Freshman Braylie Jones was dubbed “Star of the Game” by Coach Dave D’Avignon as the North Adams Lady Devils pulled out a thrilling last-second 6-5 win over Waverly on Sept. 26.

Hupp goal with 3.6 seconds left is game-winner in 6-5 victory over Waverly – 

Story and photo by Mark Carpenter – 

There have been some thrillers on the schedule thus far in 2017 for Coach Dave D’Avignon and his North Adams Lady Devils soccer squad, but perhaps none more thrilling than their 6-5 win at Waverly on Sept. 26. The Lady Devils trailed by two goals with only 21 minutes to play but again a late rally would be the difference and it was a goal by senior Lakyn Hupp with just 3.6 seconds left on the clock that gave North Adams the 6-5 victory.
Waverly is a Division II team who came in with a 6-3 record, while the Lady Devils came in riding a five-game winning streak and on a very warm and sunny night, the two teams turned in a rare 11-goal soccer performance that came right down to the wire.
“I’ll tell you what, these girls are exciting,” said Coach D’Avignon. “They play hard to the end, although tonight they were cutting it a little close.”
Waverly scored the game’s first goal just four minutes into the game, but only four minutes later the Lady Devils tied it up when Karissa Buttelwerth scored after taking a nice lead pass from Morgan Waits. Eight minutes later, North Adams grabbed the lead and it was Buttelwerth again with the score, getting assists from freshman Braylie Jones and again from Waits.
The game’s next two scores came from the host Lady Tigers and they took a 3-2 advantage into the halftime break and less than four minutes into the second half, they doubled the lead with another goal. Back again came the Lady Devils and this time it was Jones taking a tough shot under pressure and finding the left upper corner of the net to make it 4-3.
With 21:22 left to play, the Lady Tigers got another one past North Adams keeper Madee Shipley, who very rarely gives up five goals, and the home team again extended the lead to two scores, leaving the Lady Devils in desperate straits at that point in the contest.
Never fear, as the visitors again fought from behind, this time all the way to a win. The comeback began with a goal by Hupp with 7:30 left, as she drove towards the left goal post with a defender smothering her, but still managed to slip one past the Waverly keeper. Only a minute later, the game was tied when sophomore defender Mary Sonner nailed a penalty kick after Waverly was whistled for a handball in the box.

That set up a pressure-packed final six minutes that culminated with the North Adams game-winner. Jones was able to beat the clock with a well-placed corner kick that went to Waits, who pushed the ball to Hupp and the senior goal machine knocked it home with just the 3.6 ticks remaining, sending the North Adams bench and fans into a delirious celebration.
“I am really proud of our team,” said Hupp. “We never gave up and we worked together to come back from being down two goals. Everyone on the field contributed to this win.”
When asked about her game-winner at the buzzer, Hupp added, “I wasn’t sure what to do. I was just so happy that I cried and jumped into Alaina’s arms.(right wing Alaina Eiterman).”
“We had a lot of stars tonight, but I’d say that the ‘Star of the Game’ was freshman Braylie Jones,” said Coach D’Avignon. “She had an assist, the goal that sparked the comeback and a well-placed corner kick that led to the game-winning goal at the buzzer.”
The night was a profitable one for both North Adams soccer squads as the boys came up with a hard-fought 1-0 win over the Tigers, the difference being a goal by senior Tray Brand.
Both North Adams teams will be in action this Saturday, Sept. 30 when they host Zane Trace, beginning at noon. It will be Senior Day also.