Lenox Girls Continue Strong Start

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – The Lenox girls soccer team scored four times in the first 14 minutes and went on to a 6-0 win over Taconic on Wednesday at Berkshire Community College.

 

First-year Millionaires coach Nicole Gamberoni was happy with the win and with the way her team has progressed in the early going this fall.

 

“I think that we moved the ball really well,” said Gamberoni, a 2019 Lenox Memorial grad. “We worked together. We’re working on switching the field. We did that yesterday in practice, and today we did it in the game. So it’s great to see the practices roll over into games.”

 

Fiona Ward scored the game’s first two goals, the second on a rebound off of Taconic keeper Zoey Teutsch (17 saves).

 

In the ninth minute, Cate Welch extended Lenox’s lead with an assist from Jane Elliot.

 

And a little more than four minutes after that, Claire Welch found the back of the net after taking a feed from Morgan Chevalier to make it 4-0.

 

That’s about the time Gamberoni started getting some work for her reserves, and Taconic’s Dean Bamford called his side over for a timeout to regroup.

 

Both moves paid dividends.

 

Lenox got valuable minutes for its backup players, and the young and inexperienced Thunder found its footing, literally.

 

“It was simple,” Bamford said. “My only instruction during the first time out was: On your toes. We were flat-footed. [The Millionaires] were on the toes. They’re are winning it. You’re seeing it, now go fix it.

 

“And that little change, the fact that they did that little change for me makes me proud, because it means they’re listening.”

 

It’s a time for listening and learning at Taconic.

 

“We are a very inexperienced team,” Bamford said. “We lost nine players. We had nine seniors last year, seven starters. So we have to kind of rebuild.

 

“The majority of our girls have never played before the season. And the number one rule that we have as a team is: Leave it on the field. Whatever the outcome is, leave it on the field.”

 

With some of its starters resting the rest of the way, Lenox continued to keep the pressure on, but Teutsch and the Taconic defense were able to keep the Millionaires off the board for 63 minutes.

 

A couple of Lenox chances, including one apparent goal, because the Thunder was able to catch the Millionaires offsides.

 

“We struggled a little bit with that,” Gamberoni said with a chuckle. “We have a player who has never played before, and so she was just thrown up there. It’s my fault. I didn’t tell her how to do it.

 

“But it’s a lesson. Lessons are learned. That’s what life’s about. That’s what soccer’s about. So we’ll definitely be working on that in practice.”

 

Lenox finally broke its scoring drought with a set piece goal with less than three minutes to play. Eva Brof did the honors with a direct free kick from about 25 yards out on the left wing to make it 5-0. About a minute later, Jocelyn Herrman capped the scoring.

 

While the Millionaires (2-1) were in control on the field and on the scoreboard almost from the jump, Taconic’s Teutsch was a bright spot for the Thunder.

 

“Zoey is our backup goalie,” Bamford said. “Our starter was injured in the first game. She’s out for two weeks. Zoey has never played soccer until preseason. The fact that she came in today with only a week of practice being a goalie? Amazing.

 

“We didn’t even have a backup until last week. I’m proud of her.”

 

Taconic (0-2) goes right back to work on Thursday at BCC against Lee.

 

Lenox is on the road Friday at Wahconah.

 

Photos from this game to come.