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WHS silences Northampton, 1-0

Westfield's Eric Shilyuk (7) dribbles the ball ahead of a Northampton defender. (Photo by Chris Putz)

Westfield’s Eric Shilyuk (7) dribbles the ball ahead of a Northampton defender. (Photo by Chris Putz)

WESTFIELD – Fall foliage may not be upon us yet, but all Westfield High School appears to have needed was a change of scenery.
Westfield won its first game of the season its league opener, defeating Northampton 1-0 Monday in the Whip City. The Bombers improved to 1-2.
Sophomore Matt Butera scored the game-winner in the 50th minute. His goal was the result of a strong offensive push by Westfield. Butera took a pass from Mike Santinello, split the defense at the top of the penalty box, cut it back to the right side of the goal and slotted the ball into the left side of the net past Northampton goalie Jon Brodeur.
“We had more communication (today),” Butera said. “We were being better as a whole team. We had more confidence in each other, a lot of movement … creating space in the center of the field.”
Santinello created several scoring opportunities, and nearly had a goal of his own multiple times. He had a sliding shot near the right edge of the goalie box that sailed high and wide late in the first half, and was just shy of notching a goal in the second half on a combination of kicks and headers that came up just high or wide.
Butera had a direct kick smack the crossbar with seven minutes remaining in the first half. He had another chance in the waning minutes.
“New guys are stepping into roles and getting comfortable,” Westfield coach Gabe Crane said. “It’s not five guys on the courts; it’s 11 guys on the field and 18 on the team. Until all 18 guys are on board, it’s tough to win games. We had a unified front today.”
Westfield goalie Robert Bernadera (seven saves) recorded a shutout. The Bombers outshot the Northampton Blue Devils 16-8.
“This win was so important as much as every game is important,” coach Crane said. “But I always tell our guys it’s like double dipping with a league win. It’s two points toward our quest of making the tournament with a .500 or better record, and you put yourself closer to winning the league which is a guarantee for the postseason.”

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