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Articles by Ryan Ames
UMass hockey aims to turn the page at home against RIT
The No. 18 UMass hockey team experienced a rude awakening after being swept by then-unranked Colorado College last week. The Minutemen were outscored 8-1 and came out of their opening weekend without a win for the first time since the 2021-22 season. After dissecting the performances against the Tigers on tape, UMass head coach Greg Carvel isn’t all doom and gloom as his team prepares to host RIT at the Mullins Center this weekend.
H.S. Roundup: Smith Voc girls volleyball returns to win column, thumps Science & Tech, 3-0
NORTHAMPTON — After suffering just it’s second loss of the season earlier in the week, the Smith Vocational girls volleyball team used Wednesday to regroup and get back to its rhythm. The Vikings lost to Renaissance for the second time on Monday. The Phoenix are the only team to take down Smith Voc this season. The pair of defeats gave the Vikings a dose of adversity before the playoffs and allowed them gauge where they need to improve.
Girls Athlete of the Month: Meredith Bartosz
Granby senior Meredith Bartosz has been named the Gazette’s Athlete of the Month for September. Bartosz is the starting goalie for the Rams girls soccer team. Bartosz has been between the pipes since she was an eighth grader and serves as the backbone of the No. 1-ranked team in Div. 5 in the state, based on official MIAA power rankings. Bartosz registered career save No. 500 in Granby’s 7-2 victory against Amherst on Sept. 18 and helped her team go undefeated (5-0-1) in the month of September.
H.S. Roundup: Amherst girls volleyball overpowers Frontier for sixth straight win
The Amherst girls volleyball team picked up an impressive 3-1 road victory over Frontier on Tuesday night to improve to 11-1 on the season. The Hurricanes, who have now won six straight matches, won by set scores of 25-18, 25-20, 21-25, and 25-9 against the Redhawks. Amherst sits in second place in the Northern league standings, behind Longmeadow, the only team that has beaten the ‘Canes this season.
UMass football strives to respond against Miami (OH)
The UMass football team has reached an inflection point. Saturday’s 38-14 loss against Eastern Michigan was the first loss of the season and first time through five games in 2026 where an opponent outmatched the Minutemen at seemingly every facet of the game. UMass won its previous four games quite comfortably, yet the Eagles flew into McGuirk Alumni Stadium and looked like they were the team carrying an unbeaten record.
H.S. Roundup: Amherst cross country sweeps Northampton on Senior Day
AMHERST — After a weekend of nonstop rain, the weather held out for two of Western Massachusetts’ top cross country teams to hit the course at Amherst Regional High School last week. The Hurricanes hosted the rival Northampton Blue Devils during their senior day race. Last season Amherst won the Western Mass. title in the girls race and finished second for the boys, placing just above Northampton, who finished second for girls and third for boys, in both races.
H.S. Roundup: Depth scoring steps up for Northampton girls soccer in shut out over Ludlow
LUDLOW — The Northampton girls soccer team is not short on experience nor goalscorers. Multiple key seniors have been playing on varsity for the Blue Devils for four seasons, while four upperclassmen had multiple goals to their names heading into the team’s second matchup at Ludlow. But on Monday, Northampton saw a different duo find the back of the net.
UMass hockey sputters out the gate, gets swept by Colorado College in season-opening series
The No. 18 UMass hockey team came home from Colorado College empty-handed after being swept by the Tigers to open its 2026-27 slate. The Minutemen scored just one goal on the weekend against Colorado College–now ranked at No. 15–losing the first game 2-0 last Friday, before falling 6-1 on Saturday in the series finale. Tigers goalie Jackson Unger earned both wins, stopping 54 of 55 total shots from UMass.
H.S. football: Luis Selgado scores four touchdowns, Easthampton smothers Greenfield, 30-12
GREENFIELD — Big-yardage plays abounded in Friday night’s nonleague football game at Veterans Memorial Field, but Easthampton made its three-score lead in the first half stand up. Luis Selgado scored all four of his team’s touchdowns, three rushing and one receiving, to lead the Eagles past Greenfield, 30-12. Selgado caught 10 passes for 127 yards as the primary target for quarterback Patrick Larson, who completed 16-of-22 balls for 247 yards.
H.S. Roundup: Amherst field hockey blanks Palmer
The Amherst field hockey team posted its first shutout of the season in its 2-0 win over Palmer on Friday night. Hurricanes goalie Kayla Kim needed just two saves to record the clean sheet. Sophia Soares and Mariah Gocerski scored for Amherst, which improved to 2-6-1 following the victory. The ‘Canes extended Palmer’s winless streak to seven. Hampshire 0, Mohawk 0 — A combined shutout from Grace Layman and Sarah Zajac highlighted the draw for the Raiders.
H.S. Roundup: Granby girls soccer battles Frontier to 1-1 draw in rematch (VIDEO)
SOUTH DEERFIELD — After missing over 15 minutes earlier in the game due to what appeared to be a knee injury, Granby’s Marcela Tapia came through on a night when the Rams’ offense was uncharacteristically quiet at Frontier Regional on Thursday. Down 1-0, Tapia received a pass from Margo Healy just outside the top of the penalty box. With plenty of space to maneuver, the sophomore took a few dribbles and took a hard kick with her left foot.
H.S. football: Smith Voc suffers second straight loss in 31-16 defeat to Pathfinder
NORTHAMPTON – The Smith Vocational football team needed a stop. The Vikings were down two near the end of the third quarter and Pathfinder just entered the red zone behind their powerful running game. Smith junior Jett Sabourin read the second-down play perfectly and tackled Caleb Crum for no gain. Junior Dom Servaes then led a gang tackle on Crum, forcing fourth down.
Captain Jack Musa returns to lead UMass hockey into 2026-27 season
The UMass hockey team will knock out its longest road trip of the 2026-27 regular season when it heads to Colorado College for its first games of the year this Friday and Saturday. Nearly seven months after the Minutemen were eliminated from the Hockey East tournament, and in turn, a NCAA Tournament berth, to eventual conference champion Merrimack at the TD Garden last March, they’ll take on a hungry Tigers team out at Robson Arena for its first game action of the new campaign.
H.S. Roundup: Nora Hanna scores twice, Amherst girls soccer secures third straight win
Nora Hanna was the difference-maker for the Amherst girls soccer team in its 2-1 win over Monson on Wednesday afternoon. Hanna netted both goals against the Mustangs, guiding the Hurricanes to their third consecutive win. Aliya Morales-Fernandez made four saves between the pipes for Amherst, which improved its record to 4-3 overall. Pope Francis 3, Belchertown 2 — The Orioles never led in their loss to the Cardinals, their third in four games.
H.S. Roundup: Amherst cross country sweeps Northampton on Senior Day
AMHERST — After a weekend of nonstop rain, the weather held out for two of Western Massachusetts’ top cross country teams to hit the course at Amherst Regional High School on Tuesday. The Hurricanes hosted the rival Northampton Blue Devils during their senior day race. Last season Amherst won the Western Mass. title in the girls race and finished second for the boys, placing just above Northampton, who finished second for girls and third for boys, in both races.
H.S. Roundup: Smith Voc girls volleyball extends winning streak to five
After falling short of a state title last season, the Smith Vocational girls volleyball team looks like it’s on another mission this fall. The squad dropped its first match of the season but has built up a winning streak since then. The Vikings made Franklin Tech its latest victim with a 3-1 set victory on Monday for their fifth win in a row. Smith Voc had contribution all through the rotation. Irelyn Marcoux had a strong two-way game with 12 kills and 13 digs.
UMass football rolls past Sacramento State, improves to 4-0
Springfield’s William “Pop” Watson III totaled three touchdowns in the UMass football team’s 35-6 win against Sacramento State on Saturday as the Minutemen extended their season-opening winning streak to four. Watson III ran in two scores and added another through the air as UMass’ spark plug toward its first 4-0 start to the season since 2007. Timmy Hinspeter snagged a crucial 49-yard interception touchdown for the Minutemen in the third quarter.
H.S. girls soccer: Hannah Haesaert plays hero in South Hadley’s shut out over Belchertown
BELCHERTOWN — It seems whenever the Belchertown and South Hadley girls soccer teams meet, the games are decided by narrow margins. During last year’s Western Mass. Class B final, South Hadley scored the game winning goal in the final minutes of the game, taking the lead just a few minutes after Belchertown tied the score. South Hadley’s Hannah Haesaert, right, celebrates with Kelcey Zraunig, left, after scoring a goal during a soccer game against Belchertown in Belchertown, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.
H.S. football: South Hadley clobbers Chicopee Comp 38-0, moves to 3-0
SOUTH HADLEY – Everyone contributed for the South Hadley football team, Friday night. Sophomore quarterback Nolan Soderbaum was nearly perfect, completing 11-of-13 passes for two touchdowns. Senior Lincoln Belsky nearly rushed for 100 yards. Senior Noah Hambley recovered two onside kicks. Senior kicker Cooper Wall was a perfect 5-for-5 on extra points, in addition to his 25-yard field goal and two successful onside kicks. Meanwhile, the defense allowed two first downs, one in each half.
H.S. Roundup: Willow Claps’ late goal extends Northampton girls soccer’s unbeaten streak
The Northampton girls soccer team improved to 5-0-1 on the season in its 1-0 win over Longmeadow at home on Friday. Willow Claps netted the game-winning goal with less than two minutes left on the clock as the Blue Devils squeaked past the Lancers. Northampton goalie Anna Oravec obtained her fourth shutout of the season, snatching six saves against Longmeadow. The Blue Devils went 0-1-1 against the Lancers last season.
UMass football: T.Y. Harding propels Minutemen past Stonehill, 36-14
AMHERST — Three games, three wins. What seemed like wishful thinking just a few weeks ago is now reality after the UMass football team beat Stonehill, 36-14, at McGuirk Alumni Field on Saturday afternoon. The victory moves the Minutemen to 3-0, the best start since 2007 and best since joining the FBS ranks in 2011. “I told them, we’re happy with the result, just not really happy with how we got there at times,” UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak said.
H.S. Roundup: Amherst girls soccer survives Frontier comeback bid
AMHERST — Aliya Morales-Fernandez bled for a victory for the Amherst Regional girls soccer team on Thursday afternoon. While protecting a one-goal lead with less than 30 seconds to play, Frontier Regional’s Skyler Steele found some room and sent a shot at the senior keeper. Morales-Fernandez made the save, but during the ensuing rebound, a teammate’s knee hit her square in the face.
H.S. Roundup: Amherst girls soccer survives Frontier comeback bid
AMHERST — Aliya Morales-Fernandez bled for a victory for the Amherst Regional girls soccer team on Thursday afternoon. While protecting a one-goal lead with less than 30 seconds to play, Frontier Regional’s Skyler Steele found some room and sent a shot at the senior keeper. Morales-Fernandez made the save, but during the ensuing rebound, a teammate’s knee hit her square in the face.
H.S. Roundup: Hampshire golf dispatches Hopkins for fifth straight win
The Hampshire golf team’s win streak stretched to five following its 159-198 win against Hopkins at Westover Golf Course on Wednesday. Medalist honors went to Raiders’ Brayden Fennessy, who shot one-over par 37, while other Hampshire (10-2) golfers who broke 45 to factor into scoring included Cole Boissonneault (40), Declan Butler (40) and Jacob Moran (42).
H.S. boys soccer preview: Hampshire County squads aim for progress, playoff success
Area boys soccer teams are back in action as the 2026 season is humming right along with a handful of teams out to great starts, while others look to kick into gear as October nears. Northampton is mowing down the competition with a 6-0 record while Hampshire (3-0-2) and Gateway (2-0-3) are the other local teams yet to have suffered a defeat as of Wednesday afternoon. Six Hampshire County programs made the MIAA state tournament last season, however no area squads secured Western Mass.
H.S. Roundup: Morgan Lawler leads Hampshire girls soccer past Frontier
The Hampshire girls soccer team pulled out an impressive 3-1 victory over Frontier on Tuesday to remain unbeaten to start the 2026 season. Morgan Lawler scored twice and assisted on another while goalkeepers Karaghan Rogalski and Emilia Berrena combined for four saves to highlight the Raiders’ win. Addie Miklasiewicz scored Hampshire’s other goal, which moves to 4-0-1 this season. The Redhawks’ goal came from Skyler Steele.
UMass football: Minutemen head to California for MAC opener against Sacramento State
The UMass football team will rack up the airline miles this week when it travels to California for its Mid-American Conference (MAC) opener against Sacramento State this Saturday. The undefeated Minutemen (3-0) will take on the newest member of the MAC in the Hornets, who sit at 1-3 to begin the 2026 season. UMass has never played in the Golden State in its history. “I think the maturity to handle that amount of time on the road will be our No. 1 [focus], Minutemen head coach Joe Harasymiak said.
Amherst native Ryan Leonard inks massive extension with NHL’s Washington Capitals
Less than two years after cracking into the NHL, Amherst’s own Ryan Leonard is set to become one of the highest-paid players in the game. The Washington Capitals announced on Tuesday that Leonard, who is 21-years-old, signed an eight-year, $84 million contract extension with an average annual value of $10.5 million per season. Leonard posted 20 goals and 45 points in his first full season with the Capitals in 2025-26.
H.S. Roundup: Ryley McMahon earns medalist honors, South Hadley golf cruises past Hopkins
SOUTH HADLEY — Last week, the South Hadley Golf team put together its three lowest team scores of the season, including two rounds shooting under 180, and still lost all three matches. On Monday, the Tigers broke 180 again, this time earning themselves their second win of the season, and first at their home course, Ledges Golf Club. South Hadley broke a six match losing-streak with a comfortable 178-205 win over Hopkins Academy on a sunny afternoon.
H.S. football: Mahar offense stalls in shutout loss to McCann Tech
NORTH ADAMS — Visiting Mahar ran into a physical and formidable McCann Tech defense Friday night. And the Senators ran into it again and again. The host Hornets scored on their first offensive play of the night, and proceeded to bottle up Mahar the rest of the evening in an 8-0 win out in the Berkshires. The Senators took the ball first, but as was the case throughout their road trip, found little room to run.
H.S. Roundup: Roy sisters shine for Belchertown field hockey in shutout over Northampton (VIDEO)
BELCHERTOWN – Since taking over goalkeeper duties in the playoffs during her sophomore year, senior Lila Roy has gotten little time in the offensive zone for the Belchertown field hockey team. On Tuesday, head coach Dina Brunetti gave her an opportunity at forward for the first time this season during the second half against Northampton. With the Orioles up 2-0 in the fourth quarter, Lila Roy put her name on the stat-sheet thanks to some help from her sibling.
H.S. cross country preview: Area programs primed for success on the course
Cooler temperatures, earlier sunsets and fall foliage will once again serve as the backdrop for this season’s Hampshire Country high school cross country scene. With the second week of races having already come and gone, local harriers are settling into the swing of things as the postseason meets loom in the distance. The usual suspects of Amherst, Northampton and Hampshire will once again be among the top teams in the state this season.
UMass football: T.Y. Harding propels Minutemen past Stonehill, 36-14
AMHERST — Three games, three wins. What seemed like wishful thinking just a few weeks ago is now reality after the UMass football team beat Stonehill, 36-14, at McGuirk Alumni Field on Saturday afternoon. The victory moves the Minutemen to 3-0, the best start since 2007 and best since joining the FBS ranks in 2011. “I told them, we’re happy with the result, just not really happy with how we got there at times,” UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak said.
H.S. football: Mahar offense stalls in shutout loss to McCann Tech
NORTH ADAMS — Visiting Mahar ran into a physical and formidable McCann Tech defense Friday night. And the Senators ran into it again and again. The host Hornets scored on their first offensive play of the night, and proceeded to bottle up Mahar the rest of the evening in an 8-0 win out in the Berkshires. The Senators took the ball first, but as was the case throughout their road trip, found little room to run.
H.S. football: Northampton recovers from season-opening blowout with 20-7 victory over Holyoke
NORTHAMPTON — What a difference a week makes. Seven days after being walloped by South Hadley, 47-0, the Northampton football team downed Holyoke, 20-7, in front of a home crowd on Friday night in what head coach Rocco Fernandez classified as a “statement win.” “Guys came out, ready to go,” Fernandez said.
Sports Briefs: SuperHero Run & Fall Fair coming to Northampton on October 4
The 10th annual SuperHero Run & Fall Fair, hosted by Cutchins Programs, is set for Sunday, Oct. 4 in Northampton and the window to register is closing soon. Three races will take place including a professionally timed 10K road race, a 5k race/walk as well as a free kids’ fun run. Following the conclusion of the races, the fall fair will feature activities such as face painting and family games with the accompaniment of food trucks and live music.
H.S. football: Smith Voc overcomes injury setbacks to sink Ludlow, 38-20
NORTHAMPTON – The Ludlow football team pulled within two scores of Smith Vocational with less than 6 minutes remaining, Thursday night. The Lions were rolling, while the Vikings, despite leading the entire game, were scuffling due to mounting injuries. Smith Voc rallied at the right time.
H.S. Roundup: Roy sisters shine for Belchertown field hockey in shutout over Northampton (VIDEO)
BELCHERTOWN – Since taking over goalkeeper duties in the playoffs during her sophomore year, senior Lila Roy has gotten little time in the offensive zone for the Belchertown field hockey team. On Tuesday, head coach Dina Brunetti gave her an opportunity at forward for the first time this season during the second half against Northampton. With the Orioles up 2-0 in the fourth quarter, Lila Roy put her name on the stat-sheet thanks to some help from her sibling.
Amherst native Ryan Leonard inks massive extension with NHL’s Washington Capitals
Less than two years after cracking into the NHL, Amherst’s own Ryan Leonard is set to become one of the highest-paid players in the game. The Washington Capitals announced on Tuesday that Leonard, who is 21-years-old, signed an eight-year, $84 million contract extension with an average annual value of $10.5 million per season. Leonard posted 20 goals and 45 points in his first full season with the Capitals in 2025-26.
Sports Briefs: Western Massachusetts Golf HOF announces 2026 induction class
The Western Mass. Golf Hall of Fame has announced this year’s inductees as part of the Class of 2026. Headlining the class is the Perez family, the owner and operator of East Mountain Country Club in Westfield. Ted Perez Sr. founded the club in 1963. Other selections include Jim Cline (media), Dr. Bill Dupont (amateur), Alison Lucey (amateur), Dick Stranahan (posthumous) and Milton Reach Jr. (posthumous). The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will occur on Thursday, Sept.
H.S. field hockey preview: Area teams ready for action in 2026
The field hockey season is underway in the Pioneer Valley and several local squads have lofty aspirations on the turf this fall. Belchertown, Smith Academy and South Hadley will look to return to the MIAA state tournament while Amherst, Northampton and Hampshire will attempt to build momentum after rebuilding seasons in 2025. Holyoke, which went winless last season, will join forces with Smith Academy in a co-op program.
H.S. Roundup: Hopkins girls soccer completes second-half comeback to stun Easthampton, 5-4
HADLEY — As the ball left her foot with just a few minutes left to go in the girls soccer game, Hopkins’ Bridget Benoit was hopeful the wind was at her back and her shot would get by Easthampton’s goalie. The junior’s shot came outside of the box in a 4-4 tie at home against the Eagles. Her shot stayed high just enough to be out of reach of Eagles goalie Natalie Lisatinski. It was Benoit’s second goal of the game, but more importantly, it gave the Golden Hawks their first lead of the game.
H.S. golf preview: Hampshire County squads feature no shortage of talent
Local high school golfers returned to the links for the start of the 2026 season last week, marking the beginning of the MIAA fall sports season. Several golf squads have started strong, including Hampshire and Belchertown, while others are still ironing out the kinks through the early portion of the season. While Hampshire County only boasts eight golf teams, there’s plenty of talent sprinkled throughout the area as just about every team’s No. 1 golfer is capable of breaking par.
H.S. golf: Luke Heroux shoots one-under par 35, Orioles edge Pioneers
The Belchertown golf team continued its hot start after its 179-185 victory against Pathfinder Tech at Cold Spring Country Club on Friday. The Orioles moved to 3-0 on the season, with Luke Heroux grabbing medalist honors for the third straight match for Belchertown. Belchertown’s Ethan Davis watches his ball roll during the high school golf match against Pathfinder Tech at Cold Spring Country Club in Belchertown, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.
Sports Briefs: UMass, Amherst College to host badminton tournament
The second annual Amherst Invitational, a collegiate badminton tournament, will return to the Pioneer Valley on Saturday, Oct. 10 . Co-hosted by UMass and Amherst College, the tournament expects to welcome more than 100 players to Amherst. Last year’s event featured teams from Yale, Brown, Williams and Boston College. Prizes and raffles will be awarded throughout the tournament, which is completely student-run by UMass and Amherst College students.
UMass football snaps longest FBS losing streak with 37-21 win at Rutgers
The UMass football team kicked off its 2026 season with a shocking 37-21 upset against Rutgers on Thursday night at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. The victory snapped the Minutemen’s 16-game losing streak — the longest active streak in all of FBS football at the time — plus counted as it’s first win against a power conference school since 1978.
UMass football snaps longest FBS losing streak with 37-21 win at Rutgers
The UMass football team kicked off its 2026 season with a shocking 37-21 upset against Rutgers on Thursday night at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. The victory snapped the Minutemen’s 16-game losing streak — the longest active streak in all of FBS football at the time — plus counted as it’s first win against a power conference school since 1978.
UMass football snaps longest FBS losing streak with 37-21 win at Rutgers
The UMass football team kicked off its 2026 season with a shocking 37-21 upset against Rutgers on Thursday night at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. The victory snapped the Minutemen’s 16-game losing streak — the longest active streak in all of FBS football at the time — plus counted as it’s first win against a power conference school since 1978.
UMass football snaps longest FBS losing streak with 37-21 win at Rutgers
The UMass football team kicked off its 2026 season with a shocking 37-21 upset against Rutgers on Thursday night at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. The victory snapped the Minutemen’s 16-game losing streak — the longest active streak in all of FBS football at the time — plus counted as it’s first win against a power conference school since 1978.
Liam Gainey’s goal, Dean Linden’s excellence in net leads UMass men’s soccer past UML, 1-0
AMHERST — Another season, another win against the in-state rival. The UMass men’s soccer team continued its reign over UMass Lowell after its 1-0 win at Rudd Field on Wednesday afternoon. The Minutemen have not lost to the River Hawks since the 2019 season. “[Lowell] has improved every year, so it was a really hard-fought game,” UMass head coach Fran O’Leary said. “We had the setback against Harvard, and we needed a dose of confidence.
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