Sachems, Fishermen Draw 2-2

A late equalizer by Saugus meant heartache for the Fishermen who must now go 2-0-1 in the final three games to make the state tournament.

Pressure from the Sachems' strikers created a one goal lead in the first half when a back pass to the Fishermen goalkeeper led to a blocked clearance which found the corner of the goal. Gloucester's best chance to equalize came on Ben Hannah's run into the left channel. Hannah's run was spotted and the inch-perfect pass put him in on goal. His shot from fifteen yards was saved by the Sachems' goalkeeper who had come out smartly to cut down the angle.

The Fishermen erased the one goal halftime deficit when Chris Peritore finished a long diagonal pass from Ignacio Farjas. The Fishermen were able to carve out several more chances before a strong left-footed cross from Kyle Hurd took a deflection to Anthony LaRocca lurking at the back post.

Gaps in the Fishermen defense appeared immediately from the opening kickoff as the Sachems, looking for the equalizer, carved out a chance to equalize that was snuffed out by Farjas and Gloucester goalkeeper Chase Kelly.

The Fishermen switched from a 3-5-2 to a more conventional 4-4-2 for the final ten minutes. Despite the adjustment Saugus was able to stretch the Fishermen out of shape in the final third before an overlapping midfielder pounced on a half chance along the top of the penalty box, resulting in agony for the Fishermen, who surged forward but were unable to find a go-ahead goal in the dying minutes of the game.

The tie brings the Fishermen's record to 5-7-3 with matches against Winthrop, Swampscott, and Danvers yet to be played.

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The Fishermen JV took their record to .500 (6-6-2) with a 3-1 victory over the Sachems who had beaten them 4-3 at Magnolia Woods earlier in the year.