By PAUL GOTHAM
PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Ethan Westervelt converted a penalty kick in the fourth minute and Pittsford Mendon held off crosstown rival Pittsford Sutherland for a 1-nil victory in Monroe County Division III action from Ordiway Field, Monday night.
Westervelt connected on his second goal of the season as Mendon (2-1) put together back-to-back wins.
“You can’t hesitate,” the junior forward said of the goal. “You got to know where you’re going. I picked left as soon as the penalty was drawn.”
3’ Ethan Westervelt converts the PK to give Mendon an early 1-nil lead pic.twitter.com/YeGiZ1UIDs
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 4, 2023
Mendon’s defense allowed five shots on goal for the remainder of the contest.
“We changed our shape a bit in the second half just to prevent the outlets on the wings,” Mendon head coach Mark Hurley explained. “Bennett (Sutherland forward Zach) was hurting us in the first half. Instead of three in the back, we went to four and just tried to slow that outlet down a bit.
“We talked to the boys about tendencies that certain players have and have them focus on that. Have an idea of who you’re going against and where they’re going.”
The victory avenged a pair of losses last year in the head-to-head matchup.
“They’re a great group, and they care about each other,” Hurley said of his squad. “It’s always a game that can go either way whether one group has a lot of talent or not. It’s a battle every single time. It feels good for sure.”
Mendon keeper Max Foltz denied Bennett on a late scoring opportunity – one of his five saves in the match.
68’ Max Foltz denies Zach Bennett. Mendon 1-nil pic.twitter.com/mg8qVCHU1e
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 5, 2023
“We battled,” said Sutherland head coach Sean Hopkins. “We’re still trying to figure ourselves out and trying to figure out who fits in what spot, and we will.”
Sutherland had won four straight sectional titles and five in the past six years before falling to eventual state semifinalist, Spencerport, in the 2022 Class A championship.
“You play those two scrimmages, but then when you get in the real game, it’s much different,” Hopkins said of Monday’s match. “Intensity is much different. We’re playing Mendon, so that’s always a little extra. It’s one game. We got a long way to go.”
Sutherland (0-1) travels to face Greece Athena on Wednesday. A 6 PM kickoff is scheduled.
Mendon will visit Brockport on Wednesday for a 7:30 PM start time.
The same two teams meet again on September 28th.
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