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Accomando's late goal sparks Beverly past Tanners

Alyson Healey, Beverly's rookie girls lacrosse coach, was the victim of some good natured kidding in school yesterday. She happens to teach freshman English at Peabody High and her Panthers were playing | who else? | Peabody.

"I got a little razzing, but it wasn't too bad. I just let it roll off," Healey said. Today, her fellow teachers may be avoiding her. Beverly, trailing 7-4 well into the second half, scored four unanswered goals in the fourth quarter and posted an exciting an 8-7 victory over NEC newcomer Peabody.

"The first half was even, and then we struggled some, but we took control after falling behind 7-4," Healey said after senior captain Alyssa Accomando came to the rescue and registered the winner with four minutes left, scooping up a loose ball inside the eight to dissolve a 7-7 tie.

Katie von Zweck cut inside the eight to set up Janie Cooper when Beverly (8-1) caught up to Peabody at 7-all with eight minutes left.

The win pulled Beverly within one win of MIAA state qualification.

Cooper had two goals and an assist, von Zweck collected a goal and three assists while Erin Bushey, Mary Accomando (Alyssa's sophomore sister) and Rachel Konaxis submitted single goals.

"This is typical of Alyssa. She's one of our go-to players," Healey said.

Peabody (5-3) got two goals from Caroline Connors and one each from Brittany Lefave, Kara Tassinari, Katie Hendrick, Jessica Leslie and Leanne Broughton.