Westfield’s Aidan Dunn, center, heads the ball in off a free kick from Sam Winiarski in the early moments of Wednesday’s season opener at Holyoke High School’s Roberts Field. It stood as the game-winner with both defenses prevailing. (Photo by Chris Putz)
HOLYOKE – The Westfield High School boys’ soccer team found a way to get ahead as Aidan Dunn used his noggin to outsmart the opposition in an early season contest.
Dunn headed the ball in off a free kick from Sam Winiarski in the early portion of Wednesday’s high school boys soccer season opener to lead Westfield past Holyoke 1-0 at Roberts Sports Complex in Holyoke.
“It was a great ball,” Westfield coach Andrew Joseph said. Winiarski delivered the kick from about 40 yards out. Dunn completed the scoring play, heading it in from the top of the box past the outstretched arms of a diving goaltender.
On the other side of the field, Westfield goalie Mike Lurgio made an incredible save on a free kick late in the first half – and was perfect in the second half – to earn a shutout.
Lurgio was helped out by midfielder Brendan LaForest and sophomore center-back Tyler Shrewsbury, who shut down Holyoke’s Joseph Euhborokhai.
“Our whole team’s shape was very good when we didn’t have the ball,” coach Joseph said. “That allowed us to be successful.”
Westfield will get a chance to extend its success into the weekend when it next takes on Pittsfield in the night cap of a super quadruple header on “Westfield Soccer Day” Saturday at Westfield State University.
The Westfield Technical Academy and St. Mary girls soccer teams will kick off the four-game slate at 1 p.m., followed by the two programs’ boys’ teams at 3. The Westfield girls’ soccer team hosts Central at 5. Westfield-Pittsfield is expected to begin at 7.
“It should be a pretty cool night,” Joseph said.
Admission for all four contests is free of charge.
GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
Amherst def. Westfield 25-10, 25-21, 25-18
Madi Robitaille (4 kills, 1 ace), Autumn Moccia (3 kills, 2 aces), Tori Hosmer (3 aces), and Emily Gelinas (3 aces, 8 assists) contributed for Westfield.
LATE RESULTS
JV BOYS’ SOCCER
Easthampton 4, Southwick 1
Mason Imbriglio scored on a penalty kick for Southwick’s JV squad Tuesday.
