High schools: Belchertown boys edged by Pope Francis in Class B semifinals

Jay LaPrete

Staff Report

Published: 10-30-2024 9:01 PM

A matchup with the top-ranked team in the state didn’t prove too daunting for the Belchertown boys soccer team on Wednesday.

Top-seeded Pope Francis, ranked No. 1 in the most recent MIAA Division 4 power ranking, managed to keep its unbeaten season going however, as the Cardinals edged the fourth-seeded Orioles, 2-1, in the semifinals of the Western Mass. Class B Tournament in Springfield.

Top-seeded Pope Francis (15-0-3) will meet No. 2 Chicopee in the Class B final on Saturday at Springfield Central High School.

The teams were tied 1-1 at halftime, as Belchertown’s Camryn Kaczowka tallied with an assist from Jack Sullivan. Nicholas Dias and Ryan Davis tallied for the Cardinals.

It’s been an interesting season for the Orioles (4-6-8), to say the least. Prior to Wednesday’s semifinal game, Belchertown was 1-1-6 in its previous eight games. During that span the club allowed just five goals, but three of the games were 0-0 draws. They’ve allowed just 18 goals in 18 games, but also scored just 17 goals themselves against a very difficult schedule. The hope is that those tight games against good opponents will pay dividends in the state tourney.

The two teams could very well see each other again in the MIAA Division 3 state tournament. Pope Francis was the No. 1-ranked team in the most recent power ranking, and Belchertown sat at No. 16. If those wind up being the seeds when brackets are released on Friday, they could play in the Round of 16 if both take care of business in the Round of 32.

Non-playoff

Amherst 3, Chicopee Comp 0 – Three different players found the back of the net for the Hurricanes, which closed out their season with a 3-0 victory on Wednesday.

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Amherst won four of its final five games of the season to finish 4-8-6 overall.

Daniel Nunez Saravia, Victor Nunez Saravia and Abdi Byl Brann tallied in the victory for Amherst.

Hampshire 1, Monument Mountain 1 – The Raiders received a goal from Owen Miller to close out their regular season with a 1-1 draw on the road in Great Barrington on Wednesday.

Hampshire finished its regular season 8-3-7 overall, and will likely be a top 10 seed in the Div. 4 state tournament.

Girls soccer

Non-playoff

Northampton 0, East Longmeadow 0 – Anna Oravec stopped all six shots she faced, and the Blue Devils recorded a 0-0 draw with the Spartans on Wednesday night in Northampton.

The Blue Devils finished their regular season 13-2-3, and will find out their state tournament fate on Friday.

Holyoke 8, Athol 3 – The  Purple Knights trailed 2-1 midway through the first half before exploding offensively en route to a season finale victory on the road at O’Brien Field in Athol on Wednesday night.

Holyoke finished its season 8-9-1.