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Despite the return of Nicole Stevens to competition on all four apparatus, North Andover started a string of three straight challenging gymnastics meets with a close loss to unbeaten Danvers. Stevens won three events and the all-around for the Knights in the setback.

North Andover's defense stood out in a 0-0 boys soccer tie with Danvers. Connor Beaudreau, Dan Connelly, Zach Karelis,  Dennis Graef and Eric Rieidel all played well for the Knights (10-2-3).

Central Catholic girls soccer avenged the only loss of its 2010 state championship season, beating Danvers 4-1. Alex Riddle had a goal and an assist to lead the Raiders.

North Reading beat Danvers 3-2 in 11 innings. The Hornets scored in the top of the seventh as Lynn Giddings reached on a lead-off dropped third strike and eventually scored on an overthrow. Merri Moise singled in Dana Amirault with the winner in the 11th. Terri Ferrazzani fanned 13 and didn't walk a batter in a complete-game six-hitter.

Looked upon to fill a scorer's role this season, Ben Brock stepped up with a five-point effort in Georgetown's 10-8 defeat of Danvers. "After playing a different position last year, Ben was chomping at the bit to show what he can do," head coach Matt Bouchard said. "He's done a nice job at that position."

Goalie Bridget Kitchen has been working hard on her passing game and it paid off on a rainy day in Danvers, helping North Andover prevail, 15-5. "Bridget ignited our transition game with her clears," head coach Karen Leahy said. "She's working on it a lot and (yesterday) was her best game. Half of our goals were off fast breaks." Erika Zahoruiko and Caitlin Enright aided the Knights' speed game with strong passing and Shelby Boudreau stood out with five points and savvy pass interceptions.

Riding a "great team effort" according to head coach Wayne Puglisi, Andover opened its season with 15-3 over Danvers. Connor Gaffney and Matt McIver had four goals apiece for the Golden Warriors.

Evan Boudreau fired a pass to Evan Dudney, who beat the goalie one-on-one with 4:40 left in the game to give North Andover a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Danvers.

WEST NEWBURY — Pentucket athletic director Dan Thornton was busy texting yesterday afternoon, less than a minute into the Sachems’ home game against Danvers.

“Sean’s (Brennan) dad called me before the game and said to tell him if Sean did anything,” said Thornton. “He went to Villanova to visit Sean’s older brother, Michael.”