Raimer Scores Four Goals in Hornets' Win
WESTFIELD, Mass. — The McCann Tech boys' soccer team picked up its first win of the season when striker Chad Raimer started finding the back of the net on Tuesday. The Hornets' senior put it all together in the second half of his team's game against St. Mary's, scoring four goals in the final 30 minutes of the game to give McCann a 5-2 win over the Saints.Raimer's offensive explosion broke open a competitive game that was tied 1-1 at halftime. St. Mary's took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute, when Justin Crosby scored off of a pass from Zack Slepchuk. Reserve Tyler Rivard gave the Hornets (1-1) a big lift off the bench, however, tying the game on an assist from sophomore Damon Couture 12 minutes later. It was the first varsity goal for the McCann senior, who was subbing in for Raimer at the time.
A penalty kick in the 52nd minute got Raimer started on his second-half roll. That led to a three-goal outburst in a 12-minute span by the Hornets' captain, giving the visitors a 4-1 lead with 16 and half minutes left to play. The Saints showed some life by scoring on an own goal in the 72nd minute, but Raimer put the game away six minutes later on sophomore Shane Fuller's second assist of the day.
"After [Crosby] scored on us early, he was well marked for the rest of the game," McCann head coach Adam Kozik said. "In the second half, St. Mary's defense seemed to break down, and they had a difficult time dealing with our combination plays up the middle. This allowed us a number of scoring opportunities after halftime."
Senior P.J. Laliberte had eight saves in goal for the Hornets, while Bryce Kibbe stopped 18 shots for St. Mary's.
McCann next plays at Smith Voc. at 4 p.m. on Friday.