McCann Tech Steps Up Intensity at Hoosac Valley
CHESHIRE, Mass. – The McCann Tech boys soccer team Monday scored three goals in a 12-minute span in the first half and maintained its intensity throughout a 6-1 win over Hoosac Valley in a Bi-County matchup of North County rivals.
Collin Boyd scored a pair of goals, and Michael Barnes had a goal and two assists as the Hornets improved to 3-1 this season and just missed their second shutout in two weeks.
On one of the warmest days of the young soccer season, McCann Tech was able to maintain its aggressive posture throughout the match, getting to most of the 50/50 balls and not allowing the Hurricanes to establish a consistent presence in the final third after the game’s opening minutes.
“We’ve been working really hard during practice, getting ready for the so-called ‘Indian summer’ or whatever you want to call it,” the Hornets’ coach said. “All the technical stuff, I can talk until I’m blue in the face, but when it comes down to it, I want these guys to give 110 percent. I’ve been on them a little more this year for that purpose.
“I’m such a defensive-minded person. I like to win games because of our defense, not because of anything else. And hats off to them. It should have been a shutout.”
Midway through the second half with the score 6-0, Hoosac Valley avoided the shutout when Evan Richardson converted a penalty kick.
Back in the first half, it looked like Hoosac Valley might be the first to break through with two shots on frame in the first four minutes. And moments later, the Hurricanes’ Blake Mazzeo had a try on the right wing with McCann keeper Ben Harris well off his line, but a Hornet defender was able to block the shot and keep the match scoreless.
In the 14th minute, McCann Tech’s Ashton Solomon took advantage of a Hoosac Valley misplay in the back to score the game’s first goal.
No. 2 came just five minutes later from Collin Boyd with an assist from Barnes. Then in the 26th minute, Barnes converted a free kick from 25 yards out to give his team a 3-0 lead.
The Hornets converted another opportunity from distance before the end of the half. Boyd scored from about 23 yards out with an assist from Rocco Cellana to make it a four-goal game at the break.
McCann Tech fields a starting 11 loaded with seniors and juniors and had a noticeable size advantage over the Hurricanes, who have nearly as many middle schoolers as upperclassmen on the varsity lineup.
But Ben Raimer, filling in for absent Hoosac Valley coach Blair Mahar, was not willing to chalk up Monday’s performance to that disparity.
“No excuses in terms of size on our end,” Raimer said. “I think it’s one of those things where McCann came out ready to compete from the first minute. They were out here, ready to win. We said in pregame that we feel pretty good about being able to compete with them technically, moving the ball around the pitch. But we said: The second we start letting them win the first and second balls, it’s going to be a long day for us.”
All the second half scoring was compressed into a four-minute span midway through the period. First, Cellana headed in a Barnes free kick from midfield, then Alex Boyer scored to make it 6-0.
Less than a minute later, Hoosac Valley earned the PK that Richardson buried.
It was the only damage done against Harris, who made seven saves, including a couple of testers one-on-one against Hoosac Valley’s dangerous Dylan Rohlfs on counters.
“Ben’s been playing phenomenal for me,” McCann Tech’s coach said. “He was our backup goalie last year. He learned a lot. … He came out this year with something to prove, and he’s been proving it. He’s been doing great. He’s just got to keep his head on his shoulders, and he’s going to be a great, great goalkeeper.”
At the other end, David Decker made nine saves for Hoosac Valley.
The Hurricanes (2-1-1) are at Westfield Tech on Wednesday.
McCann Tech (3-1) hosts Commerce on Wednesday.