Southwick’s Declan O’Donnell (36) eyes the ball in a boys’ soccer game against Commerce Wednesday in Springfield. (Photo by Chris Putz)
SPRINGFIELD – Good things come to those who wait, or so the saying goes.
On Wednesday, it took the Southwick boys’ soccer team nearly 35 minutes to score its first goal on the road against Commerce. From there, the Rams poured it on en route to a 7-0 blowout victory.
Jon Collins scored an unassisted goal in the 35th minute to get Southwick off slippery footing on a rain-soaked afternoon.
Southwick’s Jonathan Collins, right, attempts to dribble around the Commerce defense. (Photo by Chris Putz)
Three minutes later, Evan Haynes made it 2-0. Bailey Emerson assisted on the play.
Emerson soon took matters into his own hands, or rather, feet, scoring goals in the 57th and 67th minutes to make it 4-0. Jon Collins and Riley O’Connor each earned an assist, respectively.
In the 69th minute, Declan O’Donnell took a pass from Emerson, and hammered home Southwick’s fifth goal. Brandon Castor notched two goals in the closing minutes, the first of which was set up by a pass from Matt Lecrenski.
Southwick goalie Nick Chambers turned away all four Commerce shots on net.
Bombers storm back
Westfield 2, Northampton 2
Westfield rallied for a sensational tie on the road Wednesday night. Matt Butera scored the game-tying goal with two minutes remaining in regulation. Dante White set up Butera on the play.
Mike Visconti scored the first Westfield goal. Ryan Prencil assisted.
Said Bombers’ coach Andrew Joseph: “This is just an indication of the types of guys we have on our team – they’re gamers. When they need to make something happen – they do it.”
O’s Silence WHS
GIRLS’ SOCCER
Belchertown 4, Westfield 0
Kelsey Shea scored one goal in each half to lead Belchertown Wednesday. Orioles goalie Ashley Cavanaugh collected six saves in a shutout.
Westfield goalie Jessica Healey finished with 17 saves.
LATE RESULTS
GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY
Southwick 16, Palmer 43; Monson 25, Southwick 30
Monson swept the top three spots in a tri-meet Tuesday. Mustangs’ Kathryn Wright led the way with a winning time of 21:57.
Southwick took places 4-7, courtesy of Abby Howe (24:57), Cassie White (25:21), Reece Couture (25:32), and Sam Smith (25:54).
Emily McKinney placed ninth overall for the Rams in 26:51.
