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Not only was the Berkshire Community College field lit up Friday evening for the double-header match between the Pittsfield boys and girls soccer teams against Taconic, but the scoreboard was as well throughout both games.
A total of twelve goals were scored between the two Pittsfield teams; five coming from the boys and the other seven coming from the Lady Generals.
Pittsfield-Taconic Boys
The boys struggled in the beginning of the first half to put the ball in the back of the net. They had a lot of chances, but they couldn’t seem to finish it to ensure that first goal. Things quickly changed for Pittsfield after a time-out was called to put their game together and gain their composure.
“Basically we said, ‘get it together’” Pittsfield coach Andrew Antil said. “I told them to play our game; move without the ball, play physical, head balls, and talk to each other.”
Shortly after the time-out, their game came together again and Jackson Rich opened the scoring off a free kick just outside the 18. Quin Matthews got a head on the ball that just missed the net, but Rich was positioned perfectly to ensure a Pittsfield goal.
The Generals scored two more times in the first half off goals from Evan Dempsey and Jose Heisecke, assisted by Rich.
Taconic, whose team is mostly made up of underclassman, came out much more aggressive in the second half. They had a few opportunities in their offensive end, but were unable to capitalize on them.
Considering the amount of time Pittsfield spent in their defensive end, they allowed them only two more goals in the remainder of the game.
“We really upped our level of play tonight,” Taconic coach Mark Wasnewsky said. “Defensively I thought we played really well; they’re getting it, they’re turning the corner and they’re learning the game.”
Pittsfield’s Jorge Miranda scored the fourth goal of the night after beating the Taconic defense off a through pass from Matthews. Miranda carried the ball right into the 6 and beat the goalie with a low shot in the corner.
Brian Desrosiers scored the final goal for Pittsfield in the 23rd minute off a cross from Heisecke.
Pittsfield is on the road Monday at East Longmeadow. Taconic will travel to Lee Tuesday.
Pittsfield-Taconic Girls
Trinity Cookis tallied three of Pittsfield’s seven goals Friday evening and added an assist. Two of her goals came in the first and the other in the second.
Amanda Wright opened the scoring for Pittsfield in the 26th minute after beating the defense and going 1 on 1 with Taconic goalie Brooke Mangiardi.
Pittsfield’s next two goals came from Cookis.
Taconic keeper Brooke Mangiardi was injured on Pittsfield’s fourth goal from Britney Perkett after knocking heads with another player in the scramble in front of the net.
Lauren Mangiardi stepped in net for the remainder of the game, and, considering the score, she came up big and made some huge saves.
“Lauren’s always wanted to play goalie, but she’s a great field player,” Taconic coach John Flynn said. “It’s great that we have her for a back-up when Brooke does go down because she steps in and plays huge just like she did tonight.”
Pittsfield tallied one more goal at the end of the first half from Lindsey Schnopp to give it the 5-0 lead going into the second.
Rachel Godwin for Pittsfield quickly got things going in the second half, putting one in the net just two minutes in.
Taconic finally added one to the board minutes after Pittsfield off a breakaway from Curry to put the score at 6-1.
The final goal of the game came from Cookis, who walked away with a hat trick for the Generals.
Taconic host Lee on Wednesday; giving them time to prepare and time for goalie Brooke Mangiardi to recover from tonight’s injury. Pittsfield, who is on a three-game winning streak, will look for that fourth win against Hoosac Valley also on Wednesday.
Girls: More photos from this game here.
Boys: More photos from this game here.