Commerce Cruises by McCann after Halftime
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The McCann Tech boys' soccer team held its ground against Commerce in the first half, but the Red Raiders flexed their offensive muscles after halftime, scoring five second-half goals to pull away for a 9-4 win at home.The Hornets (5-4, 3-1) jumped on the hosts early, scoring two goals in the first 11 minutes of the game to take the early lead. Junior Josh Budaj got things started by scoring off of pass from sophomore Damon Couture in the fifth minute before senior Chad Raimer made it 2-0 six minutes later on an assist from Jon Leal.
Commerce took control from there, however, scoring nine of the game's next 11 goals. The Raiders followed up Raimer's tally by scoring three goals of their own, two of which game from Eyasu Michael. McCann sophomore Shane Fuller tied the game in the 33rd minute off a pass from Raimer, but Commerce closed out the half with the lead thanks to Melfin Agueda's second strike of the first half.
The second half was all Raiders, though, as the hosts received two goals apiece from Michael, Agueda and Mahat Diriye. Senior Ian Grimaldi scored his first goal of the season in the 78th minute, helping the Hornets break up Commerce's six-goal explosion.
Keeper P.J. Laliberte made six saves in net for the Hornets, who next play at Westfield Voc. at 4 p.m. on Friday.