Page 20 The Wilbraham-Hampden TIMES June 2, 2011 TURLEY PUBLICATIONS The deadline for submissions for this sports section is the Friday before publication by 12 p.m. To send information, contact Sports Editor Dave Forbes at 413-283-8393 ext. 237, send e-mail to dforbes@turley.com or send it through the mail to: Turley Publications c/o Sports Editor Dave Forbes, 24 Water St., Palmer, MA 01069. Pioneers receive brilliant goal from Roswess Down Portland MPS to qualify for US Open Cup By David Grant Turley Publications Sports Correspondent Minnechaug girls still perfect Roll to victory over Agawam By Nate Rosenthal Turley Publications Sports Correspondent WILBRAHAM – The Minnechaug girls lacrosse team continued its pursuit of the perfect season with a convincing 16-7 win over Agawam. After spotting the Brownies a goal in the opening seconds, the Falcons quickly took the lead minutes later. The game remained close through the first half, but six straight goals by the Falcons put this one out of reach in a hurry. The Brownies came out aggressively, hoping to set the undefeated Falcons back on the heels and they succeeded at the outset, scoring a goal just 44 seconds into the game. They got possession and worked their way into the Falcons’ zone and took the 1-0 advantage when Colleen Keeley put the ball past Emily Castleman from a couple of feet in front. The assist went Miranda Polaski. They kept the pressure on for a couple of more minutes before the Falcons cleared the zone. Minnechaug was not going to be down for long and they answered emphatically. Amber Tobin knocked home a pass from Amanda McLaughlin at 20:04 to tie the game and then a minute later, Quincy Wilkins put the Falcons ahead. They kept the pressure and scored again at 14:36, as Mary Jackman drove one past Jes Polaski and then at Please see LACROSSE, page 21 W estern Mass. Pioneers head coach Joe Calabrese had already made up his mind to insert striker Chris Roswess into the second half lineup last Friday night. The Pioneers and MPS Portland, the two top teams in the Premier Development League’s Northeast Division, were playing for a spot in the prestigious Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The match was scoreless at the half. “We talked about it at halftime,” Calabrese said. “We said can Chris Roswess provide us with that one moment? Sure enough he did.” Roswess, a West Springfield native and current University of Massachusetts forward, drilled home the lone goal in the 71st minute to lift the Pioneers to a 1-0 victory over the Phoenix at Lusitano Stadium. “Since he has been born all he’s been doing is scoring goals,” Calabrese said. “He is a local player, a local hero. He had his chance and he absolutely buried a world class goal.” The Pioneers improved to 3-0-1 and clinched their spot in the Open Cup while MPS Portland slipped to 3-1, a point behind and is left out of the tournament. “It feels good to come here at our home field and do this for the fans,” Roswess said. “The Open Cup is big time. Turley Publications photo by David Henry sweetdogphotos.com Pioneers goalie Colin O’Donnell, of Hampden, prepares to clear the ball with a right-footed boot. Hopefully we can go in and make some noise.” Roswess hooked up with Tommy McNamara, a midfielder who plays at Brown University. McNamara was playing up top until Calabrese made the switch in the second half. Roswess collected a pass from McNamara and swiftly buried home a terrific goal. Roswess then performed for the fans, flying into a circus like flip to celebrate the timely and important goal. “We were on a counter attack and Tommy played a nice ball into me,” Roswess said. “I turned and stuck it in the bottom corner.” The Pioneers rode that goal all the way to the dramatic victory by controlling much of the second half. And of course it does help having Wilbraham naPlease see PIONEERS, page 21 Falcons fall Lady Falcons end regular season to Sabis in Girls track places fourth at Western Mass quarters By Nate Rosenthal Turley Publications Sports Correspondent SPRINGFIELD – The season for the Minnechaug volleyball team came to an abrupt end last week with a straight set loss to Sabis. The Falcons finished the regular season at 10-7 and were seeded fifth. That set them up with Sabis, who at 17-1, was seeded fourth. The Bulldogs took charge from the outset and won the first set handily, 25-14. Minnechaug, though unable to avoid the sweep, kept themselves in the other two sets, with scores of 25-21 in each. The Falcons fell behind quickly in the first set and never really recovered. The Bulldogs scored the first two points and Minnechaug got one back on Tim Please see FALCONS, page 21 By Dave Forbes Turley Publications Sports Staff Writer WILBRAHAM – The Minnechaug girls varsity softball team wrapped up the regular with a 1-2 three-game week. The week started with an 8-6 win over West Springfield on Monday, May 23. The Lady Falcons (12-8) jumped out to a 5-0 lead with a five-run splash in the first inning. West Springfield came back with three runs in the bottom of the first. Minnechaug added a run in the sixth and two in the seventh. West Springfield came back with three in the bottom of the seventh. Taylor Krol led the team with three hits and an RBI. Samantha Marini added two hits and an RBI. Stephanie Barillaro and Kaitlyn Patten both had a hit and an RBI. Turley Publications staff photo by Dave Forbes Minnechaug’s Stephanie Barillaro (33) puts a good swing on this pitch. Sara Kelly struck out 11 in the complete-game victory. Minnechaug then lost to Amherst, 90, on Tuesday, May 24. Erika Gouin went the distance on the mound for Minnechaug. In the final game of the regular season, Westfield scored two runs in the second and four in the third as they jumped out to a 6-1 lead. Minechaug rallied with one in the sixth and two in the seventh, but came up short 6-4 on Thursday, May 26. Mariani topped the team with three hits. Danielle Torchia had two hits and two RBIs. Emily Medeiros added a hit and an RBI, as did Patten. Krol and Gouin each had a hit, while Kaylee Miodonka picked up an RBI. GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD The Minnechaug girls varsity track and field team placed fourth at the Western Massachusetts Championships at Westfield State University on Saturday, May 28 with 42.5 points. Northampton Please see LADY FALCONS, page 21