Tigers start season with loss to Unioto

GREENFIELD — The McClain boys varsity soccer team opened up their 2026 season in a non-conference game against Unioto, dropping a 6-0 decision against a very talented Sherman Tank squad.

Despite being shut out by the much more experienced team, the McClain youthful men played extremely well early on in the match and trailed just 2-0 at intermission.

“I thought my guys played pretty well, especially in the first half,” McClain second-year head coach John Gill said. “To be down only 2-0 at halftime against a team that made it to the Sweet 16 last year doesn’t sound too impressive but was a big improvement compared to how we played in a lot of our games at the beginning of last season.”

Unioto scored two quick goals to begin the second half and led 4-0 with just over 30 minutes left, but the Tigers fought hard and played extremely well over the next 25 minutes before giving up two late scores in the final 6:00.

“Unioto is a very strong team with a lot of attacking power, and they’re going to win a lot of games this year,” Gill said. “We are very young with only one senior, Case Robbins, returning with a lot of varsity experience. I started four freshmen tonight and played everyone in the game, including four more freshmen who gave us some really good minutes.

“It’s a big positive when you start off the season playing a strong team like Unioto because it allows us to pinpoint our weaknesses so we can work on them and get better.”

McClain’s next match is Tuesday, Aug. 18 when they host another non-conference opponent, Logan Elm, starting at 5 p.m.