Fresh Faces Push Greylock Past Pesky Lee
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- The Lee boys' soccer team proved to be a worthy opponent, but Mount Greylock remained unbeaten on Tuesday night thanks to a pair of goals from a pair of freshman making their first marks with the program.Ian Brink and Taylor Carlough came through with their first varsity tallies with the Mounties, while senior captain Tom Dils sandwiched his fifth goal of the season in between them to give Greylock a 3-1 win at home.
The Wildcats (2-2) got the Mounties' attention quickly, however, when John Graziano scored off a pass up the middle from Joe Winston in the 20th minute of play. Graziano sent a shot past Greylock keeper Sean Houston (four saves) into the side panel to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
"Playing two games in less than 24 hours is less than ideal, especially when the two opponents are Wahconah and Lee," Mounties head coach Blair Dils said. "Lee is much improved from last year. They caught us on a counter attack for their goal with a great ball over the top and an even better finish into the side panel. Fortunately, we came right back and tied the game a few minutes later on Ian's first varsity goal."
Brink tied the game six minutes later by sending home a back-post volley off of a cross from senior Nick Carson. The game remained tied until just one minute after halftime, when Dils ripped the momentum back by heading home a corner kick from junior Nathan Majumder.
"Scoring early in the second half was huge for us," Coach Dils said. "We scored off a set piece again, which we're very pleased about. Tommy's done a very good job of winning those head balls in the box and putting them on frame with authority."
Despite being outshot 18-2 in the first half and 38-6 in the contest, the Wildcats hung tough with Greylock (5-0) for a majority of the second half. They kept plugging away until Carlough put the game on ice by burying a left-footed cross from senior captain Luke Costley into the side netting with under a minute left in the game.
"Lee didn't back down after our second goal and built a few strong attacks at goal," Dils said. "They created dangerous moments in the box with their direct style. Ryan Mahar had a tremendous game in the air for us, winning header after header. Luke made a great run down the right flank and served a ball to Taylor in the middle. It was a well-deserved goal for him because he works so hard on the field."
Dils said he not only was impressed with Lee's effort as a team, but particularly with how well Heamon Williams, the Wildcats' keeper, performed in making 17 saves in the game.
"Their goalie had an outstanding game," Dils said. "He stopped several one-on-one break-ins. If he could improve his goal kicks and his distribution with his feet, he could definitely play at the next level."
The Mounties are now off until Saturday, when they play at Amherst at 4:30 p.m.