In a late drama, Marblehead meets Peabody

PEABODY – Soccer is a game where it doesn’t matter how many shots, corners or chances you create unless you put the ball in the net.

Under the lights at Veterans Memorial Stadium Tuesday night, Marblehead’s girls team, which had 36 shots on goal, needed a last-minute penalty to tie Peabody at 1-1.

In stoppage time, it looked as if Peabody – with a one-goal lead – would hold the lead. The Magicians held the ball in the Peabody penalty area and the Tanners were unable to clear the ball. From there, Marblehead’s Lucy McDonald was fouled in the penalty area and the referees blew their whistle, indicating a penalty.

Callie Gilmore, Marblehead’s leading scorer this season, stepped up to take the free kick and scored with her left side to tie the game.

“It’s unfortunate to concede a penalty so late in the game,” Peabody coach Andrew Douglass said. “I’m just proud of the way the team defended and played today.”

Marblehead coach Lisa Wales was pleased with a draw but remained frustrated with her team relying on a penalty kick.

“We had 36 shots on goal and there was a PK in the last two minutes of the game. That’s exactly what happened to Peabody the last time we played her. Credit to Peabody because they did what they had to do defensively to keep us out,” Wales said. “I’m just frustrated that we haven’t been able to put it away. I’m proud of the girls for not giving up and at least finding a way to get a draw in the end.”

One reason Marblehead struggled to score: Peabody’s standout goalkeeper Alessandra Forgione.

“She’s great. I know that when a team shoots, I can look at the bench or talk to my coaches because I know they will save the ball. “I was lucky enough to always have a great goalkeeper during my four years here and Alessandra had to wait for her chance and she took it,” Douglass said. “When the ball is in the air she is very athletic and I know the ball always sticks to her hands. The few rebounds she does give up are never in a dangerous area. She’s an all-around great goalie.”

Wales also praised opposing goalkeeper Forgione, adding that she made several “nice saves”. She was also proud of her two underclassmen, McDonald and Gilmore, for their performances during the crucial time.

“Both are tough, tough players. Ice water flows in her veins. There is absolutely no end to them,” Wales said. “I’m so glad they’re on our team.”

Peabody’s goal came on a long-range shot from Connie Patturelli, whose shot floated just above the outstretched arms of Marblehead’s Hailey Gilmore.

“Connie is basically my quarterback out there. On offense we expect her to find the right pass or make the difference in a game like today. “Today she stole the ball and finished great,” Douglass said. “She’s constantly running from box to box. She’s not a real defender, but she can do it because she’s smart and knows where she needs to be at all times.”

Peabody defended well as a team, but Ally Bettencourt – who played multiple positions – held her own against Douglass.

“It’s a Swiss army knife for us. She has been a defender for the last three years, but this season we had problems keeping the ball up at times. We made the decision to promote her to striker because she is strong and offers us an outlet. She scored the game-winning goal against Danvers because of her ability to hold the ball,” Douglass said. “She’s very selfless because when we score she looks at me to see if she’s going to go back on defense and try to keep the lead. I have the utmost confidence in her because she is probably one of the best defenders in our league.”

Settling for a draw, Wales know what their team needs to work on as they prepare for another Northeastern Conference opponent in Gloucester (Monday, 7:15 p.m.).

“We are a very skilled team and sometimes when we move the ball we try to block it in the middle and sometimes we move it too sideways. “We need to pay more attention to the connections,” she said. “Sometimes you just have to get there. We will continue to work on our finishing and execution.”

Peabody welcomes Swampscott on Monday at 6 p.m.