CHICOPEE, Mass. -- Michael Abdalla scored, and Matt Tibbetts made seven saves to lead the Lenox boys soccer team to a 1-0 win over Pope Francis on Wednesday.

 

“We lost to Pope Francis last year, and they beat Wahconah in the season opener 4 - 0, so we knew they were going to be tough,” Lenox coach Matt Cote said. “ They have excellent team speed and some very clever ball handlers in the midfield.”

 

Late in the first half, Abdalla took a pass from Harrison Keator just outside the 18 and buried a shot low to the left of the keeper for the game’s lone goal.

 

At the other end, Tibbetts and the Lenox defense earned its third shutout of the young season.

 

“Matt Tibbetts played a wonderful game, often using his feet to thwart off attacks,” Cote said. “Our back line (Noah Kalischer-Coggins, Matt Heim, Nick Monteleone, and Andre Collins) played extremely well, tracking down every through ball, and forcing the ball away from danger.”

 

Lenox (4-0) goes to Minnechaug on Friday.