Lenox Boys Show Resilience in Win at Pittsfield

PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- For the second time in less than a week, the Lenox boys soccer team had a golden opportunity to demonstrate its heart.

 

And once again, the Millionaires responded - showing heart and talent to spare in a 3-1 win over Pittsfield on Monday afternoon at Kirvin Park.

 

PHS (8-2, 3-0 Berkshire Count North) scored an own goal in the 26th minute to take the lead, but Lenox responded with two goals before half-time to take control of the game.

 

"We just came out strong after that," said sophomore Michael Abdalla, who scored the game-winner. "Even in our previous game against Hoosac [on Oct. 8], they scored against us, and we scored five goals in eight minutes.

 

"We come out strong when someone scores on us. We don't hang our heads like we used to."

 

And like a lot of teams might going against a vaunted PHS side that won its first eight games before losing by a goal to a highly regarded Ludlow team on the road.

 

"If that doesn't say character and resilience for a young team, coming back today 3-1 says it all," Lenox coach David Pugh said.

 

"A lot of teams, I think, would deflate on an own goal on this field against Pittsfield, but we didn't. We got some guys in and out and were able to talk them and get their heads in the game. We made some timely adjustments."

 

The opening goal came off a Pittsfield corner kick from the left wing. Michael Holmes laced the ball into the 6-yard box, where an attempted clear by the Lenox defense ricocheted off a Millonaires defenseman and into the goal.

 

Seven minutes later, Lenox was awarded a penalty kick when Pittsfield was whistled for a handball inside the 18. Sophomore Matt Heim teed it up and knocked it low to the left of PHS keeper Jon Matthew Bile to tie the score at 1-1.

 

With 1 minute, 7 seconds left on the clock, Zi Santos set up Abdalla for the go-ahead goal.

 

"I found the gap and passed it to my friend, Zi, and he had a beautiful pass back to me, and I finished the goal," Abdalla said. "It was really Zi's goal, but I just finished it."

 

Lenox carried its momentum through half-time, putting pressure on Bile in the 48th minute with shots by Nic Baruch and Abdalla.

 

At the other end, Matt Tibbetts (14 saves) stopped a Holmes' try on a free kick midway through the half to maintain Lenox's lead.

 

Baruch gave his team some breathing room with 16:54 on the clock with a goal from the top of the 18.

 

For Pittsfield, it was a second straight loss and second straight game being held to just a goal, something that only has happened twice this season.

 

"I think altogether we didn't show up, for 80 minutes," Pittsfield coach Andrew Antil said. "We had a couple of good rushes here or there, but overall, we didn't feel like playing today."

 

The Millionaires, meanwhile, felt like playing and, when it was over, celebrating a rare win on the Generals' home field.

 

"Most importantly for us, it gives our younger players confidence," Pugh said. "They've been successful throughout their careers in travel leagues and whatnot, but this game, we wanted a game like this because No. 1, we felt all along we could win a game like this, but No. 2, to win a game like this, it cements in our players heads that they are in fact good players."

 

"Coming into this game, we were looking for a tie, but a win is probably even better," Abdalla said with a laugh.

 

Lenox hosts Westfield Voc on Thursday. Pittsfield hosts Monument on Wednesday. The Millionaires and Generals will meet again on Monday, Oct. 19, in Lenox.