The Marblehead High School varsity field hockey team has put on quite a show this season, jumping out to a 8-0-1 record, including a 7-0 drubbing of the Revere High girls to start off the 2010 campaign.

Their streak came to an abrupt end on Friday, though, as they suffered a 1-0 loss at the hands of the visiting Beverly Panthers.

"I feel that we played extremely well," said Marblehead head coach Linda Collins. "We were controlling the ball, but they got down the field a couple times and they were able to capitalize on one."

Junior wing Erin Silvestri scored the lone goal late in the first half and the Panthers (10-0-1) were able to hold off the Magicians in a hard-fought conference showdown.

Collins credits her team with being able to shut-off the NEC's leading goal scorer; Bryant University bound Corrine Woods, who is an aggressive player with an ice-hockey background.

"The girls played very strongly, and we were ready for this game," said Collins. "They worked hard this past week and we just need to finish in front of the net."

Midfielders Gretchen Rowe and Maika Phillips and center halfback Emily McMahon played great games for Marblehead.

The girls next challenge comes in the form of a road match against the Danvers Falcons on Tuesday, Oct. 12, followed by a contest in Malden against the Golden Tornados on Thursday, Oct. 14.

"[Playing on turf] will be a different kind of game but it will be a great game for the girls to have under their belts," said Collins. "When you play in the States it's on turf, so to have a game on a turf field is going to be great for us."

Collin continued, adding, "Turf will capitalize our speed, and we will be able to really use the finesse the girls have learned."