Clark Scores Twice as Drury Boys Open with Win over Hoosac Valley
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A team effort Thursday sent the Drury boys soccer team off to a blazing start to the season with a 6-1 victory over Hoosac Valley.
A veteran Drury (1-0) team off of a Western Mass quarter-final appearance last year came out hungry for more.
With their two leading point getters back this year, Drury lacked no creativity in the final third. It started the game off on a quick note scoring a free kick in the fourth minute from just outside the box by Conor Clark, who went on to add a second goal later in the match.
Drury continued to put the pressure on Hoosac Valley (0-1) with a good chance for Reece Racette in the 13th minute. Soon after, Racette got his name on the score sheet with a beautiful setup from Chad Lawrence. The Blue Devils went into the break up, 3-0, after Clark’s second goal just before the half.
“We have a veteran team, so we always want to play the first 5 and last 5 minutes as your best soccer and it was good to start off both halves with goals,” Drury coach John Jacobbe said. “This was a good win and I thought Hoosac played really hard and they are a younger team and competed hard and battled.”
Drury started the second half similar to the way it started the first with a goal in the 48th minute. The goal seemed to come from nowhere as defender Caleb Besaw sent a long ball down the line for Max Daugherty. Daugherty carried the ball passed a few defenders before putting it passed the keeper. Those two linked up again for Drury’s fifth goal after some great ball movement from the entire team.
“Max’s goal late was about five passes to create it. It was the most satisfying goal of the day. I want the team working together and developing” Jacobbe said.
Cove Massey found Jon Boland for the final goal before Hoosac Valley’s Dan Pompi got one back to make the game 6-1.
Drury will look to keep the momentum going on Tuesday, when they meet up with Taconic at home. As for the Hurricanes of Hoosac Valley, they will regroup and head to Mount Everett Tuesday afternoon.