NORTHFIELD — It might not have been the result the Hampshire Regional field hockey team hoped for in its season opener against Pioneer, but it was an encouraging start for a program that started just one year ago.
A first quarter goal from Pioneer’s Riley Thayer was the lone shot that found its way into the back of the cage for either team, as the Panthers came away with a 1-0 victory.
The score didn’t indicate how the Raiders were able to control the ball and keep pressure on the Panthers defense.
“I’m happy with how we played,” Hampshire coach Deena Lashway said. “I feel like we dominated the game but we couldn’t pull it together in the circle. We’ll work on that. I’m really hopeful for the rest of the season after seeing this game.”
It was a defensive battle the whole 60 minutes, with Pioneer getting just three shots on goal while Hampshire managed just one. The Raiders had a shot to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, but Silvia Bastek’s shot clanged off the left post.
Olivia Labrie came up with two saves in goal in the loss.
Smith Academy 5, Southwick 0 — It was an impressive start to the season for new coach Judy Strong and the Falcons.
Charlotte Hennings and Makena Valentine each scored two goals to help Smith Academy blank Southwick.
“[Hennings] had great stick skills in the circle,” said Strong, the former Olympian. “And a nice defection from Makena Valentine on the second goal. Cat Kokoski, Bailey McCoy, Elena Baranoski, Amanda Novak and [Valentine] shut down the middle of the field and distributed the ball nicely into attack.”
Kokoski had the other tally for the Falcons, which led 2-0 at halftime.
Hadley Szynal made three saves to pick up the shut out in the Smith Academy net.
FC Tech 2, Belchertown 1 — Belchertown’s Abigail Olden tied the game early in the fourth quarter with a goal, but visiting Franklin Tech received a late tally from Kaitlin Trudeau to snag a 2-1 win.
Belchertown keeper Eliza Rothstein made five saves, and the Orioles held a 16-5 edge in penalty corners.
Holyoke 3, Palmer 0 — Have a day, Samantha Brennan.
The Holyoke sniper thumped in all three goals to lift the Purple Knights to a season-opening 3-0 victory over Palmer on Tuesday. Gracie Chesmore notched a pair of assists and Brenna Murphy also assisted on a goal for Holyoke.
Hopkins 6, Gateway 1 — Anna Dyjach buried a pair of goals to help the Golden Hawks open with a victory.
Mary Styspeck, Helen Vissas, Sadie Cyr and Alayna Bailey also found the back of the net in the win. Tia Fyden and Daisy Venditti had two assists a piece and Lily Ellia made three saves.
Gateway’s Emersyn Carpenter scored for the Gators.
Amherst 2, Frontier 1 — A pair of first-half goals from the Hurricanes proved to be the difference, with Amherst opening its 2021 campaign with a 2-1 victory over the host Redhawks on Tuesday.
Maddie Hockman had both of the Hurricane goals, with Eleanor Jacoby picking up an assist.
Makayla Santos had Frontier’s strike, assisted by Alena Maes-Polan.
Frontier’s CC Green and Cadince Wells-Robinson combined for nine saves in the loss, while Amherst goalie Lily Gleason made seven saves.
“I thought both teams worked hard and it was a solid game for the first of the season,” said new Amherst coach Don Fraser.
Mahar 2, Easthampton 1 — Astha Bernard tallied the eventual game-winning goal in the second half, helping the host Senators open the season with a victory.
Bernard broke a 1-1 tie with an assist from Natalie Apteker. Sienna Moore opened the scoring in the first half, with Bernard recording the assist. Easthampton tied it four minutes later with a goal from Grace Downer.
Easthampton 3, Belchertown 0 — Marlina Devine put down six kills, while Rina Damon and Kayley Downie added five kills apiece to lift the Eagles to a 2513, 25-13, 25-18 sweep on Tuesday.
Skylar Raskevitz paced the defense with 11 digs and Easthampton setter Delima Fournier dished out 19 assists.
Boys soccer
Hopkins 4, Renaissance 0 — The Golden Hawks held a 1-0 lead at the half but blasted in three goals in the second half to pull away with a 4-0 Schmid League victory in Hadley on Tuesday.
Alex West had the first strike in the 21st minute, set up by an assist by Teddy Cyr.
Patrick Fitzgibbons opened the second half scoring in the 46th minute off a dish from Cyr, followed by an unassisted Cyr goal. Fitzgibbons closed out the scoring in the 61st minute.
Gallo O’Connell stopped four shots in goal for Hopkins.
PVCICS 3, Ware 1 — Teddy Scott, Abram Speek and Grahm Arguin all found the back of the net to help the Dragons snatch a season-opening 3-1 victory over Ware on Tuesday.
Speek assisted on Arguin’s goal.
In goal, Speek made three saves in the first half and Gavin Gilburg made one save in the second half.
Ware’s Owen McKeever tallied for his side.
Belchertown 3, Amherst 0 – Dominic Mancuso found the net and added an assist, as the Orioles opened the season with a home win. Kaden Houle and Hunter LePage scored a goal each. Carson Boscher and Shay O’Neil delivered an assist each for Belchertown.
Jacob Chaisson stopped three shots to keep the clean sheet.
The Orioles outshot Amherst 16-3.
Gateway 3, Taconic 2 – Landon Richards netted the Gators game-winner in the 88th minute at Berkshire Community College from Ryan Morin.
Ayden Audet put away a corner kick in the eighth minute to put Gateway ahead to start. Shane Cooper converted a penalty in the 46th minute.
Gateway’s Preston Coffey saved eight shots.