Salem Beats Back Boys' Soccer Team

's boys’ varsity soccer team took the field against Salem Monday afternoon fresh off an exciting win over Manchester, looking to have a strong finish to a rough 2011 season.

Unfortunately it was more of the same for the Magicians, who ended up losing 5-0, and falling to 1-11-2 on the season.

Marblehead and Salem came out pretty even during the first five minutes Monday afternoon, both teams trying to establish themselves at midfield and get quality scoring chances.

“We played all right, we just didn’t bring our A game today,” Marblehead coach Darren Benedick said. “We played well to start, sagged a bit and played a very good second half, but we were in a deep hole by then.”

With goalie Chris Pederson still on the sidelines after suffering a concussion, Koby Michaels got the start for Marblehead, and turned away several good chances by Salem before the Witches (10-2-2) broke through on the scoreboard.

Robert Abreau was in alone on Michaels at 23:05 and he slid one along the grass inside the far post to give Salem the lead.

Marblehead had a chance to tie the game on a direct kick from the right wing by Mike Brenan three minutes after Abreau scored, but Salem goalie Daniel Collins dove to his right and smothered the shot.

With 9:20 left in the first half, Salem went up by two on a nice set play off a throw in. Esosa Okunmwendia threw the ball in to Xavier Polanco who chipped it in front to Alex Corvajal. Corvajal took two steps and banged it home.

Three minutes later Salem moved up 3-0 on a goal by Brion Likaj. The senior co-captain headed in a nice crossing pass from Connor Duncan.

“We don’t get down when we’re behind,” Benedick said. “I’ve got great senior leadership from my captains (Danny Plunkett, Mike Brenan and Pederson),” Benedick said. “I have confidence that the guys will not quit.”

Marblehad pressed on, and Brenan had a chance to get the Headers on the board after the third Salem goal, but his quick shot from the center was deflected aside by Collins.

Salem made it 4-0 with five seconds left in the first half, on a goal that would be tough on a team no matter when it was scored. 

Salem’s Jake Theriault booted the ball from near midfield towards the Magicians goal to run out the clock in the first half, but the bouncing ball struck a Marblehead leg and rolled in the net for the fourth goal of the game for the visitors.

Marblehead shook the late goal off and came out strong in the second half.

“I tip my cap to Marblehead, really, that late goal could have killed them, but they really played well in the second half,” Salem coach Michael Collins said. “They always play us tough, there are no easy games in the Northeastern Conference.”

Gabriel Rodriguez scored the fifth Salem goal with 23 minutes left in the game.

Salem sweeps the season series, winning 3-1 in Salem on September 28. Josh Beloff scored the lone goal for Marblehead. The junior midfielder leads the team with six goals on the season.

The Magicians head to Beverly Wednesday afternoon to take on the Panthers at 4 p.m.