PEABODY — Marblehead’s field hockey team was taken down by Peabody, 2-1, at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium in a closely-contested match from the get-go.
But the visiting Magicians struck first, thanks to a goal from Gabby Hendy with 6:02 remaining in the first half. Hendy was in the right place at the right time and her stick redirected the ball right into the cage.
“She’s doing really well at the wing position, being able to get herself to the ball and sprint onto it,” said Marblehead coach Mia Maccario. “She’s very fast and does a very good job of positioning herself to take it in stride.”
The lead didn’t last long. Peabody equalized less than two minutes later with a goal from Daniella White.
“We always believe that the first two minutes after a goal is the most dangerous time,” said Peabody coach Jillian Tobin. “That’s when everyone is amped up and ready to go. The other team is more amped up because they want to score again and we’re amped up because we just got scored on. Our team was able to answer their goal with a goal – that felt really nice today.”
The Northeastern Conference foes settled for 1-1 first half, and it wasn’t until the start of the fourth quarter when Peabody found its equalizer. A goal from Elizabeth Moore, assisted by Mia Omondi, was good for the game-winner.
Tobin praised Moore for strong positioning.
“She was where she was supposed to be and had her stick down. I’ve been yelling about stick down, as has every coach, about keeping sticks down and it’s one of those things we’re always working on,” Tobin said. “She was in her position – in her spot with her stick down – and that’s what makes the difference.”
It’s hard to think the Tanners would’ve won without goalie Sophia Kassis, who registered 15 saves – eight of which came in the first quarter.
“She carries her weight and our defensive unit works with her and trusts her,” Tobin said. “We made a defensive save, too. When you have a team that supports their goalie and also makes saves, it makes Sophia’s job a bit easier.”
Despite the loss, Maccario was proud of what she saw from her players, a few of whom flirted with new roles.
“I put a lot of players in new positions today. I was trying to see what works and what doesn’t. I’m actually really proud of them. They stepped up in new positions and worked well together,” she said. “We’re just trying to find a way to put the ball in the back of the net. There are a lot of games in which I feel the score doesn’t reflect how we’re playing. Once we figure that out, I think we’ll be good.”
Peabody found success early on with senior captain Amelia DiBattista utilizing her speed to get past the opposition.
“Speedy Gonzalez right there. She’s so quick and works so hard. She trains all offseason and is extremely committed,” Tobin said. “She’s trying to play in college and is in the recruiting process. Amelia is quick, eager, and hungry. That’s how she plays every game.”
Luckily for Marblehead, it had a speedster on defense in Bridget Moss, who stopped multiple counterattacks.
“I’m really proud of Bridget and how she’s doing back there. She’s doing a great job with her block-tackles and bringing the ball up when she needs to,” Maccario said. “She always has her stick down and is ready to go. I’m very proud of how she’s playing.”
Maccario also praised one of her utility players in Carolyn Black.
“Carolyn Black has played midfield, center forward, and today, she played halfback,” Maccario said. “She plays really well and she can be one of those players on the field who you can put her anywhere and she’ll excel at it.”
