Peabody boys soccer clinches a tourney berth with 2-0 win over English

PEABODY – The number seven is the magic number for coach Kerry King and the Lynn English boys soccer team. Going into last night’s game the Bulldogs had six games to play and needed seven points to qualify for the state tournament.King said, “We must play some strong teams, but I feel that we can pull it out.”Before his team’s game against English yesterday, coach Stan McKeen of Peabody had two numbers to think about: Eight and one.McKeen said, “Due to postponements, we still have eight games to play; three this week, four next week and one on Nov. 3, the last day to make up games. The one is the number of wins we need to qualify for the tourney.”Peabody got its wish as it bested English 2-0 in a very physical game with few fouls being called. These two teams are well schooled in the basics of soccer by their respective coaches. The foot skills and passing were outstanding as was the defensive play at both ends. The two keepers were super in their nets. Jason Ryan, the Peabody keeper, leads the Northeastern Conference in goals-against average. He has allowed one goal per game over the 10 games played so far. Bulldog keeper Daniel Cordoba was equal to Ryan. The first half was played with no scoring.The second half started as the first ended, with constant end line to end line rushes. The pressure put on the English defenders by striker Matthew Rodgers and midfielder Luke Finkelstein of the Tanners was met by the back four defenders of English, Eric Bransfield, Chamosoke Ntamubahga, Chukuma Halewahu and George Herrera. The English attack was centered around Jefferson Fobellah and freshman Leonel Awokang.The game was decided in the last 17 minutes. In the 63rd minute, Matthew Rodgers took a crossing pass from Kyle McGlone at the top of the arc, reversed direction and put a 15-yard rocket over the shoulder of English keeper Cordoba. This made the score Peabody 1, English 0.In the 74th minute, the referee called a trip on English and awarded a penalty shot to Peabody. The shot was taken and saved by Cordoba. He also dove and saved the rebound shot. With time running out, English pressed the Peabody defenders, trying to tie up the game. However, the Tanners got a partial breakaway. The Peabody striker was taken down in the area for the second penalty shot in three minutes. The shot was taken by Rodgers, a senior captain, and he did not miss, which made the score 2-0. The game ended moments later. Both coaches praised both teams for their play.McKeen said, “Now we are in; next (goal) is to win the league.”King said, “We have to work to earn the points we need. We still think we can do it.”