McWeeny Goal, Assist Help Mount Greylock Top Pittsfield

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Two games into the 2019 soccer season, the Mount Greylock girls soccer team has as many goals as some teams score in a full campaign.

 

Clary McWeeny Thursday scored one goal and set up another to help the Mounties earn a 3-1 win over Pittsfield.

 

Coupled with Tuesday's 8-0 win over Taconic, Mount Greylock has found the back of the net 11 times in the first week of the season.

 

"We're really excited," McWeeny said. "Against Taconic, we had a lot of people scoring, so that was great. We've got a lot of new, young players, and they're getting the ball in the net.

 

"It's something we struggled with last season, so we're really glad we can capitalize on our opportunites. I think we're excited for the season ahead."

 

One of Thursday's markers was an own goal caused by pressure from senior Anna Welch. Classmate Madison Ross, who had four goals in the season opener, scored the final goal of the night in transition with an assist from McWeeny.

 

"We've got speed up front," Mount Greylock coach Tom Ostheimer said. "With Maddy [Ross], with Lily [Leseiur]. She's a weapon up front. This is her first year on the varsity.

 

"So we've got some weapons. I think we're improving and gaining confidence on the back line that we can possess. ... But hats off to Pittsfield. They're a dangerous team."

 

The Mounties (2-0) jumped on top early when Welch fired a shot inside the 18 that was redirected off a Pittsfield defender and past Lexi Swanson (11 saves) to make it 1-0 in the fifth minute.

 

The Generals got the equalizer midway through the half.

 

Freshman midfeilder Tessie Tierney fired a shot from 22 yards out that deflected off the outstretched hands of Delaney Babcock (six saves) and into the goal to make it 1-1.

 

That is where it stayed until the 50th minute.

 

The Mounties broke the stalemate when Jane Skavlem's direct free kick from high on the left wing ricocheted off the cross bar to a waiting McWeeny, who knocked it inside the near post.

 

"It was a great ball by Jane, who played a pretty ball in that hit off the crossbar, and I was just there, right place, right time to finish it," McWeeny said.

 

With about 10 minutes left to play, Mount Greylock picked up an insurance goal on a play that started deep in the defensive zone with a throw-in by senior Hannah Gilooly. Talia Cappadona recieved the throw and found McWeeny in the middle of the field. She and Ross did the rest.

 

"We're just working on being patient," McWeeny said. "I've been rushing my balls to Maddy a little bit. So I just drove more, and that gave her some time to get open. With her speed, she an get to many balls."

 

Mount Greylock goes south to take on Monument Mountain next Wednesday.

 

Pittsfield (0-2) will look for its first win on Monday when it goes to Mount Everett.