The Danvers Varsity Girls Soccer Team took to the field Monday night in their Home game vs. Beverly.  Danvers was coming off of a very tough 2-1 loss on Friday to Andover and wanted to get back to it's winning ways.  The weather did not cooperate however, as it poured steadily throughout the entire game.  The Falcons wasted no time in this one as sophomore DeAnna Figueiredo scored her first career varsity goal in the first minute of play.  Junior Georgia Prouty initiated the attack.

 

Dee's goal was fantastic!  We wanted to go up early and scoring one in the first minute of play is a great way to get going.  The play was set up by our forwards putting lots of pressure on Beverly's defense and when Georgia's initial shot hit off a defender, Dee was there to slam it home.  It was a great goal.  

 

Danvers continued to play well after the goal putting pressure on the Panthers in their end of the field.  The Falcons doubled their lead in the 16th minute when sophomore Liv St. Pierre sent Prouty in alone on a breakaway and the junior passes it by the goalkeeper for the 2nd goal of the game.  

 

"Our Team defense was excellent in the first half.  Our back 4 of Reese Holland, Addi McCarty, Skylar Laws and Lila Flynn positioned themselves perfectly throughout the half and kept the ball out of dangerous areas. Our midfielders did well picking up Beverly attackers when they got into our end of the field.  Senior captain, Molly Godfried and sophomore Ashley Freitas did particularly well with that. Our goalkeeper Maddie Dembowski also played very strong in terrible conditions for a goaltender to be playing in."

 

The score remained 2-0 at the half and Danvers appeared to be in control.  However, the rain seemed to be picking up and anything could happen in these types of conditions.

 

"One of our sophomores spoke up at halftime reminding the Team that a 2-0 lead can be the most difficult in a soccer match.  The Coaches reminded the players that getting the next goal would be the key to this game."

 

As the rain picked up, Danvers got plenty of opportunities to score in the Beverly end of the field but couldn't connect.  The Falcons had 12 shots on the Beverly frame but the Beverly keeper made some big saves.  Then, in the 17th minute, the visitors launched a direct kick from their own 30 yard line.  The kick soared over the entire Danvers defense and right onto the foot of the Panther's right wing.  She took a couple of dribbles and fired a shot that found the back of the net, cutting the lead to 1.  The goal certainly motivated the Panthers and they picked up their level of play.  In the 24th minute, a Beverly player cut across the Danvers defense from the left side of the field and hit a shot into the upper corner for the tying goal.

 

"We didn't come out with the same fire that we had in the first half.  We definitely looked a little tired late in the second half, but luckily we turned it up for the last 15 minutes."

 

Danvers picked up their play considerably with the game tied at 2.  With 9 minutes to play, Georgia Prouty made a great run through the Beverly defense up the left side of the field.  As she beat her last defender and turned toward goal near the end line, she spotted her open classmate, Gianna Sutherland right around the penalty area.  Prouty sent a hard, low pass across the box and Sutherland right footed a beautifully timed shot just inside the far post for the eventual game winner.  Danvers shut the Panthers down defensively the rest of the way for the huge, conference win.

 

"Georgia made an amazing run and what a timely goal by Gianna!  That was a big moment for her and she really came through."  "That was an important win tonight.  It's never easy to play in these conditions and anything can happen when you do.  Georgia was really an offensive spark for us tonight with the goal and 2 assists.  I also thought Addi McCarty really played a clean game in the back for us.  Maddie Dembowski was terrific too.  Her hands were great in that driving rain and she didn't give up any rebounds on shots."

 

With the win, Danvers improved to 4-1 in league play and 4-2 overall on the season.  Coach Hinchion mentioned the strong play of Ashley Freitas at midfield and Reese Holland and Skylar Laws on defense. as having very good games.