WHS boys lacrosse remains undefeated; hosts NE this evening
The Winthrop High boys lacrosse team remained undefeated with four wins this past week, including a pair of big victories over Northeastern Conference (NEC) rivals Swampscott and Beverly.
The Vikings tuned up for those encounters with a 15-3 win over a much-improved Salem squad in the freezing rain. Colin Cifuni had a great game, reaching the back of the Witches’ net for six goals and adding assists. Seth Sacco struck for five goals to go with three assists. CJ Cifuni added four goals and Charlie Ferrara also scored.
“It is always great when we are able to spread the goals around and give some newer guys good looks,” said WHS head coach Brian Donnelly.
The following day on Tuesday, the Vikings hosted NEC South rival Swampscott on the turf at Miller Field. “We knew this was going to be a big game for us,” said Donnelly, whose squad came through with a 9-5 victory.
A key to the win over the Big Blue was the play of Viking goalie Nick Romano, who played “lights out” in net with 11 saves. “Nick has great field vision and can clear the ball very well,” Donnelly said. “Having someone in goal as athletic as him is a huge benefit and his clearing ability adds a massive dimension to our game.”
Sacco attained the hat trick and had an assist on the day. “Seth is just so quick with his movements that he is able to catch their defenders off-guard and goalies don’t see him coming down the lane,” noted Donnelly.
The Vikings were able to spread their goals around the offense, with Colin Cifuni, Mike Holgersen, CJ Cifuni, Luke Githinji, and Charlie Ferrara all getting a taste of the net.
“It was awesome seeing so many different players being able to find the back of the net in a close, hard-fought game, as it always is with Swampscott,” said Donnelly. “Coach Rich Cifuni has been doing great focusing on timing and positioning with our players and our offensive systems continue to progress with each game.
“I was really proud of our defense holding a solid Swampscott team to only five goals,” Donnelly continued. “Paul Ferrara and Sean Dolan continue to play as tough on defense as I have seen in our league, shutting down our opponents’ best players. Declan Howard has really started to lean into his role and had a couple of excellent defensive plays and well-timed defensive slides that saved some goals.
“I also can’t talk enough about Stephen Lindinger,” Donnelly said. “He made the switch from defensive mid-field short stick to a long pole defender, and I think it was the perfect move for him. He is super versatile and can really play anywhere on the field.”
This past Friday Donnelly and his crew made the long trek to NEC North foe Beverly and came home with a 10-9 win in overtime, which made for a happy bus ride back home.
Winthrop was up 6-3 at the half, but Beverly was able to come back, tying the game and eventually going ahead. The Vikings were trailing with about two minutes to play when CJ Cifuni notched the game-tying goal with an excellent shot.
“CJ had three goals on the day and it seemed like he was zoning in on the net all game,” said Donnelly.
Seth Sacco took over in OT and was able to put in the winning goal. “Seth was all over the field and scored an impressive seven goals on the day,” Donnelly said of his leading scorer, who was named a Player of the Week last week by the Boston Globe
“It was an excellent win for the program with every single player leaving it all out on the field,” Donnelly continued. “I am really proud of how our guys played and responded when things got difficult. Nick Romano continues to play excellently in goal and is the reason we are able to compete at such a high level.
“We have a great group of guys this year who continue to come together. As we get later into the season, we are going to need to have guys continue to step it up,” Donnelly added.
The Vikings, who improved to 6-0 with a 12-10 victory over non-league opponent Essex Tech this past Monday, were scheduled to make the long trek to NEC South foe Gloucester yesterday (Wednesday). They will entertain Northeast Regional this evening (Thursday) under the lights at Miller Field with the opening face-off set for 6:00.
WHS softball team continuing to improve; hosts Ipswich today
Although the Winthrop High softball team has come up short in its recent contests, WHS head coach Erin Vercruysse is seeing great improvement in her squad’s performance.
Last Wednesday, the Lady Vikings dropped an 11-2 decision to Beverly. Freshman pitcher Lucy Boncore struck out six Lady Panthers and allowed five earned runs, while also driving in a run at the plate.
Sophomore Sofia Gonzalez went two-for-four. On defense, Winthrop turned a double play. Senior Captain Amelia Spencer recorded three outs playing third and partnered with catcher Francesca Indrisano to catch a Lady Panther attempting to steal third.
“Given that last season’s loss to Beverly was 21-1, our team’s progress is turning heads,” said Vercruysse.
This past Friday on a blustery day at Swampscott’s Forest St. field, the Lady Vikings weren’t able to get on the board in an 8-0 defeat. Sophomore Deanna Nee went two-for-three at the plate with a stolen base.
“Our bats just didn’t have enough impact on the day,” noted Vercruysse.
The Winthrop defense turned another double play to make three DPs thus far on the season.
Vercruysse and her crew host Ipswich today (Thursday) at 4:30 at Cellucci Field. They will trek to Danvers on the holiday on Monday and will entertain Gloucester next Wednesday and Salem next Friday.
WHS baseball hosts Medford today, Danvers tomorrow
The Winthrop High baseball team will be looking to get back on the winning track when first-year head coach Jack Wallace and his Viking crew entertain non-league opponent Medford today (Thursday) and Northeastern Conference (NEC) North rival Danvers tomorrow (Friday) at Veterans Field. The opening pitch for both contests is set for 4:30.
Winthrop opened the season with an 8-3 victory over Salem, but has come up short in its last four contests.
The Vikings will make the long treks to Gloucester next Wednesday and to Salem next Friday.
Girls lax hosts Northeast today
The Winthrop High girls lacrosse team will entertain Northeast Regional today (Thursday) at Miller Field. The opening draw is set for 4:30 and will precede the boys’ contest with the Golden Knights.