The Danvers Varsity Girls Soccer Team traveled to Saugus Monday night for an N.E.C. match.  This would be the first time the Falcons would get to play on the Sachems brand new field.  The wind was blowing pretty heavy towards 1 goal and Danvers chose to defend that goal and play against the wind the first half.

 

Danvers controlled play early on with several decent chances.  In the 12th minute Danvers finally got their first goal when senior captain Arianna Bezanson fed freshmen Brooke Wynott a hard pass across the 6 yard line that the freshman one timed home with authority.  Only 2 minutes later, Bezanson got one of her own off a nice pass from junior back Mikayla Shaffaval.  

 

"Brooke is not too familiar with playing the "9" spot on the field, but with Reese Pszenny unable to play, I felt Brooke's 1 and 2 touch play would fit well with how we were hoping to attack.  Brooke made several great passes to attacking teammates and it was great to have her actually get the goal we were looking for early in the match."

 

Later in the half, junior forward Ellie Anderson corralled a ball about 40 yards out and outpaced the Saugus defense on a break away.  Just as she was shooting a defender nicked her heel and her shot went just wide, keeping the score at 2-0.  Courtney Hinchion had a shot attempt from 18 yards out as well but it was saved by the goal keeper.  Defenders Gabby Chisholm and Emma Dunn did well to keep Saugus out of the Falcon end of the field.  When they did attack, Emily Goddard was solid in net, turning away 5 first half shots.  Junior Teagan Price, sophomore Molly Godfried, Hinchion and Bezanson all did well in the midfield, keeping possession and passing the ball very well.

 

With the wind at their backs for the second half, Danvers continued to pressure Saugus.  15 minutes in, Arianna Bezanson dribbled around and through multiple defenders and fired a shot that found the back of the net for the third goal for Danvers.  Late in the game, Emma Gibbons replaced Goddard in net and made 2 quick saves for the team.  On a partial breakaway Gibbons came out to challenge but the Saugus attacker was able to slide it into the net for the goal.  Only about 2 minutes later, senior Hannah Barclay found the back of the net off a ball from classmate Sabrina Ramsay.  However, the goal was ruled offsides.  All in all Danvers had 22 players contribute on the field, all giving strong efforts.  Forwards Cali Abbatessa, Krysta Zamejtis, Carina Boles, Katie Walfield and Georgia Prouty all contributed to the attack.  Mid Emma Hatch and defenders Kacie McDonough, Reese Holland and Ryley Crosby all played hard in the win.

 

"Everyone contributed tonight and we're happy to leave with a conference win against a young, but improving Saugus side.  I loved the aggressive play of Mikayla Shaffaval tonight.  She really made it her priority to beat her opponent to the ball all over the field.  Brooke had a very strong game for us at center striker and Courtney did very well in the midfield tonight.  We'll need to be much sharper though on Thursday when we travel to Beverly.  That is a very, very tough place to play for us."

 

With the win Danvers improved it's record to 10-2-2 on the season.