There's nothing like beginning the regular season with a contest that delivers a tournament-type atmosphere.
That's exactly what the Danvers High girls soccer team got yesterday afternoon against Northeastern Conference rival Swampscott. Scoreless for 75 minutes, the Falcons got a late goal from sophomore forward Brittany Russo to take a 1-0 triumph over the Big Blue in their season opener.
"It was a tremendous game both ways," Danvers head coach Jimmy Hinchion said. "A couple of plays, had they (resulted in goals), could have completely swung the complexion of the game."
Russo's goal came on a pass from senior midfielder Liz Burgess. Senior Kasey Kellard made three saves to earn the shutout in goal, including a breakaway stop early on. Sophomore center midfielder Becky Landers and sophomore defenders Kellie Macdonald and Gabby Vega also had big games for the winners.
Swampscott (0-1) got a terrific game in goal from senior keeper Tara Nimkar, who stopped 15 shots. Sophomore defender Lisa Gambale came in off the bench and played a strong game as well.
Salem 2, Lynn English 0
Freshman Emma Titus had seven saves to earn the shutout for the Witches (1-1). Freshman Holbrook Phelan and senior captain Melissa Ryan had goals in each half from Salem, with senior captain Monique Gallant and junior Ashley Maccario assisting on the two goals, respectively.
Marblehead 1, Saugus 0
Freshman Lindsey Cohen had the game's only goal, assisted by junior Elizabeth Miller, seven minutes into the second half to give the Magicians an opening game win. Goalkeeper Sophie Cohen, Lindsey's older sister, had seven saves for the shutout. Gabrielle Carrick, another freshman, played well defensively.
BOYS SOCCER
Peabody 3, Beverly 0
Senior captain Dominic Mondi had a pair of first half goals and fellow captain Jared Shields scored once and assisted on another as the Tanners rolled in their opener. Andrew Goldstone and Greg Doonan both contributed assists in the win, allowing junior goalkeeper Jason Ryan (3 saves) to earn the victory.
Salem 4, Lynn English 2
Sophomore Edwin Demoya had a pair of goals, including a first half penalty kick, as the Witches doubled up on English in their season opener. Stephen Bifsha and Dimitri Flessas added second half strikes for Salem, which also got assists from freshman Mike Collins and captains Michael Steeves and Max Mondestin. Sweeper Brad Duhaine, also a captain, starred defensively.
Marblehead 5, Saugus 2
Five different scorers hit the back the back of the twine for the Magicians in their season opener, who led 3-0 at the half and 5-0 in the second stanza before emptying out their bench. Sophomore Billy Graves, juniors Dillon Erving, Ellery Smith and Matt Frankel and sophomores Oliver Kim all had goals for the winners, while Pat Song, Nick Belesis, Mike Brenan, Jess Lipkind and Erving all had assists. Starting goalkeeper Kurt Grossman didn't allow a goal in 70 minutes of play.
Swampscott 6, Danvers 2
Chris Nenshati had a hat trick while his brother, Rocky added a single strike as the visiting Big Blue won their opener last night at Danvers. Junior Kyle Taylor added a pair of goals in the win.
FIELD HOCKEY
Masconomet 2, Amesbury 1
Junior Sydney Godett had a goal and an assist as the Chieftains improved to 2-0. Lara Thibedeau also scored while Brittany Fraser had an assist. Heather Fraser also had a strong game at midfield for Masco.
Rockport 2, H-W 1
Junior Lauren St. Pierre had the Generals' lone goal in their season opener. Katherine Moroney earned the assist on the score.
GOLF
Masconomet 25, Salem 47
Senior captain Mike Pollack-Twomey and freshman Alex Kane both shot 1-under 34s to win their matches for the Chieftains (2-0). Pollack-Twomey prevailed, 7-2, as did Kane, 8 1/2 to 1/2, after birdieing the last two holes. Other winners included Jim Dixon (6-3), Dan Swimm (6-3), Zach Ciampa (5-4), Gabe Dunn (6-3) and Tanner McCarty (7-2).
Senior Wesley Koen was the lone winner for Salem (0-2), shooting 2-under par 33 to prevail, 7 1/2 to 1 1/2.
VOLLEYBALL
Lynnfield 3, H-W 1
Alex Nawoichik finished with 15 kills while Kathryn Craig had 10 in the Generals' 16-25, 21-25, 25-20, 23-25 defeat. Sarah Vivenzio added 23 assists for H-W.
North Reading 3, Peabody 1
The Tanners dropped their opener, 25-15, 25-10, 25-19 despite a fine game from junior middle hitter Janelle Rodriguez, who had six blocks and three kills. Senior captain and setter Mackenzie Carpenter also had a fine two-way game, while junior outside hitter Danielle Pierce came off the bench to provide a spark for Peabody.
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
Endicott 3, Emmanuel 0
Steph Wiese had 10 kills and two aces as the Gulls advanced to today's semifinals of their own Endicott Invitational by rolling past Emmanuel, 25-13, 25-15, 25-22. Brittany Phillips and Hayley Janelle each added nine kills.
