WHS Sports Roundup

Boys soccer defeats Arlington Catholic; ranked 29th in D-4

The Winthrop High boys soccer team punched its ticket for a Journey to the Tourney with a 1-0 victory over Arlington Catholic last Wednesday night. Eron Muja (who scored the game-winner in a recent victory over Swampscott) reached the back of the AC net on what WHS head coach Phil Ronan termed “an absolute cracker of a goal from 20 yards out.”

Although the Vikings came out on the short end of a 7-0 decision this past Monday to Manchester-Essex, which came into the contest ranked #9 in Division 4, Winthrop maintained its ranking as the #29 team in D-4. The top 32 teams in the MIAA’s power rankings automatically qualify for the post-season state tourney.

“Manchester Essex is a solid team,” said Ronan, “but we played our worst game of the season. We defended horribly, ball-watched, and came out in a trance. Conversely, the Manchester coach said they played their best game of the season by far.”

Ronan and his crew, who finished their regular season with a 7-10-1 record, now await the announcement tomorrow (Friday) of their final ranking and first-round opponent in the tourney. Based on the rankings as of press time yesterday (Wednesday), the Vikings will play a home game, most likely on Sunday against Tri-County Regional Vocational Tech, in the first round. If Winthrop is victorious, their likely foe in the Round of 32 will be #4 Lynnfield.

WHS girls soccer holds Senior night

The Winthrop High girls soccer team held Senior Night festivities last week to recognize the members of the Class of 2025 for their contributions to the Lady Viking soccer program.

The 12 seniors who were honored were goalie Tori Bates, Mellissa Cash, Emily Hoxhaj, Izi Hain, Charlotte Holmes, Marian Alvarez-Restrepo, Sophia Bocchio, Marwa Jaafar,  Hannah Barrett and Captain Marwa Mimouni, captain Gabby Buonopane, and captain Talia Martucci.

Winthrop took on Northeast Regional in the Senior Night contest, but came up on the short end of a 2-1 decision.

“We had a good battle with Northeast,” said WHS head coach Tracey Martucci. “We dominated play, but just couldn’t connect.”

Winthrop’s goal was scored by Stella Osborn, assisted by Angela Coscia. 

The Lady Vikings wrapped up their 2024 campaign with a makeup home game vs. Swampscott this past Monday in which Winthrop dropped a 6-0 decision.

Viking runners compete at NEC Meet

The Winthrop High boys and girls cross-country teams competed in Sunday’s Northeastern Conference meet that was held at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester.

The top five finishers for coach Eric Ferguson’s boys’ squad were Owen Nargi, Liam Natareno, Liam Kenney, Sean McGloin and Miguel Rabuske. Nargi and Natareno posted their best times of the season, running 19:44 and 19:58 respectively.

JV runners Eli Lawton and Pedro Albuquerque also recorded personal-best times.

On the girls’ side, the Lady Vikings had only one finisher, Aitana Bartolome, because of some injuries that prevented the other members of the team from running. Aitana turned in a strong performance, finishing with her best time of the season.

“We will be focused on training and recovering over the next two weeks in preparation for the MIAA Divisional Meet on November 9,” said Ferguson.

Viking volleyball wraps up season

The Winthrop High volleyball team wrapped up its 2024 season last Friday at Salem. Although the Vikings came out on the short end of a 3-2 decision, first-year head coach Jermey Wein saw some good signs from his squad.

“We came out of the gate a little slow to start,” said Wein. “As the match went on, we found a rhythm and started to hustle a little more. We had been swept by Salem a little while ago, so it was progress to take two sets from them this time.

“A loss is a loss and there is no way around it,” added Wein. “None of them ever feels good. Overall, we said this season was about progress and we saw it. We are trying to build year after year and I think we have a solid foundation. I keep telling myself, ‘Oh, what the future holds.’ We shall see.”