PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- Jackson Rich scored and Harrison Rapant made five saves to give the Pittsfield boys soccer team a 1-1 tie against Westfield in the Generals' season opener on Thursday at Kirvin Park.

 

"Although we went into the game looking for two points, I am quite pleased with how the boys played," Pittsfield coach Andrew Antil said. "This was our first game steppon our game field since last November, so we were getting used to the surface and the large size.

 

"We were physical, our defense was solid, and we worked the ball around well for much of the game."

 

Pittsfield scored first in the 16th minute when Louis Higuera took a pass in the air at the edge of the 18 and headed the ball to Jackson. Jackson played a bouncing ball on a half volley and delivered a strong shot to the side netting on the keeper's left-hand side.

 

Thirty minutes into the game, Westfield responded with a score by Matt Butera.

 

Ian Saltmarsh stopped 10 shots for Westfield, which was outshot 18-10.

 

Pittsfield travels to Lenox on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. start. Antil was encouraged by the way the season started for the Generals.

 

"We have a few younger guys who are adjusting to the speed of play, and they adapted nicely, while the older players maintained high intensity through the whole game," he said. "The game went back and forth -- 10 minutes in our half, 10 minutes in their half, etc. Both teams had some great chances."