Cal Young’s late goal secured a 2-1 victory for Northwestern over Nonnewaug on Tuesday, moving the Highlanders closer to their first Berkshire League boys soccer title since 2007. Young’s strike came with just 4:40 left on the clock at Nonnewaug High in Woodbury, breaking the deadlock in a tightly contested league showdown.
The win puts Northwestern at 11-1 in league play, holding a one-game advantage over Nonnewaug (10-2) and Shepaug (9-2) with four matches remaining. The Highlanders avenged an earlier 1-0 defeat to the Chiefs earlier this season, a result that had left their title hopes hanging in the balance.
“It puts us in the driver’s seat to win the league, which we haven’t done since ’07,” said Northwestern coach Andy Campbell, who is in his 24th season. “We’ve been second. We’ve been third. We’re always right there, but we just haven’t gotten it done since (2007).”
The match began with an early goal from Nonnewaug’s Maxim Dmitriyev, who finished off a move set up by Vincenzo Rose’s run down the left wing. Dmitriyev’s strike put the Chiefs ahead less than eight minutes into the game. Northwestern’s response was swift. Cohen D’Amore delivered a cross-field pass to Easton Combes, who maneuvered past a defender before scoring a left-footed shot from 10 yards out to level the score.
Both teams had shown dominance in different phases throughout their encounters this season, with Northwestern enjoying large advantages in shots on goal and possession. Yet, after 160 minutes of play between the sides, the cumulative scoreline remains even.
Nonnewaug coach Toby Denman acknowledged the strength of the contest. “I’m not surprised it was a tight, competitive game. It’s two good teams,” he said. “They just finished one more than we did.”
The winning goal came late after Combes crossed from the left, the ball deflecting off Lincoln Ouellette before reaching Cal Young. The senior placed the ball into the bottom left corner, a finish he described modestly: “I hit it with my left foot as best I could and placed it bottom left. That’s about as good as I could get.”
Young’s strike was a breakthrough for a Northwestern team with no players born the last time they lifted the Berkshire League banner. The victory not only advances their title ambitions but also adds momentum heading into a challenging closing schedule. The Highlanders still face trips to Lakeview and Shepaug, both of whom they narrowly defeated earlier this season.
“Our work isn’t done yet,” said Combes. “This gives us even more momentum. We’re going to carry this on and keep winning.”
Nonnewaug’s hopes for a league title now depend on outside results. With only one upper-division team, Shepaug, left on their schedule, Denman said, “We still have league title aspirations, but it’s not in our control. So our job is to make life difficult for people and do our best and hope we get help.”
Northwestern goalkeeper Lucas Horstman made seven saves, while Nonnewaug’s Rolf Brindle recorded 13. The win puts Northwestern firmly ahead as the Berkshire League race tightens with only four games remaining.
According to Yahoo Sports.