Sports 01-14-2016

WHS sports roundup

Heartbreaker for

Lady Bulldog hockey

A goal by Beverly with 45 seconds to play broke a 0-0 deadlock and gave the Lady Panthers, the first-place team in the Northeast Hockey League, a 1-0 victory over the Winthrop Lady Bulldogs this past Saturday at the Endicott College rink.

Beverly entered the contest with a 4-0 mark in the NHL and were 6-1 overall, but for 44:15 of playing time, the Lady Bulldogs, who came into the fray with a 3-2 overall mark, dueled the Lady Panthers to a draw.

Winthrop goalie Gretchen Howard demonstrated why she is rated as one of the top goaltenders in the Mass. schoolgirl ranks as she turned aside more than 40 enemy shots before Beverly finally put one past her when the Lady Bulldogs had difficulty clearing the puck from their defensive zone.

“Gretchen turned in a performance for the ages,” said WHS head coach Anthony Martucci. “She stopped some breakaways and was solid throughout the game.”

Although Beverly enjoyed a wide margin in shots-on-goal, Martucci praised the play of his blue liners and his back-checking forward lines for their hard work in the defensive end of the ice.

The Lady Bulldogs had better success a few days earlier last Wednesday when they defeated Peabody, 2-1. An unassisted goal in the first period by Olivia Shkliew — on which Olivia stole the puck in the Peabody defensive end and then beat the Lady Tanner goalie to the far corner — and a second period lamplighter by Mia Price, assisted by Kelsey Griffiths, provided the offense for the Lady Bulldogs.

Peabody notched its lone tally midway through the third frame to make things interesting. Winthrop enjoyed a large margin in shots on goal, but was unable to finish many of those opportunities.

Martucci and his crew will host NHL foe Masconomet Regional Saturday at Larsen at 1:30. They will be off until the following Saturday when non-league archrival St. Mary’s of Lynn comes to town.

WHS boys hockey 

team splits two contests

The Winthrop High boys hockey team split its two contests this past week, dropping a 3-1 contest to Beverly last Wednesday, but edging Gloucester, 5-4, this past Saturday in a pair of road contests.

The loss to the Panthers at Endicott College’s Bourque Arena was a tough pill to swallow, inasmuch as Beverly scored two short-handed goals and added a third into an empty net. Brian Chalmers scored the lone Winthrop goal.

In the Gloucester contest at Dorothy Talbot Arena, the Vikings held a 5-2  advantage and then fended off a rally by the Fishermen. Dean Paulson scored his first varsity goal for Winthrop.

Coach Dale Dunbar and his crew, who stand at 5-3-1 on the season, were set to trek back to the Bourque Arena at Endicott College to face Danvers last night (Wednesday). They will host Peabody Saturday evening (6:30 face-off) at Larsen Rink and then travel to Lynn’s Connery Rink next Wednesday evening.

Track girls fall 

short by a point

The Winthrop High girls indoor track team fell short by just one point — 43-42 — in their recent meet with Gloucester.

A number of Lady Vikings turned in outstanding performances. Gianna Massa led a Winthrop sweep in the shotput with a first-place toss of 30’-4” and Holly Benson did likewise in the 600 dash with a clocking of 1:53.5. Emily McGovern sped to victory in the 300 dash in 48.2 seconds. The Winthrop 4 x 400 relay team scored five points with a finish of 4:37, four seconds faster than Gloucester’s quartet.

Second-place finishers for Winthrop were: MaryKate Poto with a shotput throw of 23’-5”; Haley Holden in the 600 in 2:05.6; Heidy Benson in the 1000 in 3:36.2; Camila Llovera-Miranda in the mile in 6:16.4; and Christina Leone in the two-mile in 13:56.

Lady Vikings who contributed single points to the Winthrop cause with third-place efforts were: Serena Page with a shotput throw of 23’-3”; Lilibeth Morales in the 55 hurdles in 10.9; Massa in the 55 dash in 8.4; Regina Garufo in the 300 in 49.0; Fiona MacPhail in the 600 in 2:07.1 (in which Fiona nosed out a Gloucester girl by just 0.3 of a second); Olivia Rago in the 1000 in 3:54.1; and Isabell Skomro in the mile in 7:18.3.

The Lady Vikings are scheduled to meet Swampscott today (Thursday).

McGrail wins shotput

in Gloucester meet

Andrew McGrail captured the shotput event to highlight the Winthrop High boys’ track team’s meet with Gloucester last week. Andrew’s toss of 34’-4” topped the field. Teammate Luigi Spinnazzola grabbed second place with a throw of 32’-2”.

Spencer Bosse took second place for the Vikings in the 1000 dash in a clocking of 3:33. Nicholas Beshere also added three points to the Winthrop cause for his second-place performance in the two-mile run in 11:51.

Adding third-place points for Winthrop were Taylor St. George in the 300 dash in 43.3; Brian Perrin in the 1000 in 3:40; and Will Holden in the mile in 5:16.7.

The Vikings will be back in action today (Thursday) against Swampcott.

Basketball

The Winthrop High boys basketball team dropped a 60-47 decision to Lynn Classical last Friday evening at the WHS gym.

Winthrop trailed throughout the contest, 21-13 after one period and 37-19 at the half, but made things interesting after the intermission with a third-quarter surge that sliced the Classical lead to under double digits, 47-39.

However, the Rams held off the Vikings in the final period to come away with the win.

Sophomore Devin Pulsifer Winthrop in the scoring department with 17 points. Devin also pulled down a team-high six rebounds (three off the offensive glass) and notably drew a pair of offensive fouls from hard-charging Ram opponents.

Chris Zuffante was next on the point parade for the Vikings with six points, followed by Dimonne Marshall with five, Jake LaFratta with four, Loran Shuka and Johnathan Van Dalinda with three each, and Harry Floyd with two.

The Vikings traveled to top-10 ranked Danvers Tuesday night and came out on the short end of a 70-37 decision.

Winthrop hosts Peabody tomorrow (Friday) and plays at Revere Tuesday.

From the Press Box

Around the NEC

By: Jim Lederman

What is the reason a new Blocksidge Field in Swampscott is not under construction? With a new Miller Field on the drawing board, Winthrop will have a magnificent new high school/middle school and a new Miller Field, a new Athletic Facility.

Saugus, Beverly and Swampscott, are the only football fields without lights! The new Endicott College Raymond Bourque, ice skating hockey rink is a big plus for a college that continues to grow in Beverly, home of the Gulls.

The Revere Patriot fans left the new $75 million dollar Harry Della Russo Stadium in shock on Thanksgiving! They were waiting for Revere to celebrate the new stadium with a big victory over the Vikings!

Coach Sean Driscoll and his coaching staff after a forfeit to Gloucester (uncalled for) proved how strong the Vikings football tradition and program is. Wait until 2016 for another championship contender!

The football breakup dinner is Sunday, Jan. 17, Winthrop Lodge of Elks at 1 p.m.

The success of the athletic programs at Marblehead high school can be attributed to the new Marblehead high school and the new Piper Field – football stadium. The new school with a beautiful field house and stadium, is the reason Marblehead high school enrollment increased almost 300 students with the new facilities 10 years ago!

Danvers high school built a new high school and is presently building a new football stadium, although Danvers has only won one football title in the NEC (Winthrop has 12-yes, twelve!). Their basketball program has won a couple of state titles recently! we can all look forward to our new WHS/middle school and with the support of the Winthrop community, a new Miller Field and track facility.

Let the Games Begin!

The Memorial Gym

I have been to the Memorial Gym to watch Viking basketball teams play nine games this season.

The Memorial Gym was built in 1955. I was there for the first game. I have many memories of playing in the Memorial Gym. My team did not lose a game in the new gym. Basketball was the number one sport at WHS in the 50’s-60’s and 70’s. What has happened to a winning tradition?

I see ex-WHS standouts like coach Jack MacDonald, coach Jim Nimblett, Tinker Conley and Howie Conley, return to a gym that was always filled to capacity and Winthrop teams loved winning championships and building the new “Viking Tradition” – Winthrop the basketball capitol of the North Shore” – What has happened to that proud winning tradition.

Coaches John P. Sheehan and Henry McCarthy developed championship teams with local player from Winthrop families. Peter Grimes and David Brown won state titles!

I spoke with ex-Viking hoop coach Dave Brown and we talked a bout his 2011 State Championship team. The Viking legacy and tradition – will it return? Winthrop the Home of Championship teams!

Forty Years

The 40th anniversary of the greatest hockey team in WHS Vikings history – the 1976 Division 1 undefeated (26-0-1) State Champs will celebrate their 40th anniversary next month.

The team featured the high scoring line of McDonald, Burke and McDonald. Bobby McDonald, Jackie Burke and Joe McDonald scored 212 points – yes! That is correct!

They captured the title in the legendary Boston Garden. Steve Goddard – number seven, was voted top defenseman in the state.

Danny Brugman – WHS MVP of the State Tourney and was captain of Yale University.

I will do a feature story on the 1976 State Champs – forty years! Can you believe it?

Let the Games Begin!

Faces in the Crowd

I will take a 10-yard penalty for leaving out Ashley and Brendan, two of the finest at the dining and entertainment destination J.W.’s Restaurant.

Peter Christopher and Tino Capobianco, Angelo Vig and Mr. Chairman, Vince, coach Driscoll, ex-senator’s Bobby Trav and Anthony Petrucelli and their families, enjoying the cuisine at J.W.’s. Councillor Rich Boyajian and family, Max, Chris and Nick Tsiotos watching the Patriots playoffs.

Viking football captain Matt Feeley and the Gonzo – Jon Gonzales, cheering for quarterback Chris Zuffante, playing for the Vikings hoop team. The ‘hard luck’ Viking leader – Feeley was chosen the winner of the prestigious Alexander Memorial Trophy. Given to the player who had done the most for WHS football, combining leadership and excellence in the classroom. Matt is applying to University of Vermont (his brother Pat plays hockey for the Catamounts and UMass, Amherst), his leadership and courage on Thanksgiving helped the Vikings defeat Revere.

The Title Chase

Will the real New England Patriots team show up to win two games in the NFL playoffs this month and return to defend their ‘super bowl’ title in February?

The Pats opened up at (10-0) before injuries derailed the Super Bowl champions and they lost four out of their final six games.

The key to the Patriots offense is the passing combination of Tom Brady to Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola; you can add the ‘Gronk’.

The Patriots need the offensive line (what a disaster this season) to return to protect Tom Brady and with Vollmer returning at tackle, t hey must give Tom Brady the time to connect with ‘the Gronk’ to put points on the board.

The defense with Donte Hightower, Chandler Jones and Devin McCourty, returning from injuries should be strong and lead the Pats back to the super bowl.

The Pats when they are healthy are the best team in the AFC! Two wins this month and they return to play in the super bowl February 7th!

I will pull out the old ‘crystal ball’ and predict

Patriots 27 – Chiefs – 17!

Let the Games Begin!

Number 16

The New Year 2016 – let’s call it 16! How about some legendary number 16’s!

Joe Montana – 4 super bowl titles

Touchdown Tony Palmer – if you didn’t see Anthony play in 1992-1993 he was a two-time all-scholastic. The all-time NEC scoring leader (195 points in a single season) and led the Vikings to two super bowl games and back-to-back NEC titles.

Charles ‘Chuck’ Sullivan – three sport Viking standout – all scholastic football (166 points) and hockey led the Vikings to undefeated season – super bowl champs – (best team ever) and played division one hockey at Boston University.

Anthony Fucillo – All-scholastic football quarterback – set records at Tufts University, is assistant coach at Amherst College.

Frank Gifford – NFL All-Star the late New York Giants superstar and a great football announcer.

Bulldogs tame the Tanners 2-1

By: Jim Lederman

The Lady Bulldogs defeated the Peabody Tanners (2-1) for their fourth (4-2) victory of the campaign. The Lady Bulldogs had their strongest offensive game of the season, drilling 33 shots on the Peabody goalie, before a large crowd at Larsen Rink last week.

Junior all-star goalie Gretchen Howard, once again proved why she is one of the ‘top goalies’ on the North Shore. Leading coach Butch Martucci’s team to victory over the Peabody-Lynnfield sextet.

The Bulldogs dominated play in the first two periods, out shooting the Peabody/Lynnfield squad (11-4 in the first) and 15 shots in the second.

McKayla Norris fired a slapshot on net and captain Olivia Shkliew put the puck past the Tanner net minder for the first “Bulldawg” tally.

In the second stanza, Norris was on the offense once again. McKayla fired a shot that hit the post and Gaby Kenniston almost put the disc in net.

At the 12-minute mark the Lady Bulldawgs got the game winner.  Kelsie Griffiths and Kenniston combined on a pretty play, finding Mia Price in front for the winning goal.

“We need more offense to go with our solid goaltending and strong checking game,” lauded head coach Butch Martucci; “We have a very tough schedule with big games with mascot (Saturday at 1:30 at Larsen Rink) and our arch rival St. Mary’s Spartans on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 1:30.

“We play in a very strong league with skilled teams like Beverly-Danvers and we are a young team but we are improving.” Seven games remain on the Bulldawgs schedule at Larsen Rink. Let’s fill Larsen to cheer for this exciting young Winthrop squad!

Who Let the Dawgs Out?

Game Story Part 2

Behind the Blue Line

The Vikings improved to (5-3-1) with an impressive (5-4) victory over the Gloucester Fisherman, Saturday night at the Talbot R ink in Gloucester.

“We finally had the offense clicking and won a big game in a rink that is always tough for visiting teams,” said coach Mike Norris.

The Vikings ‘lamp lighters’ were two goals from frosh sensation Sam Yarrow, Capt. Michael Norris, soph standout Henry Brooks (his 6th goal of the season) and Dean Paulson.

“We scored four second period goals, our offense is missing soph Steve Hogerson out with a separated shoulder. The return of senior Mike Casey has strengthened our lines, said coach Norris.

“Greg Gill h ad a solid game with 25 saves. The play of Captain Noah Hodgkins and Jr. Matt Tarantino (the best pairing in the NEC) has been outstanding, we will get stronger the second half of the season with all of our young players.”

The Schedule

The Vikings play host to the Peabody Tanners, Saturday night at 6:30 at Larsen Rink. The Vikings shout out Peabody (2-0) to open the NEC schedule in December.

The Vikings take the short trip down the Lynnway to battle the Lynn Jets (Lynn English and Lynn Classical) next Wednesday, Jan. 20th, for a 4 p.m. face off at the Connery Rink.

Let the Games Begin!

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