RallyNorth.net

Tue, May 20, 2008 04:00 PM @ Beverly

Team	Final
Salem (MA)	4
Beverly	6

Dwyer, defense lead Beverly past Salem

Tuesday, May, 20 By Jean DePlacido
Correspondent

BEVERLY | A hot goaltender can be a great weapon | and yesterday Breezy Dwyer was just that for the Beverly High girls lacrosse team.

Dwyer came up big on countless occasions as the Panthers rode the senior's terrific play in goal to win this defensive battle against Salem, 6-4, on Senior Day at Hurd Stadium.

After jumping out to a quick start, Beverly had to count on Dwyer to protect its two-goal lead down the stretch under tremendous pressure. By doing so, she helped her team gain a measure of revenge against a Salem team that had beaten them (8-6) in their first meeting.

With the victory, Beverly moved into a tie for second place with the Witches at 5-3 in league play, trailing only league-leading Marblehead.

"We wanted to come out quickly and win the draws," said Panther coach Alyson Healey, her team now 12-4 overall. "Our plan was to be smart in both the offensive and defensive ends and make good passes.

Dwyer, who finished with 10 saves, said it was a complete team effort that won this game for the Panthers.

"We really wanted to prove we could beat Salem," said Dwyer. "We worked together as a team, and the whole defense did a great job. Our defense is the reason we won, and everybody contributed."

"Everybody had to step up to win this game | and that's what happened. This was a complete team effort."

Beverly controlled play for most of the first half, and was especially dominant in the first nine minutes of play.

Three minutes in, Erin Bushey put her team on top after taking a perfect pass from Panther teammate Jess Shaw. A minute later, Alyssa Accomando picked up a loose ball in front of Salem goalie Emily Carnacchio and flipped it into the net.

Bushey sent Mary Accomando in for the Panthers third unanswered goal at the 9-minute mark, and Salem (7-5 overall) head coach Rene Novoa called a timeout to settle his players down.

"We came out flat, and they were playing so strong," said Novoa. "Beverly passed the ball so well, and they were winning ground balls. In the second half we played much better and were able to hold possession, but there's no question this game was won in that first half."

Beverly increased its lead to 4-0 with 11 minutes left before intermission when Kate Williams found a wide open Rachel Konaxis, who fired a shot into the back of the net.

But Salem clawed its way back on goals by Kristin Wyche and Lauren Schaejbe on a free possession, sandwiched in between Mary Accomando's second goal of the game. At halftime the visitors trailed, 5-2.

It was a different story in the second half, when Beverly only scored once. That goal came on a free position shot by Shaw with three minutes gone. After that it was all Salem, but Dwyer made some spectacular stops to halt the rally.

Jamie Hanson and Julia Gauthier scored to bring the Witches within two, but despite dominating play they couldn't get anything else past Dwyer.

"Breezy has been coming up big in the big games all season," said Healey. "She certainly did again today, and our defense was strong in front of her."

Salem's Gauthier went down the middle, but was denied with four minutes left. Hanson then fired a shot that hit the crossbar a minute later. Lauren Deluca's bid in the final minutes was turned aside by Panther defender Courtney Robinson before it got to Dwyer.