The Westfield Bombers opened the home portion of their schedule Friday night against the Commerce Red Raiders. (Photo by Randy Burlingame)
WESTFIELD – The Westfield High School football team put forth a real life effort in their home opener Friday night, but their scoring barrage conjured up video game-like numbers.
Westfield scored touchdowns on all eight possessions en route to a 59-6 blowout victory over Commerce Friday night at Bullens Field. The Bombers improved to 3-0.
It took just one play on offense for Westfield to strike first.
Commerce botched its first punt of the game, setting Westfield up in the red zone. The Bombers struck pay dirt when senior quarterback Mike Nihill delivered a quick strike pass to Christian Nalepinski who darted around a few defenders before scoring a touchdown. The score came with 8:52 remaining in the first quarter.
The floodgates opened with Westfield scoring on its each of its next seven drives.
Dakotah Moynihan rumbled for a 34-yard touchdown; Adam Boggs scored on a 10-yard rush in the final minute of the opening quarter; Nihill connected with Baley Collier in the opening minutes of the second quarter; C.J. Skribiski hauled in a Nihill pass out near the flat, bounced to the outside and scampered in untouched up the right sideline for a 41 yard score; and Nihill found Collier streaking down the field for a 57-yard TD to take a 39-0 lead into the half.
The break did not break up the Bombers’ momentum.
Westfield opened the second half with an eight-play drive, 50-yard drive that culminated in Skribiski’s 27-yard catch-and-run score, his second scoring play.
Commerce’s ensuing drive was over in the blink of an eye.
On the Red Raiders’ first pass attempt of the second half, Boggs intercepted a pass. The Bombers took over, and after a long run from Moynihan, Manny Sardinha scored on a two-yard TD rush to make it 52-0.
The scoring barrage did not end there though as Westfield soon scored on its eighth straight possession, a 47-yard TD run from Sardinha.
Commerce scored a short touchdown as time ran out.
FIELD HOCKEY
Moniz lifts Bombers
Westfield 3, Amherst 2
Sophomore captain Emily Moniz scored two goals, and senior Solimar Franco tallied one score to lead Westfield to the road victory.
Abby Daley and senior captain Thea Glenzel assisted on Moniz’s two scores. Avery Guiel set up Franco’s goal.
Westfield goalie Rachel Packard made four saves.
GIRLS SOCCER
Goodreau sisters down Red Raiders
St. Mary’s 5, Commerce 0
The Goodreau sisters combined for all five goals – Alli netted a hat trick and Emma notched two goals (and an assist) – as St. Mary enjoyed a home shutout.
Erin Olearcek and Chloe Lussier each picked up assists. Jess Crosby (2 saves) earned the shutout.
“We were able to really mix up the lineup today and get some girls some valuable minutes that will pay off as the season progresses,” St. Mary’s coach Pat Olearcek said.
St. Mary’s has four seventh graders and an eighth grader that have already received valuable playing time. The Saints showed an uptick in tempo from the previous game, increasing its shot total from 27 to 39.
“I really like the pressure we are creating,” coach Olearcek said.
With the win, St. Mary’s improved to 3-0-1.
Bryant tallies 11 saves
Hampden Charter School of Science 3, Westfield Technical Academy 0
Aubrey Bryant made 11 saves for Westfield Tech, who delivered a solid effort in defeat.
LATE RESULTS – Thurs., Sept. 21
BOYS SOCCER
Blanchard, Lamirande pile up the points
St. Mary’s 12, Duggan Academy 4
Jack Lamirande (5 goals, 5 assists) and Aaron Blanchard (4 goals, 4 assists) continued their torrid scoring pace and remain 1-2 in total points in Western Massachusetts following Thursday’s outing for St. Mary’s.
Eighth grader Everett Stec also scored for St. Mary’s, his first two high school goals, and Brady Collins nabbed a score.
St. Mary’s goalie Hayden Lussier played well in goal, and Jack Masciadrelli, Mark Nelson, and Eason Pak delivered defensively.
BOMBERS TO HONOR SULLIVAN: Players for Westfield High School boys soccer will be wearing red socks embroidered with “KS” at Saturday night’s game against Holyoke to honor late school committee member Kevin Sullivan, a longtime supporter of local athletics, who recently passed away from a sudden heart attack.
The game will begin at Westfield State University at 8 p.m.
