MG Boys Capture Fourth Straight Shutout
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Mount Greylock boys' soccer team got off to a slow start against Pittsfield on Friday night. Once the Mounties got going, however, they were too much for the Generals to handle in a 4-0 win at home. It was the fourth straight win for Greylock, which has outscored its opponents 16-0 to start the 2012 season."Pittsfield came out very strong and put us under pressure right away," Mounties head coach Blair Dils said. "We were exceedingly lucky to get out of the first six minutes without conceding a goal. After a timeout, we came right down and scored off a set piece and the momentum shifted from there."
After withstanding the Generals' initial push, Greylock (4-0) turned the tide when freshman Benni McComish found senior Nathan Majumder inside the box with a free kick. Majumder headed the ball home for the first of his three goals on the day and his seventh strike of the young season.
"After we scored, Pittsfield seemed shocked," Dils said. "We were able to jump on them right away with the second and third goals. Eric Hirsch made a great run, got in behind the Pittsfield backs and calmly deposited the ball in the net. Nathan's second goal was just a really quality strike from 25 yards out.
"We found our finishing form again tonight."
McComish set up both Hirsch in the 11th minute and Majumder three minutes later to give the hosts a commanding 3-0 lead less than 15 minutes into the game. McComish has big shoes to fill in replacing Tom Dils, an All-Berkshire selection at center midfield a season ago, but so far this season he's impressed by collecting seven assists already.
After the Mounties collected an 11-5 edge in shots in the first half, the game evened out with each team firing three shots apiece after halftime. Despite the visitors' improvement, Majumder sealed the victory by scoring off a feed from sophomore Ian Brink in the 55th minute.
"Pittsfield was organized and more energized in the second half and, for the most part, the half was very even," Dils said. "We were better defensively in the second half. Sean Houston was his usual strong self and did a really good job of patrolling his box. We were pleased but lucky to get another clean sheet. We'll need to be sharper on Monday as Wahconah comes to Williamstown"
In addition to Houston's strong play in goal for Greylock, Dils also credited senior Jonah Majumder with a strong effort on the defensive end.
The Mounties host the Warriors at 4 p.m. on Monday night. The Generals (0-4) next play at Lenox at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday.