Peabody Girls' Soccer Poised to Make History Tonight

It’s within reach – the first ever state title for girls’ soccer and the first state title for athletics in the past 18 years (Super Bowl 1993). And to add some more perspective, 1985 was the last time a girls’ team at PVMHS played for and won a state ring.

It would seem long overdue.

The undefeated Lady Tanners’ soccer club is headed to Worcester tonight to face off with East Longmeadow for the Division I Championship. After recording a hot season at 16-0-2, the Peabody girls blazed their way through the playoffs to a – another first – and then on Tuesday to end up in the State Final.

Peabody (21-0-2) is ranked No. 10 in the nation, according to the latest poll from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

East Longmeadow, the Division I West Champion, is no slouch either, amassing an 18-2-1 record and knocking off No. 20 ranked Nashoba on Tuesday in the state semi-final.

Tonight’s game will be played at Worcester State University, 486 Chandler St., Worcester, at 7:30 p.m.

If you plan to go, here are some things to know.

• Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for students.
• The official fan bus departs PVMHS at 4:45 p.m., shortly after the girls’ team itself leaves for Worcester.
• If you’re driving on your own, here are some directions courtesy of WSU Athletics: Take Route 128 South to the Mass. Turnpike (I-90 West). From I-90 West, take Exit 10 (Auburn) to Route 290 East. From 290 East, take Exit 17 (Route 9). Turn left onto Route 9 West, which will turn into Highland Street at bottom of the hill. Proceed up the hill onto Highland Street and stay in the right hand lane. Stay on Highland Street for 1-1/2 miles (past Elm Park and Doherty High School on the left). At the rotary, bear left onto June Street. At the second traffic light, turn right onto May Street. The main entrance to the university will be three blocks up on your left.

And one last thing: here’s the starting lineup, as reported by the Salem News: