'Canes Can't Hang with Millionaires after Halftime
LENOX, Mass. -- The Hoosac Valley boys' soccer team found a way to slow down a powerful Lenox offense for at least one half on Monday night. Unfortunately for the Hurricanes, the Millionaires figured out how to solve Hoosac's defense in the second half, scoring five times on their way to a 7-0 win at home.'Canes head coach Nate Girard employed a nifty off-sides trap for his young team in the first half and the results were positive, as Lenox (8-1-3) managed only a single goal by Peter Vahle in the first 37 minutes of play. The Millionaires found some much needed momentum before the break, however, when Andrew Vickery finished off a pass from Niko Brattke (two assists) with just over two minutes left in the first half.
"In the first half, we slowed down the rate of play tremendously while at the same time being effective playing the ball on the ground," Girard said. "The Lenox coach made some great adjustments with his guys during halftime, though, and they took serious advantage playing through ball after through ball on the ground and creating one-on-one opportunities between their players and my freshman goaltender. Chris [Gajda] still made some excellent saves and if it wasn't for him, Lenox could have easily erupted for 11 or 12 goals."
After Millionaires head coach Scott Chadwick made his offensive adjustments at halftime, the hosts began to find the holes in the Hoosac defense, receiving strikes by Alex Pratt, Vahle and Matt Merritt all within a five-minute span of the second half to take a commanding 5-0 lead. Merritt's goal was particularly discouraging as the assist came off a punt from Lenox goalie Andrew Bravo, who earned the shuout by making two saves.
Gajda recorded 12 saves in net for the Hurricanes (1-10-1), who were outshot 19-4 in the game.
"We had our chances and after the game, the Lenox coach even told us this game could of easily been 7-4 or 7-5," Girard said. "Our guys in the second half again lacked communication and the finishing touch, however. We are still looking for that guy who wants to take over and execute on our side of the ball."
Hoosac will try to snap a three-game losing streak when it hosts undefeated Mount Greylock at 6 p.m. on Thursday. The game will be held at Renfrew Field in Adams.