Pittsfield Girls Edged in Quarters

WILBRAHAM, Mass. - The No. 6 Pittsfield girls soccer team fell 2-1 to No. 3 Minnechaug Saturday afternoon in the quarter-finals of the Division 1 Western  Mass soccer tournament. 

 

Minnechaug opened the scoring at 18:49 after Jaileen Goncalve's shot went past Pittsfield goalie Allie Hunt's hands. Vanessa Chiarella was there to finish the ball into the net.

 

Less than a minute later Pittsfield's Carly Robinson was sent to the corner sending in a ball that Ilana Albert was in perfect position for and headed it into the net putting the score tied at 1-1.

 

Pittsfield's goal changed the momentum of the game. The Generals  put a lot more pressure on the Minnechaug defense, but Minnechaug's speed up front still tested Hunt, who had some huge saves.

 

The score was tied 1-1 at half.

 

Both teams came out very aggressive in the second half looking to break the tie. Pittsfield moved the ball up the field and created a lot of opportunities, but the ball wasn't hitting the net.

 

Minnechaug's Kayla Murphy finally broke the tie with 12:38 remaining in the game after beating the Pittsfield defense and sending a shot to the far low corner out of Hunt's reach, taking the 2-1 lead.

 

Pittsfield called a timeout with 6:47 left looking to regroup, but couldn't follow through on their final opportunities.

 

Minnechaug will play the winner of No.2 Chicopee and No.7 Belchertown in the semi-finals.