WESTHAMPTON — Ioannis Iatroudis didn’t have to make many saves in the Hampshire Regional boys soccer team’s 3-0 win over Easthampton Wednesday.
But one miraculous, sprawled-out save changed the course of the game for the Raiders.
“It was a tremendous save,” Hampshire coach Dan Moynahan said. “If that goal goes in it’s a completely different game.”
In the second half with Hampshire leading 1-0, Easthampton’s Nick Soucy launched a low shot into the far corner, but Iatroudis made the stop with his body completely horizontal.
Hampshire (4-1-1) quickly followed the save with two goals and the game was out of reach for the Eagles (4-4).
“The chances we did get we have to put those away,” Easthampton coach Mike Soucy said. “Especially against a good team like that. If you don’t score that goal you get frustrated. The momentum went their way.”
The younger Easthampton team had a difficult time against the Raiders.
On top of major disparity in time of possession, Hampshire had 20 shots to Easthampton’s five.
“We have to take care of the chances when we have the opportunity,” Moynahan said. “We had six or seven chances to put the game away in the first half. We didn’t. That’s an issue.”
Play got somewhat testy between the rivals in the second half, and there was talking going back and forth. The referee issued one yellow card on Hampshire’s Dan McColgan for his attempt on a loose ball.
McColgan also scored Hampshire’s third goal. Dillon Pooler assisted on McColgan’s goal in the second half to finish with a goal and two assists.
“He’s a complete player,” Moynahan said of Pooler. “He plays both sides. His vision is exceptional and he wins 50-50 balls.”
Pooler scored first for the Raiders with 32 minutes, eight seconds left in the first half. After settling a pass from Anthony Nardi, Pooler turned and beat Easthampton goalie Drew Caires to the right corner.
Hampshire’s second goal came after a deep Matt Babyak throw-in that was similar to a free kick from the sideline.
The throw-in reached the middle of the field where Pooler fed Jordan Washburn for the goal to make it 2-0.
Babyak got an assist on the play.
