MCLA Men's Soccer Rallies, Women Fall, Harriers Compete in Vt.

03:20PM / Sunday, September 07, 2014Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- Trailing 2-1 midway through the second half, the MCLA Trailblazers were in need of a spark on Sunday against the Castleton State Spartans.

Trailblazer Edward Boateng ignited a rally in the 74^th minute, converting to tie the game, and just two minutes later Dylan Pereira netted the game winner, lifting MCLA past Castleton, 3-2, in a well played contest at Shewcraft Field in the CIAO Classic.

The Spartans are still searching for their first win and fall to 0-3 while MCLA improves to 3-1 on the season.

After being tied at halftime, Castleton used a Spencer Dandurand marker in the 55^th minute to take a 2-1 lead. MCLA couldn’t mount much of an attack in the second half until the flurry in the 74^th minute. After a Spartan turnover, Pereira found himself alone with Castleton keeper Dan Palkner. Palkner denied Pereira, however the loose ball was corralled by Boateng. After gathering himself, he lofted a beautiful shot into the upper left corner tying the game at 2.

Just 2 minutes, 26 seconds later, Pereira pushed the ball into the box on the left wing. The sophomore fire da shot into the upper right corner, giving MCLA its first lead at 3-2. MCLA kept the pressure on the Spartans for the remainder of the half but couldn’t extend the lead.

Castleton attempted to push forward late, but the Trailblazer defense held.

Castleton struck first as they applied constant pressure on the MCLA defense through much of the opening half. In the 14^thminute, Bryce Kaler converted a perfect thru pass from Ndayisenga Van Dame for an early 1-0. The Spartans controlled much of the action until MCLA finally countered.

In the 40^th minute, Jesse Moore sent a ball forward from deep in the Trailblazer half of the field. The pass allowed Kwadwo Kusi to outrun the Spartan defense and he was one on one with Palkner. Palkner attempted to come off the line, but Kusi easily chipped it past him to knot the score at 1-1 heading into halftime.

Castleton outshot MCLA, 14-8, in the half while holding a 3-1 edge in corners.

For the match, Palkner finished with three saves, while Matt Robinson earned the win stopping six shots. Castleton outshot MCLA, 22-19, in the match, however the Trailblazers held an 11-8 advantage in the decisive second half.

MCLA is back in action on Wednesday when it travels to Sage College.

Women's Soccer

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- The visiting Smith College Pioneers got a first half goal from Jordan Houston and held MCLA at bay for much of the afternoon as they earned a 1-0 win in women's soccer action at Shewcraft field.

After Pioneer keeper Shelby Hall corralled a loose ball, she launched a punt that crossed midfield and found Houston beyond the Trailblazer defense. Heading into the box one on one with MCLA's Katy Daly, Houston fired a shot that Daly deflected, however it trickled into the left corner for a 1-0 lead.

Smith (1-0-1) controlled much of the offensive action throughout as they outshot MCLA (0-2-1) 17-6. Including an 8-1 mark on net.

MCLA mounted a few chances and almost found the equalizer when Jackie Dwyer barely got a foot on a loose ball that was by the Smith defense. A defender recovered though and attempted to clear the ball. It then found the foot of MCLA's Natalie Caney who rifled a shot just high early on in the second half.

Hall earned the shutout stopping the only shot she saw. Daly absorbed the loss while making seven stops in net for MCLA.

The Trailblazers are back in action on Wednesday when they travel to Castleton.

CROSS COUNTRY

CASTLETON, Vt. - The MCLA women's and men's cross country teams competed Sunday afternoon in the Castleton State Invitational.

The women finished sixth in the meet. Colby-Sawyer took home the top team honors.

Newcomer Caroline Couser was the top runner for the Trailblazers finishing in 25th place with a time of 25 minutes, 26 seconds. A trio of Trailblazers were right behind her in Annie Gagnon, Martha Pratt, and Paige Herzog.

Abby Shafer of New England College took home the individual title.

The MCLA men finished fourth in a meet also won by Colby-Sawyer.

Brendan Peltier was the first Trailblazer to cross the finish line, completing the 5k course in 29:19. He was followed by newcomer Drew Weisse just 37 seconds later.

Hayden Bunnell of Colby-Sawyer took the individual title running the layout in 26:02.

Other schools competing included: Thomas, Southern Vermont, SUNY-Canton, Green Mountain, and Castleton.

MCLA will race again next Saturday in Bennington, Vt., at the Southern Vermont Invitational.

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

RIBCO Supply

Check out our great lineup of Boss Plows, and spreaders. 2 Locations Clarksburg & Pittsfield!

ribcosupply.com

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
12:37PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.

View Full Story