Marblehead Indoor Soccer - Where skill is the thrill

Jan. 20 th... U-14 HEADERS vs. Beverly Wolfpack.... W 5-2

The Headers displayed their best team soccer of the indoor season on Jan 20th, in one of the more physical games of the winter. Cassie R continued her great play as the goalie for the headers. An early great save and outlet pass led to a quick break initiated by Sarah Katz who laid a perfect ball to send Rebecca U on a breakaway and she beat the Beverly keeper for the first tally. Marblehead held the lead through the next several minutes with strong defensive play from Molly Sue M, Carly C, Maggie H, Kendall B and Fay H. The Headers also kept constant pressure on the Beverly net with crisp, patient passing from Meghan S, Kiley F and Meghan C. Eventually Marblehead was able to extend their lead to 2-0 after Sarah K converted a rebound off a Kiley F shot. Beverly was able to keep it close with a deflected shot with 10 seconds remaining in the half to make it 2-1.

But Marblehead did not let the goal bother them and came right out in the second half and kept up the pressure. Sarah K in the midfield did an outstanding job feeding the forwards for multiple shots and one of those shots by Meghan S went wide but Rebecca U was able to put the rebound home for the 3rd goal. Rebecca U was able to complete the hat-trick when she bent a shot from the corner around the keeper after being set up by great ball movement across the box by Fay H and Meghan S. Kendall B replaced Cassie Rogers for the last10 minutes of the second half but not before she set up the final goal by getting the ball to Rebecca U who made the cross which Kiley F hammered home. The last 8 minutes of the game had Marblehead commit a couple hard fouls and were forced to play a man down for a total of 4 minutes but the girls kept their composure and only allowed one goal during the penalty minutes to seal the win.

Jan. 27 th... U-14 HEADERS vs. Freedom L 3-4

The U14 Headers played a tough Swampscott team on 1/27 to a tense, tight finish and almost were able to pull off a comeback but fell just short. In the first half Marblehead came out a little sluggish and had a couple defensive lapses that resulted in two Swampscott goals but Marblehead started to gain some momentum late in the half by finally moving the ball with Meghan S, Rebecca U. Kendall B. and Kiley F moving the ball effectively and created a few chances. Also the Marblehead defense became much more stout with great performances by Molly Sue M. Faye H. and Maggie H. Sydney C., called up from the U12 ranks also put in a great effort and gave the team energy at the end of the half. Of course, Cassie R. was again stellar in goal going the entire game.

In the second half, Swampscott scored and early goal to make it 3-0 and finally Marblehead got to work with Meghan S. putting home a tough wall pass from Kendall B. who was able to win the ball off a Sarah K. shot that just went wide to make it 3-1. Unfortunately, Swampscott got another one through to make it 4-1 but Marblehead would not quit and Meghan S. put home another one off a nice feed from Kendall B. . Meghan made it a hat trick and got the Headers within 1 with about 7 minutes left when she put home a good cross from Rebecca U.; after she was able to win the ball in the corner. The last 7 minutes had Marblehead controlling play with some really good chances created by Fay H, Meghan C, Maggie H and Molly Sue M but the Headers were unable to get the tying score.

Feb. 3rd... U-14 HEADERS vs. BYE (No Game)

Feb. 10th... U-14 HEADERS vs. Aztec U-12... L

Feb. 17th... U-14 HEADERS vs. Aztec U-13... L 1-5

Feb. 24th... U-14 HEADERS vs. Salem... W

Mar. 2nd... U-14 HEADERS vs. Lynnfield... Tie 3 - 3

The U-14 headers played Lynnfield on March 2nd and came out of the blocks playing with a lot of poise and confidence in the first half controlling the ball and playing as a unit at every facet of the game outplaying their opponents the entire 1st half. Kendall B was able to put the Headers ahead 6 minutes into the game after she put home a shot that was set up by patient and creative combination play of Carly Cohen and Kiley Fisher along the boards. Megan S. made it 2-0 Headers when she showed a lot of skill putting in a volley rebound of a Sarah Katz shot that was set up by strong work in the corner by Kendall B. Despite very good defensive play by Maggie H., Molly Sue M., Carly C. and Fay H. Lynnfield was able to make it 2-1 but soon after this goal and just before the half, Rebecca U. put the Headers up by 2 again when she took a great pass from Meghan S. and was able to place a left footed shot past the keeper.

The second half saw Rebecca U. give a strong performance in goal and despite continued aggressive play, Strong play of Meggie C., Meghan S. and Cassie R. produced chances but no goals. This would prove to be the difference as Lynnfield was able to score 2 goals to tie the score at three. In the last 6 minutes Marblehead again narrowly missed with a hit crossbar and a couple shots just wide but were unable to get the winning goal and the game ended in a 3-3 tie. It should also be noted that Lucia C.who has been out due to injury was there early in the morning to cheer her teammates on, setting a great example for her teammates. Next week Marblehead takes on a tough Swampscott squad.

Mar. 9 th... U-14 HEADERS vs. Bev.Wolfpack ... W 2-0

The U14 Headers combined patient ball control on offense with a stifling defense to defeat Beverly 2-0. Cassie R. went the whole way in goal and recorded the shutout. In the first half, Marblehead was able to generate a lot of scoring opportunities with patient and timely passing but were unable to finish firing a lot of shots off frame. Maggie H., Molly Sue M .and Carly C. continued to shine on the defensive side of the ball, limiting Beverly to only a few chances while the Marblehead offense continued to control the game. Finally with about 4 minutes left in the half, Kendall B. received a fine feed from Cassie R. and placed the ball into the box for Meggie C. who put the Headers up 1-0.

In the second half, Marblehead continued their control of the game and scored another goal shortly after the start of the half when Kiley F. and Rececca U. assisted a fine goal by Sarah K. . Although there would be no more goals, the Headers continued to control the game with outanding ball control multiple near misses by Megan S., Kendall B., Sarah K. and Meggie C. and the game ended 2-0 Headers. A thank you to Mary K. and Abbey B. who also helped out in the win. The Headers finish their regular season of indoor next week.

Mar. 16 th... U-14 HEADERS vs. Freedom ... W 4-2

In the final regular season game, the Marblehead U14 Headers were able to overcome a very talented and physical Swampscott squad. With Cassie R. again proving the anchor in goal, the Headers spent much of the first half in control of the play with excellent team defense and hustle to maintain possession and had most of the offensive opportunities. The defense of Maggie Hermann, Molly Sue M., Carly C., Faye H. and Lucia C. (was great having her back on the field) really did not allow any significant scoring chances the entire half. The game remained scoreless for the first 18 minutes as the Swampscott keeper made some nice saves. Finally Marblehead went in front with a goal that was set up by great hustle in the corner by Fay Haley who crossed the ball to Meggie C., her shot was stopped by the keeper but Kiley F. put home the rebound for goal #1. Goal #2 came only 4 minutes later when Maggie Herrmann scored on a penalty kick from the 18 line on an absolute bomb that the keeper just could not handle and the half finished with Marblehead up 2-0.

In the second half, the Headers continued their confident play and Maggie Hermann again was involved on the third goal, She hit a penalty kick off the crossbar and Sarah Katz was in perfect position to put home the goal after the rebound caused a scrum in front of the Swampscott goal to put Marblehead up 3-0. In the middle of the second half, the Headers lost a little focus and appeared tired, giving up 2 goals to make the game close. However the last 5 minutes of the game, Marblehead was able to pull things together and showed they were the better team that day. With the score 3-2 and Swampscott playing hard the headers needed an insurance goal.. Good ball movement by KileyF. and Rebecca U. got the ball to Luica C... Lucia placed a perfect, " at the feet pass" to Kendall B. on the left side.. Butler carried the ball cross field, past two defenders and then on a nice turning shot from the right side, blasted the ball to the top left of the box past the disarmed Swampscott Keeper for the 4-2 win. The Headers are hoping this momentum will carry into the tournament in 2 weeks.

Final

The U14 Headers lost a tough game to Lynnfield in the first round of the second session playoffs 2-0. For the first 10 minutes of the game, the Headers controlled most of the play and had some great chances that they just could not put home. Cassie Rogers was again stellar in goal and was able to keep Lynnfield off the board until with about 16 minutes left Lynnfield was able to capitalize on some disorganization in front of the Marblehead net to go ahead 1-0. The Headers fought through the whole game but were just unable to get a shot through on goal and with the Marblehead Defense pressing forward for the tying goal, Lynnfield scored the clincher with about 3 minutes left. It was a tough end to a great season where the whole team all improved and team play dominantly throughout. Congratulations to all members of the team: Carly Cohen, Maggie Hermann, Lucia Chalek, Fay Haley, Molly Sue Magrane, Kendall Butler, Rebecca Unterborn, Kiley Fisher, Sarah Katz, Meggie Collins, Cassie Rogers and Megan Stanojev. They all worked hard thie year.