SOUTHWICK – They’re in!
Southwick officially punched its ticket to the Division II Western Massachusetts championships by defeating Palmer 159-175 in an early Columbus Day match at Edgewood’s par-36 Monday. The Rams improved to 8-4.
Andrew Morris (37), Matthew Garrity (39), Joey Malkoon (40), and Jesse Johnson (43) paved the way for Southwick’s latest victory. Palmer’s Ethan Beauchemin shot a 35 to lead all of the golfers.
“Matt’s been solid all year … and Andrew has stepped up,” said Southwick golf coach Joe Whalen. “They are our 1-2 punch.”
Garrity and Morris, both seniors, are each averaging close to a 39 this season (Matt a smidge under; Andrew a hair over). The two golfers finished fifth as a team at the PVIAC Two-Ball Championships at The Ranch.
Matt Coviello, who shot a 46 against Palmer, and Johnson have been a steady force for Southwick all season, as well.
Ninth graders Josh Drumm, who also finished with a 46, Evan Michelucci, who shot a 44, and Malkoon have enjoyed a roller coaster ride of sorts this season. “They’ve had their bad rounds but they’ve been able to get a good round in too,” coach Whalen said.
With the postseason quickly approaching, anticipation will soon build.
Said Whalen: “I predict that Matt and Andrew will be solid at Western Mass. …I am confident that Jesse and Matt or Joey and Evan can put together a solid round too.
The Western Massachusetts golf championships will be held at Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield Oct. 19.
BOYS SOCCER
Brownies score early, late to nip Bombers
Agawam 2, Westfield 1
Agawam scored 90 seconds into the game, and tallied a second goal, the game-winner, with 10 minutes left in the game to escape with a narrow victory.
“We looked a little too disinterested out of possession early,” Westfield boys soccer coach Andrew Joseph said regarding the opening minutes. “We survived the rest of the first half without conceding, thankfully.”
Westfield started off the second half hot, scoring immediately out of the break. Ryder Finnie first-timed a cross pass from Jeremy Edelson two minutes into the final half.
Agawam regained the lead with 10 minutes in regulation.
Westfield goalie Aiden Van Oostveen turned in what coach Joseph described as his “best performance of the season” with good decision-making and several highlight-reel saves.
