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As debuts go, well, Randy Moss' first game with the Patriots received more publicity. But Fred Tarbox's first game coaching the Haverhill High School girls soccer team was certainly memorable.

Playing highly touted Central Catholic at Haverhill Stadium, the Hillies defeated the Raiders 2-1 in Tarbox's Haverhill High coaching debut. The win was Haverhill High's first over Central Catholic in girls soccer this decade. Jami Styrczula, the 2006 Merrimack Valley Conference Small School Division Player of the Year, netted both Haverhill High goals. Goalie Christina Gould came up big in net as she made 12 saves to preserve the victory for the Brown and Gold.

2006 record: 3-11-2, didn't qualify for state tournament

Returning starters (3): Meghan Hefferan, Sr., forward; Briana Guerin, Sr., goalie; Emily Maranto, Sr., defense

Returning lettermen: Shannon Keating, Jr., forward; Michelle Pham, Jr., defense; Colleen Whalen, Sr., forward

HAVERHILL | Sophomore quarterback Marcos Almeida made the most of his opportunity for Malden last night in a 20-6 season-opening victory over Haverhill.

Pressed into duty when star junior QB Justin Richardson was hit with a one-game suspension, Almeida threw two touchdown passes and scored on a brilliant 45-yard scramble on what was supposed to be a pass play.

Haverhill blanked North Andover, 4-0, to advance to the title game of the Andover/North Andover Tourney, on Sunday. The Hillies got goals from Alex Sindoni and Charlie Roche and will meet Andover 3-1 winners over Pentucket at North Andover (7 p.m.).

Jami Styrczula scored two goals as Haverhill defeated Central Catholic 2-1 in head coach Fred Tarbox's debut.

The Hillies, who Central has dominated in recent years, prevailed against the Raiders for the first time this decade. Haverhill (1-0) went up 2-0 before the Raiders (0-1) got on the board when Central's Kelley Mikus finished off a pass from Megan Jowett on a corner kick.

2006 record: 4-7

Returning starters (12): Peter Byron, Sr., QB, 5-8, 175; Troy Warcewicz, Sr., RB/LB, 5-10, 200; Dan Saunders, Sr., LB, 6-0, 200; Dan Triplett, Jr., DL, 6-0, 220; Nick Vazquez, Jr., RB/DB, 5-9, 170; Kenny Perkins, Sr., WR/DB, 5-9, 165; Isiah Ocasio-Pantoja, Jr., DB, 6-0, 175; Joe Natale, Jr., WR/LB, 6-0, 190; Justin Cook, Sr., WR, 6-1, 170; Brian Paszko, Sr., OL, 5-10, 220; Tim Wallace, Sr., OL, 6-1, 250; Miguel Rosario, Sr., OL/DL, 5-10, 230

2006 record: 14-3-2, Lost in Division 1 North quarterfinals

Returning starters (7): Charlie Roche, Jr., defense; Alex Sindoni, Sr., midfield; Zach Greene, Jr., defense; Alex Hussein, Jr., midfield; Steve Lesiczka, Sr., forward; Ryan McLeod, Jr., midfield; Will Menter, Jr., midfield

2006 record: 5-9-3, didn't make tourney

Returning starters (7): Casey Anderson, Soph., forward; Brittany Lewis, Jr., defense; Alyssa Mahoney, Sr., defense; Molly Moran, Sr., defense; Bailey Strangman, Sr., defense; Jami Styrczula, Sr., midfield; Theresa Whittredge, Sr., defense

HAVERHILL | Haverhill High quarterback Peter Byron and ace receivers Andy Powell and Peter Early found out again last night that first-year coach Tim Briggs is a man of his word. "He told us in the summer that we'd be passing the ball if we had the chance," said Early. "So all three of us worked out together three days a week, after lifting, to get ready."

HAVERHILL | Andover nose guard Joel Israel didn't want to take much credit for the Golden Warriors' crushing 37-14 defeat of previously unbeaten Haverhill before more than 1,600 fans at Haverhill Stadium last night, but head coach Ken Maglio knew better.