WESTFIELD – The fall ’16 season kicked off for some local high school teams in grand style Tuesday. The Westfield Bombers and Gateway Gators boys’ soccer teams were effective in defending their home field, and a senior captain took charge for his golf team.
BOYS’ SOCCER
White, Bombers top Purple Knight
Westfield 3, Holyoke 1
Senior Dante White tallied two goals to lead Westfield past Holyoke in a season opener in the Whip City. White scored an unassisted goal in the 18th minute, and drilled a go-ahead goal late.
Westfield’s Dante White (36) emerges ahead of the pack before being tripped up just outside the box Tuesday in a home contest against Holyoke. (Photo by Chris Putz)
With the score tied 1-1, White took on a group of Holyoke defenders – a nice individual effort – zigging and sagging from the corner to the goal and scoring with about 22 minutes remaining in regulation. Nate Boucher assisted on the play.
Dillon Bazegian tacked on an insurance goal on a pass from Ryan Prenosil.
Ian Saltmarsh collected eight saves in net for Westfield (1-0).
“Dante had a strong game,” Westfield coach Andrew Joseph said. “We are going to rely on him a lot this season. Overall, we played all right for our first go round.”
Although it was only the first day of a long regular season, the victory could prove to be key as it was a Moriarty Division contest.
Cooper, Gators knot Blue Devils
Gateway 1, Northampton 1
Nick Cooper notched a goal with four minutes left to force a tie in a thriller at Gateway.
The play was made possible by Conner Glebocki, who made a tackle on the ball, kicking the ball out to Frank Tangredi, who, in turn, set up Cooper for the strike inside the 18 yard line.
“It seemed like an eternity,” Gateway coach Tim Gamble said in describing the team’s scoreless stretch to begin the season’s first game. “The hustle play at the end was critical. Their goalie, Ian Hutchins, couldn’t get a bed on (the ball), and Nick Cooper finished it.”
Gamble said the end result will likely have lasting effects this season.
“This was important for our young team against a top division opponent on our home turf,” he said.
Millionaires cash in
Lenox 12, Westfield Technical Academy 0
Michael Abdalla and Harrison Keator each tallied hat tricks in Lenox’s big road victory at Jachym. Nic Baruch (3 assists) and Luke Murphy also scored two goals apiece for the Millionaires.
O’s stop Rams
Belchertown 2, Southwick 0
Ben LaClair scored two goals to lead Belchertown at home. Alec Morgado assisted on both efforts.
Southwick goalie Nick Chambers finished with 10 saves.
GOLF
Towle lead WHS to “W”
Westfield 165, Pope Francis 180
Westfield senior captain Ryan Towle shot a 3-over 38, Ari Schwartz finished with a 39, and junior Matt Bonsall and sophomore Wilkin Webster tied with 44s Tuesday at Franconia Golf Course in Springfield.
“We looked pretty good,” Westfield coach Chris Strycharz said. “We should be OK as long as we stay focused … and win the matches we are supposed to.”
Bombers swept
GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
Frontier def. Westfield 25-20, 25-19, 25-23
McKenzie Chaban (4 kills, 3 aces), Bella Kozcaik (2 kills), and Autumn Moccia (2 aces) paced Westfield.
“(It was a) good early test against a quality opponent,” Westfield coach Tyler Wingate said. “(We) had some good moments but have to get better across the board.”
Rams turned back
FIELD HOCKEY
Frontier 4, Southwick 0
Four different players scored one goal apiece to down visiting Southwick. Rams’ goalie Sarah Power collected 23 saves.
