Marcisz, Mounties Win Opener

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – Mila Marcisz scored midway through the second half to break a scoreless tie and added an insurance goal six minutes later to send the Mount Greylock girls soccer team to a 2-0 win over Lenox in the season opener for both teams on Tuesday.

 

The game-winner came after the Mounties’ Maria Welch intercepted a clearing pass from Lenox’s goal and fed Marcisz, who had 13 goals last fall in helping Mount Greylock to a berth in the state quarter-finals.

 

It also came after Mount Greylock controlled most of the first half, racking up a 6-0 margin in shots on goal, but had nothing to show for it on the scoreboard.

 

First-year Mounties coach Natalie Harris said she was confident the goals would come.

 

“We talked [at half-time] about the fact that we’re getting in those positions and creating opportunities, and I can’t ask for more than that,” Harris said. “The confidence just needed to come in front of goal.

 

“At one point, we talked about trying to just control ourselves and not feel a little frantic and take those opportunities. Because the forwards were moving well as a unit. They were creating. They were running off the ball to make those diagonal runs. It was everything we talked about in practice. It was really just, you know, putting the ball in the back of the net is what we failed to do in the first half but we were able to do in the second half.”

 

In the 67th minute, Mount Greylock’s Gigi Nicastro set up Marcisz for a goal to give their team a little breathing room.

 

For most of the game, the Millionaires were able to weather the storm. And for brief stretches at the start of each half, Lenox was able to mount a threat against the Mounties’ defense.

 

And while Lenox did give up both goals in the second half, it actually played a more even game after half-time, allowing three shots on goal while generating its only shot on frame of the contest.

 

First-year Millionaires coach Ollie Welch said it’s a building process for his team in the early going.

 

“We’re playing a different style, much more possession-based,” Welch said. “I think it’s something we’re going to grow into as a team.

 

“I think we’re making a lot of progress. We’re not exactly where we want to be yet, but I think this was a great first outing for them. And I’m encouraged by that.”

 

Two minutes into the second half, Mount Greylock’s Paige Cangelosi made a big play in the back to deny a Lenox attacker a shot inside the 18.

 

And in the 54th minute, Madison DiGrigoli ripped a shot for the Millionaires that O’Connor was able to corral to keep it a 0-0 game.

 

Last year, she was instrumental in helping the Mounties post 12 shutouts in an 18-3 campaign, and she got her senior season started in style with a clean sheet in the opener.

 

“Mai controls from the back, she sees the whole field and she’s a really good communicator,” Harris said. “I have to say our defensive line did a fabulous job. They work together as a unit. They were dropping for each other, creating that one-through passing. I thought they were solid.

 

“I thought we gave Lenox very little opportunity to break our back line.”

 

At the other end of the field, Lenox keeper Sophia Carraro made six saves before giving way to Sophia Schnackenberg in the later stages.

 

The Millionaires (0-1) go to Springfield to play Central on Thursday.

 

Mount Greylock is in Bennington, Vt., on Thursday to face Burr and Burton Seminary in the first round of the Mount Anthony Tournament.

 

Photos from this game to come.