Welch Scores Four as Mount Greylock Blanks Pittsfield

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — A big game from Finn Welch saw Mount Greylock past Pittsfield, 5-0 at home, Friday night.

 

Welch picked up right where he left off the last time these two teams played, only this time he scored an extra goal to give him a total of four on the night. In the first meeting Pittsfield got on the board first early in the match, but this time Mount Greylock (7-1) was ready to go and controlled the game from the start.

 

Welch had his first attempt in the first minute of the game forcing a save from the Pittsfield (3-4-2) keeper. Twelve minutes later Toby Foehl ripped a shot from just outside the box hitting the crossbar. Finally in the 21st minute Welch took a quick free kick from the wing catching Pittsfield off guard and finding the head of John Skavlem who put it past the keeper for the first goal of the night.

 

“We were a little unprepared last time we started the game against Pittsfield.” Mount Greylock coach Blair Dills said. “We wanted to come out and possess the ball and try and get some of the turnovers and get some of those counter attacking goals.”

 

The first goal for Mount Greylock seemed to elevate the Mounties to a new level scoring just six minutes later on a goalkeeper error that Welch pounced on and put in the back of the net. The third and final goal of the half would come from Welch again but this time he was set up by Emanuel Soza-Foias who played a nice ball in that Finn dribbled around the defender and scored.

 

With all the scoring by Mount Greylock it was easy to forget about the solid work the backline did but they were able to keep a clean sheet with a well organized setup that was tested a few times by the speedy Pittsfield attack. One of the biggest chances of the game for Pittsfield came late in the second half from a free kick just outside the box. The Mounties' backline was able to clear the first attempt and cleaned up the following two shots to preserve the clean sheet.

 

“We are trying to get shutouts” Blair Dills said after the game. “Too many games we’ve given up a goal in the second half, so it was a great effort tonight. A home game on a Friday night the guys really locked it down.”

 

This was Mount Greylock’s seventh win in a row after an opening day loss. They will look to build on this momentum against the reigning Division 1 champs, Ludlow next week.

 

As for Pittsfield, it will do a quick turnaround and play Hoosac Valley at home tomorrow at Kirvin Park.