1
Matt Masciadrelli scored St. Mary’s lone goal. Joe Lucardi assisted.
St. Mary’s goalie Jacob Butler finished with 30 saves.
GIRLS’ SOCCER
Pathfinder 1, St. Mary 0
St. Mary goalie Aisling Butler stopped 28 shots on goal in a narrow road loss.
“Aisling Butler continues to be a rock in net,” St. Mary coach Andy Lussier said. “We just had some bad luck with a miscue in the second half and Pathfinder capitalized.”
Lussier said the rotation of Jenna Turinni, Emmalina Toma, Erin Olearcek, Madie Donais, and Sam Manchino in the backfield limited Pathfinder’s looks.
Caitlyn Olearcek took away several runs up the left side as well.
St. Mary attempted just four shots on goal.
“I still believe that this team is better than our record and that they can play competitively against any of the teams in the league,” Lussier said.
Mello, Rams prevail
Southwick 3, Holyoke 1
Alex Mello scored two goals to lead Southwick. Rams’ Emily Giancola had one as well, McKivney had two assists, and Liz Tenerowicz had one.
Southwick goalie Tori Richburg and Hannah Garrish combined for five saves.
Renaissance tops WTA
Renaissance 7, Westfield Technical Academy 2
Westfield Tech’s first goal came from Ilona Gladysh, who one-touched it in the air off a corner kick from captain Heather Lannon. Liliya Stepanchuk took the ball on a breakaway and scored unassisted for the Tigers’ second goal.
Westfield Tech’s Diana Solokhina made seven saves, and Emily Dorval had one.
GOLF
Blair shoots career round in loss
East Longmeadow 153, Westfield 163
Freshman Adam Blair shot an impressive round of golf for Westfield, finishing with a 39 at Elmcrest. The Bombers fell to 7-3.
Rams stomp Mustangs
Southwick 22.5, Monson 1.5
Southwick improved to 10-1 overall with a win at Quaboag Country Club in Monson.
James Longhi led all golfers again, finishing the round for Southwick with a 37. Rams’ Bradley Durand shot a 39, and Jagger Turgeon and Chris Baker each finished with 40s.
Willenborg solid in defeat
Palmer 17.5, St. Mary 6.5
Luke Willenborg shot a 5-over 36 at Tekoa Country Club to lead St. Mary. Saints’ Matt Iacovelli defeated his opponent at the fifth spot to score three points.
GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
Brownies stave off Bombers
Agawam def. Westfield 25-22, 22-25, 27-25, 25-16
Carey Marshall (15 assists, 3 aces, 5 digs), McKenzie Chaban (10 kills, 10 digs), Madison Robitaille (5 kills, 1 block), Bella Kozciak (5 aces, 3 kills), and Stephanie Sgueglia (20 digs, 1 ace) delivered for Westfield.
Rams fall in four sets
Chicopee Comp def. Southwick, 25-17, 11-25, 25-17, 25-20
Caroline Methe (10 digs, 7 assists, 5 aces, 1 block), Emily Lachtara (6 digs, 4 kills), Bella DeLuca (7 digs), and Allie Methe (3 aces) led Southwick.
JV GIRLS’ SOCCER
Southwick 2, Holyoke 1
Maura Wurster scored both Southwick goals. Rams’ Hannah Garrish and Isabella Poules combined for five saves in net.
LATE RESULTS
Sat., Oct. 1
BOYS’ SOCCER
Westfield 2, Chicopee 0
Sam Winiarski had a hand in both Westfield goals, scoring once and assisting on another. Dante White had the other score.
Westfield goalie Ian Saltmarsh made five saves.
Hampshire 3, Southwick 0
Three different Hampshire players – Graham George, Dillon Pooler, and Justin Szajkowski – scored to down Southwick.
FIELD HOCKEY
Northampton 2, Westfield 0
Anna Kerwood scored one goal and assisted on another for Northampton. Westfield goalie Gwen Smith finished with five saves.
JV BOYS’ SOCCER
Southwick 2, Hampshire 2
Cade Billings scored twice for Southwick, which improved to 5-2-1.
