NORTHAMPTON — Cody Yetter’s goal in the second half proved to be the game-winner for the Franklin Tech boys soccer team in a 3-2 win over Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School on Wednesday afternoon.
It was Yetter’s second game-winning goal in as many days for the Eagles (2-0) and his fourth tally overall in the young season.
Nathan Gheorghita (left) of Franklin Tech looks for a cross against Josh Cole of Smith Vocational, Wednesday in Northampton. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Josh Cole of Smith Vocational moves on the ball against Franklin Tech, Wednesday in Northampton. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Cody Yetter of Franklin Tech battles for possession against Alex Bajracharya of Smith Vocational, Wednesday in Northampton. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo
“When my team is getting low, I try to bring up energy,” Yetter said. “Just keep on trying until it eventually goes in.”
The Eagles fell behind the Vikings (0-1) by two goals but scored three unanswered to claim the independent victory. A goal by Dorin Marin, assisted by Nathan Gheorghita (two assists) late in the first half jumpstarted the Eagles.
In the final 45 minutes, the Eagles controlled possession and created multiple scoring opportunities. During the final minutes, the Vikings did apply some pressure. The Eagles got the necessary clears to avoid danger.
“We played the way we are capable of playing,” Franklin Tech coach Dan Prasol said. “We decided we wanted to run for the whole half. If we can continue to play with that level of intensity, we are going to have a very good season.”
Yetter scored twice in the game. His first goal tied the game for the Eagles with 23:06 left in the game. Charging up the left side of the field, Yetter aimed for the right side of the goal and found the back of the net. A certain motivation helped the Eagles’ effort in the second half.
“At the half, we were down,” Yetter said. “(Dan) Prasol told us to do better or we’re going to do running in practice. I didn’t really want to do that.”
Yetter scored a game-winner against Athol on Tuesday night.
“It’s amazing to feel,” Yetter said. “Hopefully I can do it some more.”
Smith Voc played a sound, technical first half. Josh Cole gave the Vikings a 1-0 lead with 24:55 left in the first half. Cole got loose just outside the 18-yard line and lasered a shot in the right corner. Cole had a hand in the Vikings’ second goal, as he slithered along the baseline before making a cross. Henry Sadler found himself with the ball in front of the net and made good on his opportunity, giving the Vikings a 2-0 lead with 14:56 left in the half.
After applying pressure for most of the game, the Vikings started to lose possession time and opportunities to the Eagles.
“First game of the season,” Smith Voc coach Ryan Della Penna said. “We just need to work a little bit harder. We are going to get better. The best thing we can do is come back to practice tomorrow and then play the game on Friday.”
It was the Vikings’ first game of the season.
I think we were just tired. We were exhausted. Franklin Tech outworked us,” Della Penna said. “They got that first goal and had belief. They kept coming back.”
Jakob George made eight saves for the Eagles. Tanner Levin played the second half for the Vikings and stopped five shots while under constant pressure.
Chicopee 6, Frontier 2 — The Redhawks took a Holley Division loss to the Pacers at Szot Park in their season opener.
Volleyball
Mahar 3, Mohawk 2 — The Senators won a five-set thriller over the Warriors in Western play in Buckland. Set scores were 25-23, 25-20, 20-25, 11-25 and 15-6. Emmalee Inman had 14 kills, two blocks and eight aces for the Warriors.
Franklin Tech 3, Athol 1 — Lily Baldwin had 11 digs, 17 assists and a block in the home win for the Eagles in Western play. Set scores were 25-23, 25-23, 12-25 and 25-16. Laura Fuess added four kills and a dig. Emma Petersen added three kills, four digs and a block. Giana Vaillancourt had seven kills for the Bears. Maddie Desrosiers added to the offense with six kills. Vaillancourt led the defense with nine digs.
Pioneer 3, Greenfield 2 — The Panthers outlasted the Green Wave in a Western match up in Northfield. Evangeline Lewis had eight aces, four kills and four digs for the Panthers. Kiara Gruszkowski led the offense with five kills. Serenity Brown, Lana Gagnon and Corrie Glenn each had five digs. Set scores were 19-25, 25-9, 25-13, 16-25 and 15-10.
Golf
Westfield Tech 175, Athol 203 — The Bears took a loss to the Tigers in a Bi-County East match up at Ellinwood County Club. Owen Stoddard was the medalist, shooting a 41 for the Bears. Tyler Kaczmarczyk carded a 45 for the Bears.
Franklin Tech 164, McCann Tech 172 — In a matchup of two of the top teams in the Bi-County East, the Eagles came out on top at Forest Park Golf Club in the Berkshires. Jack Day shot a 37 for the Eagles (3-0, 3-0) while Brady Wood carded a 38. Braeden Talbot shot a 42 for Franklin Tech.
Cross country
Turners Falls hosted Southwick, Westfield Tech and Franklin Tech at the Bob Avery Memorial Course for a quad meet. Leo McDonald finished third (18:55) for the Eagles. Lucian Ciaglo was the top finisher for Turners Falls (22:22) in ninth.
On the girls side, Olivia Wolbach placed sixth (25:11) for the Thunder. Westfield Tech’s Jenna Lakoma placed first (20:31) and set a new course record.
Late Tuesday results
Girls soccer
Narragansett 2, Athol 1 — The Bears got a second half goal from Alauna Choquette, but fell to the Warriors at home in an independent contest. Ayzia Britt assisted on the goal for Athol. Ava Adams made 16 saves in net for the Bears.
Frontier 4, Amherst 3 — Calli Gifford scored twice during clutch time for the Redhawks in a home win over the Hurricanes in Central play. Mara Allium and Danica Kopcza also scored. Maggie Nichols notched two assists for the Redhawk.
Boys soccer
Franklin Tech 4, Athol 3 — The Eagles erased a couple deficits in a win over the Bears in a Tri-County North match up in Turners Falls. Nathan Gheorghita had a goal and two assists for Franklin Tech, with Cody Yetter scoring twice with an assist. Carter Leete added another goal for the Eagles. Nathan Parayson, Andrew Botti and Lucas L’Ecuyer scored for the Bears.
Volleyball
SICS 3, Franklin Tech 2 — Sarah Beckwith had seven aces, six kills and 24 digs for the Eagles in a road loss to the Bulldogs. Set scores were 25-13, 25-22, 21-25, 20-25 and 12-15. Janiylah Wan added eight aces and eight digs for the Media. Lily Baldwin played set up with 13 assists and added six digs. Madison Pettengilll led the offense with eight kills.
Girls cross country
Mohawk 19, St. Mary’s 36 — The Warriors won their season opener against the Saints with three runners filling out the top spots at Stanley Park. Virginia Krezmien (20:51) was first for the Warriors. Natalie Lanoue (25:45) and Brooke Harrison (25:46) were second and third, respectively.
