Mount Greylock Boys Open Season with a Win

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- The Mount Greylock boys lacrosse team Thursday went on a 5-0 run that spanned the third and fourth quarters en route to a 12-8 win over Wahconah in the Mounties’ season-opener.

 

Sean Malloy scored four goals, and Michael Wellspeak had a hat trick for Mount Greylock, which got seven saves from David Falk.

 

Mount Greylock also got a valuable lesson in the importance of staying out of the penalty box.

 

Wahconah (1-1) scored its first five goals on the man-up, including three on a two-minute, non-releasable chance late in the first half.

 

“It was pretty frustrating to be in the box that long, but it is what it is, that’s the way the game goes,” Mount Greylock coach Jeff Stripp said. “Our man-down unit got some reps, so it works out that way.

 

“It’s a big piece of the game, and any time we can get real reps -- and we got a ton of reps today -- it will help. Wahconah did a nice job. Hats off to those guys for putting the ball in the net, especially during the locked-in penalty.”

 

Dart Jaggi had a hat trick, and Tim Clayton and Matt Mathers scored two goals apiece for Wahconah.

 

Mount Greylock jumped out on top early with a 3-0 first quarter that saw Nick Belouin score one goal and set up another.

 

It was 5-0 five minutes into the second quarter after Politis scored on the second Belouin assist.

 

But midway through the second quarter, Mount Greylock took a penalty for a slash to the head, and Wahconah cashed in, drawing to within 5-3.

 

The visitors tacked on another man-up goal before half-time to to into the break down, 7-4.

 

But the Mounties took control in the third quarter with four goals from four different players.

 

Malloy got thing started by scooping in a ground ball out of traffic to make it 8-5. Politis, Belouin and Taylor Cummings each added a goal before the quarter was over to push the lead to 11-5 with 12 minutes left.

 

“Generally, with the offense, I was pretty pleased with the distribution of the scoring,” Stripp said. “It was one thing that we do work on. We have a lot of kids stepping into different roles. It was there first real run. I was kind of pleased with what I saw.

 

“A lot of things to work on, but I was generally pleased with their patience and sharing the ball and trusting their teammates.”

 

Wahconah finished the game strong in the fourth quarter with three goals by Jaggi.

 

But the real revelation for coach Zach Sondrini’s squad may have been the play of freshman Trey Massaro who stepped into the goal on Wednesday when the team was short-handed, and made five saves in his first ever action between the pipes.

 

“Trial by fire for him,” Sondrini said. “And he did a great job. He made some big saves playing against the best team on our schedule.

 

“Matt Mathers had a really good game for us. Tim Clayton stepped up huge. Corey Bazonski, sophomore long stick -- we got everything from him, especially at the end of the game when we were trying to press out and get the ball back. He was making plays.”

 

Wahconah looks for its second win on Saturday when it hosts Agawam.

 

Mount Greylock hosts Pope Francis on Friday.