Road to Glory: Greylock and Pope Francis Punch Tickets Back to WMass Soccer Finals

Ah, the Western Mass. soccer playoffs—a time when dreams are forged, and, yes, sometimes shattered. But for two powerhouse programs, Mount Greylock and Pope Francis, this past Thursday night wasn't about the shattering; it was about solidifying their spots, once again, in the coveted championship finals. It was, in truth, a dominant showing from both, a testament to what consistency and sheer will can achieve.

First, let’s talk about the Mounties. They welcomed Monument Mountain to Williamstown for their Class B semifinal showdown, and honestly, the home crowd must've felt a palpable sense of anticipation. You could say there was a certain inevitability about it, a feeling that this undefeated Greylock squad—now sitting at an impressive 17-0-2—was simply not to be denied. And they weren't. A resounding 3-0 victory sent them sailing through.

The hero of the hour, perhaps, was Brendan Matrigali, who found the back of the net not once, but twice. His first came just before halftime, a powerful header off a beautifully swung corner kick from Max Cote in the 35th minute. That’s a momentum shifter, isn't it? Heading into the break with a lead always feels different. Then, early in the second half, Matrigali did it again, another header, this time assisted by Jackson Heath. Heath, not content to just assist, then scored the third goal himself, with Matrigali returning the favor on the assist. It was a complete performance, capped off by Lucas Raftery’s four saves for a clean sheet. Next up for Coach Andrew Pelissier's squad? A familiar foe, Wahconah, in the Class B final.

Over in Springfield, the scene was much the same for Pope Francis in their Class A semifinal against East Longmeadow. A hard-fought match, certainly, but the Cardinals, much like Greylock, demonstrated why they’re championship contenders. They secured a 2-0 victory, displaying a blend of tactical savvy and individual brilliance.

Connor Crowley got things rolling for Pope Francis, heading in a crucial goal in the 34th minute. And guess what? It came off a corner kick, too, this one delivered by Michael Cruz. There’s something about those set pieces, isn’t there? They just seem to define big playoff moments. Cruz then decided to take matters into his own hands—or, rather, his foot—converting a penalty kick in the 67th minute to double the lead and essentially seal the deal. Goalkeeper Peter Wylie mirrored Raftery's performance, making four saves to keep East Longmeadow scoreless. Coach Alex Pereira's team, now 13-4-2, will face Longmeadow in the Class A final. So, yes, the stage is set. Two teams, two dominant semifinal wins, and two more shots at WMass glory. What a finish it promises to be.