Dowling's Hat Trick Powers McCann Girls

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- McCann Tech freshman Aimee Dowling did not miss many chances to put the ball in the back of the net on Thursday.

 

And she did not miss a chance to share the credit after scoring all three goals in a 3-0 win over St. Mary's.

 

"My teammates really put the ball on my feet," Dowling said. "They gave me some nice passes,and I was able to finish them."

 

Dowling registered her first career hat trick for the Hornets (10-1), who already have their ticket punched for the Western Massachusetts tournament with six games left to play.

 

"The one that put us ahead 2-0, that was very nice placement of the ball," said Aimee's father and coach, Mike Dowling. "I don't know if that was on purpose or not, but that was perfect. ... And that put the game out of reach."

 

It took a long time to put away St. Mary's, a team that McCann had a much easier time against in a 4-0 win in Westfield back on Sept. 16.

 

"This 3-0 win was definitely not easy," McCann coach Mike Dowling said. "it was competitive. It was back and forth. They're a much improved team."

 

McCann had the better of play in the second half, but the first 40 minutes so both teams threaten.

 

McCann goalkeeper Alanza Quinones made all four saves she needed to make, and she got help from a solid defensive effort in front of her.

 

"Natalie Diesz, she played a helluva game today," Mike Dowling said, singling out another freshman. "She was playing for Mo [center mid Monique Martel], and I have [junior defender] Abbi Luczynski out with a sore knee. There are girls who filled in today who did a really nice job."

 

Aimee Dowling got the scoring started in the 11th minute off a cross from the right wing by Jordan Reinhart.

 

The Hornets generated six more shots on goal in the first half but could not get anything else on the board until midway through the second.

 

That is when Dowling took advantage of a misplay just outside the 18 by the St. Mary's defense. She launched a shot into the far corner of the goal to make it 2-0.

 

About seven minutes later, she cashed in an assist from Diesz to provide the final margin.

 

Aimee Dowling said that McCann is going to be ready when the post-season rolls around.

 

"I think we'll do pretty good," she said. "We focus one game at a time -- the first 10 minutes, the second 10 minutes and so on. That's how we go. ... I think we all have some conifdence now."

 

McCann Tech hosts Mount Everett on Friday.