Smith Academy Edges Mount Everett in Final

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Smith Academy boys soccer team Sunday broke a tie in the second half to take a 2-1 win over Mount Everett in the Class D Western Massachusetts title game.

 

It was a fast start for both teams, as Smith got the scoring started just five minutes into the game. It all started from some nice dribbling by Riley Intrator, who weaved his way through the defense and played a nice ball across to Ben Hudzik, who calmly settled the ball and placed it in the far corner.

 

Mount Everett responded right back with a goal of its own just two minutes later.

 

Michael Ullrich was able to slide a through ball right down the middle, and Diego Cruz was able to level the game with a nice shot

 

The first half was a pretty even contest the rest of the way as both teams had a fair share of possession. Mount Everett’s main attack came from playing the ball out wide and trying to get in behind the Smith Academy defense.

 

As the half ended it was Smith’s turn to try and break the deadlock. It was able to pin the Eagles in their own half with a few good chances at net. The Mount Everett defense and keeper Michael Devoti weren’t  fazed as they stayed strong and kept Smith away. The half ended all knotted up at one a piece.

 

The second half things started to swing in Smith Academy’s favor as it continued to pressure the Mount Everett back line.

 

One of the better chances for the Falcons came from a corner kick that forced Devoti out to make a nice jumping save as he collided with the opposing player. Shortly after that, the chances kept coming with a nice shot from outside the box that forced a diving save from Devoti.

 

No. 8-seeded Mount Everett’s Cinderella story soon came to an end when it committed a foul just outside the box. Logan Graves stepped up and curled the penalty kick in the bottom right corner giving Smith Academy a 2-1 lead.

 

Mount Everett didn’t quit. It spent the last 10 minutes of the game trying to find a way back level. The Eagles had a sequence of three or four plays in a row where they really tested the defense of Smith Academy. Unfortunately for them they were unable to score and the nice playoff run they had came to an end.