Lenox Rallies to Earn Draw with Greylock
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Well, it was bound to happen eventually.The Lenox boys' soccer team earned a 1-1 tie against Mount Greylock on Monday, becoming the first Berkshire County team to earn a point against the Mounties in eight tries this year. After playing to a a draw and winning just 1-0 against the Millionaires last season, Greylock head coach Blair Dils had a feeling that last month's season-opening 4-0 win over Lenox was a bit of an aberration.
The Millionaires (4-3-3) proved his thinking to be true, using a goal by senior Alex Bennett in the 60th minute to earn a huge point on the road. Dils said Bennett's goal was the result of a counter attack started by senior Andrew Vickery, who won a loose ball around midfield and set Bennett up in a good position inside the Mounties' goal box.
"[Andrew] played a ball into the danger area between the 12 spot and the 18," Dils said. "Bennett did a nice job of turning and firing a one-timer that froze [Greylock goalkeeper] Sean [Houston]. The quality of the finish was very good."
It was a tough break for the hosts, who outshot Lenox 9-4 in the second half and 15-7 for the game. Senior forward Alex White gave the Mounties (9-1-1) a 1-0 lead by blasting in a long rebound from 18 yards out midway through the first half, but Greylock was unable to score the rest of the match, finishing with just one goal for the second straight game.
"We were very unlucky today not to score more goals," Dils said. "In the second half, Alex hit the post when he was in alone on the goaltender, Felix Kershaw hit the crossbar on a free kick from 30 yards out, and Nathan [Majumder] hit the post twice within a span of a minute on two free kicks.
"We pressured Lenox intensely over the last 15 minutes but just couldn't break through."
The game was a little chippy at times, with four yellow cards being submitted to Millionaires' coaches and players. Dils was quick to credit the Lenox coaching staff, however, acknowledging the strong game plan they brought into Monday's rematch between the two North Division rivals.
"Lenox was more organized on defense this time than the last time we played them," Dils said. "They used three central midfielders and, at times, four central midfielders in the second half to try to disrupt our rhythm. Their direct style gave us trouble early on, but our backs did a good job of figuring out their attack and settled the game down after about 15 minutes."
Houston finished with three saves on the day, while Millionaires' goalie Trevor Hathaway finished with five stops.
Greylock next hosts Worcester North at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Lenox, meanwhile, travels to Northampton for a game at the same time that day.