Fall Sports Review
Senior Cross Country runner Serena Sarage attending a meet
Fall sports has come to an end and all in all it was a pretty successful season for the teams here at South Hadley High School. There were seven sports in action this fall season. These include football, boys and girls soccer, golf, field hockey, girls and boys cross country, and volleyball.
The football team was the last team to be in action. They lost to Chicopee Comp on Thanksgiving. The Tigers finished with a 5-6 record, but they had an impressive 4-2 record in the conference. This year they have been led by Quarterback Joe Allard, who has thrown for 646 yards on the year including five touchdowns, and running back Ryan Kleszczynski who rushed for 807 yards and ten touchdowns.
The boys soccer team finished with a disappointing 3-11-4 record with a 0-7-1 record in their class. Alex Dragon and Liam Medina were the standout players this season, each recording 4 goals and 2 assists. Junior goalkeeper Colin Paleologopoulos finished with a total of 146 saves.
The girls soccer team finished with a more promising record of 9-3-6 with a 3-2-3 record in their class. After a thrilling victory in the tenth round of penalty kicks against Southwick in the first round of the playoffs, they were beaten 4-0 by top seed Wahconah in the Western Massachusetts quarter finals. They were led by Gigi Thibault who totaled 12 points with 10 goals and 2 assists. Sophomore goalie Sophie Gatzounas finished the year with 162 saves.
The golf team finished last in the Valley Wheel Division this year with an overall record of 2-11. They were 0-3 in the division with losses to Agawam, Longmeadow, and Minnechaug. Seniors Brian Bak and Mike Miele were this year’s top two golfers.
Field Hockey had an impressive season this year finishing second in the central division with an overall record of 12-5-2. They finished second in the central division behind Northampton, and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs on a 3-2 loss to Minnechaug. Taylor Guertin led the way with 20 goals and 5 assists. Goalie Brittany Cote finished the year with 57 saves.
The boys cross country team finished with a 1-7 record and in last place in the Valley South division. They were led by seniors Chad McKenna and Matt Werenski. Werenski blamed the poor season on the injuries that the team endured. Even though the season didn’t turn out quite the way he expected, he said that he still had fun and he is going to miss his senior teammates. “The seniors were the heart of the team”, Werenski said.
Girls Cross country had a very successful year finishing 6-2 overall and 5-0 in the Valley South Division. They took first place in that division. They were led this year by Senior Serena Sarage and Sophomore Carolyn Watkins who both earned the right to represent South Hadley at states.
The volleyball team finished 3-15 on the year with a 1-7 record in their class. They were led by Haley Asselin who had 28 kills and 38 digs, and Anna Robinson who finished the year with 60 assists. Megan Parenteau finished first in service aces with 18, followed by Anna Robinson with 14.
