Girls soccer: Tech wins first game of the season

It took 17 games, and a lot of experimentation, but the Lynn Tech girls soccer team finally registered its first victory of the season.
The Tigers (1-15-2) “caught a break” and scored on a penalty kick Tuesday at Manning Field to beat Chelsea, 1-0.
“We’ve been trying different groups up top,” said Tech coach Jeremy McKeen, explaining that forward play has been an issue this season. “We have a strong defense, but we just haven’t found forwards who have been as aggressive as they were today.”
That changed with Belinda Miranda and Brenda Guevara were moved to the front. Neither scored, but both applied enough pressure on the Red Devils so that eventually, the Tigers were awarded the penalty kick. Makayla Handley converted, booting the ball past Chelsea’s keeper.
That was with about four minutes left, McKeen said. From there, the clock clicked down slowly.
“It seemed like an eternity,” McKeen said.
Coral Gonzalez was immense in the net, McKeen said, making 12 “great saves.”
“We dominated for most of the game, and had tons of chances,” McKeen said. “Finally, we caught a break.”
Salem 5, Classical 1
At Manning Field, the Rams (5-10-1) Jenn Ierardi scored early in the first half but it went downhill from there for Classical. Deema Hiljeh had a pair of goals for the Witches (10-5-1). Sydney Hanford, Hannah Van De Stadt and Nicole Sadoway also scored with Sydney Rocheville dishing out two assists.
Marblehead 5, Danvers 2
At Dr. Deering Stadium in Danvers, the Magicians (11-1-3) clinched at least a share of the NEC South crown as Olivia Eddy had a hat trick to pace the offense. Mia Bongiorno and Meg McCarthy also had goals.
Swampscott 3, Saugus 0
At Swampscott, the Big Blue (13-3-1) stayed smack in the middle of a dogfight for the top spot in the Northeastern Conference South with the win. Sarah Hingston scored the first goal in the first half off a cross from Jaymie Caponigro. The Big Blue added two more on goals by Meaghan Hartmann (Caponigro assist) and Emma Wright (Hartmann assist). Sam Rizzo (6 saves) notched the shutout.
Swampscott plays Marblehead Thursday and Central Catholic, Monday, to wrap up the regular season. If the Magicians win or tie, they win the conference title outright. The Sachems (5-10-2) got solid games from Caitlin Williamson, Ali Kotowski and Danielle Strangie.
Peabody 1, Beverly 1
At Coley Lee Field, the Tanners (14-1-2, 14-0-1 NEC North) clinched another conference title as Caroline Colbert scored off a Katherine Scacchi throw in to provide the Peabody offense.
Defenders Sarah Godschall, Macayla Lachance and Scacchi all had great games for the Tanners. Peabody has one game left in the regular season against Revere.
?I can?t be more proud of my seniors and this young group I have,” Peabody coach Dennis Desroches said. “They continue to improve and perform beyond their years.”
English 0, Revere 0
At Revere, the Bulldogs had the potential game-winning goal called back on an off-side. Coach Ed McNeil said Taegon Nelson, Cynthia DeLeon and Emma Trahant all played well.
The Bulldogs are 3-13-2. The ?Dogs play Classical Thursday at Manning Field.