Calvert Hat Trick Leads Wahconah in Win Over Mahar

DALTON, Mass. — The Wahconah boys soccer team Friday cruised to a 4-0 win over Mahar in its home opener under first-year head coach Kyle Lyman.

 

Coming off a 6-1 win over Mount Everett, Wahconah (2-0) was looking to keep the early season momentum going. It started the game off strong with complete control of possession throughout the first half. 

 

The hosts were able to dominate the midfield and work the ball up the field with nice one-two passes which eventually led to the first chance of the game. Brody Calvert had a nice drive up the sideline that he crossed in, but the attackers were unable to keep the shot on target. 

 

Wahconah got a few more chances similar to the first that they just couldn’t get past the keeper. In the 25th minute Calvert had another chance, but this time with his head that the keeper did a nice job of controlling.

 

As the half went on it was only a matter of time before Wahconah finally broke the deadlock and in the 31st minute Calvert finally put Wahconah on the board. After a nice ball played up the side, he was able to make a move and cut inside the box for a nice finish to the lower corner. It was nice movement from the whole team in order to get the ball up the field in such a dangerous position.

 

Nine minutes later, just before the first half whistle, Calvert was able to add his second of the night with a nice long ball down the line from Sean Kays. Calvert was able to gather and cut inside similar to his first goal of the night and place it in the net. Wahconah took that 2–0 lead into the half and really closed the game out from any real chance of a comeback by Mahar.

 

The second half started similarly to the first, only this time Wahconah buried its chances early. It was Calvert once again completing his hat trick right at the start of the half. Shortly after Sean Kays sent in a corner kick that Brady Payson was able to get on the end of to provide the final margin.

 

“Brody is a special player, he starts offensive, but we have nine guys behind him getting him the ball and working their butts off,” Lyman said.

 

On the defensive end, Wahconah was just as strong getting the clean sheet and really disrupting any chance Mahar tried throwing forward. In a game where Wahconah dominated the ball there were a few chances where Mahar tried booting the ball up the field hoping for a run out or a mistake from the backline, but to Wahcona’s defense they were solid all night long.

 

“Our defense is a solid group right now,” Lyman said. "We have a few injuries back there so we have guys filling in that did phenomenal. Our two leaders in the back, Brayden Astore and Alex Perenick did great, they talked well and had a lot of communication.”

 

Wahconah will enjoy the 2-0 start to the season and will get back at it Tuesday, at home against Frontier.