NORTHFIELD — Not even the driving rain could slow down the Pioneer boys soccer team’s attack on Thursday against Mount Everett. 

The Panthers came out flying in their Schmid League showdown, scoring three early goals to take a 3-0 lead into the half. 

The Pioneer defense continued to stifle the Eagle attack during the final 40 minutes of action, as the Panthers earned a 4-0 victory. The win kept Pioneer (6-0-2) unbeaten on the season. 

“It’s been three years of us being together and this year, they’re really clicking,” Pioneer coach Michael Italia said. “We have great team spirit. They’re a rowdy crew but they love each other. They’re a lot of fun and we’re seeing some success on the field.” 

For senior midfielder Kurt Redeker, it’s been the work at practice that has led to the success on the field for the Panthers, who have now won four games in a row. 

“It’s been a great season,” Redeker said. “We’ve been locked in during practice. Coach makes us do a lot of sprints so we’re well conditioned. Being able to play a full 80 minutes is important. We’re winning the ball in the air. Jack Glazier is winning every header and we’re communicating which is key.” 

Judah Glenn, who has been on a scoring tear to open the season, put Pioneer on the board to start the game. The junior made a run down the left side, dribbling past a pair of Mount Everett defenders, before slicing a shot past Eagle goalie Ian Lanoue to give the Panthers the opening lead. 

Just minutes later and Pioneer extended its lead to 2-0. 

Redeker made a great throw in to Glenn, tossing it over the heads of the Mount Everett defenders to a streaking Glenn just outside the box. Glenn drew Lanoue’s attention before slipping the ball over to Jackson Campbell, with the senior burying the shot to give the Panthers a two-goal cushion. 

Redeker got on the scoreboard himself before the first half came to a close. 

The ball got sent up to the senior in the box where he corralled it, turned and fired a shot that hit off the top of the crossbar and bounced down past the goal line to give Pioneer a 3-0 lead. 

“I just got a through ball,” Redeker said. “I had to finish it.” 

Junior Matan Lerman-Smith closed out the scoring in the second half, driving down the left side before smashing in a shot just inside the left post to help seal the victory. 

While the Panther offense has shown it can score goals, it’s defense has done a great job of keeping the opposition away from its own net. 

Pioneer goalie Gavin Gammell was rarely called into action on Thursday and through eight games, the Panthers have allowed just seven goals. 

The win on Thursday marked the third straight shutout for Pioneer, with Italia crediting both his defense and midfield’s ability to control the game. 

“Our defense is playing amazing this year,” Italia said. “They’ve stepped up one or two levels higher. They’re controlling the ball well and not just booting it out but rather passing it out and looking for their teammates. In the midfield the outside players are working hard to get up and back. We have subs so we can switch them out so they don’t get tired. We’re controlling the middle of the field and as a team, we’re working well together.” 

The Panthers are hoping to achieve the lofty goals they set out for themselves in the preseason. With the way the season has begun, those goals seem well within reach. 

“We want to win Western Mass. and make a deep state run,” Redeker said. “We haven’t gone far in soccer in a long time so we’re trying to make it happen.” 

Granby 3, Greenfield 0 — Riley Goodhind and Gavin Moreno scored in the first half before Tristan Moe tallied in the second half as the Rams pulled away from the Wave in Granby Thursday. 

Liam Grahame-Lawson made six saves for Greenfield. 

Four Rivers 6, Berkshire Arts 0 — Russell Herbert, Cooper Whitney, Tim Yanko, Jonah Wiles and Oscar McDonaugh each scored for the Otters in a victory over Berkshire Arts Thursday. 

Volleyball

Greenfield 3, Athol 1 — The Bears won the opening set but the Green Wave took the next three, as Greenfield earned a 21-25, 26-24, 25-20, 25-18 victory at Mallet Gymnasium Thursday. 

Giana Vaillancourt finished with five kills, four assists and three aces, Evelyn Robinson tallied four kills, two aces and three digs, Ella Reed dished four assists and put down three aces while Abby Spooner had a pair of kills and aces for Athol. 

The Bear JV team beat Greenfield, 2-1. 

Wednesday results

Volleyball

Amherst 3, Mohawk Trail 0 — Palmer King finished with nine kills, two assists and 10 digs while Emma Canaday recorded five assists and two kills in the Warriors’ 25-11, 25-15, 25-14 independent loss to the Hurricanes in Amherst Wednesday. 

Abby Moffatt put down one ace and made four digs while Zoe Mojallali added two kills for Mohawk Trail.