Every Team needs a season defining moment.  Tonight's game for the Danvers Varsity Girls Soccer Team at Marblehead was that moment.  The Falcons traveled to Marblehead Wednesday night for a late 7:00 start.  With temperatures in the 40's it certainly felt like a tournament game.  Danvers beat Marblehead a few weeks ago, 3-1 at Home.  That was one of Danvers best games of the season until tonight.

 

Danvers dictated the pace of the game right from the start.  Sophomore Emma Sutherland was flying from her left wing spot and giving the Magicians all kinds of trouble.  Freshman defender, Cassidy Randall also played fantastic on the left side of the field, slowing Marblehead's fastest attacker down.

 

"Right off the bat, you could tell that Emma and Cassidy were going to have amazing games.  They looked terrific together on the left side.  Emma was creating all kinds of opportunities for us in the attack and Cassidy was first to the ball over and over again throughout."

 

The Danvers defense in general played particularly stingy.  Danvers had spotted the opposition the lead in their past 4 games and it was mentioned pre-game that it would not happen anymore.  Freshman Maddie Hanas patrolled the right side of the field and fellow classmate Ali Doucette took care of the middle.  Junior center back Addi McCarty held the back line together well with good communication and aggressive play.  On the attacking side of the ball, seniors Georgia Prouty and Brooke Wynott delivered great passes to the forward line of Sutherland, and juniors, Lila Doucette and DeAnna Figueiredo throughout the half generating good scoring chances.  Freshman Kaia Glover also aided in the attack.  However, with several chances stopped by the Home Team, the game remained 0-0 at the half.

 

"We were playing very well, especially defensively.  Our back line was stepping up quickly to 50 / 50 balls and it enabled us to keep the ball in their end of the field.  We just needed to figure out how to get the ball into their net."

 

It only took 7 minutes in the second half.  The Falcons spent time at the prior day's practice working on a number of corner kick plays.  It was only fitting that the only goal of the game would come on a corner kick.  Georgia Prouty served the ball from the left side.  Her cross found the head of Addi McCarty who crushed it Home with her head for the awesome goal and eventual game winner.

 

"Addi's header goal was incredible.  She met it perfectly and what a great serve from Georgia."

 

With the assist, Prouty passed form Falcon Becky Landers for the all time assist leader of the program with 62.  The Falcons continued to pressure Marblehead throughout and just missed doubling the lead on a couple of occasions.  A low taken corner kick from Prouty found McCarty again but her smash of a shot went right off a defender standing on the goal line.  Later, Lila Doucette crushed an impressive shot off the Magician's goal frame.  Through all of the chances, Danvers continued to play strong defense.  Holding midfielder, junior Ashley Freitas was outstanding at stripping the Marblehead players of the ball in the midfield.  She played 80 tireless minutes of solid play.  Sabina Sturgeon came on and added aggressiveness to the attack playing some striker.  Danvers also got offensive sparks from senior, Gianna Sutherland and junior Claudia Drakos.  Junior Lila Flynn did well at both right and left back.  Senior goalkeeper and captain, Maddie Dembowski only had to make 6 saves on the day but she had several long clears with her feet on passes back from her teammates.

 

"We got a strong effort tonight from everyone.  You could feel the positive vibe before the game and throughout.  It was fun to watch.  The girls were on tonight and it was against a very good Marblehead Team.  It was great to see Georgia get the assist record.  To think she has set up 62 goals during 4 seasons is super impressive.  Addi really lead the way for us tonight.  Every strong play she made defensively, instantly became an offensive opportunity for us."

 

With the win, Danvers record improves to 11-2-3 on the year.  They'll next play Monday at Home vs. Andover.