In a tightly contested overtime, Westfield’s Chandler Pedolzky kicks the ball toward the Belchertown goal …
WESTFIELD – It only takes one.
Well, that statement is a bit misleading. It took two – Westfield’s Catie Bean and Chandler Pedolzky – to churn out the game’s only goal in a thrilling playoff overtime win.
Bean set up Pedolzky for the game-winning shot with a minute left in overtime of a West Division 1 girls soccer tournament quarterfinal against sixth-seeded Belchertown Monday at Roots Field.
No. 3 Westfield snuck away with a narrow 1-0 win.
“It was a good back and forth game … exciting,” Westfield coach Keith Saltmarsh said. “In the second half we started to take more control. It carried over into the overtime period.”
As time waned in overtime, Bean took possession of the ball near midfield and delivered to Pedolzky out in space. Pedolzky attacked from right to left, lofting a rising floater over the goalie’s head from about 22 yards out.
… and scores! (Photos by Bill Deren)
The shot found the back of the net, sending the Bombers and their fans into a frenzy.
“It was a nice left-footed shot,” coach Saltmarsh said. “Chandler took the opportunity and finished.”
Pedolzky was double-teamed for much of the game.
“Belchertown played pretty stout defense,” Saltmarsh said. “We had opportunities but couldn’t crack them. …We kept moving (Chandler) around to different positions to free her up.”
Westfield goalie Adrianna Arona made four saves to earn a shutout. Belchertown also had a shot hit the crossbar.
Emma Pedolzky and Claire LaMarche were also instrumental in shutting down the Belchertown attack.
Westfield advances to play West Springfield in the semifinals Wednesday at Central High’s Berte Field in Springfield at 5 p.m. The Bombers lost to the Terriers 4-1 in the team’s only regular season meeting.
“We were looking for the opportunity to play them again,” Saltmarsh said. “We have something to prove to ourselves.”
Westfield storms the field in celebration after pulling out a thrilling 1-0 overtime victory over Belchertown in the West Division 1 girls soccer quarterfinals Monday at Roots Field. (Photo by Bill Deren)
