The Danvers Varsity Girls Soccer Team hosted Peabody Saturday night at Dr. Deering Stadium.  Danvers beat the Tanners 5-1 the first time they played.  Since then, Peabody had been on a bit of a hot streak having just beaten Beverly 5-0.  Danvers came into the contest 7-0-1 and had just beaten Swampscott 1-0.  Danvers also had a 9 game win streak against Peabody dating back to 2016.

 

"Part of my pre-game speech was that many of the stronger teams in the state suffered their first loss this week.  The second half of the season can often be tough as you're seeing some teams for the second time and they play you much tougher.  We had a huge 9 game win streak over Peabody and the girls really wanted to get it to 10."

 

Danvers took only 24 seconds to put that plan into action.  After receiving a pass from junior Ellie Anderson, senior captain Reese Pszenny crossed a perfect ball into the goalie box of the visitors and freshman Georgia Prouty was able to one touch it home for the early lead.  

 

"That was a brilliant goal.  We couldn't have asked for a better start to the game."

 

Danvers continued to pressure after that first score but the Tanner defense was determined not to let this game get out of hand like the last.  As the half wore on and the score stayed 1-0, the Peabody team seemed to get stronger and stronger.  Junior keeper Emily Goddard made some nice saves and senior captain, center back, Gabby Chisholm had to make some key defensive stops to keep the 1 goal lead.  By halftime, it was still 1-0.

 

"We came out flying and then took our foot off the gas.  I feel we may have let them back into the game a little."

 

Danvers got what should have been the back breaker 7 minutes into the second half.  After a breakaway by Georgia Prouty was saved by the Peabody keeper, Ellie Anderson was able to find Arianna Bezanson who calmly put it into the back of the net for the Falcon's second goal.  The goal was protested heavily by the Peabody side saying the play should have been called off-sides but the goal stood and Danvers had a 2 goal lead.  After that it was all Peabody.  The visitors continuously found their forwards with space allowing them to take the Danvers defenders on creating chances in the Danvers end.  

 

"We went into a bit of a defensive shell.  I think our defenders were worried about Peabody's speed.  However it wasn't Peabody's speed that gave us trouble.  It was allowing them to have the ball on their foot coming at us."

 

Peabody cut the lead in half in the 14th minute of the second half.  Then, with 6 minutes remaining they got the game tier on a shot from about 20 yards out that clanged off the far post and into the Falcon net.  Danvers had several late opportunities including a near breakaway by Prouty in the final seconds, but couldn't find the game winner.  With the tie, Peabody ended their long streak of losses to the Falcons and improved to 3-2-3 on the season.  Danvers stayed unbeaten at 7-0-2.  Coach Hinchion mentioned juniors Teagan Price and Courtney Hinchion as doing a nice job containing Peabody's dangerous center mids.  

 

"We had the 2 goal lead but we didn't close the door.  We were tentative in the second half and Peabody took advantage of that.  Give Peabody credit.  They defended and frustrated our attack and they made it difficult for our defenders as well.  Ask any player or coach on our sideline and they'll tell you this one feels like a loss.  To have the game in our grasps and let them sneak back in leaves a bad taste in the mouth.  We'll have to look at this game and learn from it.  I told the girls there were so many little things that we didn't take care of or made mistakes on throughout the game.  Those little mistakes add up.  I know we're capable of a lot more so hopefully we can rebound from this tie and come back strong next week."

 

The Danvers schedule doesn't get any easier as they take on 5-1-1 Marblehead next Tuesday followed by second place Masco on Thursday and non-leagues against powerhouses, North Andover and Andover the following week.