Girls’ soccer nearly pulls off playoff against #2 seed Marblehead
Published in the November 13, 2015 edition
HANNAH BUTLER had a first half goal that gave Melrose a 2-1 edge over No. 2 seed Marblehead last week in the D2 North playoffs, but Melrose fell, 3-2.
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE — It had all the makings of a classic upset, but for the Melrose High School girls’ varsity soccer team, two late direct kicks closed the door on a opening round playoff upset. No. 15 seed Melrose fell to the No. 2 Marblehead Magicians (16-2-1), 3-2, on Thursday, Nov. 5 during the Div. 2 North tournament held at Piper Field at Marblehead High, after two direct kicks sailed over the reach of Melrose goalie Shannon Jones in the waning minutes of the game, evaporating Melrose’s solid, 2-1 second half lead.
“It was a great effort, one of our best this season,” said head coach Bill DeSimone after the game. “We left everything on the field. We played even with a number 2 seed and there is so shame in that.”
Jones (10+ saves) had a tremendous game for Melrose, fending off numerous shots over the evening, until faced with the difficult task of warding off Marblehead freshman Rory Schauder, who was awarded the direct kicks after calls that had Melrose fans howling, including a few “hard tackles” whistles. According to DeSimone, a few were questionable. “You don’t very often see someone awarded four direct kicks in a 10 minute period, and that’s what happened. But I have to give the girl [Shauder] credit, those were great kicks.”
Of Jones, DeSimone noted her stellar play at the net. “Shannon played fantastic and she has played fantastic all year. What I liked about her performance was that she wasn’t just blocking shots, she read the game and became an extra defender. I’m proud of her.”
Marblehead dominated possession early in the game but it was Melrose on the board first when Aevary Smith found the net on a rebound shot past Marblehead goalie Lauren Unterborn, which gave Melrose a 1-0 early lead. Marblehead responded quickly, with Megan McCarthy hitting an unassisted shot to the right of Jones, tying the game up 1 apiece. Melrose defense held the Magicians scoreless thanks to some solid play from Haley Rodriguez and Keira Sixsmith. Before the half Melrose’s Shannon Butler made it a 2-1 game for the Lady Raiders when she crossed the field in quick transition and found the net. Jones (5 first half saves) made a stunning save with just seconds to go in the half, diving in air to prevent a McCarthy goal and Melrose held the lead 2-1 going into halftime.
According to DeSimone, the team strategized by watching tapes of Marblehead, drawing plays that increased the Magicians’ chances of being called offside. It worked, Marblehead was called on several in the first half, helping Melrose keep the edge.
Marblehead found their groove in the second half however but Jones and Anne Morrison helped eliminate any scoring threats, while Katie Baraw put pressure on Magician defense and entire line of Lady Raiders defended a penalty kick at 19:25. That was, of course, before officials awarded a series of direct kicks against Melrose, poised with their biggest upset in years. Marblehead was awarded their first kick from the 35 yard line at the 16:00 mark, and Schauder delivered the impressive shot over the fingers of Jones, leaping in the air. Nearly the exact play occurred again with 10 minutes left in the game, when Schauder lined up left around the 25 yard line and delivered a floater beyond the reach of Jones, once again airborne. It was a devastating turn of events for the Lady Raiders, who didn’t have a chance to recoup as the waning minutes drained from the clock.
While it was disappointing for the team, DeSimone couldn’t be prouder of how they played. “It would have been a fun bus ride home if we had won,” he quipped. “But we went out on our terms.”
Departing this year are seniors: capt. Katey Baraw, capt. Hayley Rodriguez, capt. Aevary Smith, capt. Olivia Smith, Emily Bertolaccini, Hannah Butler, Julia Foley, Michelle Henry, Jacqueline Pereira and Melissa Rushton. A number of juniors return including their incoming 2016 tri-captains Anne Morrison, Erin Reardon and Caroline McDermott.
Marblehead has advanced to play Woburn on Thursday in the Div. 2 North semifinals.
