Captain Carries Big Blue to Victory

Although just seven games into the season, Monday's Northeast Conference League matchup against Salem was a very important game for the Swampscott .

 The came into the game with a 2-4 record (2-1 in NEC) and faced the team most likely to block a third consecutive NEC South title, Salem 3-4 (1-1 in NEC).

 Swampscott got just what it needed from Senior Captain Sean Lannon. He poured in four goals as the Big Blue turned a 4-2 halftime deficit into a 7-5 win.

 Things did not look good early as Salem scored two quick goals in the first quarter. But with time running down, Jake McDougall fed Lannon for the goal to cut the lead in half at the end of the first quarter.

 Matt Gambale (two goals and an assist) continued his hot streak as he scored assisted by Michael Hamel to even the game at 2-2 with 5:25 left in the half.

But Salem scored a goal to retake the lead at the 3:46 mark. Swampscott couldn’t find a goal as they hit the post three times. With time winding down, Salem scored again with 42 seconds left for a 4-2 lead.

Tony Silva launched a length of the field pass to Sean Lannon for a last second shot that was stopped at the horn.

 Swampscott came out of the halftime break playing all-out.

Gambale cut the Salem lead to 4-3 2:50 into the 3rd quarter and then fed Lannon to tie the game a minute later.

After a Salem penalty, Chris Mason gave Swampscott its first lead assisted by Patrick Kennedy and the momentum had suddenly swung.  With 1:42 left in the quarter, Aidan Lang fed Sean Lannon to complete his hatrick and a 6-4 lead.

 Salem had numerous chances to get back in the game in the 4th quarter as they had a two-man advantage, but could not convert.

Lannon ended any hope for Salem with his fourth goal of the game with 5:41 left. Salem would score a late goal but the Big Blue held on for the win.

Swampscott goes on the road Thursday to play Peabody High School.