Cecina, Italy - The setting for the Ephs' second game in Italy was idyllic, in the Tuscany region near Pisa, Italy, but the competition was even better and Williams fell to Cecina 4-1 and is now 1-2 on their European trip. Russo knew full well that his Ephs would be up against a talented team in this contest and he was not disappointed.
"Cecina had five players on loan from Serie A Teams Florence (3) and Juventus (2)," said Russo. "The five players were from the Serie A second teams and they were very, very good."
The Ephs went down 1-0 for the third straight game when Cecina scored 15 minutes in on a howler from outside the box that found the upper right corner. "Our goalie Andrew Graham had no chance on that shot."
An Eph miscue in the back 20 minutes later gave Cecina an opportunity they would not squander and the hosts doubled their lead to 2-0.
Senior Mike Darling converted off a pass from junior Sam Empson just before the half ended making the score 2-1 at the break.
"In the second half their fitness level took over and they netted two more goals to close out the game at 4-1," noted Russo. "Despite the score there were a lot of positives and one was how quickly we answered their second goal and made it a game."
On Friday the Ephs will travel to San Marino to play another Division 1 team – Verucchio.
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Weekend Outlook: Juneteenth and Pride Celebration
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
Check out the events happening this weekend including parades, parties and celebrations.
Editor's Choices
10th Annual Berkshire Pride Festival and Parade
The Common Park, Pittsfield
Time: Saturday, 11 a.m.
The 10th annual pride parade and festival with fun games, performances, food, and more.
Berkshire Mountain Faerie Festival
Bowe Field, Adams
Time: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Visit the faerie realm in the Berkshires with food, music, activities, dancing and more. Tickets are sold at the gate for $12 and $5 for kids 12 and under.
Juneteenth Celebration
Durant Park, Pittsfield
Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
March to the park starts at City Hall, followed by music, dance, food, history and more hosted by NAACP Berkshires. The event is free and open to everyone.
The Revival House on Commercial Street is hosting chef Xavier Jones for a popup restaurant on Fridays and Saturdays in June. Limited menu; $5 reservation includes beverage.
In conversation with Sara Houghteling, Pulitzer Prize-winner Stacy Schiff will explore the origins of the American Revolution as detailed in her latest work, "The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams," for whom the town is named. Schiff is an Adams native and Williams College graduate.
Cassidy Flynn scattered five hits in a complete-game effort in the circle as Lenox upset top-seeded Hoosac Valley, 3-2, in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament. click for more
Brayden Durant struck out seven and walked one in a complete-game effort on the mound Saturday to pitch the Drury baseball team to a 6-0 win over Keefe Tech in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament at Joe Wolfe Field. click for more
Jason Codey struck out 13, walked two and allowed just an infield single as the Generals earned a 7-1 win over Wahconah to claim their third straight regional title. click for more
Gracelyn Wright struck out eight, and Genevieve Lagess went 3-for-5 with four runs batted in as the Hurricanes beat Monson, 17-3, to claim their first Western Mass title in four years. click for more
For the boys, Ward Bianchi helped lead the way with a win in the shot put and a second place in the javelin as the Mounties finished 16 points ahead of runner-up Pittsfield (pending the results of the pole vault, which were unavailable at 11 p.m. Friday night). click for more