Southwick’s Ryan Todesco scores on a breakaway as Monson goalie Antonio Pratt’s diving effort comes up short. (Photo by Chris Putz)
SOUTHWICK – The Southwick-Tolland Regional High School boys’ soccer team kept its tournament hopes alive in a hard-fought 2-2 tie against visiting Monson Tuesday.
Monson scored the game-tying goal when its offense made a last-second push with a wave of players moving toward the goal in the 78th minute. Michael Lund, Jr., burst free, and scored.
Patrick Murphy provided Monson with the game’s first score in the 12th minute.
In the 28th minute, Southwick tied it 1-all on Cooper Wojciak’s goal off a pass from Dan Lane. Ryan Todesco gave the Rams a 2-1 lead with a breakaway goal with 31:33 remaining in regulation. Todesco took a diagonal pass from Bailey Emerson.
Southwick goalie Patrick King was sensational in goal. Although he yielded two goals, including the late game-tying goal, he was under immense pressure. It easily could have been a loss if not for King.
King made a leaping save on a short direct kick, tipping a hard-hit ball up and over the crossbar in the 65th minute. The Southwick goalie dodged a bullet in the 72nd minute when a laser shot smacked the crossbar and ricocheted back into the field of play. The Rams cleared it.
Southwick goalie Patrick King tips a shot up and over the crossbar for one of several saves against visiting Monson Tuesday. (Photo by Chris Putz)
King also made a diving save when a Monson player tapped an indirect kick to a teammate, who fired a shot past the Rams’ defensive wall.
King finished with 12 saves.
Southwick and Monson were both seeking a victory with the postseason chase in full gear.
“Both teams were looking for a win,” Southwick coach Frank Montagna said. “There was a lot of emotion on top of it being a league game. There was a sense of rivalry today.”
Southwick, which now sits at 3-6-3, must win its final three games to qualify for the Division II tournament. For the Rams, that starts with a visit from Belchertown Thursday at 4 p.m.
“If we can get this type of effort every game, we can beat most teams,” Montagna said. “We need to continue this work ethic moving forward – the same type of enthusiasm, heart, and desire – to win.”
JV RESULTS
Southwick 7, Monson 2
Brandon Castor and Mike Fleming scored two goals apiece, and Hogun Kang, Matt Daley, and Dylan Buscemi had one apiece for Southwick (11-1).
Rams’ Jack Lebo (2 assists), Dan McClellen (1 assist), Buscemi (1 A), Castor (1 A), Matt Lecrenski (1 A), Matt Wolanski (1 A), and Kang (1 A) also had a hand in the rout.
Southwick was coming off a 1-0 win over Hampshire, a game that saw Jack Lebo net the game-winner off a pass from Kang.
GIRLS’ SOCCER
Renaissance 2, Westfield Voc-Tech 0
Amber Lindsay and Cathie Iglesias played well for Voc-Tech, and Tigers’ goalie Megan Illnicky made nine saves at Jachym Field.
