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Salem goaltender Michael Collins was on top of his game yesterday, making a number of spectcular stops to blank Revere and lead the Witches to a 1-0 win.

"He made some amazing, diving saves," said Salem coach Mike D'Agostino. "They had a rocket of a blast to the top right corner and he made a great save."

Josh Boyce scored on a penalty kick and later in the second half set up Mike Pennachio for the winning goal as Peabody (12-1) won its seventh in a row by fighting off Salem, 2-1, at Salem's Bertram Field.

The Witches (8-2-1 overall, 8-1-1 in league play) haven't won the NEC boys soccer crown in over 20 years, but remain one of the favorites to do so this year after yesterday's 3-1 win over Danvers.

Steve Bifsha scored a pair of goals for the winners while sophomore Nuur Mahamed added his first varsity goal.

GLOUCESTER | Yesterday's soccer match between Gloucester and Salem pitted two of the top teams in the Northeastern Conference and was expected to be one of the closer games of the season.

But this one was over early.

PEABODY | If you don't shoot the ball on net, you won't win. Throughout yesterday's game, Salem High boys soccer coach Mike D'Agostino repeatedly urged his Witches to shoot the ball on goal. But the stellar defense turned in by host Peabody High did not allow for many scoring chances. As a result, Salem suffered its first loss of the season, a 2-0 setback to the Tanners in their first matchup as Northeastern Conference rivals.

Ibreham Oyewole is at least 5-foot-11, a slim 175 pounds and gets teased all the time about his physical makeover.

"He was pretty chubby (198 lbs.) last year. We get on him about it all the time," said Salem High soccer teammate Lorjan Koragjozi.

Salem's new boys coach, Mike D'Agostino, is assured of one phone call each night. It'll be from his predessor, Rene Novoa, who will want to know what's going on with the Witches. Novoa's now the Malden Catholic coach, but obviously his heart is still with Salem. That is, until Salem and MC meet at the end of the regular season for the first time.

Last year's record: 6-7-5

Coach: Mike D'Agostino (1st season)

Returning players: Mike Larsen, Sr., Mid.; Alejandro Alvarez, Sr., Mid; Mike Steeves, Jr., F; Max Mondestin, Jr., F; Brad Duhaine, Jr., Def; Chris Alas, Sr., Mid; Alex Vargas, Jr., F; Jeff Iwanicki, Jr., Def.; Mike Shea, So., Def.; Andy Cavanaugh, So., Def; Aparicio Smart, Sr., Def; Ibrahum Oyewole, Sr., Def.