Sports 09-20-2018

WHS sports roundup

WHS golf team off to fast 4-1 start

The Winthrop High golf team has begun its season in fine fashion, compiling a 4-1 overall record and 3-0 in the Northeastern Conference.

The Vikings’ most recent conquest was a 53.5-18.8 triumph over Malden this past Monday at the Winthrop Golf Club in which all eight of the Winthrop players defeated their Golden Tornado counterparts.

Senior captain Colby Dassau and junior Jack Sicurella, playing at three and four in the WHS lineup, led the way for Winthrop, shooting rounds of 38 to share honors for lowest score on the day.

Assistant captain Andrew DiMento, playing at 2, shot a 41. Sophomore Evan Smotrich shot a 43 at the #1 slot. Sophomore Mike Gillis (7) shot a 44. The trio of freshman Colby Dassau (5), junior Conlon Petersen (6), and senior Ryan Buccini (8) all shot a round of 45.

The Vikings’ most dramatic win of the season thus far came via a 37-35 victory over Salem, the defending Northeastern Conference champion. Sicurella at 4 turned in the biggest triumph of the day, defeating his Salem counterpart, 7-2.

The match came down to the final hole with the Vikings ahead by a point, 35.5-34.5. The duo of Gillis and Buccini, playing at 7 and 8, came through in fine style, with Ryan halving his hole with his Salem counterpart and Mike winning the hole to provide the slim margin of victory.

“The team has a great attitude from top to bottom,” said WHS head coach John Cross, who is in his second season at the helm of the Viking program. “They’ve been working hard, even in the extreme heat that we had at the start of the year, and their efforts have been paying off.”

Cross and his crew have a busy week ahead. They were scheduled to play Revere yesterday (Wednesday) and will host Everett today (Thursday). They will take on Saugus and Revere in a tri-match on Monday at Cedar Glen; host Lynn Classical on Wednesday; and then play at Lynn English next Thursday.

 

WHS girls soccer

falls to Salem, 6-2; defeats Everett, 3-1

The Winthrop High girls soccer team dropped a 6-2 decision to Salem last Wednesday in a hard-fought battle at Miller Field.

“Unfortunately, it was a very physical game and three starters were sidelined due to injuries,” said WHS head coach Tracey Martucci.

Maura Dorr scored both of the Lady Vikings’ goals, one of which was assisted by freshman Mia Martucci and the other unassisted.

The Winthrop girls then went to Everett on Friday and prevailed in a tight contest, 3-1. Dorr scored all three of the Lady Vikings’ goals to earn the hat trick. All three were unassisted.

“Maura is a standout soccer player,” said Martucci of Dorr, who now has eight goals in three games. Dorr ended last year with 24 points on 13 goals and 11 assists. “Maura definitely has what it takes to break the all-time WHS scoring record currently held by our assistant coach, Julie Dowson,” said Martucci, who herself held the Lady Viking mark for 15 years until Dowson broke her record. “She just has a nose for the goal and is in the right place at the right times.”

Martucci also lauded the play of senior captain Olivia Holmes. “Olivia has been playing outstandingly on ‘D’ for us,” Martucci said. “She is one of those silent leaders who gets the job done.”

The Lady Viking JV team also is off to a great season as well, with a lot of talent coming through the program.

Winthrop was set to play Malden this past Tuesday and hosts Pope John XXIII of Everett tonight (Thursday) under the lights on the turf at Miller Field at 6 p.m. A victory over PJ will qualify the Lady Vikings for a spot in the Division 4 MIAA state tournament.

 

WHS boys soccer

seeking first win

The Winthrop High boys soccer team played well, but dropped a hard-fought 3-2 decision to fellow Division 4 school New Mission this past Monday.

The Vikings received an outstanding performance from their keeper, senior captain Corey Cherico. “Corey made some unreal saves, including a penalty kick, and kept us in the game,” said WHS head coach Kyle Gagin.

After spotting New Mission a 3-0 lead in the opening half, the Vikings battled back after the intermission. Senior captain Asa Baurle reached the back of the New Mission net with a powerful strike from 25 yards out. A few minutes later, senior captain Jaylin Cordes brought the Vikings within a goal when he scored off an indirect free kick on which junior Kevin Dorr provided the assist.

Winthrop almost brought the contest back to level a few minutes after that when senior Pat Sennott hit the crossbar. However, the Viking rally proved too little, too late.

“Overall, it was a great performance,” said Gagin. “Unfortunately, New Mission happened to finish their chances, but we just couldn’t finish ours.”

The contest was noteworthy for sophomore Joey Holgerson, who made his varsity debut.

Last week the Vikings dropped  4-1 decision to Malden. Cordes scored the Winthrop goal on a penalty kick that was awarded to the Vikings when freshman Juan Guauque was taken down in the box. Jaylin’s goal deadlocked matters at 1-1, but Malden scored the next three goals, one of which came on a PK.

Winthrop also came up short in contests wth Salem and Lynn Classical.

“Although we haven’t had any wins, a lot of guys are looking good,” noted Gagin. “Corey Cherico has been outstanding in net. Holgy is starting to really stand out and sophomore Cam Conway looked solid in our game against Lynn Classical. Freshmen Zane Bower and Juan have been workhorses and both are starters. The seniors have shown great leadership. With the younger guys performing well, things will start to click.”

The Vikings are scheduled to play at Lynn English today (Thursday) and will make the long bus ride to Gloucester on Monday. They will entertain Danvers next Wednesday under the lights at Miller Field, with the kickoff set for 6:30.

 

 

From the Press Box

The Sweet Taste of Victory

By Jim Lederman

The 2018 Vikings won the first game at the ‘new’ Miller Field. The thrilling (28-20) victory over Medford was the first home game victory since a 14-6 victory over Revere on Thanksgiving Day, 2014.

Coach Jon Cadigan was thrilled with his first victory as Head Coach of the Vikings; “I told the players at half time (the Vikings led 21-0) we need to play four quarters to win.”

Medford scored three second half touchdowns to close the margin (21-20).

The ‘Mustangs’ kick for the tying scored was blocked by co-captain Chris Castro.

The teams battled to a (0-0) First Quarter, with Medford controlling play for eight minutes.

Senior quarterback starting his first Varsity game, scored the first Viking touchdown at 6:27 of the second quarter.

The Mustangs committed three penalties that led to the Viking touchdown. Roughing the kicker gave Winthrop a first down at the Winthrop 48-yard line.

Applebee scored on a QB Keeper from three yards out for a 6-0 Winthrop lead. Sophomore tight end Tyler Rockefeller rushed for the two-point conversion and a (8-0) Vikings lead.

Sophomore Bobby Hubert recovered a Medford fumble at the Medford 23-yard line. Applebee his Senior Andrew Love on a fourth down and one for a key seven-yard pass. Bobby Hubert rushed for a four-yard touchdown. The extra point was good. Rush was no good, and the Vikings lead (14-0).

Hubert scored the next touchdown on a third down and six.The speedy sophomore raced 47-yards down the sideline in front of the Medford bench and the Vikings led (20-0).

Jon Applebee split the uprights for a (21-0) lead.

Coach Cadigan told the Vikings at the Half, “We need four quarters, we led at the half in the Pentucket game (13-7) and we lost.”

Medford senior quarterback Keith Barrasso scored three second half touchdowns, and cut the margin (21-20). The second half had many ‘key’ plays. The extra point block by Castro and a huge pass interception by Senior Dan O’Neil. “Danny did not play in his junior year, but his pass interception with 1:35 left in the game was huge,” lauded Coach Cadigan.

Hubert turned on the Jets, and raced 52-yards to seal Winthrop’s first victory of 2018.

Coach Cadigan praised his offensive line for rushing for 200-yards and paving the way to a victory over Medford. Co-captain Mike McCone, Co-captain Chris Castro, Rin GJinovci, Victor DaGama, Patrick Teixiera, Brett Sheehan and Tyler Rockefeller. The play of sophomore Matt Hurley at the ‘guys’ in the trenches.

Go Vikings!

Beat the Big Blue!

Let the Games Begin!

 

Skimming the Sidelines

The ‘Big Bue’ of Swampscott invade Miller Field Friday night (7 p.m.) for a renewal of a rivalry that dates back over 60 years.

Swampscott opened with a (21-20) victory over Greater Lawrence Regional. Friday night, the ‘Big Blue’ travelled to Newbury and trounced the Triton Vikings (49-0). Swampscott is (2-0).

The Vikings lost to Swampscott (48-6) last year at Blockridge Field. The Vikings rushed for 235 yards. ‘Super Soph’ Bobby Hubert rushed for 193 yards on 23 carries. The Boston Herald named Hubert one of Danny Ventura’s ‘Stars of the Week’ in Division 6.

Co-captain Feedle Small rushed for 42 yards on 12 carries.

Lynn English improved to (2-0) defeating Somerville (31-9).

Undefeated Marblehead beat Revere (18-6) at Della Russo Stadium. The Patriots are (0-2).

Salem defeated Essex Tech (25-13). The Witches are (2-0).

Northeast Regional handed the Saugus Sachems their second loss. Final score Northeast (26-18).

The schedule for this weekend:

Lynnfield (0-2) travels to Landry Stadium in Amesbury. I will be at Landry on Saturday morning to watch my grandson Michael play for the Triton Freshman.

Medford plays Danvers at Medford on Friday night. Revere plays hosts to undefeated Lynn Clasical at Della Russo on Friday night. Salem travels to Stackpole Field on Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff. Lynn English and Malden Catholic play at Manning Field on Friday night.

 

Number Sixteen

Coach Cadigan lets the Vikings pick out their jersey numbers. Part of his ‘Mission Statement’ is “Leave the number in a better place.” The ‘Number 16’ in the Viking legacy has had three ‘All-Scholastic’ players wear it.

Chuck Sullivan helped lead the Vikings to a Super Bowl title in 1981. Chuck scored 164 points.

In 1992 and 1993, the Vikings captured back to back NEC titles and a trip to the Super Bowl. Touchdown Tony scored 195 points (still an NEC record).

In 2004, quarterback Anthony Fucillo was Boston Herald All-Scholastic. Anthony established passing records at Tufts University. Anthony is assistant coach at Harvard University.

Bobby Hubert has scored five touchdowns in his first two Viking games. We hope he follows in the footsteps of Number 16!