WHS Sports Roundup

WHS Boys Soccer Preparing for Season

The Winthrop High boys soccer team has been working hard in the pre-season as the Vikings prepare for their season-opener with Lynn Classical next Wednesday, Sept. 11, at Miller Field. The kick off for the 2019 campaign is set for 4.

“So far the team has been playing well this pre-season,” said WHS head coach Kyle Gagin. “We have a really young team this season, but have gelled together well.”

The 2019 Viking squad, which consists of five eighth-graders, six freshmen, 13 sophomores, six juniors, and five seniors, will be led by senior captain Kevin Dorr, who will anchor the team at his center mid-field spot.

Gagin will be counting upon senior forward Abdul Hamada to lead the attack.  Senior Chris Lopez, who is playing for the first time, has made a big impact at center back. Sophomore Zane Bower, a returning starter, will be playing alongside Lopez at the other center back position.

Sophomores JD Parker and Ryan Kfoury are returning varsity players, while sophomores Chad Bernstein and Ari Hain will be making their varsity debut and getting minutes, as well as freshman Eric Mendoza.

Freshman Esteban Alvarez will be a big contributor in front of the net as a starter on the wing. Junior Augie Cherico will be the starting goalkeeper this season.

Last Thursday the Vikings engaged in a scrimmage with Triton and won, 4-1. Goals were scored by Alvarez (2), Hamada, and Mendoza. Cherico was injured, so eighth-grader Mateo Martinez started in net and finished with five saves.

“We held possession for the most part and created plenty of chances,” noted Gagin. “Overall there was a lot to be happy about, but we also saw areas that we need to improve upon.”

The Vikings’ season-opener next Wednesday with Classical will be a stern test, inasmuch as the Rams are the defending Northeastern Conference champions.

Winthrop then will host Salem next Friday, September 13.

Three contests on the Vikings’ schedule, Matignon, Keefe Tech, and Arlington Catholic, will be Winthrop’s qualifiers for the Division 4 state tourney.

The Northeastern Conference will have a new look this season. The four former Greater Boston League schools, Everett, Malden, Medford, and Somerville, were not invited to remain in the NEC after a two-season experiment. Revere, which joined the NEC in 2006 after leaving the GBL, then decided to return to the GBL, leaving the NEC with 11 schools.

Cross-Country Opens Season Today

The Winthrop High boys and girls cross country teams are set to open their season today (Thursday) when they host Swampscott on the course at Deer Island.

The Viking boys will be led by returning senior captain Patrick Haskell, while the girls’ side will be led by senior captain Fiona MacPhail.

“I’m looking forward to a great season for both the boys’ and girls’ teams,” said WHS head coach Mark D’Amico. “We lost a lot of boys last year, so we are rebuilding the team. The girls’ team did not lose as many, so they should be competitive.”

WHS Fall Sports Swing into Gear

The fall sports season for Winthrop High athletics gets underway this week. The volleyball team opened its season yesterday (Wednesday) against Lynn Classical and travels to Swampscott tomorrow (Friday). The Lady Vikings will host Snowden Academy next Wednesday.

The WHS golf team entertains Lynn Classical today (Thursday) and plays at Northeast Regional tomorrow. The Viking linksmen will host Salem this Monday and will entertain Saugus next Thursday, with both matches at the Winthrop Golf Club.

The WHS soccer teams kick off their seasons next Wednesday, with the boys hosting Lynn Classical and coach Tracey Martucci’s girls trekking to Manning Field to meet the Lady Rams.