WHS boys lacrosse tops two NEC foes; wins NEC South title
The Winthrop High boys lacrosse team defeated Northeastern Conference (NEC) rivals Salem and Danvers last week to clinch the championship of the South Division of the NEC.
Last Thursday, coach Brian Donnelly and his crew trekked to Salem State University to. meet NEC South foe Salem and came home with a 12-2 win.
“We had a bit of a slow start to the game, but controlled the tempo the whole time,” said Donnelly. “We were moving the ball very well; we were just having a hard time finishing. Once the goals started coming and we settled down a bit we were fine.”
This past Saturday morning the Vikings hosted NEC North rival Danvers and unleashed an offensive barrage to claim a 20-10 victory.
“From top to bottom, I think it was our most complete game of the season,” Donnelly said. “The whole team was amped to come out and compete and that was clear from the first whistle.”
WHS netminder Nick Romano played excellently in goal.
“Nick had some huge saves that ensured we had total control of the game,” said Donnelly. “Our defensive core continues to improve. Mike Donahue and Matt Maddalone have been excellent at short stick defense, and they thrived in this game. Steven Lindinger, Declan Howard, and Sean Dolan are really clicking as a defensive unit and are talking a ton, which is pivotal to their success.”
Seth Sacco led the Vikings on offense, reaching the back of the Falcons’ net for six goals.
Luke Githinji, whom Donnelly said, “had the best game I have seen him play and had some great shots from the outside” scored four goals.
“Both CJ and Colin Cifuni continued to play lights out,” Donnelly added, with CJ netting four goals and Colin finding the hat trick.
“We were able to spread the goals around, which is always what you want in a game like this,” Donnelly continued. “Paul Ferrara has proven to be one of the hardest working players in the NEC. He took most of our face offs and is just all over the field.”
This past Monday, the Vikings celebrated Senior Night in appropriate fashion with a big win over Northeast Regional on the turf at Miller Field (see accompanying story).
“Steven Lindinger was able to get a goal on senior night which was great to see,” said Donnelly. “We also saw Seth Sacco score his 100th point on the season, which is an amazing accomplishment.”
“This is a great group of players who have worked hard to get where they are at this season and we are hoping to continue our success against a tough Marblehead team,” Donnelly added.
The Vikings were scheduled to face NEC North rival Marblehead this past Tuesday and will conclude their regular season at non-league opponent Wilmington today (Thursday).
Winthrop presently stands at 14-2 on the season and is ranked 15th in the MIAA’s Division 4 power rankings.
Donnelly acknowledges contributions of seniors at boys lacrosse Sr. Night
The Winthrop High boys lacrosse team observed Senior Night festivities this past Monday evening under the lights at Miller Field and celebrated the evening with a victory over Northeast Regional.
WHS head coach Brian Donnelly acknowledged the achievements of each of his seniors and recognized them for their contributions to the boys’ lacrosse program:
Stephen Lindinger:
Stephen Lindiner has been a contributor for all four years of his time here at Winthrop High School lacrosse, starting now as a defender. Steven is a coach’s dream who is willing to play anywhere and anywhere he thinks he can benefit his team. Steven shows up every day ready to work and improve and the attitude and effort he puts forth during lacrosse will benefit him throughout the rest of his life. He has had some massive stops this year and is able to use his stick skills to clear the ball in huge situations. Steven can also switch to shorty which allowed him to gain a few varsity goals this year. He is a workhorse for this team and his attitude and effort are unmatched.
Michael Donahue:
Micahel Donahue has only been with the WHS lacrosse program for one year, but the second he stepped on the field we knew he would be a massive contributor. Michael palys shut down defense as a short stick and his presence can be felt all over the field. He has increasingly become a huge part of our team defense and has had some massive plays so far this year, shutting down opponents players in some key moments. He has swiftly become a key part of our faceoffs and defensive unit and his addition was key in securing the NEC title.
Luke Githinji:
Luke is a two-year starter for the Winthrop Vikings. In his two years with the team Luke has been a force down at the Attack position. Luke plays with an intensity on the field that is infectious to those around him. Luke has improved massively over the last two years and has honed in his shot to be one of the most formidable attackmen in the NEC. Some highlights include an amazing assist to Michael Holgersen in the double overtime WIn against Gloucester. Luke also had a dominating performance against Danvers to propel us to win the NEC South Title.
Colin Cifuni:
Colin is a dangerous presence at the midfield. Colin has one of the most devastating shots in the NEC with over 25 goals on the season and 10 assists on the year. Colin can score from most places on the offensive side of the field. He has an excellent outside snipe shot, has improved his dodging ability immensely over the last four years and has excellent cutting abilities towards the net that make him nearly unstoppable anywhere on the field. Colin is a work horse and plays the majority of minutes also getting some devastating checks on the defensive side of the ball. He has matured into an excellent lacrosse player and teammate and a massive part of the reason for the team’s success over his tenure as a VIking. He has over three hat trick games on the season and has been a massive reason the boys took the NEC title.
Michael Holgerson:
Michael Holgersen is the fearless leader of the Viking lacrosse program. Mike is able to lead by example, has an excellent mind for the game of lacrosse and is dangerous in all aspects of the match. Mike is a true leader in every sense of the word and makes all of the teammates around him a better player. Mike plays tenacious defense, is able to clear the ball with style and is one of the hardest working players on the field at all times. When the team is struggling or unsure of what to do, Mike is the player everyone looks to for guidance and time and time again he delivers. He was able to find the goal in a double overtime Win against swampscott to propel us to the head of the division. He has been an excellent captain and he always gives us the confidence that we can be in any and all games. His leadership will be sorely missed but I have no doubt he has positively influenced others to step up as leaders and players.
WHS flag football showing resilience
Although the Winthrop High flag football team came up short in its two contests this past week, head coach John Cross was pleased with his team’s effort.
“We faced a tough pair of matchups last week, dropping both games, but showing grit and resilience on the field,” said Cross.
.In the first game, the Vikings fell to Cambridge by a score of 12-6. Despite a strong defensive effort, Winthrop ended regulation in a tie but lost in overtime.
Game two saw Winthrop take on Bishop Fenwick, ending in a narrow 13-6 loss.
“The team continued to battle hard, showing improvement and heart throughout,” noted Cross.
With starting quarterback Zoey Bogusz sidelined because of an injury, Tori Bates stepped up to fill the role under center.
“Tori handled the pressure admirably, guiding the offense and keeping the team competitive in both contests,” said Cross.
.On the offensive side, Marissa MacMullen delivered a standout performance, making key plays and providing a spark for the Vikings in both games.
“Though the outcomes weren’t in our favor, we showed determination and teamwork, setting the stage for a strong rebound in the coming week,” Cross added.
Cross and his crew were scheduled to travel to Salem yesterday to take on Revere and Barnstable.
WHS softball team defeats Rockport
The Winthrop High softball team opened a busy stretch of games this past week on a positive note with a 13-1 victory at Rockport last Monday.
The Lady Vikings’ bats delivered some heavy metal in the third inning. Deanna Nee doubled, scoring one run, Brianna Rizzotto tripled, scoring two runs, and Jenna Whitehead singled, scoring a run. In the fourth inning, Fran Indrisano had an inside-the-park three-run homer.
Freshman pitcher Lucy Boncore took the W, giving up only one hit and one run, while striking out seven. Winthrop was aggressive on the basepaths, stealing eight bases.
Winthrop traveled the next day to Masconomet Regional in Boxford and came out on the short end of an 8-0 decision in which the Lady Vikings were no-hot.
“We just couldn’t get our bats to come alive,” said WHS head coach Erin Vercruysse.
Two days later Winthrop fell to Salem on Thursday, splitting the two games this season with the Witches.
Deanna Nee had two hits in three at bats. Tina Fabiano had a double, while Sofia Gonzalez, and Fran Indrisano each had a single on the day. Pitcher Lucy Boncore had a great outing, striking out 13 opponents.
On Friday, in a tough in-conference loss, the Lady Vikings fell to Gloucester 15-0. Boncore accounted for Winthrop’s only hit of the day and also showed patience at the plate, drawing one of the two walks given up by the Gloucester pitcher. Fran Indrisano earned the second walk and stole a base.
The Lady Vikings trekked to Hamilton-Wenham this past Saturday and almost came back from a soix run deficit before falling 9-8 to the Lady Generals.
Winthrop closed the gap in the fifth inning, scoring five runs on six hits. Giuliana Marenghi doubled, scoring one run; Sofia Gonzale scored after tagging up; Deanna Nee doubled, driving in a run; and Boncore doubled, delivering two teammates.
Boncore had three RBI on the day and Nee had three hits in four at bats. Jenna Whitehead and Tina Fabiano also tallied two hits each for the Vikings. Amelia Spencer earned the team’s “Big Glove” award for her outstanding defense at third base.
“Overall, it was a tough matchup showcased by some power hitting and great defensive plays,” noted Vercruysse.
This past Monday, the Lady Vikings dropped a 12-0 decision to Marblehead despite what Vercruysse termed “perhaps our defensive showing of the year.”
Sofia Gonzalez accounted for five putouts and Amelia Spencer had two to pace an error-free Viking “D”. Spencer and Tina Fabiano each had a hit, but the Lady Magicians were just too tough on the mound for the Vikings to string together a rally.
Vercuysse and her crew were scheduled to host Northeast Regional yesterday (Wednesday) for Senior Night and then will play the Lady Golden Knights again at Oaklandvale in Saugus on Saturday in their last game of the 2025 season.
WHS baseball to close out season today
The Winthrop High baseball team was scheduled to wrap up its season today (Thursday) with a contest at non-league opponent Wakefield. The Vikings earned a victory this past Sunday with a 4-3 triumph over Medford in a continuation of a contest that had been halted after eight innings because of darkness with the score tied at 3-3.