With the post season lurking, it's fair to say that the boys' soccer team is a force to be reckoned with. With a record including only six opponent goals, the Falcons are without a doubt a confident and unified group.

The Falcons kicked their season off with five straight shutout games and have yet to allow more than one goal during a game. They remained undefeated until the heavily anticipated match with Ludlow where the Falcons fell 1-0. "We have an experienced group of defenders and they are the backbone of this team, but it takes all eleven guys on the field working hard both ways," said junior Will Kinder. "Ludlow was the game where we just couldn't put it all together."

Though the Falcons lost to Ludlow in the beginning of their season, they beat them in a rematch, thus winning the Western Mass championship. The players attribute a lot of their success to their good goaltending.

Seniors Nick Johnson and Gary Gaudette have provided this defense. Both have handled the pressure with ease and continue to encourage one another every time they step on the field. "Having two goalies on our team is very helpful. Not only does it help in practice, it gives them both competition and pressure to work hard and earn their playing time," said junior co-captain Evan Duval.

The goalies said they have a great relationship. "I learn from Johnson everyday," said Gaudette. "He is one of the best goalies in Western Mass. There is no shame in playing behind a keeper as talented as he is."

Captains junior Evan Duval and senior Brendan Keinath make significant contributions both on and off the field as well. "They have been supportive and helpful, especially to the newer players on the team," said junior Brody Savoie.

Keineth and O'Donnell have also made it extremely difficult for opposing teams to generate any strong offense. "They are both great athletes," said Coach John Ingalls. "They communicate very well with one another and the rest of the team. From the sidelines, I can always hear one of the two directing our defense. The defense works well together and have experience playing together and that has been a strong point in our playing."

Junior Ben Bradford agreed that Falcon defense is definitely a strength. "We play defense before we play offense," he said. "You're not going to be successful letting up two or three goals a game and I think that's where our strength comes from-our ability not to let that happen."

The team's defense also helps their offense "Everyone has a role on this team," said Keinath. "And the defense has really done their job well in key games and that's what has helped us come as far as we have."

Though the Falcons have won the Western Mass title, they hope that their strong defense this season will continue to make a difference. "To be the best we're going to have to beat the best," said junior Matt Gentile. "We're not going to be able to beat anyone if we play like individuals. We have to rise to any challenge playing as a team and working as one. We've been doing just that by playing as a true team and that has made all the difference in helping us win Western Mass this season."