Hornets Even Record by Blanking Beavers
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- The McCann Tech boys' soccer team scored a goal 52 seconds into the game and never looked back on Wednesday, blanking Putnam 3-0 for its first shutout of the 2011 season.Freshman striker Shane Fuller crossed a ball from the right side of the field less than a minute into the game. The Beavers' goalie intercepted the pass but lost his grip on the ball, allowing classmate John Leal to tap the ball into the net. The Hornets (2-2-1) kept a 1-0 lead until 13 minutes into the second half when senior Nate Gutmann took a pass from Fuller and hit a turnaround left-footed shot from the top of goal box into the right side of the net. Junior Chad Raimer closed out the scoring for McCann by heading in a corner kick from Gutmann in the 68th minute of play.
Adam Kozik's team outshot Putnam 22-12 in the contest.
"This game was a good game for everyone to get playing time, work on possession and leave with our first shutout of the season," Kozik said.
Junior midfielder Seth Marko led a defensive effort that allowed goalkeeper Connor Vazquez (five saves) the opportunity to earn his first shutout of the season. The Hornets are now off until Monday, when they play at Pioneer Valley at 4 p.m.