Sports 02-22-2018

WHS sports roundup

WHS boys hockey readying for their Journey to the Tourney

 

The Winthrop High boys hockey team played some of its best hockey in the past week against three state tourney-qualifying opponents, winning two games and tying a third.

The Vikings had entered the week needing one point to punch their ticket for a Journey to the Tourney and they did so in the first of their three encounters with a 3-3 tie against Gloucester (10-5-4) last Wednesday.

Although the deadlock assured Winthrop of a tourney berth, the sports truism, “A tie is like kissing your sister,” was never more appropriate — especially on Valentine’s Day! — for the contest with Gloucester.

Winthrop had led all the way, 2-1 after the first period and 3-1 after two, on goals by

Jake Adamson (unassisted), Corey Cherico (from Mike Brooks), and Steve Holgersen (unassisted).

However, the Fishermen refused to give up and drew within 3-2 with about five minutes to play. That set the stage for a wild finish in which Gloucester pulled the goalie for a sixth skater in the final minute.

A face-off in the Winthrop end, after the Vikings had iced the puck to relieve pressure, was won by the Fishermen, who managed to put the puck in the back of the Viking net with just 0.2 seconds showing on the clock.

However, Winthrop rebounded nicely three days later with a 4-2 triumph over Mansfield (8-6-5), a Division 1 opponent, at Larsen Rink in an afternoon contest highlighted by Senior Day festivities.

The Vikings stormed back from a 1-0 deficit at the first horn to light the lamp three times in the middle frame. Sam Yarrow (unassisted), Tyler Marley (from Cherico), and Bryce Costin (from Yarrow) reached the back of the Mansfield net, with Costin’s goal coming in the final second of the period.

Marley notched his second goal of the game, assisted by Tyler Mignosa and Mark VanBuskirk, for some extra insurance early in the third period to make it a 4-1 advantage for Winthrop. Mansfield managed to get on the board again in the final minutes, but it proved too little, too late.

The afternoon began with Senior Day festivities at center ice for the 10 seniors — captain Henry Brooks, asst. captain Jake Adamson, Bryce Costin, Mike Upton, Steve Holgersen, Tyler Mignosa, Mike Lane, Tyler Marley, Tyler Chiudina, and Jake Langone — and their families with an appropriate presentation and a memento for each player to thank them for their contributions to the WHS hockey program.

This past Monday the Vikings took the measure of Beverly (10-6-4), a fellow Northeastern Conference North Division rival, with a solid 3-0 triumph.

Bryan Chalmers (assisted by Adamson and Steve Holgersen) gave Winthrop a 1-0 lead in the opening period; Yarrow (from Chalmers) made it 2-0 in the middle stanza; and Steve Holgersen applied the coup de grace with an empty net goal at the end.

WHS netminder Ryan Skoczylas earned the shutout, turning aside 29 Beverly shots.

Coach Dale Dunbar and Asst. Coach Mike Norris and crew, who stand at 11-6-2, will wrap up their regular season tonight (Thursday) at Saugus and then will await word of their seeding and opening round opponent in the Division 2 North Sectional of the state tourney.

 

Girls hockey team defeats Medford, 8-1 

 

The Winthrop High girls hockey team celebrated Senior Night in appropriate fashion with an 8-1 victory over Medford Saturday evening at Larsen Rink.

The Lady Vikings jumped out early to a 4-0 lead in the first period, with Catie O’Shea, McKayla Norris, Bella Perrotta, and Sophia Kennedy taking turns lighting the lamp.

Winthrop continued to control the action in the middle period (the Lady Vikings outshot Medford 17-3 in the opening 15 minutes and then 16-5 in the next 15 minutes), with the duo of Emma Carleton and Kaiya Rodrigues reaching the back of the Lady Mustang net to increase the Winthrop margin to 6-0.

Medford got on the board early in the final period to make it 6-1, but Abby Stafford and Emma Carleton, her second, added to the Lady Viking cushion for the 8-1 finale.

Carleton has been on a scoring tear of late. “Emma has scored goals in our last four games, and all of them have been cannons,” said WHS head coach Anthony Martucci. “She can really shoot the puck, and it is great to see them going in for her.”

The Winthrop seniors who were honored before the game with their families at center ice were captains McKayla Norris and Catie O’Shea, Grace Carleton, Ashley Miles, Emma Carney, Sabrina Dembro, and Jess Martin.

“The team played really well in honor of the seven seniors,” said Martucci. “They are all such great players, but more than that, they are just incredible people.

“Norris and O’Shea have been tremendous leaders for this team all season long,” continued Martucci. “Carleton and Miles are heart-and-soul players who do their jobs and never say a word.

“Carney has played through a nagging injury for this team all season, and her grit and toughness have been awesome. Dembro and Martin are both first-year players, and they both are goalies. We were not sure of what we would have for goalies at the beginning of the year, so those two seniors stepped up for us and have been nothing but great,” the coach added.

“As a coach, it has been an absolute privilege to coach such wonderful young ladies, who not only give all they have to our program, but all they have to their school,” Martucci concluded. “These seven girls are the type that make coaching so rewarding. I am proud to say that I got to be even a small part of their high school experience.”

The Lady Vikings, who now are 11-5-1, were set to wrap up their regular season last night (Wednesday) with a contest against Haverhill. Martucci and his crew then will await word of their seeding and opening-round opponent  n the MIAA Division 1 girls state hockey tournament.

 

Basketball Vikings win two contests

 

The Winthrop High boys basketball team, which has been playing its best basketball of the season lately, defeated a pair of Northeastern Conference rivals this past week.

Last Tuesday the Vikings traveled to Medford, a team that had been red-hot, winning four games in a row, including victories over highly-rated Lynn Classical and Beverly.

Winthrop appeared as though it might by Medford’s fifth successive victim, as the Mustangs stampeded to a 23-11 lead after one period and a 35-23 advantage at the half.

However, the Vikings displayed some horsepower of their own after the intermission, coming out of the locker room and firing on all cylinders over the second 16 minutes, outscoring Medford 49-19 in that span, to come away with a 72-54 triumph.

Tayjuan McKenzie led Winthrop with 18 points. Devin Pulsifer (17 points), Elliott Frank (13 points), and Chrono Washington (10 points) also reached double figures. Alex Dernier made a solid contribution with nine points.

“I was obviously proud of our effort in the second half,” said WHS head coach Dave Sacco. “Anytime you can score 49 points in a half, you take it, but I was more impressed with our effort on defense. Guys were up in passing lanes getting deflections, which were leading to steals and easy hoops. We’re at our best when we can get out and run.”

Last Thursday the Vikings traveled to Saugus and wasted no time in asserting command of the contest. Winthrop bolted to a 23-9 lead after one period and never looked back en route to a 75-46 runaway victory.

“I was happy with the effort,” said Sacco. “We jumped on them defensively and kept the pressure on them. We got some really good minutes from a lot of guys and got contributions from everyone on the roster. “

Mckenzie led the scoring chart with 21 points, followed by Pulsifer with 16 and Washington with 14.

Sacco and his crew now have won three straight games and five of their last seven to improve to 9-10 on the year. They were set to wrap up their regular season last night (Wednesday) against an 18-1 Pope John XXIII team from Everett.

The Vikings, who have qualified for the state tourney, then will await word of their seeding and opening round opponent in the MIAA North Sectional.

Viking senior Tayjuan McKenzie is 36 points away from achieving the 1000 point plateau for his career. Teammate Devin Pulsifer reached the milestone earlier in the year.

 

Lady Vikings do well at state track meet

 

A number of members of the Winthrop High girls indoor track team turned in fine performances at last week’s Division 5 State Track Meet.

Junior Dani Zanelli ran a personal record (PR) time of 9.64 in the 55 meter high hurdles and came in 14th overall.

Freshman Izzy Mahoney ran a PR of 7.97 in the 55 meter dash to finish 29th. Izzy also qualified in the high jump and cleared the bar at 4’-9” to finish in 14th place.

Junior Captain Camila Miranda Llovera ran a PR of 12:45 in the two mile run to come across in 17th place.

Sophomore Mary Kate Pote tossed the shot-put 28’-0” to place 18th.

“These girls worked really hard this year to make states and all their personal best performances show how their hard work, determination, and dedication paid off,” said WHS head coach Mark D’Amico. “They will all be returning next year to improve upon their already-great achievements.”

 

 

 

 

MacPhail is ninth at state meet

 

Winthrop’s Cormac MacPhail just missed claiming a medal in this past week’s Division 5 State Meet held at the Reggie Lewis Athletic Center. Cormac competed in the 1000 meter event and came across the line in 2:46.01, which was less than one second away from eighth place and winning a medal.

The winning time of 2:32.65 by Kellem Waters of Ipswich set a new D-5 meet record.

 

From the Press Box

Senior Day

By: Jim Lederman

Senior Day was extra special for 10-senior Viking hockey players on Saturday afternoon. The Vikings capped off a very special day with a convincing (4-2) victory over Division One Mansfield, to improve to (10-6-2).

The festivities (including a Red Carpet Day) was the work of 10 very proud mothers. The captain of the ‘moms’ was Jeanne Holgersen, Elaine Adamson, Stephanie Costin, Suzanne Chiudina, Marianne Brooks, Stephanie Lane, Jodi Langone, Stacie Marley and Lisa Mignosa. The special souvenir program dated and printed by ‘Capt.’ Holgersen was a masterpiece.

The ceremony was like a well-planned wedding. The pictures with Transcript ‘Ace’ Al Terminiello and the delicious cake was presented after a hard-earned victory over a strong Mansfield team.

The Mansfield ‘Hornets’ struck first at 8:50 of the first period. Co-captain Tyler Marley scored a big goal with only 37.8 seconds on the Larsen Rink clock to tie the score (1-1) (five penalties against the Vikings) junior Corey Cherico drew the assist.

Junior Sammy Yarrow scored an unassisted goal in the first period. The flashy junior on the Vikings first line continues to improve and his potential is unlimited.

Senior defenseman scored the Vikings third goal for a (3-1) Winthrop advantage. The hard working senior was all over the ice ‘banging Hornets’ to give the Vikings a huge advantage. His mom Stephanie almost fell out of the press box taking pictures (only kidding Steph!)

Tyler Marley scored the fourth Viking tally assisted by number three Tyler Mignosa and Mark VanBuskirk. The ‘Tyler duo’ of Marley and Mignosa is a key to the Vikings success in the MIAA playoffs. Two senior captains that can put the puck in the net.

‘Number Five’ almost had another ‘hat trick’ (had one early in the season). The Hornets’ goalie robbed Marley of the ‘hat trick.’ The ‘Marley Gang’ included it seems like 30 cheering for ‘Number Five.’

The Vikings finished the regular season with a game at Saugus on Thursday. The Vikings will play in the Division Two North Division in the MIAA playoffs and if they play strong defense and continue to score, they will make a statement in the playoffs.

The Vikings are led by ten senior players and with junior goalie Ryan Skocylas in the net, they could upset any team!

Go Vikings!

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

Olympic Gold

The huge crowd at Larsen Rink on Saturday afternoon, included a Olympic hockey gold winner Laurie Baker McLaughlin, won an ‘Olympic Gold’ medal, playing on the Women’s Gold Medal winning team in 1998.

Laurie won a silver medal four years later in 2002. She is married to Craig McLaughlin son of John and Susan (Marley) McLaughlin.

Laurie played at Lawrence Academy and was captain at Providence College and is in the Providence College Hall of Fame.

I often speak with proud father-in-law John, a member of the University of New Hampshire Hall of Fame at Brown’s Drug Store.

The Marley and McLaughlin families were cheering loud for ‘Number Five’ – co-captain, Tyler Marley, who scored to Viking goals. ‘Raise the Sticks for the Marley Family!’

 

 

Larsen Rink Streak

Coach Dale Dunbar’s hockey sextet has finished the ‘Larsen Rink Season’ in style. A three-game unbeaten streak over the final week, improved the Vikings record to (11-6-2). The Vikings travel to the ‘chilly’ Kasabuski Rink today (Thursday) to face off with Saugus.

A (3-3) tie with archrival Gloucester, a huge (4-2) non-league victory over Mansfield and a shutout over rival Beverly (3-0) was a strong ending to the Larsen Rink season! Co-captain Steve Holgersen, Sammy Yarrow and Brian Chalmers scored the goals in the victory over the Beverly Panthers.

The Vikings await the MIAA pairings for the tourney that commences next week.

Lowell Catholic (defending D-2 North champions) Stoneham, Lynnfield, Cape Ann, champion North Reading, Lynnfield, Tewksbury and Wilmington are teams to watch in the tourney. A re-match with Lynnfield will get the Vikings ‘fired up’ for the tourney.

The Vikings need the strong leadership of senior captains – Henry Brooks, Steve Holgersen, Tyler Marley, Tyler Mignosa, Jake Adamson and Bryce Costin lead the Vikings pursuit of a championship.

The defense with standout junior net minder Ryan Skoczylas and defenseman senior Michael Lane, Jake Adamson and Henry Brooks are they ‘keys’ to victory.

Go Vikings!

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

The New Bentley Arena

I vividly remember my first trip to Bentley to watch an athletic contest. I drove to Bentley in the 90’s to watch a football game, Bentley vs. Merrimack at the Bentley Football Stadium.

My guest was the late Anthony ‘Lefty’ DeFelice to watch a football game between the DeFElice brothers. Frank was an assistance coach for Merrimack (with anew football program) and Bob was Athletic Director at Bentley.

The new stadium was beautiful, the quarterback for the Falcons, was the late all-scholastic quarterback Michael Mason. The halftime score was Bentley (32-0) Mason tossed four touchdown passes.

The Athletic Complex has grown into one of the best college athletic facilities in New England. On Friday night the new ‘Coach DeFelice Ice Rink (a $45 million facility) is the latest on the campus of Bentley University.

The Army coach Brian Riley said it best, “I’m really happy for coach Ryan Soderquist and coach DeFelice, to have a building like this, it’s great for them, great for our league.”

Atlantic Hockey Commissioner Robert ‘Barney’ DeGregorio (ex-WHS coach) said, “Bentley is the latest jewel among league facilities.

The legacy of Robert DeFelice continues to grow. Coach DeFelice achievements as a football coach at Winthrop ranks as one of the finest in high school football!

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

Super Frosh

The WHS freshman basketball team finished a very successful season. Under the tutelage of coaches Aaron Daigneault, Kevin Adamson and Jason Rockefeller. The young Vikings finished winning four in a row.

Coach Kevin Adamson stated, “We defeated Saugus, Medford, Gloucester and Pope John. We really came together at the end of the year,” offensively and defensively we showed tremendous improvement.” “Austin Daigneault was our leading scorer,” said coach Adamson. Tyler Rockefeller, Bryan Conceicao, James Sylva, Aliteh Preble and Ethan Coleman were outstanding. Freshman standout Cam Conway plays jayvee on the high school team.

The future of Viking basketball looks very strong. The Chris Tsiotos Court should be filled to capacity in the future.

Go Vikings!

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

Tourney Time

The pairings for the MIAA playoffs will be announced over the weekend. The Lady Vikings hockey team has had a fantastic season. Coach Anthony ‘Burch’ Martucci’s team will play in a Division One; the Lady Vikings have a (11-5-1) impressive record.

Coach Dale Dunbar’s veteran hockey team will play for the 11th consecutive season, under coaches Dunbar and Michael Norris. The Vikings will play in Division 2 – North. The Vikings have a (11-6-2) record.

The boys and girls hoop teams have qualified for the MIAA Tourney.

Stay tuned for an exciting time for our Viking Sports teams. Let’s fill the rinks and hoop courts to cheer for four Viking Athletic Teams!

Let’s Go Vikings!

Let the Games Begin!

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