PEABODY — Two of the better teams in the Northeastern Conference faced off Tuesday night with both teams leaving the turf with a point. Swampscott (10-2-1) and the Tanners (5-2-5) battled to a 2-2 draw at Peabody High.
Peabody started the game on its front foot. Four minutes in, midfield maestro Anthony Forte put the hosts on the scoreboard, tucking home a loose ball (1-0).
The game was all about speed, which was how Swampscott equalized.
Max Arredondo of the Big Blue played an over-the-top pass to striker Lucas Bereaud who won the foot race with the Peabody defense before calmly finishing the attack (1-1).
With 19:30 left in the first half, the Tanners showed their speed. This time, Hugo Coutinho played a through ball to Abu Kaba, who ran onto the ball and gave the goalie no chance with the shot to snatch the lead back, 2-1.
Swampscott coach Adam Bailey said he made some halftime adjustments to try and counter the Tanners, but found it difficult because of how fast Peabody was.
“We did a few things to get a little more aggressive in the second half, and then made some adjustments the other way when we got that second goal,” he said. “That’s what we tried to do, but I was impressed with the team speed from Peabody. There’s not many teams that have kept up with Lucas and Jack like that.”
In the second half, both teams applied pressure to each other’s shot-stoppers, both of whom recorded more than 10 saves: Charlie Ulberg (Swampscott); Dylan Flanagan (Peabody).
“He (Ulberg) had an excellent game, and it’s funny because the coach for Peabody was very complimentary of our goalie,” Bailey said. “I think last year, Peabody beat us 10-3 at home, so he was really impressed with the stride Charlie has made from last year to this year. Charlie has worked really hard in the offseason.”
Tanners’ coach Stan McKeen praised Flanagan for his performance.
“I can’t blame Dylan for either goal. He made some great saves,” McKeen said. “He’s had a good season for us.”
Unfortunately for the Tanners, a cross from Jack Raymond led to an own goal with 21:02 remaining (2-2).
“The two goals they got were just, unfortunately, two mistakes, but they played really well,” McKeen said.
McKeen was happy with his team’s performance, but disappointed in its finishing ability.
“We moved the ball extremely well, but we couldn’t finish,” McKeen said. “We played a good game. I know the guys are very disappointed, but Swampscott is 10-2. They’re not a bad team.”
The short turnaround after Monday’s game against Winthrop was a challenge, according to Bailey.
“Having a back-to-back and trying to keep guys fresh, trying to recover, and having to move some guys around to give them breaks was the big challenge today,” he said. “That Peabody team is strong from top to bottom,” Bailey said. “So, for us to come back and get the result that we got is impressive. I’m proud of the guys.”
The Tanners are back home Thursday against Marblehead, while the Big Blue travel to Salem Friday for a game against the Witches.
