Westfield goal keeper Robert Bernadara, left, leaps for the save from the header of Amherst defender Adrian Haughton. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – For the Westfield High School boys’ soccer team, the season begins now.
Westfield secured its biggest win of the season with a narrow 1-0 win over Amherst Wednesday night at Bullens Field.
Mike Santinello scored the game-winner on a first-half pass from Matt Butera.
“We had an unbelievable team effort,” Westfield coach Gabe Crane said. “Amherst is the best, if not, one of the best teams around.”
Amherst is the 2012 Western Massachusetts Division I boys’ soccer state runner-up. The Hurricanes returned two of the top players in the area, but on Wednesday, was shut out.
“It was just about as good a win as we could have hoped for,” Crane said. “It definitely will help us move forward from here after a tough loss on Monday.”
Westfield (2-4-2) was coming off a 3-0 loss to Central. The Golden Eagles’ Deandrae Brown netted a hat trick.
On Wednesday, Westfield goalie Robert Bernadara made 18 saves.
“Robert was incredible,” Crane said. “I think he stood on his head for a couple saves or did whatever it took.”
