The Danvers Varsity Girls Soccer Team hosted rival Beverly Tuesday night under the lights at Dr. Deering Stadium.  It was senior night for the Falcons and the underclassmen on the team did a fantastic job decorating the home grounds with balloons, blue and white streamers and homemade posters of their 8 senior teammates.  The boosters displayed some gorgeous, professionally done canvas posters of the seniors as well.  A special ceremony was held pre-game to honor the seniors as well as their families.  Senior players were given a bouquet of flowers to give to their families.

 

"The posters were very well done.  I love the pictures of our players from their DYS teams as youngsters.  It's incredible how they start together as 5 and 6 year old players and it all comes together in their final season as 17 and 18 year olds. Our booster program always puts a nice evening together for our seniors.  It's always a special night for the girls.  We have 8 seniors on the squad this year, and although they've all taken different paths to get here, they are all now a crucial part of this year's Team.  Arianna Bezanson, Hannah Barclay, Reese Pszenny, Sabrina Ramsay, Emma Dunn, Carina Boles, Gabby Chisholm and Emma Hatch are absolutely the best group of seniors a Coach could ask for.  They're super respectful, hardworking and great role models for the other players in the program.  They all bring a unique value to this team that doesn't go unappreciated.  Whether it's on the field in a game, in practice, on the sideline or at an event like a team dinner, these girls are making a positive impact.  Their character is amazing and I'm lucky to have them playing for me."

 

After the senior festivities ended, it was time to play some soccer and Beverly game into the game with a 3-1 record and 3 straight victories.  The Falcons were looking to continue their streak of unbeaten play.  Danvers came out of the blocks fast.  With all 8 seniors starting, the field chemistry was strong.  Carina Boles made several runs up the left side of the field, getting fouled twice by the visiting Panthers in the process.  The second was costly for Beverly.  Senior Captain Reese Pszenny nailed a direct kick from about 18 yards out that smacked off the crossbar and down across the goal line for the games first goal in the 6th minute of play.

 

"That goal was beautiful.  She crushed it and it was certainly a huge goal for us to get in front so early in the game."

 

Danvers would continue the pressure throughout the half putting 11 shots on the Beverly freshman keeper.  However, several near misses combined with solid goal tending held the hosts to just the 1 goal in the half.  Beverly mounted several attacks of their own, but the Danvers defense limited them to mostly shots from distance that were easily handled by junior Falcon keeper, Emily Goddard.  With the score 1-0 at halftime, it was clear the Falcons would need to step up their play in the second half.

 

"We were a little sloppy.  Our first touch was not terrific tonight and I felt we were playing too much as individuals instead of playing as a team.  Beverly came to play and were clearly not going down without a fight."

 

10 minutes into the second half, freshmen Georgia Prouty doubled the Danvers lead on an assist from senior Captain Arianna Bezanson.  Only 3 minutes later, Bezanson got one of her own, unassisted.  Beverly kept fighting though and with about 19 minutes to play, got a goal off a semi breakaway to make it 3-1.  Bezanson got the 4th and final goal of the evening with 3 minutes to play off a pass from junior defender, Ryley Crosby.  When the final whistle blew, it was a 4-1 victory for Danvers improving their league record to 4-0 and their overall record to 4-0-1.  

 

"We weren't at our best, but we were still able to beat a good team by a 4-1 margin.  I told the girls that in an 18 game season, there are going to be games where we're not always playing at the level we're capable of.  In those games it's key to make sure to find a way to grind out a victory.  I felt that's what we did tonight."

 

Coach Hinchion called the overall play of Georgia Prouty and senior captain Gabby Chisholm outstanding on the night and was pleased with solid play from Kacie McDonough on defense and Ellie Anderson at forward.  Danvers next plays at Winthrop, Thursday night at 6:00 and then again at Lynnfield on Saturday morning at 10.