Ross Scores Twice for Mount Greylock Girls in Win over Hoosac Valley
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Madison Ross scored two goals and assisted on a third on Monday to lead the Mount Greylock girls soccer team to a 3-1 win over Hoosac Valley on John T. Allen Field.
The Mounties (6-2-1) withstood a strong Hoosac attack for most of the first half before slipping two goals past Hurricanes keeper Kelsey Bulson (nine saves) in the final four minutes of the period.
“We knew Hoosac was a tough team,” Mount Greylock coach Tom Ostheimer said. “I think they pretty much dominated us in the first half. Our answer was to counter attack and use our speed against their defense. And Maddie Ross had a terrific, terrific goal.
“She's had her opportunities, and today she took advantage of them. I'm proud of her effort.”
The first goal started when Lauren Jacobbe sent a ball in from midfield. Bulson came out to try to deny Ross, but Ross was able to knock the ball to Clara McWeeny on the left wing. McWeeny struck just under the crossbar to make it 1-0, 36 minute, 26 seconds into the game.
Then, in the final minute of the half, Caroline Flynn sent a through ball up the middle for Ross, who converted for her fifth goal of the season.
“She's had her opportunities, and today she took advantage of them,” Ostheimer said of Ross. “I'm proud of her effort.
“That ball that Caroline played upfront to Maddie was perfect. It was struck hard, got behind her, and Maddie had good body position on the defense.”
The Mounties took the momentum from the closing minutes of the half and added a third goal in the 52nd minute.
A Hoosac Valley clearing pass out of the back ricocheted off a defender and back toward the Hurricanes’ goal. A hard-charging Ross got to the ball, took a couple of touches and launched a shot over Bulson to make it 3-0.
After being outshot badly in the opening stages of the second half, the Hurricanes (4-2-2) again started to generate some of the pressure they created in the first 40 minutes.
It paid off with 7:01 on the clock when Skylar Case set up Shaleigh Levesque with a through ball, and Levesque scored her fourth of the season to help Hoosac Valley avoid the shutout.
“They really forced us to play some really good 'D,’ Ostheimer said of the Hurricanes. “I thought Ellie [Field] played a really good game. She challenged us on the right side, and that was their threat.”
Isabella Nicastro made eight saves to earn the win in goal for the Mounties, who extended a three-game unbeaten streak and improved to 2-2 against the Berkshire County North.
“This was a huge game for us,” Ostheimer said. “It feels a little different to be able to compete in the North this year. And I think the North teams are all really competitive. Any given day ... I think anyone can win.”
Mount Greylock hosts Mahar on Friday.
Hoosac Valley hosts Swampscott on Saturday.