Over the past two girls soccer seasons, the Western Mass. Class B championship has been battled out between Hampshire County foes South Hadley and Belchertown. In 2021, the Orioles squeezed out a 3-2 victory behind a last-minute strike from now-junior Mia Corish, and in 2022, the Tigers cruised to a 4-1 victory thanks to a hat-trick from current senior Lauren Marjanski.
The two teams have loads of talent once again in 2023, and could very well see each other in the Class B title game for a third consecutive year. Belchertown head coach Kyle Thibeault acknowledges the rivalry, and believes playing against one another brings out the best of both squads. Even though they won’t meet in the state tournament this season (South Hadley dropped down to Division 4 while Belchertown remains in Division 3), they do meet on Sept. 18, and could meet again down the road.
“We have been two quality programs in Class B, and with that it’s always a battle,” Thibeault said. “The rivalry is there, and that adds to the gameplay and the intensity. I know our coaching staff and our girls respect them and each other. I think that adds another layer of intensity, but also it’s part of playing sports – the competitive side of things, and it comes out with them. We won’t see them in the state tournament, but we could potentially meet again in that Class B tournament.”
The reigning-champ Tigers have quite the roster coming back. South Hadley returns a whopping 16 players from last season, including seven seniors – led by Marjanski, who comes into the year just four points away from 100 for her career and recently committed to Division 2 The College of Saint Rose. While the Tigers have plenty of senior leadership, they also have several younger players that can make an impact on any game at any moment. Juniors Katherine McArdle and Maddie Soderbaum are offensive weapons alongside Marjanski, and junior Emma Levreault and sophomore Allison Fleury provide intelligence and stability as well. Head coach Rich Marjanski expects his team could be even better than it was in 2022.
“We have pieces that played a lot and started last year,” Marjanski said. “They probably will gain a little more confidence this year, and I expect possession to be better and decisions to be better. The best thing about this team is that they have a lot of soccer smarts, which is great to see.”
South Hadley won its first Western Mass. title in 2017, and since then, the Tigers have been taught to do one thing: win games. Marjanski has turned his program into a winning machine, as they went back-to-back-to-back in 2017, 2018, and 2019. South Hadley has won four of the last five Western Mass. titles in its respective division/class, and Marjanski doesn’t expect the dominance to stop anytime soon.
“This program has been built to win since 2017,” Marjanski said. “That’s what we’re known for. We are a winning program. Our first goal is to win our league, which is going to be a battle because we have great teams in our league. The next goal is to win a Western Mass. championship, and the final goal is to roll that right into the state tournament and win a state championship. All those goals are achievable for this team, and it’s my job to get these girls ready for that.”
Belchertown lost seven seniors from last year’s team, including Brianna Romaniak (six goals) and do-it-all midfielder Macie Bolton. But unlike most teams who experience heavy roster turnover like that, the Orioles have already found replacements for those seniors. They have 10 incoming freshmen, and instead of rebuilding, they reload. Thibeault doesn’t expect to see much of – if any – drop off from last year’s team.
“We replenish every year here at Belchertown, which is obviously a good issue to have,” Thibeault said. “As we graduate some girls that go on to play at different college divisions, we kind of replenish each year. We’re fortunate that every year the incoming group is pretty good and that there’s no real drop off. We’re able to fill the gaps as needed.”
Thibeault and Marjanski both have similar mindsets when constructing their team’s schedules for the regular season. They don’t want to play weaker teams in September and October, because they know their players won’t be ready for the physicality and quickness of teams in the playoffs – especially those playing deeper into the state tournament.
Belchertown faces the likes of Minnechaug, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Ludlow, West Springfield, and Westfield this season, while South Hadley squares off against Pope Francis, Agawam, Hampshire, and Ludlow as well. Oh, and, of course, they play one another.
“Our schedule is arguably one of the better ones in the state just from how we do it out here in Western Mass.,” Thibeault said. “We play against some quality programs throughout the year, a lot of the bigger schools in the area. My expectation is to continue to work hard and compete at that highest level that’s only gonna prepare us for the tournament at the end of the season.”
Marjanski agreed.
“You have to make sure you play really good teams before you get to the state tournament,” he said. “Our league is super competitive, and it gets these kids ready for serious competition. So when they step in the game and play somebody out east, they aren’t gonna be intimidated. Western Mass. has never been well-respected out east, but come tournament time, every single one of our coaches is rooting for a Western Mass. team. We want to build the west up and represent it well when we get to a state tournament.”
South Hadley and Belchertown are ready to go this season, and both teams will go through 2023 with a target on their backs as the previous two Western Mass. champions.
Belchertown
COACH: Kyle Thibeault, seventh season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Coombs/3
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 12-4-5, lost in Class B Western Mass. finals, lost in Division III state quarterfinals
ROSTER: Seniors — Brook Burrows, Emalee Chaisson, Olivia Corbin, Madison DaCosta, Michaela Dubey, Briana Haley, Mattingly Marques, Madysen LePage, Keira Ryan; Juniors — Mia Corish, Fallon Clancy, Jillian Debarge, Kyla Giroux, Allison Morris, Logan Moses, Brianna Ribeiro, Maya Tellier; Sophomores — Alexa Karabetsos, McKenzie LePage, Isabel Moreau; Freshmen — Avery Cooper, Morghan Litz, Madelyn Philpott, Lily Tellier, Isabella Vozzella
Hopkins Academy
COACH: Vincent Catania
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Pioneer South/5
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 15-2-3, lost in Class E Western Mass. semifinals, state tournament qualifier
ROSTER: Seniors — Cassidy Fyden, Cassidi Mushenski; Juniors — Sadie Cyr, Aurora Moynihan, Margaret Potter, Helen Vissas; Sophomores — Alayna Bailey, Madelei Gallo, Chloe Kosciusko; Freshmen — Cassandra Dion, Sienna Frometa, Calli Regish, Lilyana Ribeiro, Emmalyn Schmidt, Ephigenia Vissas; Eighth Grade — Morgan Augustin, Olivia Earle, Juliana Eichenlaub, Kiely Kinchla
OUTLOOK: Similar to 2022, the Hopkins girls soccer roster will consist of primarily younger players. The Golden Hawks had only three seniors a year ago, and only have two here this season. Hopkins ripped off a streak of 11 contests in a row without a loss in the middle of last year, and fell just short in the Class E Western Massachusetts semifinal game – losing 1-0 to Mount Everett. Sadie Cyr scored 11 goals to go along with eight assists, and she’ll be back to lead the charge offensively for Hopkins. Cassidy Fyden returns in net for the Golden Hawks – a team that recorded 13 shutouts last season. Hopkins has a perfect mix of offense and defense coming back this year.
Hampshire Regional
COACH: Steve Croft, sixth season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Kurty Fielding/4
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 15-6-1, lost in Class B Western Mass. semifinals, lost in Division IV state semifinals
ROSTER: Seniors — Emma Allyn, Maisie Bowler, Emma Kraus, Anna Puttick, Makena Rogalski; Juniors — Isabella LeBarron, Delaney Cantwell, Dana Warren; Sophomores — Ella Cleary, Rylee Joseph, Elizabeth Puttick, Lila Watkins, Jayden Hamel, Makayla Labrie, Scarlett Mendes; Freshmen — Addie Miklasiewicz, Shayne Moynahan, Maggie Lashway, Elyse Campbell, Katelyn Krause; Eighth Grade — Karaghan Rogalski
OUTLOOK: Hampshire has lofty expectations for the 2023 season. The Raiders were at the doorstep of both a Western Mass. and state championship, and want to get right back to that spot once again. They return two players who totaled double-digit goals in 2022, as seniors Maisie Bowler (15 goals, 10 assists) and Anna Puttick (11 goals, five assists) are back to lead the offensive attack. Also back is goalkeeper Makena Rogalski, who grabbed over 100 saves last season. The Raiders have plenty of veteran leadership mixed with young talent to accomplish their goals this year.
Smith Vocational
COACH: Alicia Carter, fifth season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Tri-County/5
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 12-4-1, lost in Class C Western Mass. quarterfinals, state tournament qulaifier
ROSTER: Seniors — Tessa Boisverst, Megan Courtney, Jayanna Daniels, Paige Krupa, Ayla Mechachonis; Juniors — Vanessa Antil, Maggie Lauder, Daelin Murdock, Avonna Wickles, Caitlin Willard; Sophomores — Monique Fredette, Katelyn Hennessy, Gracie Thompson; Freshmen — Stella Greiner, Delila Hodges, Aryana LaBarge, Erin Miller, Julianis Suarez, Kate Wolcott
OUTLOOK: The Vikings are coming off their first ever league title in program history, as they finished atop the Tri-County league in 2022. On top of that, Smith Vocational competed in both the Western Mass. and state tournaments, giving the program great playoff experience. Now with 10 seniors and juniors back this season, Alicia Carter and the Vikings are eager to build off of what they accomplished and take a step even further in 2023. Junior Caitlin Willard (13 goals, seven assists last season) and sophomore Monique Fredette (seven goals, four assists last season) were the two main contributors for Smith Vocational a year ago, so having them both back should make the offense difficult to stop. Maggie Lauder keys a stout defensive effort in goal.
South Hadley
COACH: Richard Marjanski
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Kurty Fielding/4
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 19-2-1, Class B Western Mass. champions, lost in Division III quarterfinals
ROSTER: Seniors — Drew Alley, Gracie Deren, Kaleigh Houle, Lauren Marjanski, Madelyn McArdle, Gianna Roy, Rachel Yabra; Juniors — Maggie Evans, Abby Gelinas, Cianna Gurek, Emma Levreault, Katherine McArdle, Maddie Soderbaum, Margo Watkins; Sophomores — Allison Fleury, Gwen Marion, Sofie Quinn, Kiana Ramos, Lilah Schark; Freshmen — Cara Dean, Riley Fisher, Mikayla Weaver
Granby
COACH: Bob Weaver, eighth season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Central/5
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 5-11-3, lost in Class E Western Mass. semifinals, state tournament qualifier
ROSTER: Seniors — Rhea Gagnon, Sophia Gagnon, Emily Tremblay; Juniors — Maggie Crawford, Mabel Carillon, Cassandra Flaherty, Kelly Lynne Kennedy, Autumn Sicard, Molly Zumbruski, Olivia Redmond, Ludia Kicza; Sophomores — Ava Elizabeth Loughman; Freshmen — Jaidyn Roberge, Eleanor Szlosek, Kalli White
OUTLOOK: The Rams’ record was a bit deceiving last year as they were competitive in the majority of their games. Granby welcomes back a good bunch of talent, and holds a roster that consists of 11 seniors and juniors – which should give them an edge in the experience category against most teams in 2023. Freshman Kalli White is back after scoring 14 goals as an eighth grader a season ago, and junior Maggie Crawford returns as a big contributor offensively as well. Granby fell in the Division 5 Round of 32 last year and hopes to make it even further with a promising looking bunch this season.
Gateway
COACH: Matt Bonenfant, fourth season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Bi-County/5
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 1-13-2, lost in Class E Western Mass. quartefinals
ROSTER: Seniors — Alexi Bonenfant, Maia Kibbe, Abigial Madru, Kaitlyn Maynard, Anna Sakaske; Juniors — Amy Fisk, Jaidon Plant; Sophomores — Kathryn Harding, Elizabeth Kadzik, Kate Lewis, Erica Madru, Grace Renauld, Jayliana Rivera; Freshmen — Elie DeMoss, Addison Green; Eighth Grade — Willow Hicks, Caydence Hussey, Zoe Serotkin, Lillian St. Martin
OUTLOOK: Gateway is coming off a difficult season in which it won only one game. The Gators failed to score a goal in 10 of their 13 losses a year ago, so the first thing on head coach Matt Bonenfant’s mind is finding ways to generate more scoring opportunities for his team. They do have five seniors, three of them who tallied at least one goal in 2022, so that’s a positive for the Gators. Sophomore goalie Jayliana Rivera will be back in the box for Gateway as well, and she proved to be a solid goalkeeper last season. Gateway will attempt to rebuild the foundation of what was a winning program in 2018 and 2019, as the Gators won 13 games in each of those seasons.
Amherst
COACH: Don Fraser
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Central/2
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 15-4, state tournament qualifier
ROSTER: Seniors —Ivorie Arguin, Brooklyn Court, Hadyn Reilly-Hogan, Zola Higham; Juniors — Neena Chinappa, Maddie Hockman, Moriah Luetjen, Sage Zephyr; Sophomores — Geisel Bousel, Teagen Demers, Emma Learned-Miller, Myla Peltier; Freshmen — Aliya Morales-Fernandez; Eighth Grade — Beatrice Eggemeier, Maeve Fitzgerald
OUTLOOK: The Hurricanes were stellar in the Central League last season, finishing a perfect 10-0. But this year’s team will have a much different look from 2022, as Amherst is down 12 players due to graduation and off-season injuries. Although the Hurricanes are quite young from top to bottom, they are very determined to once again be competitive in their league and hope to make it back to the Division 2 state tournament, where they lost in the preliminary round. Junior Madeline Hockman scored 36 goals and tallied 11 assists last season alone, and is expected to be one of the best players in the region in 2023.
Easthampton
COACH: Brian Miller
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Pioneer North/4
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 10-7-2, lost in Class B Western Mass. quarterfinals, lost in Division IV state Round of 32
ROSTER: Seniors — Ana Growhoski; Juniors — Christine Raymond, Addison Barr, Veronica Rapoza, Raegan Delisle, Ella Belcher-Timme, Eva Romero, Brenna Meyers, Peyton Ulrick, Hannah Nuemann, Abby Kane; Sophomores — Samone Young, Kyleigh Dorman; Freshmen — Gianna Covalli, Bella Mercado, Amelia Bock, Liv O’Neill-Garvey, Gabrielle Rivera-Haberman, Arieanna Kuchyt
OUTLOOK: Although the Eagles have a relatively young team with only one senior, head coach Brian Miller has very high expectations for this season. Easthampton hopes to compete for a league title and improve on its tournament results from 2022. Senior captain Ana Growhoski netted 10 goals as a junior, and she proves to be the player to watch offensively. Junior captain Addison Barr nabbed 92 saves a year ago and is back in net, while junior captain Christine Raymond leads a defense that gave up one or less goals in 14 games last season. The Eagles may be young, but they are capable of hanging with anybody.
Smith Academy
COACH: David Zononi, second season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Pioneer South/5
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 13-4-4, lost in Class E Western Mass. finals, lost in Division V state Round of 32
ROSTER: Seniors — Emilia Neves, Emma Moynihan, Meghan Bell; Juniors — Madison Zononi, Caitlin Graves, Piper Higuera, Emma Czarniecki; Sophomores — Anna Scagel, Emma Tisdell; Freshmen — Nataly Slysz, Maya Bell; Eighth Grade — Isabella Letourneau, Harper Phanneuf; Seventh Grade — Vivian Higuera, Stella Cubi, Jora Thompson Avishai, Emily Pearl
OUTLOOK: Despite being a very young team with only three seniors, Smith Academy returns its top three goal scorers to a team that made it to the Western Mass. championship a season ago. Junior Caitlin Graves (20 goals, seven assists), senior Meghan Bell (16 goals, nine assists), and senior Emma Moynihan (16 goals, two assists) are all back and ready to get the Falcons back to the title game. Sophomore Anna Scagel, who tallied five goals and 12 assists, is also capable of making a big impact on the game. Smith Academy may have what looks like an inexperienced roster with all of its youth, but the Falcons have the potential to make some real noise again in 2023.
Northampton
COACH: Vanessa Butynski, eighth season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Central/2
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 10-7-2, lost in Class A Western Mass. quarterfinals, Division II state tournament qualifier
ROSTER: Seniors — Ava Azzaro, Maisey Clark, Jordan Hutchins; Juniors — Allyson Busone, Allison Edmands, Odessa Gianesin, Eleanor Lewis, Teagan McDonald, Giselle Ohm, Nora Thomas; Sophomores — Madison Aimi-Starkoski, Margaux Galvin, Olive Little, Allie Sullivan; Freshmen — Olivia Busone, Willow Claps, Annalise Oravec, Alysha Parshall-Matylas, Lilah Sage, Malia Singh, Asha Singh
OUTLOOK: This year’s Northampton squad looks a bit different than it did in 2022. The Blue Devils graduated seven seniors, and bring in seven freshmen this season to fill in those gaps. Northampton has only two seniors in 2023, and will lean on its youth for the bulk of the production. Olive Little and Allie Sullivan each scored six goals as freshmen last year, and will likely be looked at to produce offensively as sophomores once again. Junior captain Eleanor Lewis will control things in the midfield, while freshman Olivia Busone has the potential to have a break-out season for the Blue Devils.
Holyoke
COACH: Kellen Matthews, first season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Pioneer North/3
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 3-13-2
ROSTER: Seniors — Jaylene Moquin, Veronica Colon, Ella Washington, Alivia Kaifer, Emma Shoup; Juniors — Jayvah Stuckey, Tryanna Ayala, Kayshaly Garcia, Maria Burgos, Kya Donnelly, Savannah Donnelly, Angelise Rodriguez, Jia Rodriguez; Sophomores — Yasani Thompson, Kiara Perez; Freshmen — Kyra Lippman, Selina Alicea, Grace Bechard
OUTLOOK: By the midway point of last season, Holyoke had a respectable record and was competitive in most of its contests. But then the Purple Knights dropped seven consecutive games to end the year, and they were shut out in five of them. However, in 2023, Holyoke will be led by first-year head coach Kellen Matthews, who brings back a ton of upperclassmen from last year’s team. Top scorers Yasani Thompson and Tryanna Ayala return, as does goalie Jayvah Stuckey (120 saves). The Purple Knights had plenty of competitive games in the first half of 2022, and with all of this production back, they should have the pieces to put together a solid season.
Frontier
COACH: Andy Rup, first year
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Pioneer North/4
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 10-6-3, lost in Div. 5 Round of 32
ROSTER: Maddie Bennett, Molly Gates, Mae Hoff, Maggie McDermott-White, Jillian Worden, Josie Fosnot, Claire McFarland, Jocelyn Antes, Maddie Fagan, Teagan Hale, Ashley Rivard, Keira Korenewsky, Addie Morrey, Addie Ehle, Skylar Steele, Jazzy Hayes, Alli Paciorek, Payton Rup, Carly Robertson, Kayla Fagan
OUTLOOK: The Redhawks have been a staple in the postseason, with Rup taking over a veteran group led by five seniors — Bennett, Gates, Hoff, McDermott-White and Worden — and two juniors — Fosnot and McFarland. Worden has impressed in the midfield while Fagan, a sophomore, and Hayes, a freshman, will play major roles in the Frontier midfield.
