Southwick’s Danielle Gold (4) races upfield with the ball against Greenfield on Thursday. (Photo by Chris Putz)
SOUTHWICK – The Southwick-Tolland High School field hockey team experienced an offensive burst in the second half of a key late-season matchup against visiting Greenfield, but fell short at the end, 2-1.
Southwick, now 7-7-1, must defeat or tie Mahar on the road toay in its final game of the regular season to qualify for the postseason.
“We played phenomenal in the second half,” Southwick coach Jordan Baillargeon said. “We let up a goal – that was tough, but we couldn’t have played a better game. We just couldn’t get the ball in the net.”
Greenfield scored its first goal of the game with 14:14 remaining in the first half on a shot from Kelsey Roberts. Danielle Townsley made it 2-0 midway through the second half.
Southwick took on the challenge with open arms, increasing its intensity tenfold and unleashing a flurry of shots at the Greenfield net. Rams’ Olivia White, who scored four goals in the team’s 6-1 win over Central on Tuesday, delivered shot after shot and multiple passes, but was denied.
Finally, after several opportunities, Southwick cracked the goose egg on the scoreboard when Danielle Gold’s shot found the back of the net. The Rams came close on several game-tying chances, but the ball continued to squirt just wide.
Southwick goalie Sarah Bodzinski finished with 18 saves. Bodzinski all but stood on her head to keep the Rams’ close, diving to divert balls, making kick-saves, and thwarting several attempts.
“There weren’t any tears of sadness because we lost today,” coach Baillargeon said. “We’re just frustrated. …We just have to come out (against Mahar) the way we ended our game today.”
Baillargeon said if the team plays its final game with confidence and determination Friday, there is a real possibility Southwick can pull off the upset and punch its tournament card.
Amherst 1, Westfield 0
Westfield goalie Jess Hale made five saves, Rachel Szalenkiewicz made a big defensive save, and Meaghan McClure played stellar defense for the Bombers.
JV RESULTS
Westfield High’s Junior Varsity Field Hockey Team defeated host Amherst Regional High School 4-0 last night. Grace Silva scored the only goal of the first half off a Gabbi Lunardini assist. The other three Lady Bomber goals were scored as the sun was setting. Desiree Otero connected on a Liz Marcyoniak assist to start things off in the second half within the first 2 minutes. Madison Brockney added another Westfield goal off a Kat Cepek assist at 8:43. With less than 3 minutes left in the game, Cepek who routinely plays a defensive position as one of the Bombers strong defenders scored her first goal of the season unassisted after being added to the forward line. For Westfield’s 10th shutout of the 2012 season, Goalkeeper Lexi Levere made 1 save in the first half, while fellow Goalkeeper Jourdan Frisbee enjoyed a shot free second half. The JV Lady Bombers are 12-3 overall with one home game remaining.
