Mount Greylock's Defense Keys Win over Wahconah

DALTON, Mass. -- Sarah Stripp and Lucy Barrett each scored four goals to lead the Mount Greylock girls lacrosse team to a 12-8 win and a season sweep of Wahconah on Monday evening.

 

The Mounties (17-2) led by just two goals at half-time but went up six with about five minutes left in the second half before Wahconah (10-6) rallied for a couple of late goals to make things interesting.

 

Stripp added an assist to go with her four goals, and Emma Polumbo scored a goal with three assists, but this win belonged largely to the defense, Mounties coach Lindsey von Holtz said.

 

"We struggled with ground balls," she said. "Obviously Wahconah outhustled us at moments and outpassed us at moments.

 

"I thought our defense played a phenomenal game. Our defense came up huge. I think it would have been lopsided the way had Hope Willis, Maggie [Rorke] and Hannah [Trimarchi] not been back there."

 

Sam MacWhinnie helped with five saves as Mount Greylock defeated Wahconah for the second time in four days and third time this season to wrap up the Berkshire County title.

 

Wahconah got five goals from Perin Genaway and three goals and an assist from Emmy Cote. Each scored in the last two minutes to give their team a little hope.

 

But Mount Greylock controlled the draw after Cote's goal with 36 seconds left to dim the lights on any hope for a wild comeback for the hosts.

 

Von Holtz said the Mounties looked tired at tail end of a stretch that saw them play five games in eight days. They have one more regular season game left: on Wednesday at home against Lee. Then they have 10 days off before the start of the MIAA Western Massachusetts tournament.

 

"We'll be able to get our legs back," she said. "We're hoping to get a scrimmage in there, but we'll have some time to get our legs back and get ready [for the tournament].

 

"They're playing strong and getting better for the most part each game, which is exciting to watch."