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Mixture of Results for Soccer Doman Academy

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- A miserable day in Massachusetts saw a variety of results for different age groups with the Soccer Domain Academy U11 Boys, U14 Boys and U13 Girls all in action on the road and looking to continue impressive starts to their seasons.

U11 Boys

After a late start to the season for the U11 Boys, they traveled on May 1 for their second game of the campaign, after a very convincing 6-2 victory the week before, hopes were high to continue the current form.

The first half kicked off, and FC Stars started extremely quickly creating plenty of chances, with a lot of soccer played in the SDA half of the field. A very physical and quick FC Star’ team made it hard for the visitors to play fast flowing soccer and troubled the defense with good long ranged shots and crosses into the box. SDA went 1-0 down early on and seemed to be struggling to get a hold of the game.

The Stars controlled possession and found themselves attacking the away goal on a regular basis, however a sublime counter attack break away created an opportunity for the SDA striker to level the game, no mistake was made with a composed finish to the goalkeeper’s left side. All the SDA attacks were broken down very quickly by a fast and powerful Stars backline. As the half progressed two crosses delivered into the box from set plays punished the SDA.

The half came to a concluded with home team 3-1 up.

After a period of regrouping, composing and evaluating at half-time the second half began with SDA finding their feet and playing some inspiring soccer. A transformation was shown on the pitch, with the away midfielders dictating the pace of the game. SDA went on to score a second goal and close the gap, with some great attacking plays the away team looked likely to get another goal. However, the Stars also looked very threatening with some direct plays playing many balls into the box from wide areas and also longer balls in behind the away defense. Soon SDA went down, 4-2.

A great fighting spirit and some amazing character was shown by all players involved to get the fightback started through a good goal with the center midfielder being direct to find an opening in the home side’s defense. SDA completed the comeback and made it 4-4. Chances continued being created by forceful away team but FC Stars managed to achieve a point. It proved to be a very challenging contest for both team at different stages of the game, both teams would consider it a very hard fought and rewarding point to achieve.

U14 Boys

Week 4 of the NEP season saw the U14s on the road again, to play a very strong GPS New Hampshire team. With players unavailable through injury and others not 100 percent fit, SDA knew it was in for a tough affair. The GPS team were big and the match-up looked like it was going to be a physical and fast paced game.

Certain SDA players were forced to play out of position due to low numbers. The size and pace of the home team caught SDA off guard and the away team found themselves 1-0 down in just a matter of minutes. With sloppy play from the back and going 1-0 down the away team seemed to lose their way for the next 10 minutes and conceded another goal making it 2-0 to the home side inside of 12 minutes. The referee then awarded the opposition a penalty kick and the task looked like it was going to be an uphill battle, but with a great save from the keeper SDA gained some momentum and fighting spirit.

The SDA chances came thick and fast. Some sublime saves from the home goalkeeper kept some promising SDA efforts out. At half-time SDA regrouped. At the start of the second half it was clear to see the away team were willing to fight their way back into the game, they continued to press and push for the goal that was needed to change the game and eventually it came closing the gap to 2-1. The away team continued to create chance after chance but an unbelievable goalkeeping display from the GPS keeper continued to stand in the way of SDA’s scoresheet.

SDA focused on attacking and pushing for a second goal, leaving themselves vulnerable at the back. They got caught on the break and conceded a third to what seemed bury the game for GPS. After the goal the character from the visitors continued to shine through as they hit back with a quick reply to make it 3-2.

SDA continued to create chances throughout the final 10 minutes of the game and were unfortunate not to get its reward.

U13 Girls

SDA’s U13 Girls endured the long journey to Boston to face GPS North Shore. Both teams had to deal with conditions that were not very conductive for soccer, SDA competed well throughout. The U13 Girls also had to quickly adapt to new positions after suffering some injuries in the camp.

The away side started very strongly and dominated the game with high pressure on the GPS defense as they religiously tried to play their way out from the back, SDA found winning the ball in dangerous areas to be a common theme and continued to put the GPS defense under pressure as they struggled to get out of their own half. The visitors adopted a noticeable structured defensive shape and adapted well to a new midfield.

A number of scrambled defensive clearances denied SDA an early lead in the first half, but continued pressure from the visitors eventually paid off. A looping shot beat the goalkeeper and nestled into the right hand side of the goal, making it GPS 0-1 SDA. As a whole the away side controlled the first half, while GPS had a 10-minute spell of threatening and dangerous attacking plays. SDA kept phenomenal shape in order to limit goal scoring opportunities throughout this period.

The second half continued in a very similar light, both teams creating chances, SDA managed to maintain a hold of the game throughout and controlled the majority of possession. SDA’s full backs remained on task and pressed high up the field allowing the front line and midfield to push further on. GPS found this problematic and were still finding it increasingly difficult to get out of their final third. SDA were once again threatened through a promising GPS spell, but some resolute defending managed to keep GPS off the score sheet.

As an overall review, the visiting team controlled the way the game was played, kept magnificent shape and created chances through winning the ball in dangerous positions throughout. SDA could have scored more than the one goal, however credit must be given to the GPS backline for keeping them out throughout such pressure.

It was a good three points gained to continue an impressive start to the season: two  wins out of three for SDA.

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Central Berkshire School Officials OK $35M Budget

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Regional School Committee approved a $35 million budget for fiscal 2025 during its meeting on Thursday.
 
Much of the proposed spending plan is similar to what was predicted in the initial and tentative budget presentations, however, the district did work with the Finance subcommittee to further offset the assessments to the towns, Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis said. 
 
"What you're going see in this budget is a lower average assessment to the towns than what you saw in the other in the tentative budget that was approved," she said. 
 
The fiscal 2025 budget is $35,428,892, a 5.56 percent or $1,867,649, over this year's $33,561,243.
 
"This is using our operating funds, revolving revenue or grant revenue. So what made up the budget for the tentative budget is pretty much the same," Director of Finance and Operations Gregory Boino said.
 
"We're just moving around funds … so, we're using more of the FY25 rural aid funds instead of operating funds next year."
 
Increases the district has in the FY25 operating budget are from active employee health insurance, retiree health insurance, special education out-of-district tuition, temporary bond principal and interest payment, pupil transportation, Berkshire County Retirement contributions, and the federal payroll tax. 
 
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