Mounties Pull Out Tie Against Pittsfield

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — A late own goal salvaged a point for Mount Greylock as it drew against Pittsfield, 1-1, at home.

 

It was all Pittsfield at the start of the game, and the Generals were rewarded for that pressure in the seventh minute with a great cross from Kasey Miranda into the back post that was finished beautifully by Makai Shepardson from a tight angle.

 

Pittsfield held control of the ball for most of the game with composure in the midfield. it was able to string passes along inside and out and were efficient going from defense to attack fast.

 

For Mount Greylock, it was a little bit sloppy in the first half giving away careless passes deep in their own end. Fortunately for the Mounties, Pittsfield was unable to capitalize on these chances and the game stayed 1-0.

 

Pittsfield got a couple more good chances late in the half, finding the back of the net on both occasions, but the offsides flag was raised and neither goal stood. Mount Greylock was lucky to get into the break only down 1-0 and hoped to regroup in the second half.

 

Pittsfield came out with the same pressure as the first and actually had a great chance in the 48th minute with a cross that was punched away by keeper Dan Warren and cleared by the defense before Pittsfield could pounce on the loose ball. As the half went on Mount Greylock grew into the game, getting more attackers forward to try and steal a late goal.

 

“We went to an extra forward up top and that gave us another option," Mount Greylock coach Blair Dils said. "We were trying to find feet and do a better job than just sending long balls up, once we had another support player we could play a little bit more possession.”

 

The change helped as the Mounties continued the pressure and eventually were able to get a nice cross that was deflected over the keeper's head for an own goal.

 

Mount Greylock won’t care how the ball went as long as the one point was stolen.

 

“We desperately need a result of some kind," Dils said. "We are trying to get as many points as we can for the tournament. We were hoping for the win but we’ll take the draw considering the circumstances."

 

Warren finished with four saves for the Mounties.

 

Will Kinne stopped eight shots for the Generals.

 

Pittsfield will be frustrated with the result after dominating for so long and not taking their chances in the first half. But the Generals (0-1-3) will have a chance to turn things around quickly when they head to Pope Francis on Wednesday.

 

Mount Greylock (1-2-2) is at Agawam on Thursday.