The North Adams boy’s soccer team drew 1-1 against the Bethel Tate Tigers Saturday afternoon in Seaman.
The Tigers opened up the scoring early on the Devils, scoring less than four minutes into play, but it wasn’t without an immediate response on the very next possession from North Adams when a cross came into the box to junior Patrick England but the ball bounced off England’s shin, allowing the Tiger goalkeeper to collect.
North Adams kept up the first-half pressure earning themselves two corners, but both failed to develop properly, leaving the Devils still down a goal.
Bethel Tate looked to put a second on the scoreboard when the got chances on either side of the box back-to-back off a rebound opportunity, but the final chance went wide, leaving the Devils with a goal kick.
Senior Aaron Pertuset had a chance to equalize with about four minutes before halftime when he chipped the ball from about 25 yards away but the ball just streaked over the crossbar. Bethel Tate then went into halftime holding a 1-0 lead.
Head coach Ike Wooten’s halftime speech lit a fire under his team as North Adams played better in the second half, and that strong play was rewarded at the 30:59 mark when the Devils finally equalized with a goal from England on an assist from junior Austin Parks.
“It was off a punt and we got a breakaway,” North Adams senior Drew Coppock said. “Austin crossed the ball and Patrick knocked it in on the back post.”
From there on, North Adams had the majority of the momentum forcing a corner kick about a minute after the tying goal which was hit low on the ground, but was unable to find the back of the net.
Both teams had multiple chances from that point on but neither were able to create a second, game-winning goal and the teams finished with a draw.
Coppock said he still believes his team is finding itself in the early season and will eventually find their strong form.
“I think we are still learning how to deal with pressure and moving the ball from defense to offense while keeping possession,” Coppock said. “I think it’ll take a few games to get where we need to be. But we will be ready.”
