O'Neil Scores in McCann Tech Girls' Tie

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — An early goal for the McCann Tech girls soccer team was enough to get the draw against Pioneer on Wednesday afternoon.

 

It hasn’t been a season of too many highs for the Hornets (0-12-1), but on this day, they had something to hang their hats on.

 

The start of the game was mainly controlled by McCann Tech, including one of the best chances of the game by either team in the fifth minute: a shot by Nadya Berezowski that was tipped into the bar and over by the keeper. McCann continued the pressure with a goal from Brooke O’Neil to take a 1-0 lead.

 

After the goal, the visitors settled in a bit more,  gaining the momentum and trapping McCann into its own half for the remainder of the first half. They got their reward for the maintained pressure in the 16th minute with a nice curling ball into the corner to tie it up at 1-1. The pressure continued as Pioneer were able to get shot after shot. But McCann Tech keeper Savanah Reynolds finished the game with 18 saves, including a few crucial ones late in the game. McCann was able to stay strong at the back and go into the break 1-1

 

“First part of the first half we had a few good runs, but the last 25 minutes we were squished in our own end.” McCann Tech coach Mike Dowling said. “Being 0-12, you’re used to backpedaling a lot.”

 

The second half looked like a completely different team as McCann started to gain some of that early momentum they had in the first half. They were able to build more and more and looked like the better side for most of the second half. With a few good chances of their own they continued to put pressure on Pioneer in seek of their first win of the season. Unfortunately for the Hornets, they were unable to get a second goal to do so. But they were able to keep the clean sheet in the second half to give them their first point this season. 

 

Coming off back to back 3-2 tough losses to Taconic and Mohawk, it seems as though this young Hornets team is starting to improve together. 

 

“We’re getting more mature, 13 freshman and sophomores they are starting to get it a little bit, but we need to get it a little bit more if we want to be more competitive, but it’s starting to get them to play harder” Dowling added.

 

McCann will turn around quickly and look to improve Thursday on the road against Ware. Pioneer will look to pick up its second win of the season Monday at Smith Voc.