Westfield’s Stephanie Paye (41) defends South Hadley’s Sienna Hebert. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WESTFIELD – South Hadley’s Brooke Marion scored a game-high six goals and four others had two apiece as the Tigers’ girls’ lacrosse team cruised to an 18-3 victory over host Westfield High Thursday.
South Hadley struck for nearly a dozen first-half goals, claiming an 11-3 lead at the half. The Tigers played keep-away for much of the second half with occasional attacks on the Westfield goal.
The Bombers (1-3 overall, 1-1 Valley League) were playing at less-than-full strength, due to injury, sickness, and a school trip.
Ashlee Owen led Westfield with two goals, and Brittany Hutchison had one. Ashlee O’Connor and Samantha Kane had one assist apiece.
“A lot of younger girls are getting the experience now,” Westfield coach Paul Fenwick said. “Hopefully that will pay dividends as the season progresses.”
Fenwick admitted that he pleaded for a tough regular season schedule, and said he has no regrets despite the team’s slow start.
“This year, especially, we are playing all the tough teams,” the Bombers coach explained. “It’s a realignment year, and this is how we can if we’re ready. This is a way to measure it, and force us to get better.”
Fenwick said Mary Boudreau, Ashlee Owen, and Mackenzie Millikan have emerged as the go-to threats early on this season, with others such as Victoria Whalen and Brittany Hutchison steadily improving on offense.
Olivia Clark, Heather Lutservitz, Lauren Scholpp, and Rachel Lacey have been instrumental in helping to form the backbone of the defense.
Despite the offensive onslaught handed to them, courtesy of South Hadley, Westfield’s coach was still upbeat about his team’s “D.”
“The defense is starting to work as a team,” he said. “Our senior defenders need to get the others on the same sheet of music.”
By season’s end, Fenwick and the Bombers are hoping to end with several good notes.
BOYS’ TENNIS
Chicopee 3, Westfield 2
Chicopee (3-1) won a thrilling doubles match to hand Westfield (3-1) its first loss of the season.
Chris Ricardo and Jeff Mason rallied from a 6-3 deficit to defeat Westfield’s second doubles pair, Tilman Riemer and Jesse Burlingame, 3-6, 6-1, 7-5.
Riemer and Burlingame actually had their opponents on the ropes, up 5-4 in the third set, until Ricardo and Mason scored three unanswered match points for the stunning victory.
Chicopee also won at second doubles.
Westfield’s Loeiz Briand swept through first singles, 6-0, 6-0. Jacob Barbieri won a tough match at third singles for the Bombers, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.
BOYS’ TRACK & FIELD
Chicopee 73, Westfield 72
Alex Martin (100 meters, 11.6), Nick Jacques (400 meters, 54.3), Cheyenne Grabiec (800 meters), Blake Croteau (mile), Matt Jacobson (2 mile), Charles Newman (long jump), and Jacob Santangelo (discus) each won individual events for Westfield. The Bombers’ 4×100 and 4×400 relay teams also finished first.
