Kirian's OT Game-Winner Sends Pittsfield to Western Mass Semis

PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- Leonardo Kirian scored in overtime Sunday to give the Pittsfield boys soccer team a 3-2 win over Hampshire in the Western Massachusetts Class B quarter-finals.

 

It took more than four hours of game time this season, but the third-seeded Generals finally got the better of Hampshire.

 

The two teams battled to a draw in their two regular season meetings, and they were level again Sunday night after 80 minutes.

 

Pittsfield struck first when Owen Klatka converted an assist from Gustavo De Oliveira to give the Generals a 1-0 lead at half-time.

 

"We knew Hampshire was going to come out in the second half and fight harder, they’ve shown that in our previous two matches," Pittsfield coach Ryan Wanek said. "They were able to put two goals past us in an eight-minute span, which really turned the momentum in the game.

 

"I called a timeout after their second goal and got the boys to believe we could still turn this around. It was our turn to fight back, and fight back we did."

 

De Oliveira scored the tying goal, and Kirian put Pittsfield on top for good in OT.

 

The Generals (10-4-3) travel to face second-seeded Chicopee in the semi-finals on a date to be announced.