WHS Boys Soccer Wins Two Contests; Ranked 29 in D-4
The Winthrop High boys soccer team enjoyed a successful week, earning two victories against non-league opponents.
Last Wednesday the Vikings defeated Maimonides Academy, 7-1. Eron Muja led the Winthrop offense with two goals. Teammates
Juan Mendoza, Lucas Coelho, Fabiano Alcala Rodriguez, Sebastian Yepes, and Matthew DeCarney also reached the back of the Maimonides net.
This past Friday, the Vikings earned a 1-0 win in their contest with Arlington Catholic thanks to what WHS head coach Phil Ronan termed “a great corner kick” by Mendoza. WHS goalkeeper Mateo Martinez recorded his fifth shutout of the season.
On Monday, the Vikings came out on the short end of a 5-0 decision to Swampscott. “The 5-0 score didn’t give the real picture of the game,” said Ronan. “The boys actually played well. Some bad bounces and calls led to our demise.”
On Tuesday night the Vikings dropped an 8-1 decision to a powerful Masconomet team that is undefeated and ranked eighth in Division 2.
Winthrop now stands at 6-9-1 on the season, a huge improvement over last year’s 1-17 campaign, and as of Monday were ranked 29th in the MIAA’s Division 4 power ratings, a position that would earn the Vikings an automatic bid to the post-season state tourney.
Ronan and his crew are scheduled to wrap up their regular season with contests at Gloucester today (Thursday) and at home against Marblehead next Thursday evening (October 26) at 6:00 under the lights at Miller Field that will be highlighted by Senior Night festivities.
WHS Girls Soccer Tops Excel, Classical; Senior Night This Evening
The Winthrop High girls soccer team earned a pair of victories this past week. Last Thursday the Lady Vikings made the short trek to East Boston to play non-league rival Excel Academy for a second time this season and brought home a 3-2 win.
Senior captain Hannah Parker scored a goal off a corner kick and Reese Brodin, who returned to the field after filling in at goal for the past few weeks, reached the back of the Excel net for two goals, including the game-winner in the second half. Shannon Abbott assisted on Reese’s first marker.
“Excel played us much better the second time around,” said WHS head coach Tracey Martucci, whose squad handily prevailed by a score of 8-0 in the teams’ first meeting a month ago. “It wasn’t our best game, but it was enough to pull off the win,”
Two days later the Lady Vikings hosted former Northeastern Conference opponent Lynn Classical and claimed a 3-1 triumph.
“It was a very good match-up for us,” said Martucci. “We were very-evenly matched with them.” Winthrop scored all three of its goals in the first half: Samantha DiMento, assisted on a corner kick from Talia Martucci; Brodin (unassisted); and Martucci (unassisted). Classical’s lone goal came via a penalty kick.
“Our defenseman, Carolina Gonzalez, has been playing outstanding soccer for us in the backfield,” noted Martucci.
Martucci and her crew took on NEC foe Swampscott this past Monday and came up on the short end of a 4-0 decision.
“We played Swampscott last week (a 6-0 loss), but we played them much better this time around,” said Martucci. “We still lost the game 4-0, but it was 2-0 at halftime and they scored their fourth goal with six minutes remaining in the game.
“The girls played a tremendous game, even if the score doesn’t show it,” continued the coach. “This team never stops playing no matter the score. Our goalkeeper, Tori Bates, had an outstanding game.”
The Lady Vikings will host Gloucester this evening (Thursday) at 5:30 under the lights at Miller Field for Senior Night. They will conclude their season at Salem and Marblehead next week.
Cross-Country Teams Turn in Strong Efforts
The Winthrop High boys and girls cross country teams turned in some strong performances in their meet last week on the 2.57 mile course at Northeastern Conference rival Swampscott. “Although we didn’t have enough runners to make a team, they all put in some good times,” said WHS head coach Nikolas Beshere.
The Viking boys came across the line as follows:
Thomas D’Amico- 18:09
Liam Kenney- 18:48
Liam Natareno- 18:55
Evan Tallent- 27:32
On the girls’ side, the finishers were:
Bailey Ferguson- 20:57
April Ferguson- 21:34
Annabelle Giardino- 24:31
Aitana Bartolome- 26:29
Beshere and his crew were scheduled to host Danvers yesterday (Wednesday) on their home course at Deer Island that will be highlighted by Senior Day festivities.
WHS Golfers Honor Seniors
The Winthrop High golf team honored their senior members of the WHS Class of 2024 prior to their match this past Monday with Ipswich at the Winthrop Golf Club. Captain Eli Wickham, Joey Rich, Petey Silverman, Andrew Faretra, and Jake Galuris were recognized for their contributions to the Viking golf program.
“All of the seniors battled hard in their last home match and all had very good careers,” said WHS head coach Jack Wallace. “They have been a pleasure to coach and I am proud of their success this season. All have played multiple positions this season with no complaints and will be missed next year.”
Wickham won his match by a score of 6-3 against his Ipswich counterpart and fittingly capped off his home career with a great putt on the ninth hole. Freshman Ryan Murphy qualified for the state golf tournament by firing a round of 39 and winning his match. Nikita Rossi also won his match, 7-2, to cap off his home freshman campaign.
In a tri-match last Wednesday at the Rockport Country Club vs. Rockport and Gloucester, freshmen Rossi and Murphy were the only two winners for the Vikings, with Murphy earning the medalist of the day, shooting a 38, and Nikita winning his match, 5.5-3.5.
“These two have been playing great golf and are names to watch in the future,” said Wallace.
The Viking linksmen were scheduled to conclude their season this week with matches against Masconomet at the Ferncroft C.C. this past Tuesday and at Tedesco C.C. with Marblehead yesterday (Wednesday). The Division 3 North state tournament will be played October 23rd at Stowe Acres.