McCann Girls Advance to State Voc Final
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- The McCann Tech girls soccer team advanced to the finals of the State Vocational Tournament after winning their semifinal game against Franklin Tech, 3-0, Thursday afternoon.
The Hornets opened the scoring in the 23rd minute of the first half off a corner kick taken by Jordan Budaj. Budaj sent a ball into the six that Franklin Tech’s goalie came out to retrieve, but it slipped right through her hands. McCann senior Allexia Andrews was positioned perfectly to send the ball into the net, giving them the 1-0 lead.
McCann controlled the remainder of the first half, but found itself bunched in the middle of the field on a lot of their possessions, making it difficult to get those scoring opportunities.
In the second half, McCann coach Mike Dowling looked to spread things out and play the ball to the outside and not up the middle.
His plan worked; bringing two second half goals giving them the 3-0 win.
Midway through the half, Allie Gibeau carried the ball down the sideline and crossed a ball into the 18 where Budaj received the ball and got a shot on net to make 2-0.
With about 15 minutes left, Cheyenne Alcombright gave the Hornets their final goal off a low corner shot from just inside the 18.
“It worked perfect,” Dowling said. “The ball came out, it was two passes in and Chey went to the outside and got off a nice left-footed shot.”
McCann will now face Norfolk Agricultural for the finals of the State Vocational Tournament tomorrow afternoon in Walpole. It’s scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. start.
“We played Norfolk here in the finals last year and they were good,” Dowling said. “They were a good passing team, but we’re a better passing team than last year, no doubt.”
“We just need to keep our space, beat them to the ball, keep talking, and create some scoring opportunities and it should be a good game, it won’t be a blowout.”