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The Crows celebrate after winning the summer championship of the Pittsfield Soccer League on Wednesday night.

Crows Capture Pittsfield Soccer League Crown

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires.com Sports
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Crows keeper Cale Rathburn had the save of the match in the penalty kick shootout.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Cale Rathburn made the only save of a penalty kick shootout on Wednesday night to send the Crows past the Maroon to claim the summer championship of the Pittsfield Soccer League.
 
The Crows saw a 1-0 lead evaporate in the closing minutes of the second half but rallied to hold off the Maroon through two five-minute overtimes to get to the shootout.
 
It was 4-4 going into the fifth round of PKs before Rahburn, who made six saves in the 50-minute regulation time, got all of Camilo Bermudez’ attempt to give the Crows an opening.
 
Reinaldo Castro then sealed the deal with a low liner past Maroon keeper Jeff Egan, who guessed the wrong way on his dive.
 
The victory gave the Crows a measure of redemption in the seven-on-seven co-ed league at Wahconah Park.
 
“We lost to them in the semi-finals last year,” Crows captain Darren Consolati said. “And they ended up winning the whole thing. So, yeah, we definitely had revenge on our mind.
 
“It was close. We barely pulled it out.”
 
It was a lot closer in the end than it seemed in the first half.
 
The Crows came out and dominated the opening stages, earning a 7-3 edge in shots on goal., but thanks to some big saves by Egan, it remained a scoreless game at half-time.
 
In the ninth minute of the second half, Elia DelMolino headed home a cross from the left wing to give the Crows a one-goal lead.
 
“They came out and played hard,” Maroon captain Brian Seminara said of the Crows. “But we kept pushing as hard as we could. … Unfortunately, we were missing a couple of people tonight, but it was a pretty good match.”
 
The Maroon’s comeback effort was rewarded in the 48th minute of the game when Dennis Penny set up Brady Mickle for the equalizer.
 
Neither team gave up a strong scoring chance in the overtime periods, which sent it to the shootout, where Rathburn made the difference.
 
“He’s been huge,” Consolati said. “I think he’s let in five goals all year. Today was his fifth goal [allowed].”
 
No one was happier than Consolati that Rathburn made the save of the match in the shootout.
 
“I thought it was going to keep going and I was going to have to shoot,” he said with a laugh. “Thank God that didn’t happen.”
 
 
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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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