The Marblehead High girls soccer team (2-1-1) rebounded nicely from a 3-2 home opening loss to Masco to shut out non-league Waltham, also at home, 3-0 on Sept. 6.
Courtney Hitscherich paced the offensive attack with two goals against the host Hawks. Sydney Ball assisted on one of her goals, and Sadie Halpern set up the other tally. Callie Gilmore tacked on an insurance tally on a solo effort.
“The whole team played well (against Waltham),” said coach Lisa Wales. “Sammy Dosch and Cora Gerson, in particular, came off the bench and made some excellent contributions.”
Wales also singled out Sydney Ball for her ability to play anywhere on the field. “Her versatility is huge to our success.”
Goalie Hailey Gilmore made one save, while she was in there. Lily Heller came up with three stops later on in the contest.
The Magicians recorded another 3-0 victory three days later against Northeastern Conference rival Swampscott in Big Blue country. All of the goals were scored in the first half.
Lucy Church netted the first goal assisted by Callie Gilmore. Halpern, last year’s leading scorer, chipped in with the second score from Lani Gilmore, which was her first career assist. Callie Gilmore completed the scoring assisted by Sammy Dosch. It was also Dosch’s first career assist.
Ainsley MacDonald placed her free kick nicely in the box for Lani Gimore, who tapped it through to Halpern to account for the second goal of the game. Sydney Ball initiated the third score on a corner kick that went to Dosch, who crossed it to Callie Gilmore in the box, before she put it home.
“Captain Ava Machado was very solid in the center back position, slowing the play down when needed, while using her speed when needed,” said Wales. “Our keepers — Hailey Gilmore and Lily Heller — were also solid in net, with Lily stopping a breakaway in the second half.”
The Marblehead girls then came home on Sept. 11 to take on the Peabody Tanners, and the game ended up in a hard-fought 1-1 tie.
The Tanners scored the first goal of the game, but the Magicians tied up the proceedings with less than five minutes to go on the clock on a corner quick by Courtney Hitscherich that Callie Gilmore headed home, her fourth marker in as many games.
Cam O’Brien played well defensively against Peabody, along with MacDonald and Machado, according to Wales.
Hailey Gilmore and Heller were credited with two saves apiece in net to help preserve the point in the standings for their teammates.
The Magicians had a few days off, before they gp up against host Beverly on Sept. 16. They will be at Saugus on Sept. 18, to face the Sachems at 7 p.m., before taking on host Danvers two days later at Deering Field, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
