LENOX, Mass. -- Collin Parrott scored three times on Tuesday to lead the Wahconah High School boys soccer team to a 5-1 victory over Lenox and a shot at the Western Massachusetts tournament.
Lenox came out in the first seven minutes of the game putting a lot of pressure on the Wahconah defense and goalie. The Millionaires had a lot of opportunities to net the first goal, but Wahconah's defense continued to put a stop to them.
“They were all over us and easily could have gotten two goals,” Wahconah coach John Kovacs said. “It was the 33rd minute and we went down once and because it’s slippery it went off the goalie's hand and we were right there.”
And that’s how Wahconah earned its first goal of the game. Kevin Boino let a shot go just outside the 18; and, like Kovacs said, the slippery conditions allowed Parrott to easily put the ball in the back of the net giving him goal number one.
The remainder of the half was played evenly back and forth. Lenox had a lot of scoring opportunities, but was unable to capitalize on them until the final five minutes. Wahconah goalie Braydan Chevillet hesitated to come out of the net on a break-away by Lenox’s Nic Baruch, who was able to put one in leaving the score at 1-1 going into the second half.
Lenox came out much more aggressive in the second half, but it worked in Wahconah’s favor. The visitors were getting pushed off the ball and there were a few questionable calls, but Wahconah was able to stay calm and keep pushing the ball up the field.
“I think that went right into the second half, keeping our composure,” Kovacs said. “And I think our constant pressure got to them.”
In the 31st minute Parrott netted his second goal after Boino won the ball in the midfield and carried it into the box. Parrott was wide open and received a cross from Boino, putting Wahconah up 2-1.
From that point on the game was in Wahconah’s offensive end. Lenox had a few opportunities, but they continued to play a physical game, giving Wahconah free kicks and chances to set up goals.
Wahconah’s third goal came at 26:15, when Boino received a wide open ball in the box from Jeff Pullano. Two minutes later, Boino was back in the box for more. He let a shot go that deflected off of the Lenox goalie and Iasaac Voltino was right there for the rebound to put Wahconah up 4-1.
The final goal of the game came from Parrott; earning a hat trick in the clinching game for a spot on the Western Mass Tournament.
“It’s big, we needed one point,” Parrott said. “But we wanted to win because we wanted to keep going and stay hot going into the tournament.”
Wahconah will take on Monument Mountain Friday evening. Lenox will travel to Pioneer Wednesday afternoon for a 5 p.m. start.
