English, Classical girls soccer teams get scoreless tie

LYNN – The final game of the NEC season is always a barnburner. Classical and English met in the season-ending game at Manning Field. The girls were playing for pride and the championship of the City of Lynn. The game ended in a 0-0 tie.Click here to see a photo gallery from the game.The girls game was preceded by Senior Day, and both coaches, Ed McNeil of English and Marcy Durgin of Classical, presented flowers and gifts to their seniors, who will be leaving the program this year.As this was the last game of the year, played in front of a good crowd of parents and friends, both teams played exceptionally well. Both teams have much in common. Neither has a JV team and both have quite a few promising underclassmen. The Classical back five, with Sochitta Men in the net and deep defenders Kelly Devaney, Jillian Adams, co-captain Danielle Jesoraldo and Christine Francois, held the English attackers from any strong attacks for the entire game. English, in turn, was just as stingy in its end. Keeper Brittany Goulet had her usual good game. The four deep defenders for English also had another excellent game. Cara Crowley, Maura Coyle, Maura Beaulieu and sweeper Shawna Henry stifled any Ram attacks on the English net.The first half went end-to-end as each team tried to get the advantage of the first goal. The half ended with no score.The second half was just like the first. Both coaches substituted freely during the second half.The closest that either team came to a goal was in the waning minutes of the game. Classical was whistled for a hand ball just outside the area. English senior striker Ashley Keighly took the shot from about twenty-two yards away. It missed high and right. The game ended moments later. Both coaches mentioned the play and leadership of their captains during the season. Durgin had high praise for freshman striker Jennie Erekson and sophomore defender Christine Francois. McNeil had praise for Ashley Keighly, Shannon Kidney and Shawna Henry.