The Peabody boys soccer team battled back and forth all game long with Northeastern Conference foe Danvers Monday evening, eventually battling to a 1-1 draw on Senior Night at Coley Lee Field.
Kyle Joyce scored the lone goal for Peabody on an assist from Bjorn Shurdha.
Prior to the game, the Tanners honored their group of 12 seniors — captain Nick Sablone, captain Bjorn Shurdha, Joe Swanton, Johnny D’Alleva, Jabez Marte, Daniel Norman, Tyler Surman, Pedro Vieira, Nicholos Cerqueira, Cairo Dalifour, Harrison Fisher and Ramon Falcao — for their contributions to the program over the past four years.
As for the game, it was back-and-forth from the beginning. While both teams had their chances in the early going, neither team was able to find the back of the net for much of the first quarter. But, with just over one minute to play in the first, Shurdha found a bit of daylight in the offense zone and slipped a quick pass through the defense to Joyce, who was running down the left side. Joyce took the ball as far as he could before reaching the end line, then he sent a tough angle shot that found its way between the Danvers goalkeeper and the left post to give Peabody a 1-0 lead.
The lead remained there until more than midway through the third quarter, when Danvers was finally able to strike back. After an accidental header in the Peabody defensive zone, Danvers was awarded a free kick. Chance Prouty was chosen to take the kick, and he slipped one past Swanton to tie the game at 1-1.
Both sides made runs at the net over the final 25 minutes of play, but neither could find the back of the net and the game ended in a draw.
Peabody (5-1-1) hosts Marblehead Friday (4) back at Coley Lee Field for its season finale.
