NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Michael "Sully" Boland scored three goals and assited on a fourth as the Drury High School boys soccer team Monday beat St. Joseph, 6-2, and kept its South Division title hopes alive.

 

Boland scored the game's first two goals -- off assists from Thane Preite and Matt Vachereau.

 

Stephin Wallace then scored twice, the second time on an assist from Boland, as the Blue Devils (5-11) took a 4-0 lead at half-time.

 

"We did our job," Drury coach Greg Caproni said. "We needed to win today to stay alive in the South. I am very proud of my boys and how they played. We had a rough game against Pittsfield and I was wondering how we would bounce back with such an important game today.

 

"This was some of the best soccer I have seen us play this year. We moved the ball very well and had a very clean first touch."

Bolland headed home his third goal off a cross by Jonah Miles to make it 5-0 about nine minutes into the second half.

 

"I was pleased to see Sully find the back of the net as much as he did today," Caproni said. "I have been bouncing him back and forth from the back line to striker.  He is such a solid player I am able to put him in any position and he will be successful."

 

Caproni started to get work for some of his younger players as the second half wore on, and St. Joe's Mike Peplowski set up a pair of Crusader goals, by Kennuk St. Jeong and Charlie Crall.

 

Eighth-grader Mitchell Anderson supplied the final margin of victory with his first varsity goal. Wallace provided the assist on the goal, which came with about five minutes left.

 

Joe Liporace made 11 saves to get the win before sitting down to give Brian Christian some time in goal. The Blue Devils earned a 17-13 edge in shots and got a strong defensive performance from Tyler Cote.

 

"I am so pleased with my team's effort and output today," Caproni said. "I am looking forward to facing Hoosac later this week, we still have a chance to tie for the South with a win."