The Marblehead High girls soccer team (1-3-1) finally got untracked last week with a 1-0 win over Peabody in the home opener at Piper on Sept. 16 after settling for a scoreless tie against host Swampscott two days earlier on Sept. 14.
“We got off to a slow start in the first half against Peabody, but played much better in the second half,” said coach Lisa Wales.
Junior Phoebe Fontela-Tuttle scored her first goal of the season from senior Alma Gaunt to account for what turned out to be the game-winner at the 11-minute mark of the second half.
Goalie Hailey Gilmore was steady again in net, making four saves to help preserve the shutout. Senior captains Callie Gilmore and Ainsley McDonald, and junior Stella Smith led the team in the middle of the field, which slowed down the Peabody attack, while they helped initiate the offense for their teammates up front.
Wales also singled out the significant contributions of senior Colette Leighton and junior Laurel Kearney off the bench that played a role in the win, as well.
Before a packed house at Swampscott’s Blocksidge Field, both the Magicians and the Big Blue staged a hard-fought battle between longtime rivals.
Goalie Hailey Gilmore came up with five saves to help earn a point for her teammates. Her last save clinched the tie. With less than five minutes to go on the clock, she came out of the net to grab a well-placed corner kick to keep the game scoreless.
Senior captain Ainsley McDonald was terrific alongside sophomore Anna Cannuscio on defense, according to Wales. “Anna has been outstanding so far this season,” the coach added. “She’s always calm under pressure, and also works well with Ainsley.”
Wales added that senior outside back Carys Moran was in “full-beast mode” to keep the Big Blue forwards away from the net. She also singled out Stella Smith and Lucy Church, who “worked tirelessly in the midfield, and senior forward and captain Callie Gilmore and Izzie Gonzalez for playing great games (on offense).”
