Falcons' Golf, Boys Soccer Teams Have Depth, Experience

Four Northeastern Conference All-Stars – including senior co-captain George Merry, the reigning Player of the Year – lead the Danvers High golf team in defense of its NEC championship this fall. The Falcons finished 10-0-1 in league play a year ago (14-4-1 overall) and placed sixth in the Division 3 North Sectional.

Senior co-captain Colin Delaney and juniors Colby Sedlier and Dan McKenna will look to build off their all-star seasons of a year ago. Seniors Paul D’Orlando, Matt Bay and Kevin Daly and sophomore Trenton King add depth to this veteran squad.

“We definitely have experience but that doesn’t always translate to wins. We hope to be competitive -- there are so many strong teams in the league we just hope to compete on any given day,” said veteran coach Jeff Avigian (11 years, 112-38-5 record). The Falcons’ difficult non-league slate features matches against defending Division 1 State Champion St. John’s Prep (twice) as well as dates with Winchester, Triton and Wakefield.

The Falcons opened the season Tuesday at home against Marblehead, along with Beverly one of the two teams Avigian ranked as the class of the league. Danvers took on Peabody yesterday in advance of non-league home tests against Triton and Wakefield next Monday and Tuesday.

BOYS SOCCER coach Mike Chase will stress discipline as the Falcons chase their primary goal of qualifying for post-season play. Danvers shared the league championship with Peabody last season but was excluded from the tournament for having exceeded the season limit for yellow and red cards.

“We’re looking to rebuild our sense of tradition at DHS,” said Chase, in his second year as head coach. “Our first goal is to qualify for the tournament. Once we qualify, we then begin to focus on hanging NEC banners in the brand new gym.”

The Falcons will be led by co-captains and returning NEC All-Stars JD Hodgkins, a senior outside midfielder, and Eric Martin, a junior center midfielder.

“JD is a great leader and fantastic athlete who give 100 percent for the entire game. Eric ranked among the top seven players in the league last year as a sophomore and is one of the most talented players I’ve had the pleasure of coaching,” said Chase.

Other top returnees include senior NEC All-Star Ethan Collins, who transitions from defense to forward; senior John Wright, who slides into Collins’ old sweeper slot; and senior Jon Amico, a scoring threat at striker. Senior Brendan Murphy and sophomore Drew Larsen are competing for the starting nod in goal.

Senior Ethan Tye (MF), junior Drew Piazza and sophomores Matt Kidney (D) and Zack Noring (MF) figure to log extensive minutes. Senior Kyle Gabel and juniors Brian Trefry and Matt Hogan add quality depth.

Chase tabs Lynn English and Gloucester as two of the NEC's top sides. The Falcons kick off the season with three non-league tests, starting today at Lynnfield (4:30). Home dates against Everett and Masconomet follow before league play begins at home against Marblehead on Tuesday, Sept. 20.

Both CROSS-COUNTRY squads checked in with 4-3 league records last fall. Senior captains Brian Hebert (NEC all-star) and Patrick Walsh and senior Anthony Panciocco lead the boys. Senior Haley Dyer, a three-time NEC All-Star, and Perrin Krisko are the top returnees for the girls and sophomore Alison Barker shows promise.
 
“The boys have a lot of new runners who look like they have some talent so we should have a deeper team than we have had in recent years. For the girls, Haley has been one of the top three or four runners in the league for the last two years. The girls have some promising new runners but I’m worried about our depth. I think both teams are talented enough to challenge anyone in the league,” said coach John Norris.
 
The Falcons open the season at home against Winthrop on Tuesday, Sept. 13.

FIELD HOCKEY will shoot to improve upon 2010’s middle-of-the-pack showing and 10-8-1 overall record under the guidance of long-time coach Barbara Damon. Danvers opens the season Thursday at home with a non-league match against Everett, then begins league play next Monday at home against Marblehead.

Brian Hebert and Patrick Walsh pace a deep senior group for BOYS CROSS-COUNTRY. Senior Haley Dyer and junior Claudia Krisko are the top returnees for GIRLS CROSS-COUNTRY. The Falcons open the season at home against Winthrop on Tuesday, Sept. 13.