ITEM PHOTO BY KATIE MORRISON
The Peabody boys lacrosse team celebrates its seventh straight Bob Danish Cup victory.
By ANNE MARIE TOBIN
PEABODY — When it comes to high school lacrosse in the city, there is nothing sweeter than the Bob Danish Cup, the annual cross-town rivalry game between Peabody High and Bishop Fenwick.
While the boys’ teams have been battling each other for bragging rights since 2011, this year the girls teams joined the party Saturday at Fenwick’s Donaldson Field for a day-night doubleheader.
The Peabody girls team opened with an 11-4 win, while the boys completed the sweep with a 9-5 win in the nightcap — their seventh straight title since the inaugural game in 2011.
For both schools, the game is more than just a game; it’s the game, the one both schools have circled on their calendars months before the game is finally played.
“Our guys were amped from the beginning, we could see that on the bus and feel that they were excited,” said coach Anthony O’Donnell. “It was a great game to watch, Fenwick certainly brought their best, they hustled from beginning to end.”
Peabody goalie Jake DeStefano received the Tanners’ Most Valuable Player award. He made 22 saves, most of them from point-blank range. Fenwick senior middie John Cataldo (2 goals) received the Crusaders’ MVP award.
DeStefano’s efforts overshadowed an outstanding performance on the part of Stephen Ell, who scored five goals and assisted on two others. Connor McCarron had a goal and three assists, while Mason Zeuli, Colby Therrien and Tim January also scored. For Fenwick, Brian Harrington, Zach Talbot and Derek DelVecchio scored.
Colleen Crotty and Lauren Wolff led the Tanners girls with three goals each, while Chloe Gizzi and Olivia Kiricoples had two goals and Kirsten Bradley had one.
Colbi Flickinger led the Crusaders with two goals, while Brigid Waldron and Fran Carpinella also scored.
Wolff summed up the sentiment of the day.
“It was an honor to play for Bob Danish today,” she said. “He has been a true mentor and supporter of lacrosse in Peabody more than anyone else, so to be able to play and win the first Danish Cup is very special.”