Flyers use defense to stun North Adams, 2-1

Published 10:04 pm Thursday, October 5, 2023

By JIM WALKER

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

The offense has been clicking lately for the St. Joseph Flyers, but on Thursday it was the defense that stole the spotlight.

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Turning in their strongest defensive effort of the season, the Flyers stunned the North Adams Green Devils 2-1 in a non-league soccer game.

Flyers’ goalkeeper Evan Balestra had an outstanding game as he turned away all 8 Green Devils’ shots on goal and stopped the scoring tandem of Cody Hesler and Gage White who combined for 34 goals on the season.

St. Joseph is now 12-2-1 on the season while North Adams falls to 11-4. The Green Devils are 6-1 in the Southern Hills League.

The game was scoreless until 19:09 in the first half when Landon Rowe scored in the box off a spectacular feed from Zane “Z-Man” Dressel.

Lady Luck helped get North Adams its goal as a ball deflected off the head of a Flyers’ defender and created an own goal score with 18:40 on the first half clock.

But St. Joseph’s defense continued to be strong in the second half and Rowe broke the tie as he steered a corner kick from “Texas” Jack Whaley into the net with 31:46 left to play.

The Flyers close out the regular season next week with a game at Eastern Brown on Monday and then host Zane Trace on Thursday. Both games are at 5 p.m.

North Adams 1 0 = 1

St. Joseph 1 1 = 2

First Half

SJ — Landon Rowe (assist Zane Dressel) 19:09

NA — Own goal 18:40

Second Half

SJ — Landon Rowe (assist Jack Whaley) 31:46

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Statistics

Goalkeepers—North Adams: Jayce Rothwell 9 saves; St. Joseph: Evan Balestra 8 saves

Shots & Shots on Goal—North Adams 14-8; St. Joseph 12-11.

Corner Kicks—North Adams 5, St. Joseph 5

Fouls—North Adams 5, St. Joseph 8