WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Long before the opening whistle at Pine Cobble School on Sunday, players from Williamstown and Lenox were already catching up. Some had spent years sharing the same field each summer. Others were playing their first season. Despite different backgrounds and experience levels, they all had one thing in common: a love for soccer that never faded.

 

That passion has helped fuel the continued growth of the Berkshire County Masters Soccer League, a more than 20-year-old organization that has become a home for former players looking to stay connected to the sport while building friendships throughout the county.

 

For first-year Williamstown manager Mary Summers, this season has been one of rebuilding and renewed momentum.

 

After taking over the program alongside Steve Nafziger this season, Summers said Williamstown’s roster has nearly doubled.

 

“We only had maybe 15 dedicated players last year,” Summers said. “This year, with Steve and me managing the team, we were able to find about 30 committed players.”

 

The growth isn’t limited to Williamstown. After shrinking during the COVID-19 pandemic, the league has expanded from six teams to seven this season.

 

“There used to be far more teams pre-COVID, but then teams broke up and people moved,” Summers said. “Finally, the league is growing again.”

 

The league features a 12-game regular season, with each team playing every opponent once at home and once away before advancing to the postseason. Williamstown practices twice each week during the season, giving players another opportunity to stay active while strengthening relationships that extend well beyond the pitch.

 

Those relationships are what keep many players returning year after year.

 

Mike Nuvallie, Williamstown’s longest-tenured player and a reliable left defender, said the friendships are just as meaningful as the competition.

 

“I enjoy playing because I love the game of soccer,” Nuvallie said. “I keep coming back to the league for the team camaraderie and getting to know my teammates throughout the season. I love the competitiveness and the overall experience.”

 

For veteran striker Jason McNair, the appeal has never worn off.

 

“I love the game,” McNair said. “Totally addicted. We have some great people on our team and when we play well together, it’s pure joy.”

 

The league also continues to attract newcomers.

 

Jean Paul Gomez joined Williamstown this season after moving to the Berkshires and quickly found the type of community Summers hopes more people discover.

 

“It’s a great opportunity to practice the sport I love and meet community members who have the same passion,” Gomez said.

 

Longtime player Jonathan Igoe, a longtime contributor to soccer in the Berkshires through coaching, said the league provides much more than meaningful competition.

 

“I love the opportunity to compete and the camaraderie of the team,” Igoe said. “It’s a great league and a fun way to connect with other soccer players around the county.”

 

For Summers, making people aware the league exists has been one of the biggest priorities. She recalled one player who had recently moved to the Berkshires and reached out after searching online for adult soccer opportunities.

 

“We just pick up people who Google ‘Berkshire adult soccer,’ ” Summers said. “I wanted to make sure people in the Berkshires knew that this existed.”

 

Monday’s regular-season finale at Pine Cobble School served as another reminder of why the league has endured for nearly two decades. While the result helped determine playoff positioning ahead of this week’s quarterfinals, the afternoon was about much more than the final score. It was another chance for old teammates to reunite, new friendships to form, and for dozens of players to continue doing what first brought them together—a shared love of the game.

 

Photos from this event here.