McCann Tech Defense Dominates Dragons
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – The McCann Tech boys soccer team Wednesday continued its unbeaten start to the season, controlling possession from start to finish and pulling away from Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School for a 2-0 victory.
The Hornets (6-0-1) came into the matchup unbeaten and left the field with their record intact, dictating the tempo for nearly the entire game.
McCann consistently kept the ball in Pioneer Valley CICS half, looking to create opportunities down the wings and along the sidelines. The Hornets generated plenty of looks at the net early, but struggled to put their chances on target.
PVCICS did a good job defensively keeping McCann at bay, appearing comfortable allowing the Hornets to take shots from outside the box while preventing them from creating many dangerous chances.
The Dragons’ first real opportunity came in the 33rd minute on a set piece. The ball was played low and hard toward the box, looking to find the foot of a striker, but McCann's defense intercepted the pass before Pioneer Valley CICS could get a shot off.
Although the goals weren't coming, McCann continued to dominate possession and control the tempo.
The breakthrough finally came in the 35th minute.
A deflection outside the box fell to McCann's Colby Gelinas, who quickly fired a shot past the Pioneer Valley CICS goalkeeper to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead.
McCann continued to generate chances before halftime, forcing the PVCICS goalkeeper to make several saves as the tempo picked up following the goal.
The Hornets carried that momentum into halftime with a 1-0 advantage.
“I feel like we dominated the game, but I wish the boys would have a little more relaxation in the final third,” McCann head coach Stephen McAllister said. “I spoke to them about that and we have passed the ball great and are getting the opportunities. We just need a little more patience. I’m proud of where we are at right now.”
McCann goalkeeper Ben Harris didn't have to make a single save throughout the game, but he helped keep the Hornets' defense organized and ready for any PVCICS counterattacks.
McCann nearly doubled its lead early in the second half when Ashton Solomon sent a driven ball into the box that just missed the head of Brendan Vigna. The ball was cleared, but McCann quickly sent it back toward goal, forcing the Dragons’ goalkeeper to make a save.
In the 52nd minute, Brendan Vigna had another strong opportunity, fighting off a defender before sending his shot over the net from close range.
It was more of the same for McCann in the second half, as the Hornets continued creating better chances than they had in the opening 40 minutes but couldn't find the insurance goal.
Collin Boyd nearly extended the lead when he fired a shot from deep, forcing the visitors’ goalkeeper to tip it over the crossbar for a corner.
The chances continued to come for McCann as the Hornets searched for a second goal.
They finally got it in the 77th minute. After another deflection inside the box, the ball fell to Boyd, who calmly slotted his shot past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
McCann's defense kept PVCICS off the scoreboard throughout the afternoon, with Tarren Drye and Honour Peck anchoring the back line.
“I have Tarren Drye, he’s my leader back there with Honour Peck, and they are both captains for a reason,” McAllister said. “They were great last year and they brought it and stepped up their game this year. They are two of the better defenders in the league and they can move the ball and get it up the field pretty quick.”
McCann will look to keep its unbeaten season going Saturday when it travels to Pioneer Valley.