Sports 09-13-2018

WHS sports roundup

WHS girls soccer

opens with 5-2 win

The Winthrop High girls soccer team opened its season with a 5-2 victory over Revere in the Lady Vikings’ first varsity soccer game played on the new turf at Miller Field on Monday evening.

After spotting the visitors a 1-0 lead on a penalty kick, Winthrop responded with a goal before the half to leave matters deadlocked at 1-1 at the intermission.

The Lady Vikings then took control in the second half, reaching the back of the  Revere net for four more tallies.

Sophomore Maura Dorr recorded a hat trick, with assists from freshman Mia Martucci, senior Emma Carleton, and senior Haley McSwiney.

Adding single goals were Carleton, assisted by Dorr, and sophomore Grace Galuris, assisted by Martucci.

“It was so nice to be back on our home turf for the first time in two years and get that win,” said WHS head coach Tracey Martucci, whose 2018 Lady Viking squad will be led by a quartet of senior captains, SofieLafratta, Haley McSwiney, Emma Carleton, and Olivia Holmes.

For Martucci, who is entering her 14th season at the helm of the Lady Viking soccer program, her soccer-playing and coaching experience has come full circle. She played at WHS for all four years under her father, Jerry Gigliello, who now is the JV coach, and is coaching her daughter, Mia, who is a ninth grader.

Martucci will be joined on the sidelines by two of her former players, Julie Dowson, who broke Martucci’s WHS career record for goals, and Erin O’Leary, who was another standout for Martucci’s teams.

“We have great numbers this year, with eighth graders playing with us as well,” added the coach.

The Lady Vikings were set to play Salem yesterday (Wednesday) and will travel to Everett Friday evening. They will host Malden on Tuesday and entertain Pope John of Everett next Thursday under the lights at Miller at 6:00.

 

WHS boys soccer

drops opener, 3-0

 

The Winthrop High boys soccer team dropped its season-opener last Thursday to Everett, 3-0, in the first WHS varsity soccer contest to be played on the turf at the new Miller Field.

The Vikings started slowly, trailing 1-0 at the half, and played well through the first 20 minutes after the intermission. However, the visiting Crimson Tide added two markers late in the game for the 3-0 finale.

“Overall we played well, especially considering we lost to Everett 6-1 in last year’s season opener,” said WHS head coach Kyle Gagin, who is in his fourth year at the helm of the boys soccer program after its had been a JV-only sport. “The team had a ‘never give up’ attitude the entire game. Overall this team looks a lot more positive than any I have coached.”

Gagin praised the performances of a number of his players. “Cory Cherico had a great game in net, as well as senior center backs RilindBytiqi and Riley Bosse,” noted Gagin. “Freshmen Zane Bower, Juan Guauque (who started at midfield), Ryan Kfoury, JD Parker, and Dan Tracy made their debuts. At one point, all five were playing on the field at the same time and were very impressive to be freshmen and competing with a Division 1 school as good as Everett.

“Our numbers are low compared to recent years, with 31 players signed up, but we will field varsity and JV teams once again,” continued Gagin. “We have 11 seniors, including Swedish exchange student Elias Hallestran, who starts at center midfielder. Returning varsity midfielder Kevin Dorr is the lone junior. We have seven sophomores and 12 freshmen as well.”

The 2018 edition of the Vikings will be led by a quartet of senior captains: Keeper Cherico, left back AsaBaurle, midfielder Tony Nargi, and striker JaylinCordes.

“Our motto this season is, ‘Never look down on someone unless you’re helping to pick that person up,’ and hopefully the humility stays with the team because we’re talented to make the tourney, even though we have a mix of experience and inexperience. We just need to keep putting in the hard work,” Gagin added

Gagin and his crew have a busy week ahead. They were set to play at Malden yesterday (Wednesday) and will host Salem Friday. They trek to New Mission on Monday, to Lynn Classical on Tuesday, and to Lynn English next Thursday.

 

This All-Star

Still Shines Bright

Former Viking Sean Watson receives NEC Unsung Hero Award

By Cary Shuman

Sean Watson was a tough and talented 6-foot-3-inch lineman who worked hard in the trenches for then-Winthrop High School and future Hall of Fame coach Tony Fucillo.

A 1992 WHS graduate, Watson was a four-year player and captain in the Vikings’ program that was on the verge of back-to-back appearances in two Super Bowls at Miller Field.

“I played on the 1991 team with terrific players like Anthony Palmer and Mike Mason, and the next year they went to the Super Bowl,” recalled Watson, who was recently honored by the Northeastern Conference for his outstanding contributions to the Winthrop community. “I have great memories of playing football with my fellow linemen, Sean Mortimer, Bob Marino, Anthony Palladino, Eric Scutellaro, and Robert Finn.”

Watson, who went on to graduate from Salem State University, said he learned more than just football from the venerable head coach Tony Fucillo whose younger brother, Richie, was the Vikings’ line coach.

“It was more than football,” said Watson. “Coach Fucillo is now a close, personal and dear friend. He taught life’s lessons that have carried on throughout my career and fatherhood, and everything else. I love seeing him whether I’m in Winthrop Center or just getting lunch somewhere.”

 

 

Living in Winthrop and

helping out his hometown

 

 

Watson married another terrific WHS athlete, Shannon Rand, who was a force in the cross country and track programs led by coaches Warren MacPhail and Larry Keegan. The Watsons live in town and have two children, Emma, 7, and John, 5.

Sean has stayed active on the local sports scene, serving as a coach in the early stages of the Winthrop Youth Football organization. He is also the coordinator of the Tanka Memorial Golf Tournament that honors Thomas “Tanka” Donovan Jr., who passed away in 2013 after a battle with cancer.

“We’re running our sixth annual tournament [on Sept. 22] in memory of Tanka, who was a Winthrop resident and a good friend of mine,” said Watson.

The tournament’s proceeds go to the Tanka Donovan Memorial Fund that helps defray activity fees for students who wish to participate in athletics, drama, or the student council.

“We were just trying to do a good thing to help out the school and the extracurricular programs and give back to the community,” said Watson.

The tournament has been a resounding success. This year’s event has 72 entrants ready to tee off at the local course. Watson credits many individuals, including Olympic gold medalist Mike Eruzione, for their generous donations to the tournament.

Winthrop High Director of Athletics Matt Serino said Watson’s leadership of the Tanka Tournament and his ongoing support of WHS athletics inspired him to nominate Watson for the NEC Unsung Hero Award for community service.

“Sean Watson and the Tanka Memorial Scholarship are the unsung heroes of the Winthrop High School Athletic Department,” said Serino. “Each year, Mr. Watson, on behalf of the Tanka Memorial, writes a check that affords every student at the high school an opportunity to participate in athletics and other activities. In my four years as athletic director, we have been able to accommodate every student eligible for an athletic scholarship, thanks to Sean Watson and the Tanka Memorial Scholarship.”

Watson said he was humbled upon learning that he was the recipient of the NEC’s most prestigious award.

“I was surprised and I couldn’t be happier about this honor,” said Watson, the son of Richard Watson and Mary Alice Watson, a retired Winthrop schoolteacher, and brother of Shery Healey and Mike Watson.

The handsome 44-year-old father of two hopes to continue his involvement in town activities as his two children begin their participation in sports and school programs.

“I’m just looking to expand with them,” said Watson. “As they become more involved in activities and sports, I hope to contribute to the programs as well. Winthrop has a very bright future – it’s going in the right direction and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

And Winthrop is certainly happy to have a community-minded family like the Watsons making their home here.

 

From the Press Box

Start of the New Era

By: Jim Lederman

The Friday night football game at the new Miller Field, marked the first regular season home game in four years.

The last home game was during the 2014 season; the Vikings were undefeated in the Northeastern Conference and captured the NEC title.

The Vikings have a new coach, Jon Cadigan, they have new uniforms, a sparkling new middle/high school, but the challenge in the next few years is even larger.

The NEC has changed three times during the last five years and the NEC is facing a big decisions. Will the league split into two eight-team divisions after the addition of four GBL (Greater Boston League) teams – Malden, Medford, Somerville and Everett were added to the NEC.

This winter at the NEC meeting the principals in the Northeastern Conference will vote on the future of the NEC.

There are three new principals in the NEC. There will be proposals to have two divisions. Beverly, Danvers, Gloucester, Marblehead, Peabody, Swampscott, Saugus and Winthrop in one Division.

Lynn English, Lynn Classical, Revere, Salem, Malden, Medford, Somerville and Everett in the second Division.

Revere as 2,000 students, Peabody has 2,000; Malden, Medford and Somerville are large cities with huge enrollments. Classical and English have 1,700 students each.

Winthrop has the smallest enrollment – 600 students in four grades!

Everett has won 12 Super Bowl titles, Winthrop has won three Super Bowl titles. Gloucester has six Super Bowl titles.

The latest Boston Globe poll of the top 10 schools in the 21^st century includes:

Everett 190 wins, 23 losses 89 percemt.

Gloucester 157-50-75%

The Boston Globe ‘Top 20’ pre-season poll lists Lynn Classical and Lynn English as pre-season favorites to rank in the ‘Top 20.’

Lynn Classical is in Division 3 – Winthrop is in Division 8.

Classical defeated Medford (52-8) on Friday night. Keith Ridley threw for 248 yards and four scores for Lynn Classical.

Marblehead has won four consecutive NEC football titles. The Magicians opened their 2018 season with a (55-0) rout of the Triton Vikings.

Lynn English captured the NEC South Division in 2017. The Bulldogs crushed Beverly (38-21) at Hurd Stadium in Beverly on Saturday.

English quarterback Matt Severance completed 14 of 23 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns.

The Vikings play host to powerful Lynn English at Miller Field on Friday night, October 19^th.

Gloucester defeated Revere (29-6) Friday night at Newell Stadium in Gloucester. The Big Blue of Swampscott defeated Greater Lawrence Regional (21-20) Saturday afternoon at Blocksidge Field in Swampscott.

Swampscott junior quarterback Graham Inzana, tossed two touchdown passes and finished with 13 of 21 for 200 yards.

 

Pentucket 27 – Winthrop 21

The Vikings held a (7-0) second quarter lead and a (13-7) halftime lead and had a late chance to tie the Sachems in a ‘thriller at Miller.’

Coach Jon Cadigan, “I was pleased with the effort for two and a quarter. I was extremely proud of the team fighting back from two touchdowns.”

“We have to be more consistent and play like the team we were in the first half”, said coach Cadigan.

The teams battled to a (0-0) first quarter. Sophomore linebacker Ryan Hovermale interceded Sachem quarterback Gus Flaherty to give the Vikings a key play early in the second quarter.

The Vikings ground game behind senior co-captain Feedle Small, quarterback Bobby Hubert and senior Brian Chalmers opened the scoring.

Chalmers raced around left end from three yards out to give the Vikings a (6-0) lead. Bo9bby Hubert split the uprights and the Vikings led (7-0).

Chalmers was all over the field on defense and the senior playing at his first year of football, was injured late in the game, his status for the Medford game is questionable.

Gus Flaherty tossed a 60-yard touchdown to Spencer Pacy to tie the score at (7-7). Hubert ran 6 yards to give the Vikings a (13-7) lead. The extra point kick was wide and the Vikings left with a (13-7) lead and a large home crowd was looking for a Winthrop victory.

The Sachem quarterback Gus Flaherty was the star of the game for Pentucket. His 32-yard touchdown pass to Justin Snow lifted Pentucket to a (21-13) lead. The touchdown pass was a 32-yard ‘bomb.’ Sophomore Tyler Rockerfeller recovered a Pentucket fumbler recovery at the Pentucket 41-yard line and the Vikings fought back to cut the lead to (27-21).

Hubert tossed a 46-yard touchdown to sophomore Austin Daigneault. Austin rushed the two-point conversion and the Vikings had the Viking crowd on their feet.

 

Extra Points

Austin Daigneault played with a broken nose and had a concussion before the end of the game.

The Vikings will see the return of sophomore linebacker and senior quarterback Jonathan Applebee.

Co-captain Chris Castro was the ‘black shirt’ winner for his outstanding game on defense.

The Vikings offensive line had co-captain Mike McConeat center. The guards were junior Ring Jinovci and junior Victor Dagama; the tackles were junior Patrick Teixeira and Chris Castro. The ends were senior Brett Sheehand and sophomore Tyler Rockefeller.

Swampscott travels to Newbury to play Triton on Friday night. Revere plays host to Marblehead at Della Russo Stadium on Friday night.

Saugus plays Northeast Regional on Friday night. Salem plays at Essex Tech., Lynnfield travels to play at Wayland on Friday night.

Lynn English plays Somerville at Manning Field on Friday night.

Congrats to former Vikings coach Sean Driscoll. The Spartans of St. Mary’s of Lynn defeated Millis (30-12) for his first victory at St. Mary’s.

 

2006 Super Bowl Champions

The 2006 Winthrop Vikings captured the Division 3A super bowl title. The Winthrop High School Athletic Hall of Fame will honor the team on Saturday, October 20^th in an induction ceremony.

The team finished unbeaten with a (13-0) record. The Vikings defeated Masconomet (21-14) in the North playoff final. The Vikings defeated Wareham (25-8) at Stonehill College to win the title.

The players on the super bowl champions must pick up their complimentary tickets at the office of Attorney Chris Tsiotos or call (617)846-9192.

(Editor’s Note) Please contact players on the team. Co-captain Matt Murray at – [email protected].