DANVERS — If there was a motto for this year’s Marblehead High girls soccer team, it might ‘Full Speed Ahead.’
The Magicians were running on all cylinders and playing at top velocity Wednesday night under the lights at Dr. Deering Stadium, where they got by host Danvers, 4-1. In doing so, they sweep the season series from their rivals and remain very much alive in the chase for the Northeastern Conference Dunn title.
Marblehead used its incredible ability to turn touch passes into long runs to score both of the game’s second half goals and pull away for its tenth win in 13 contests (now 10-1-2 overall).
“We like to play possession soccer,” said Magicians coach Lisa Wales, highlighting the works of Callie Gilmore, Lucy McDonald, Lucy Church and Courtney Hitscherich, among others. “Those girls pass the ball really well and helped us control the midfield.
Senior Liv Carlson had a goal and an assist in the first half. Her quick cross set up Hitscherich’s opening goal in the sixth minute of play. Carlson then booted in a beautiful, long and arching shot from about 20 yards away on the far side to break a 1-1 tie in the 31st.
The Falcons (8-5-1) couldn’t manufacture much in the way of offense in the second half as they chased a goal. Captain Addi McCarty did hit the football crossbar on a free kick from 40 yards away, which was probably Danvers’ best scoring chance of the final 40 minutes.
Marblehead keeper Hailey Gilmore made seven total saves.
“They had us on our heels for most of the night,” said longtime Falcons assistant coach Shawn Hills. “Marblehead is just so fast … and they possess the ball very well.”
Callie Gilmore scored both second half goals, the first coming just seven minutes after intermission on a long stretch pass. The second came with just two minutes to play and was set up by senior Ashley Mortenson’s initial shot, which was saved by Danvers’ Taylor Landry but left a rebound.
Netting four goals against a team as strong as Danvers was a welcome sign for Marblehead, which hadn’t played in a week and is keen on improving its No. 17 ranking in the Division 2 power rankings.
“Last time out we only won by one goal and with these power rankings, anytime you can win by three that’s huge. Especially against a really good team like Danvers,” Wales said. “The way the system is: you have to play all 80 minutes. It was a very important game for us.”
It was also crucial for the Magicians in terms of keeping pace with Masconomet for the NEC Dunn title. The Chieftains (12-2 overall, 10-1 NEC) have a two-point lead over Marblehead (7-1-2 NEC) but the Magicians have a game in hand and the teams meet next Wednesday at Piper Field.
Hailey Gilmore made six saves for Marblehead and the backline, paced by Ainsley McDonald, was excellent.
Danvers freshman Rylee Sullivan impressed Wales with her speed up the right side on the wing, and she scored the game-tying goal for the hosts in the first half when Emma Sutherland’s pass sent her in with a clean look at the net.
Senior Ashley Freitas was also outstanding for Danvers (“She plays the entire game and she battles, doing all the things that don’t show on the scoresheet,” Hills said) and Lila Flynn also had a solid game for the Falcons.