Coach Elmer Magana couldn’t have dreamed of a better start from his Marblehead High boys soccer team. These Magicians have won their first three games, while outscoring opponents, 13-3. They defeated rival Swampscott at home, 2-0 on Sept. 14, before hanging on to beat host Peabody in a competitive battle, 4-3 two days later.
Magana said of the Big Blue: “They planted a defensive wall that kept us from finding the back of the net in the first half, but at halftime, we made offensive (adjustments) that allowed us to crack the Blue wall and score two goals.”
Julien Poitevin netted the first goal assisted by Quinn Cohane, and then Cohane tacked on some insurance from senior captain Erik Badzak.
Senior goalie Andrew Halvorson picked up his second shutout in as many games, while his defense did its part, not allowing any open shots on him.
But the game against the Tanners was a different story.
“(Peabody) came out of the gate hungry, but around the 20-minute mark Jackson Nutt found the back of the net for us, before Quinn Cohane scored our second goal to change momentum,” said Magana.
But then, there was a defensive breakdown that allowed a Peabody goal to trim the Marblehead lead in half.
Later in the second half, however, David Magen knocked one home to regain the two-goal advantage. “David was motivated to score after the Peabody goalie tattooed him with his cleats on (Magen’s) face with a high kick in the first half,” said Magana. “It was a very dangerous play that should have been penalized.”
Poitevin then scored what turned out to be the game-winning score. The Tanners, however, kept on battling.
“It looked like we were on our way to a (comfortable win), but two more defensive breakdowns allowed the Tanners to score twice,” said Magana. “In the last minute of the game, Halvorson made a key save to keep us ahead, and when the final whistle sounded, we had survived a very physical game that left us with three injuries.”
Magana went on to say that he’s “beyond proud of the resilience my team displayed against a physical, sometimes out of control Peabody team,” while also mentioning, “I’m also so happy by the way striker David Magen was able to continue playing after taking such a dangerous high kick from the Peabody goalie.”
Field hockey snaps losing streak
The Marblehead High field hockey team (2-2-1) snapped a two-game losing streak by beating Masco, 3-1 in the home opener at Piper Field on Sept. 17.
Lea Gauvin scored the team’s first goal of the game in the third quarter. Keliane Salem and Carolyn Black then each added one score apiece in the fourth to seal the deal.
“Our defense continued to play well, with Hayden Mitchell, Annie Wales, Molly Bullard and Kaylei Corbett shutting down Masco’s scoring opportunities for the better part of the game,” said coach Alison Carey. “With Elizabeth Hayes in goal, our defense is formidable. Left defender Maggie Svencer has exceptional speed, and isn’t afraid to push the ball up field. I have never seen her give less than 150% effort.”
Carey also mentioned that midfielders Molly Chamberlin, Shea Bickell and Julia Mann played a more aggressive offensive game, and worked seamlessly with the forwards to create scoring opportunities.
“I have to give forwards Zoe Dwyer, Lily Desgrossiellers, Emma Ryan and Layla Dulac credit for being relentless in front of the opposing goalie to keep the ball in the offensive zone,” the coach added, “as well as Keliane, Carolyn and Lea, who also work so hard on the field. It was great to see them score in this game.”
The coach likes the team’s “cohesion and chemistry,” which can take “time and effort, but it’s one of our biggest priorities, and this game proves why it matters,” she says. “We have a group of extremely athletic, smart, hardworking players, whose skills combined with a team-oriented mentality is what defines our program. I’m so proud of these players. They all earned this win.”
The win over the Chieftains followed a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Gloucester on Sept. 15.
“This was an incredibly tight game,” Carey said. “Gloucester runs an aggressive offensive line formation, but we were prepared.”
The game was scoreless until the third quarter, when Gloucester netted a goal on a penalty corner. “Overall, I’m very pleased with the way we played against Gloucester,” the coach said. “I’ve referenced our team chemistry before, but it’s such an asset. We just play together, and also prioritize playing with composure and focus.”
Cross-country teams experience mixed results
The Marblehead High girls cross-country team bested Masconomet at Bradley Palmer State Park, 19-41 to secure its second win of the season on Sept. 16. These Magicians also defeated host Peabody in the season opener on Sept. 9, 21-36.
“Our depth was a decisive difference,” said coach Will Herlihy. “We had six runners finish before Masconomet’s third runner crossed the finish line.”
Sarah Munroe and Eleanor Morgan took the top two spots, and were followed by Norah Walsh (fourth), Evelina Beletsky (fifth), Sophia Letwin (seventh), Jesslyn Roemer (eighth) and Charlotte Sheridan (10th) to get what turned out to be a decisive win.
But the boys cross-country team (0-2) fell to Masconomet, 19-42. They also lost to Peabody in the season opener, 22-37.
Senior captain Filip Grubor was the first Marblehead runner to cross the finish line in third place. Freshman T.J. Waters then stepped up to come in sixth overall.
“Sophomore Ivan Monin also ran a great race after coming in 12th, 2 minutes and 30 seconds faster than he ran on the same (Bradley Palmer) course last year,” said coach Brian Heenan.
Girls volleyball smokes first three opponents
The girls volleyball team is off to a fast 3-0 start under the direction of first-year coach Shelley Burns. They defeated rival Swampscott in their most recent match at home on Sept. 17, winning all three sets.
Piper Browning was the leader in aces with three. Sydney Da Silva (20 assists) and Lila Moniz (7 kills) also contributed to the offensive effort.
Sydney Faris led the team on defense with 20 digs. Sammy Walker finished up with five blocks.
The Marblehead girls began last week with a 3-0 win over Danvers in the home opener on Sept. 14.
Moniz and Walker led the offense with 12 and 13 kills, respectively. Da Silva was credited with 30 assists. Faris carried the team on the serving line with 11 aces.
The season began in Boxford against the Chieftains on Sept. 9, and it set the tone on what was to come in the next two matches. It was their first of three straight 3-0 victories.
Moniz was the leader in kills with nine. Walker collected six kills and four blocks. Faris chipped in with six kills and 11 digs. Da Silva accounted for 18 assists.
Golfers remain perfect after six
The Marblehead golfers are now 6-0 after two more wins last week. They ended up defeating Salem at Tedesco (57-15, Sept. 15) and Saugus (48-24, Sept. 16) on the road at Cedar Glen.
All eight Marblehead players wiped out their Salem counterparts, starting with co-captains Tyler Forbes (36) and Greyson Leventhal (37). Colby Moore shot a 38 to win his match. Will Macrina (36) had the lowest score of the day to come out on top. Max King, Teddy Dulac, John Rand and Grady Coyne rounded out the triumphs over the Witches.
The Magicians picked up seven individual wins against the host Sachems to secure the sixth win. Forbes (7-2, 35), Leventhal (5.5-3.5, 35), Pete Ryan (6.5-2.5, 35), Macrina (5-4, 36), King (6.5-2.5, 43), Dulac (7.5-1.5, 39) and Rand (7.5-1.5, 38) were responsible for those victories.
