Hoosac Plays Catch Up in Loss to Monument
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- A late goal by senior Truman Chojnowski only reminded the Hoosac Valley boys' soccer team what its capable of when the Hurricanes gel as a team. Unfortunately for Nate Girard's squad, Chojnowski's goal came long after Monument Mountain had dominated play for most of the game in a 6-1 win for the Spartans at the MCLA Athletic Complex on Saturday.Monument (7-2-3) took control of the game by scoring two goals within the first two minutes of play and four goals total by the end of the first half. The Spartans built a 6-0 lead before Hoosac (1-9-1) finally got things going with 12 minutes to play in the second half.
"I have to tip my hat to Monument Mountain, which really let us have it," Girard said. "They play with such confidence and it shows every step of the way. Each player communicates extremely effectively with one another and you hear all 11 voices from Monument's field players as well as the numerous bench players from start to finish. I have tried all season long to get our team to play the type of soccer Monument played against us today, which is playing to our strengths (being feet) and not to space."
With six minutes left in the game, sophomore midfielder Matt Waltermire fired a hard shot that deflected off of the Spartans' goalkeeper. Chojnowski followed up the rebound and knocked it home to break up Monument's shutout attempt.
"Unfortunately, we didn't start playing soccer until the 68th minute when we were already down six goals," Girard said. "The team, however, in the last 12 minutes showed what they were made of and maintained much better posession of the ball and played to each other's feet. We started finally gelling with one another and the boys now know they are able to do it. I, as a coach, just have to figure out a way to make it happen for 80 minutes, and we will see the winning side of the game."
Girard gave credit to sophomore Sean Ryan-Kut for a solid game on the defensive end. Junior Tom Galisa stopped one shot in goal for the Hurricanes, who next play at Lenox at 6 p.m. on Monday night.