Glens Falls Boys' Soccer Rebuilds Under New Coach After Section Title

The defending Section 2 Class A champions sit 4-4 under first-year coach PJ Motsiff as sophomore Deklin Malison adjusts to extra defensive attention.

Glens Falls boys' soccer is adjusting to a new era after winning its first Section 2 championship in 50 years last season. Longtime coach Mike Shaver has retired, several seniors from the title team have moved on, and PJ Motsiff has taken over a younger roster that includes three freshmen in the starting lineup.

Motsiff told the team's five seniors in the spring that the championship belonged to last year's squad and that returning to that level would be up to them. The new coach has installed a 3-4-3 formation built around possession, spacing and combination play, a shift from the more direct approach under Shaver.

Sophomore Deklin Malison, who broke out as a freshman during last season's run to the Class A state semifinals, is facing more defensive attention this year. Opponents have been double- and triple-teaming him, and Schalmont recently limited his impact in a 3-0 win over the Black Bears.

Malison is also managing a foot injury suffered with his club team in Colorado. He said the injury should heal in a couple of weeks, while Motsiff has monitored his workload and praised the sophomore's toughness.

Glens Falls entered the week 4-4 after a Monday loss to La Salle and was set to play South Glens Falls on Wednesday. Despite the mixed results, Malison said he believes the team can reach states again.