Westfield’s Francesco Luicci splits the Belchertown defense. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WESTFIELD – Belchertown scored three goals in a 15-minute span to open a high school boys’ soccer game at Westfield en route to a 5-1 victory Wednesday.
Orioles’ Cam Messier had a hand in all three goals.
Messier scored less than two minutes into the game. He took a cross pass and blasted the ball to the opposite side of the net past a diving goalie for a quick 1-0 lead 107 seconds in.
In the 10th minute, Messier set up a teammate who settled the ball out in front of the net and had a relatively easy shot for a 2-0 advantage.
Messier scored with 25:52 remaining in the opening half.
Westfield chipped away at the lead with a goal from Eric Shilyuk, courtesy of a pass from Pat Wroth. Belchertown tacked on two more goals in the second half.
“We thought we’d be able to turn it around,” said Westfield coach Gabe Crane, whose Bombers suffered a 2-0 season-opening loss to Ludlow just 24 hours before. “We just had no legs underneath us, guys were getting injured, cramps, everything. Back-to-back games … and 95 degree temperatures did not help.”
Westfield will have five days before its next game – its first league contest – against Northampton Monday at home at 4 p.m.
“We’re going to get some rest,” coach Crane said.
