Cornell Scores Pair as Drury Boys Win First

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Drury boys soccer team grabbed its first win of the year with a commanding 5-0 win over Pioneer Valley Christian on Friday afternoon. 

 

It was a great start for the Blue Devils as they jumped on their opponents right from the opening kick. It took Drury just four minutes to get on the score sheet with a nice long ball up the middle leaving Steven Cornell one on one with the keeper. His initial shot was blocked but he kept with it and was able to slot his rebound in the net giving Drury the dream start.

 

 “It was nice to get the early goal and be up 1-0 even though it took a long time to get the second but it was still nice to be up 1-0. It was even more important to get that second one before the half which we did,” Drury coach John Jacobbe said. 

 

Drury never let up after the first goal and continued to knock on the door for the second. Shortly after the goal they had a few more good chances, one that struck the crossbar and went over the net. Even with all the possession and offensive pressure the second goal didn’t come till right before the halftime whistle. Miles Beauchamp controlled the ball on the right wing making a few defenders miss and sending a ball to the back post where Cornell was waiting for his second of the day. Drury took that 2-0 lead into the break. 

 

It didn’t take long for Drury to get its third of the night with some really nice passing throughout the team. It all started with Rommel Alvarez who gained possession in the final third and played a few passes through the midfield eventually getting it back on a pass from Miles Beauchamp. Alvarez slotted in the lower corner capping off a nice team goal. This time it didn’t take them long to strike again, with virtually the next attack on net Beauchamp dribbled through a few defenders and kept his cool and finished with a nice strike high over the keeper's head. 

 

“I thought we had some good passing combinations on the first two goals of the second half. They were set up nicely with midfield play up to the forwards and the ball was moving which is always positive to see,” Jacobbe said.

 

Drury added one more goal late in the game off the foot of Neil Brierley closing out an impressive performance across the board. 

 

In addition to getting its first win, Drury got its first clean sheet of the season thanks to Parker Rivard and the defense. Rivard was tested late in the game with a couple tough shots and was able to hold them off. 

 

Drury (1-6-1) will look to make it back to back against Westfield on Monday.