Peabody soccer had its ups and downs throughout the course of the season. For the boys team, it failed to qualify for the state tournament, while the girls team lost a close game, 2-1, against Brockton in the playoffs.
“It was a very disappointing season. It’s the first time in 10 years that we have not made the tournament, so it was disappointing,” said boys coach Stan McKeen. “We struggled putting the ball in the net and that’s what it comes down to. We only scored 23 goals and we were shut out six times, but they were all close games and, unfortunately, we just couldn’t get over the hump offensively.”
On the girls’ side, which was spearheaded by coach Andrew Douglass, the Tanners fought until the very end and turned losses into draws.
“I thought the season was much improved from last year. This year, there were a lot of ties which, last year, ended up as a lot of 1-0 losses, so we were able to finish out games a little bit better and put the ball in the net a little bit more,” Douglass said. “Overall, we were much more organized.”
Both teams had individuals who stepped up and showed their exemplary abilities.
“All my captains were great, but Kacper Kowalczyk was our leading point-getter with seven goals and seven assists. We only scored 23 goals for the year and he had a good chunk of them, so he was probably the most positive offensively,” McKeen said. “Defensively, I would say Derek Collins was just outstanding for us all year long. He consistently did a great job out there, playing almost every minute of every game and he did a great job.”
For Douglass, his squad was built from the defense, with the likes of Alessandra Forgione in the net and Madi Barrett as a key defender. Connie Patturelli and Brooke Lomasney patrolled the midfield. Ally Bettencourt played as a striker, but filled in as a defender when needed.
“My goalkeeper, Alessandra Forgione, was outstanding and she kept us in so many games that could have gone one way or another keeping the ball out of the net. Connie Patturelli and Ally Bettencourt were two of my offensive powerhouses that did a great job,” Douglass said. “Madi Barrett who is one of my defenders who is excellent as well and Brooke Lomasney, who does every single role that I ask her to do perfectly, is just a great team player.”
For McKeen and the boys team, the state tournament was within reaching distance, but it failed to get over the line.
“It’s just frustrating. We needed four points to qualify for the tournament in the last five games and we just could not get over the hump. Near the end of the season, we ended up with a 2-2 tie with Swampscott in a game we should have won and we couldn’t close it out. In the latter part of the game, they tied it. It was a game we should’ve won and it did not sit well with any of us,” McKeen said.
For the 5-7-7 girls team, they had plenty of noteworthy moments to reflect on.
“There were a few highlights, when we tied Danvers the second time we played them it was 1-1. Our goalkeeper saved a late penalty shot a couple minutes after we tied the game up, which was amazing,” Douglass said. “We came back after being down 1-0 against Beverly the second time, which felt really good to get that result and we had a freshman (Gabby Gosselin) who scored that winning goal, which really helped us qualify for the tournament.”
Win or lose, both coaches hope their players can take something positive out of the season, especially the departing seniors.
“I really hope they were able to take away the ability to focus on something that you love and do it to the best of your ability and they have learned how to train, trust each other, and certainly some life lessons along the way outside of the athletic world,” Douglass said.
“I hope the seniors take away something positive from this in that you’re not always going to be able to win and in life, you are going to run into disappointment and obviously this year was disappointing for them,” McKeen said. “Hopefully, they learned from this and matured from this and it will help them beyond high school.”
