Mount Greylock Shuts Out Monument Mountain
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Mount Greylock girls soccer team took control after a slow start and never looked back, shutting out Monument Mountain, 3-0, Tuesday afternoon at home.
Monument came out with early pressure, but the Mounties quickly settled into the game and began controlling possession, spending much of the first half in Monument's defensive third.
Greylock worked the ball up the wings and consistently looked to create opportunities through crosses and set pieces. The Mounties broke through in the 15th minute when a Greylock shot deflected off a Monument defender and found the back of the net for an own goal, giving Greylock a 1-0 lead.
From there, the Mounties continued to dictate play. Monument's goalkeeper Annaleise Hocker made several key saves to keep her team within striking distance as Greylock continued to generate chances.
Monument briefly found some momentum late in the first half, earning back-to-back corner kicks, but the Spartans were unable to sustain the pressure. Greylock remained dangerous on set pieces but could not add to its lead before halftime.
Mount Greylock carried a 1-0 advantage into the break.
“I’m happy with how we are playing. We’re keeping teams off the board and doing enough to win games, but we’re persistent and we will keep coming after you,” Mount Greylock head coach Blair Dils said. “Hopefully a goal in each half is enough given how well our defense and keeper has been playing.”
Monument again came out with pressure to open the second half and nearly found an equalizer after a well-worked play created an opportunity in front of goal. The attempt was saved, however, and Greylock's defense quickly cleared the danger.
The Mounties responded with a goal of their own in the 55th minute.
Following a Greylock corner kick, GG Nicastro had her initial attempt stopped by the Monument goalkeeper. Nicastro stayed with the play, collected the rebound and fired it into the net to double Greylock's lead at 2-0.
“Last game we were the shorter team and under pressure from the corners, so for us to be able to get the ball into a couple good spots and be able to get some bodies in front was big,” Dils said.
Greylock continued to pressure the Monument defense as the Mounties looked to put the game away. Another opportunity came after a save pushed the ball back into the middle of the box, but Greylock was unable to capitalize on the rebound.
The Mounties would not have to wait long for their third goal.
In the 68th minute, after Monument cleared away a corner kick, Rowan Apotsos collected the loose ball and unleashed a long-range shot that sailed over the goalkeeper and into the net, giving Greylock a 3-0 advantage.
The goal effectively sealed the victory as Greylock closed out another clean sheet.
With the win, Mount Greylock has now recorded three shutouts in its first four games of the season.
The Mounties will hit the road Friday to take on Pittsfield. Monument Mountain will look to bounce back when it hosts Drury in its third game of the season on Thursday.