By Jim Lederman
The 2009 Powder Puff game between Winthrop and Saugus was one of the most exciting games ever played at legendary Miller Field. The Lady Vikings defeated Saugus 38-32 in overtime.
Laura Beranger’s three-yard run was the winning score. The key defensive plays in overtime were made by cornerback Marielle Petrilli on third down and fourth down at the one-yard line.
“In all my years of coaching, it was one of the most competitive and exciting games I’ve been involved with. The intensity and focus of both teams was astonishing and the execution of our offense and defense was the same,†said coach Al Petrilli.
Jenny Fucillo opened the scoring for Winthrop on a 25-yard pass from quarterback Abbey Belcher. Jenny scored the next touchdown on a seven-yard run. Laura Beranger scored on a two-yard run.
With 1:44 in regulation Abbey Belcher scored on a 75-yard “wrong ball†play that stunned the large crowd. Saugus scored with 18 seconds to play to knot the score at 32. Beranger rushed for two extra points, Fucillo one and Taylor Rich added a two-point conversion on a pass from Belcher.
Belcher complete 10 for 16 for 80 yards and rushed six times for 125 yards. Fucillo carried ten times for 85 yards. Beranger had 48 yards on seven carries and had three receptions for 16 yards.
Lindsay Barker rushed six times for 32 yards. Amanda Brogna rushed two times for 20 yards. Taylor Rich had 4 receptions for 32 yards.
Members of the victorious Vikings: Nicole Anzuoni, Lindsay Barker, Abbey Belcher, Laura Beranger, Genevieve Bona, Amanda Brogna, Carol Bruce, Ashley Coffey, Daniela Daniels, Stephanie Delehanty, Sarah Dutra, Lauren Howard, Jenny Fucillo, Shauna Gallo, Sarah Nicks, Elaine Lanza, Andrea Lessard, Abigail Lloyd, Lauren MacMullen, Melissa MacNeil, Rachel Mailhoit, Daria Millerick, Deanna Moore, Nykolette Moulaison, Abbey Muise, Jessica Nappi, Courtney Nolan, Melissa Page, Angela Pettee, Marielle Petrilli, Taylor Rich, Brittany Shamhart, Bianca Simonetti, Lauren Sousa, Amanda Tallent, Kaleena Thompson, Tara Vaccaro, Kayla Wright and Taylor Zapulla.
David Tallent, Robert Noonan and Robert DeMarco were the assistant coaches.