Field Hockey: Defense key for second tie between Saugus, Marblehead

A defensive battle was on display in Saugus on Thursday as Marblehead tied the Sachems 1-1 for the second time this year.There was no score at the end of the first half as both teams’ defenses dominated. Four minutes into the second half, Saugus’s Courtney McTague scored, assisted by Katelyn DeSimone, for a 1-0 lead. With 10 minutes left in the game, Marblehead’s Maika Strogoff scored to tie the game 1-1. The last 10 minutes would remain scoreless.Playing well for Marblehead on offense were Blake Bernier and Caroline McCarthy. Playing well on defense were Hannah Wolf and Julia Isenberg. Keeper Kayla Casale had seven saves.Saugus coach Barbara Guarente was pleased with her team’s effort.”I felt that my team dominated most of the game,” Guarente said.Saugus (10-3-2) plays Swampscott Monday.Swampscott 2, Danvers 0At Swampscott, Danvers’ Avery Pecci led the way. Pecci scored both of her team’s goals. Also playing well were Krista Cahill and Katia Huuskonen. Danvers coach Barbara Damon was happy with the win.”This was a really good win for our team. We have been struggling to score; it was good (that) we had 14 shots,” Damon said.Playing well for Swampscott were midfielders Taylor Maccario, Alexa Steriti and Kaitlyn Englehardt.Swampscott is now 7-5-3.Fenwick 4, Malden 1At Malden, Liz Fields netted a hat trick and Lauren McHugh dished out three assists to lead the Crusaders (12-4-1). Erin Botticelli had the other Fenwick goal.Peabody 3, Everett 0At Peabody, Peabody’s Brianna Buckley led the way. Buckley had two goals, one in the first half and the other in the second half. Kate Teixeira scored the final goal. Keeper Brittney Costa had 10 saves and recorded her 11th shutout of the season. Playing well on defense were Kate Manzi, Morgan Yeo and Kim Lupo. Playing well on the offensive side were Elisha Melville and Kerry O’Shea. Peabody is now 10-1-4.Beverly 1, Gloucester 0At Gloucester, Gloucester had chances to score but would come up empty. Beverly scored early in the first half for a 1-0 lead. That lone goal was too much for Gloucester to overcome. Gloucester coach Kim Patience was encouraged by her team’s performance.”We lost 4-1 against Beverly the first time around. We hung around all game and had opportunities to score; we just couldn’t find the net,” Patience said. Gloucester keeper Hannah Berga had 10 saves. Andy-James Phinney played well at right halfback. Gloucester is now 6-8-1.