Six Falcon seniors play final game

HOLDEN - Sherry Webb hoped to have another few days of practice with her six Smith Academy seniors and another few days before writing their farewell letters.

But after the Falcons' 4-1 loss to Oakmont in the state Division 2 semifinals Tuesday at Wachusett Regional, their season is over and it will soon be time for Webb to sit down at her desk.

Coach Webb's winning hand

SOUTH HADLEY

Sherry Webb usually has a pretty good poker face regarding her Smith Academy field hockey team each year.

The 36th-year coach hides her true beliefs about her team's potential all through the preseason, regular season and deep into the tournament.

Not this year.

Falcons wear down South Hadley

SOUTH HADLEY - For 30 minutes Saturday, the Smith Academy field hockey team did everything it could to try to even the score with South Hadley in the Western Massachusetts Division 2 Tournament championship.

Finally, Alyssa Woodward scored off a Steph Slysz cross and the Falcons tied the game with 19 minutes, 23 seconds remaining at Mount Holyoke College.

Falcons again field hockey champions

SOUTH HADLEY - For 30 minutes Saturday, the Smith Academy field hockey team did everything it could to try to even the score with South Hadley in the Western Massachusetts Division 2 Tournament championship.

Finally, Alyssa Woodward scored off a Steph Slysz cross and the Falcons tied the game with 19 minutes, 23 seconds remaining at Mount Holyoke College.

South Hadley edges Frontier in thriller

SOUTH HADLEY - Meghan McClaflin made sure that the South Hadley field hockey team would not miss out on its third shot at making the Western Massachusetts Division 2 Tournament championship game.

Falcons score eight to beat Athol

SOUTH HADLEY - All season, the Smith Academy field hockey team has been the clear favorite to win the Western Massachusetts Division 2 Tournament.

One goal enough for Tigers

SOUTH HADLEY - The South Hadley field hockey team decided to make a stand and Mohawk Trail gave them an opportunity to talk about it.

With less than 10 minutes remaining in the first half Thursday night, the Warriors called a time-out in their defensive end. After the break Mohawk turned the ball over and South Hadley struck.

Falcons at home on turf

ORANGE - Sherry Webb called moving her Smith Academy field hockey team's home quarterfinal match to the Mahar Regional field a no-brainer before and after Thursday night's game against Pioneer Regional.

The Falcons certainly looked right at home in Orange in a 6-0 victory.

Frontier returns with a bang

SOUTH DEERFIELD - The Frontier Regional field hockey team made its reappearance in the postseason successful as it controlled play for most of the game in a Western Massachusetts Division 2 quarterfinal win over Palmer Thursday afternoon.

It took just seven minutes, four seconds for Jess Zewski to score for the Red Hawks who went on to a 4-0 victory.

Falcons, Red Hawks top field hockey seeds

After the Smith Academy field hockey team beat Frontier Regional 3-1 in a well-played match in Hatfield on Oct. 15, the coaches of both teams said they expected to see each other again in the postseason.

Red Hawks, Green Wave play to draw

Frontier Regional 0, Greenfield 0 - Bridget Stryszko made eight saves as the teams played to a draw in South Deerfield.

The shutout was the 10th of the year for the Red Hawks, who finished the regular season 13-3-2 (3-3-2 North).

Frontier was unbeaten in its last five games, including four wins, heading into the postseason.

Tigers nip Blue Devils

South Hadley 3, Northampton 1 - Lida Hills scored two goals and set up the other as the Tigers eliminated the Blue Devils (5-9-2, 4-5-2 Central) from postseason contention.

Meghan McClaflin added a goal and an assist for South Hadley.

Grace Szydziak played well on defense in front of Tigers goaltender Mic Boyer (seven saves).

Falcons bounce back with win

Smith Academy 4, Greenfield 1 - Emiko Barker and Steph Slysz each had a goal and an assist as the Falcons (15-1) bounced back after suffering their first loss of the season at Minnechaug on Wednesday.

Alyssa Woodward and Sarah Wickles also scored for Smith Academy, now 7-0 in the North division.

Kierstan Mulcare made five saves in goal for the Falcons.

South Hadley rolls past Purple Knights

South Hadley 12, Holyoke 0 - The Tigers (7-4-3) cruised at home and need one point to qualify for the postseason.

Meghan McClaflin and Kayla Narey each scored three goals, and Lida Hills and Emily McClintock each had two for South Hadley.

Lindsay Conner and Juliette Chenier (assist) each scored once for the Tigers. They were the first career points for Chenier.

Minnechaug ends Smith Academy's perfect season

Aimee Donerama of Minnechaug scored in the last five minutes of the game Wednesday to end the Smith Academy field hockey team's bid for a perfect season with a 3-2 loss in Wilbraham.

Lindsay Gondek and Allison Slysz had goals for the Falcons (14-1), and Steph Slysz and Jill Hopfenspirger each had an assist.

Kierstan Mulcare stopped six shots in goal for Smith.

Tigers clip Terriers

South Hadley 1, West Springfield 0 - Meghan McClaflin scored midway through the second half as the Tigers (6-4-3, 6-1-2 Central) edged the Terriers (3-8-2, 2-3-2) in West Springfield.

Mic Boyer made eight saves in goal for South Hadley.

Hamp ties Minnechaug

Northampton 3, Minnechaug 3 - Damaris Miller converted a rebound off a penalty corner with 1 minute, 24 seconds remaining as the Blue Devils escaped Wilbraham with a tie.

Miller had two of Northampton's three goals, and Vivi Ford scored the other.

Goalie Molly Brooks made 14 saves as the Blue Devils (4-6-3) faced 18 corners. Two of the Falcons' goals came on penalty strokes.

Smith Academy beats Frontier, stays perfect

HATFIELD - The Smith Academy field hockey team does not ignore its undefeated record. Instead, it feeds on the resulting pressures and expectations.

"We keep it in mind because it reminds us that we have to step up and keep our record up," senior midfielder Jill Hopfenspirger said. "If we have a loss, it's going to be a big letdown to us and to our fans."

Tigers, Panthers play to scoreless draw

South Hadley 0, Palmer 0 - The first-place Tigers (5-4-2, 5-1-2 Central) nearly came away with the win, but a last-second goal was called off as they played to a tie against the second-place Panthers (5-4-3, 4-2-2).

South Hadley was awarded a corner with 10 seconds left and Lindsay Conner scored with an assist from Kayla Narey at the buzzer.

Tigers blank Rams

South Hadley 2, Southwick 0 - The Tigers snapped a two-game losing streak with a pair of second-half goals at home.

Kayla Narey got South Hadley (5-4-1, 5-1-1 Central) on the board off a Meghan McClaflin. Emily McClintock then doubled the advantage with a goal from Lindsay Brandts.