Westfield’s Anthony Schabowski lines up his putt on the 18th hole during Monday’s Western Massachusetts Division 1 golf championships at Southampton Country Club. (Photo by Chris Putz)
SOUTHAMPTON – The Westfield High School golf team’s magnificent season came to a halt as the Bombers ran out of fuel at the Western Massachusetts Division 1 golf championships Monday at Southampton Country Club.
“The greens are tough here,” said Westfield senior Colin Scanlon, who tied teammate Anthony Schabowski for a Bombers’ best 86 at the finals. “It’s sloped a lot more here than at Tekoa.”
Scanlon, who admitted to a couple of three putts (which was on par with much of the competition Monday), birded the ninth hole.
Schabowski also noted the difficulty of the course.
“I thought I hit the ball great, but the greens were really tough,” Schabowski said. The sophomore golfer also birdied a hole, the sixth.
Amherst’s Even Rutherford won the individual championship with an 80. Scanlon and Schabowski just missed the cut for the state championship by two strokes apiece.
Longmeadow and Minnechaug finished 1-2 in the overall team standings. Westfield finished the regular season 12-1.
“They stuck it out; they grinded it out,” Westfield golf head coach Chris Strycharz said. “It just wasn’t our day.”
D3 GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATE:
Westfield Technical Academy held its own, placing seventh overall in its first-ever tournament appearance at Municipal Golf Course in Agawam.
“The Tigers held their own,” said Westfield Tech golf head coach Bob Eak said, whose team won four straight regular season matches to end the season to qualify for the postseason.
Dave Romani, Trent Adam, and newcomer Hunter Loomis led the way for Westfield Tech.
Said Eak: “I knew if everyone played to their potential, we were in. We dominated those four matches (against Pathfinder, Mohawk, Central and Sabis) and that’s something they should all be proud of.”
The future looks bright. Only two seniors are expected to graduate with a full squad of experienced players set to return.
GIRLS SOCCER
Westfield 4, Chicopee Comp 1
Cait Bean scored two goals, and Kaela Mochak and Chandler Pedolzky each had one as Westfield prevailed at home on “Senior Day.”
Claire LeMarche had two assists, and Megan Alvarado had one for the Bombers.
Westfield goalie Adrianna Arona made 6 saves.
St. Mary’s 1, Duggan Academy 0
Emma Goodreau took a feed from Emma Bialas and hammered home the game’s lone goal for the game-winner late in the first half of a contest that had a playoff-feel.
Paighton Ramos and Macy Woodger was stout throughout the match on defense. Amelia Willenborg turned away all 12 shots she faced.
“This was such a physical, hard-fought game with much on the line,” St. Mary’s girls soccer head coach Patrick Olearcek said. “The younger girls who had to step up really did and the veterans made sure we ended up on top. I’m very proud of the way the girls handled the pressure, as well as their emotions throughout the match and after.”
St. Mary’s improved to 11-1-2 overall, 10-0-2 Tri-County League.
FIELD HOCKEY
South Hadley 1, Westfield 0
Megan Carey scored the game-winner for South Hadley. Tigers’ keeper Kaitlyn Lynes (2 saves) earned the shutout.
Westfield goalie Lindsey Brown finished with four saves.
“Even though the game didn’t go in our favor,” Westfield field hockey head coach Courtney Albee said, “it was an achievement for the program. …Westfield played with heart and fought until the finish.”
The contest was dubbed a Play4ALS game as Westfield hosted South Hadley, playing in honor of family members of the team who have passed away from ALS. The Bombers raised $250 for the ALS Association.
Southwick 4, Mahar 0
Emily Martin once again dominated the score sheet with three goals and one assist for Southwick. Rams’ Marisa Coviello added one goal of her own in the first half and one assist in the second half. Coviello was also solid on defense and had another defensive save to help preserve the shutout for Clare Stratton (9 saves).
Southwick improved to 10-5-1 (6-2-1 league).
BOYS SOCCER
Westfield Technical Academy 1, Putnam 0
Westfield Tech won its seventh consecutive league title with a dominant performance Monday.
“I am happy for our seniors for what they accomplished over the past four years,” Westfield Tech coach Kyle Dulude said. “I am sure they would be the first to say it was always a team effort.”
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Westfield def. Agawam 25-13, 25-8, 25-10
Yanaira Henry (3 aces, 2 assists), Viktoria Pavlyuk (5 kills, 1 ace), Emily Gelinas (2 kills, 9 assists, 1 ace), Olivia Hadla (4 kills, 1 ace) and Grace Regan (3 kills, 4 aces) led Westfield to a sweeping victory. The Bombers improved to 14-4 overall, 8-0 Western League.
