The Swampscott Big Blue (4-2-2) defeated the Marblehead Magicians (3-8-1) on Wednesday at Blocksidge Field, 5-0.
A versatile attack and defensive layers led the Big Blue to victory while the Magicians failed to create possession offensively.
Neither team established a set offense through the first five minutes, but Swampscott was effective in the midfield with its stick-checking and ability to track down loose balls.
With two minutes remaining in the first quarter, Swampscott’s Sawyer Grouthuis raced down the left sideline past three Magicians, but her shot hit the side of the net. Grouthuis used her speed effectively from the start.
The score was 0-0 after the first quarter.
Marblehead struggled to find space in the offensive zone, often getting its passes tipped and shots blocked. Despite being dominated in time of possession, the Magicians’ defenders intercepted passes and communicated to keep trouble away from Marblehead goalkeeper Maggie Beauchesne.
“They have great leadership, a lot of older kids out there,” Swampscott Head Coach Courtney Russo said.
Senior Olivia Baran scored with 3:20 remaining in the second quarter to give Swampscott the lead, 1-0. At the 15-yard line, she winded back to rip a shot through traffic and into the bottom portion of the net.
“We just had to get our composure back,” Baran said. “Connect passes, work together, talk as much as we can, and just work together to get the ball down the field.”
Sophia Ciccotti scored with three seconds left in the second quarter to put the Big Blue ahead, 2-0. Ciccotti found space in front of the net to deflect a Coco Clopton shot past Beauchesne. The halftime score favored Swampscott, 2-0.
At the 12:27 mark of the third quarter, senior Brooke Waters scored on a deflection from Baran to extend Swampscott’s lead to 3-0. Waters planted herself to the left of the net before tipping the ball past Beauchesne.
Two minutes later, Grouthuis increased Swampscott’s lead to 4-0 – connecting on a one-timer in the slot through a swarm of Magicians.
Marblehead slowed its pacing and connected short passes to stop the Swampscott run. The third quarter ended with Swampscott ahead, 4-0.
The Magicians racked up steals in the fourth quarter and improved their positioning around the net. The action remained in the Swampscott end, however.
Grouthuis scored her second goal through traffic with 42 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. The final score favored the Big Blue, 5-0.
Prior to the game, and through a tunnel of Big Blue players, seniors Baran and Waters were recognized for their time and passion given to Swampscott field hockey.
“We were freshmen watching these senior ceremonies and it’s crazy that the four years just flew by like that,” Waters said.
Swampscott returns to action on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at Masconomet Regional High School to take on the Chieftains at 4 p.m.
