McCann Tech Boys Finish Strong with Win over Drury

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Under the lights on Senior Night, the McCann Tech Hornets came out hungry and never backed down, defeating city rival Drury 3-1 to complete the regular-season sweep of the Blue Devils.

 

McCann (10-2-1) set the tone early, finding the back of the net on its first real chance of the game in the eighth minute. Ashton Solomon took the ball down the byline and sent a cross into the box, where Hayden Bona finished the play before the keeper could get there to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead.

 

The Hornets kept their foot on the gas after the opening goal, closing down space in the midfield and continuing to attack down the wings. McCann nearly added another in the 12th minute with a shot from outside the box, but Drury keeper Max Soto came up with a diving save.

 

Drury answered in the 17th minute after working the ball down the side and forcing its way into the box to earn a penalty kick. Diego Luna stepped up and buried the shot to even the score at 1-1.

 

As the half went on, McCann continued to find success down the right side, creating chances and keeping the Drury defense under pressure. Soto stood tall, making a series of saves to keep the game level. One of his best sequences came on a McCann free kick, when he made the initial stop before reacting quickly to deny two more attempts in the same possession.

 

But the Hornets kept pushing, and their pressure finally paid off just before halftime. Max Plekhanov sent a shot toward goal that deflected off a Drury defender and found the back of the net, sending McCann into the break with a 2-1 advantage.

 

Drury came out looking to respond in the second half and created a couple of good chances early. Ben Harrington made a nice move to beat the defense and get into position, but his shot sailed wide of the goal.

 

McCann answered by extending its lead. Isaac Uqdah unleashed a powerful shot that Soto couldn't hold onto, and Solomon was there to finish the rebound and put the Hornets up 3-1.

 

The Hornets continued to look dangerous as the game wound down, nearly adding a fourth goal with two minutes remaining. Soto came up with another big save, tipping the shot off the post to keep Drury within two.

 

“It’s always fun playing Drury, but with it being Senior Night and under the lights, it meant a lot for us,” McCann head coach Stephen McAllister said. “They were motivated going into this game, and hats off to them for staying strong and pushing forward.”

 

McAllister said he likes where his team is heading as the season progresses, but emphasized the importance of staying focused and not getting complacent.

 

“We’re very comfortable with where we are right now, but I told them not to get too confident,” McAllister said. “We all feel confident, and they are getting better and better each game as the season has gone on, but the last few have shown it.”

 

With the win, McCann completes the regular-season sweep of Drury after taking the first meeting, 2-1. The Hornets came through on Senior Night with another strong performance, using early pressure and a late first-half goal to take control before putting the game away in the second half.