Danvers girls soccer defeats Bishop Fenwick 2-1

PEABODY – In a game that could have major implications during the tournament in November, Bishop Fenwick, undefeated so far in the Catholic Central Large, played host to the undefeated Danvers Falcons, a perennial power in the NEC. Danvers won, 2-1.The game was played on the new turf that was just installed behind the school. The field is identical to Manning Field in Lynn with the exception of seating capacity. Manning Field will hold 5,000 more seats upon completion.Fenwick’s Karen Guillemette, in her second year as head coach, brings a quick, experienced team to the game. She said, “We played very well in our two wins so far. We beat Marian and Austin Prep.”Danvers coach Jim Hinchion keeps producing league champions just about every year. He is good to go this year. He said, before last night’s game, “We only have played one game, a win over Swampscott. We have 15 seniors on a team of 25 players. Caraline Moholland, our all-league keeper, will be out for another week with an injured foot. Kasey Kellard will fill in at keeper.”The crowd of 300 fans watched both teams fly up and down the field. It was a perfect night for soccer, a cool crisp September evening.At the 20-minute mark, Fenwick’s blazing speed finally paid off when freshman Kristin Verrette broke through the Danvers defenders from 30 yards out and pulled the trigger as she entered the penalty area and beat the keeper low to the left corner. This put Fenwick in the lead, 1-0.Danvers started to turn up the pressure, but Fenwick sophomore Jillian Dean made three saves that were labeled for the back of the net. As the half came to a close, Fenwick held on to a 1-0 lead.The second half started with the same energy as the first. Fenwick was pushing for the clinching goal and Danvers for the equalizer. Three minutes after the second half started, Danvers freshman Brittany Russo fed the pass to an unmarked Ashley Sullivan, who was camped fifteen yards from the net, and she put it behind Dean to tie the score at 1-1. Neither team let up and the intensity was fierce. At the sixty-two minute mark, Danvers had a corner kick from the right side. Russo took the kick and found Casey King alone just inside of the area. She one-timed the ball into the top corner to make the score Danvers 2, Fenwick 1.Fenwick had one golden opportunity left when a Crusader striker broke in alone from 40 yards out. She elected to shoot as she crossed into the area. Her shot went high and wide. Danvers held on until the game reached full time.Hinchion said, “It was the changes we made at halftime to contain their speed and open up some lanes for us.”Guillemette was disappointed in the final score, but said, “I was happy with the way we played against Danvers. This will help us prepare for our league games.”