Turners Falls boys soccer blanks Gateway in WMass Class D semifinals

MONTAGUE – The magical season of the Turners Falls boys soccer team continues on, as the second-seeded Thunder dispatched sixth-seeded Gateway, 2-0, in the Western Mass. Class D semifinals in front a spirited fan base on Monday night.

The Thunder (15-0-3) got a goal in the 56th minute from Rojelio Galvez to help send Turners Falls to the sectional championship game. Turners Falls will play top-seeded Monson at a time and place to be determined.

“I feel proud to be a part of Turners Falls,” Galvez said. “I am glad we made it to the Western Mass. finals. I will assist my teammates, make them better. When one is down, I want to pick them up.”

Monson (14-1-3) won the Schmid Conference championship and downed Pioneer Valley Christian School, 1-0, in the other semifinal match up.

Galvez’s goal came on an exquisite set up from Noah Kolodziej, who penetrated the defense into the penalty area before dropping a pass to Galvez. The Gators defense committed to Kolodziej, leaving a curling Galvez an open shot.

“He was right there,” Kolodziej said. “I am very thankful he finished that.”

The Thunder now set their sights on the first sectional championship in program history.

“We all really want to go out there and fight for the guy right next to us,” Kolodziej said. “We want to fight for every single one of our teammates. If we can out there and play like who we are, who we prove to be time and time again. I think we’ll have the confidence to go out there and beat any teams.”

This is the third chance at a sectional championship for Turners Falls in program history, according to coach Matt Kolodziej.

“The players have worked hard,” Kolodziej said. “It’s the camaraderie. These guys have been playing for a while together. I’m here for the ride, I conduct them and tell them where to go but these kids, they wouldn’t be here if they didn’t want to put the energy and the work in.”

Both teams remained scoreless through the first half. On one play, Gateway’s Elijah Chepurenko launched a missile of a shot from distance that knuckled its way toward the net. Turners Falls keeper Jackson Cogswell managed to stop the shot and collect the slippery rebound, keeping the game scoreless.

“It’s really empowering to save a really good shot,” Cogswell said. “Saving it so we’re not losing in the game. It’s the biggest game we ever played in. It’s awesome for me. I am really happy I was able to do that for my guys. They returned the favor by scoring in the second half.

Cogswell finished with nine saves for the Thunder. In the 64th minute, Turners Falls added an insurance goal when Galvez set up Yolvin Ovalle to make the score 2-0.

The Gators had some more chances throughout the game but could not find the back of the net. Turners Falls represents a number of challenges for opposing teams.

“They have a lot of talent,” Gateway coach Andrew McCaul said. “Offensively they have some kids with great touch on the ball. They make decisions at pace. You can tell they already know what to do with the ball before they get it. It’s impressive to see that trait in a team.”

Gateway now sets its sights on the state tournament. The Gators ranked 26th in the latest MIAA power rankings. The Gators are looking at a road game to start the Division 5 bracket.

“We defend great,” McCaul said. “That was our 11th and 12th goal we have given up all year. Just building off that. We have constantly worked on our finishing. We still have to improve our offensive third of the field. We’ll just keep doing that. We feel pretty good still.”

Zachary Hess made 10 saves for the Gators.

Gateway defender Weston Anderson, right, boxes out a Turners Falls attacker during the first half of the Western Mass. Class D boys soccer semifinal on Monday in Montague. RYAN AMES/Gazette.Turners Falls attacker Yolvin Ovalle-Mejia, right, runs alongside Gateway defender Andrew Chepurenko during the first half of the Western Mass. Class D boys soccer semifinal on Monday in Montague.