WHS boys lacrosse defeats Marblehead; #5 Vikings await word of tourney foe
The Winthrop High boys lacrosse team celebrated Senior Night in appropriate fashion with a 13-8 victory over Marblehead last Wednesday, marking the first victory for a Viking boys lacrosse team over the Magicians in the program’s history.
The teams were deadlocked at 7-7 at the half, but Winthrop came out on fire after the intermission before a large and vocal hometown crowd to take control of the match, scoring the first five goals of the second half.
“We had a couple of huge goals in the first half from some of our young guys in Johnny Ferrara and Tyler Smith,” said WHS head coach Brian Donnelly. “In the second half we came out flying and scored the first five goals. Ace Daignault played an amazing game on Senior Night with six goals and three assists. Seth Sacco put another stellar performance together as well, scoring four goals and two assists.
“Ace and Seth continue to play off each other’s strengths and are just pushing each other to be better players,” said Donnelly. “Our defense showed up in a big way all game, but was particularly locked-in during the second half. Nick Romano played great in net, only allowing one goal in the second half.
“Matt Madalone was excellent on face-offs, with Paul Ferrara netting a ton of ground balls coming off the edge,” Donnelly added. “Our defensive unit continues to grow in confidence and if they continue to communicate and work together, they will be a problem for opposing offenses in the playoffs.”
Donnelly acknowledged the contributions made by the team’s seniors to the WHS boys lax program.
“The 2026 lacrosse seniors are a special group of young men who have achieved amazing things in their time here at WHS,” said the coach. “They have won the NEC South (Lynch) Division title three out of the four years they have been here in 2023, 2025, and this year in 2026. This is among the best teams Winthrop High School lacrosse has seen. Each individual on this team has added their unique talent and voice to the program, and their dedication, skills and attitude will be felt long after their final game. We look forward to seeing all that the 2026 lacrosse seniors will do in the future.”
Donnelly made the following comments about each of the seniors as they were introduced during the pre-game festivities:
#99- Jack Thompspn
Jack Thompson- Jack joined us this year for his first year of lacrosse with the program. Jack is an animated character whose personality shines through while getting the sideline pumped.
Aidan Coffy
Aidan Coffy is another player who joined the WHS lacrosse squad for the first time. Aidan is a hardworking defensive middie who when he hits the field the bench goes crazy. Aidan’s love for being on the team is infectious and has become a great teammate. He has had some solid minutes this year and might have some of the most fun when he hits the field.
#24- Tomas Babine
Tomas has been a massive contributor this year at the attack position and is an excellent facilitator on offense. Tomas leads the attack with a cool, calm and collective intensity that is refreshing to see on the field. He has 21 assists on the year and is our third leading goal leader netting 12 goals. Babine can do some serious damage on face offs and even stepped up huge in our Malden Catholic game to get three saves in goal. Tomas will do whatever is asked of him on the field and is truly a team player. Next year Tomas will be attending Lynn University to study business.
#3-Chris Beshere
Chris is one of the hardest working players that the Winthrop lacrosse team has seen. Chris has spent his three last three years grinding to be the player he has become. Chris was first man last year and solidified his starting position this year having massive games against swampscott and beverly. Chris loves to learn the game and has improved massively throughout his time here as a Winthrop Viking lacrosse player and has become one of the most formidable defenders in the league. Chrfis has had some massive ground balls that have led to quick time outs this year. Chris is an excellent defender, teammate and is beloved by his teammates. Chris will be attending the University of Wentworth to study project management.
#12 — Declan Howard
Declan has become an absolute menace on defense, being a two year starter . Howard has had some massive takeaways and had the biggest deflection of the year last year that led to the 2025 NEC south win against Swampscott. Howard has some tenacious checks and his stick skills continue to improve every game. He is as quick on his feet as he is with a joke and is a great teammate. Declan has become a formidable defender and can match up with anyone in the NEC. Declan is going into construction with the hopes of joining the police force in the future.
#8- Nick Romano
Nick Romano is an absolute brick wall in the Net. Nick is a two-year captain, starter and vocal leader on the team. Nick plays with a confidence and swagger not seen at the high school level. He is an excellent communicator during games and leads his team into battle every game with a focused intensity. Nick’s ability to see the ball is incredible and is good from close and outside. Nick can throw absolute darts to our clearing middies and finds cutting players that often lead to goals. Nick is not afraid to come out of the net to make a clear happen that often leads to fast break goals. Nick is an animated leader who elevates his defense and team to great heights. He averages 12 plus saves per game and has 8 assists on the season. Nicky is going to the Peterson school to begin his start into electrical trade.
#11- Ace Daignault
Ace is a pure lacrosse player who has an absolute cannon of an outside shot. His accuracy is excellent from anywhere on the field and is an amazing dodger who creates space out of nowhere and is incredibly hard to cover despite drawing doubles or triples from defenses. He is tenacious on defense and is a ground ball machine. He comes off the edge on our face-offs and can scoop in insane traffic. He is committed to helping develop young players and has an excellent mind for the game of lacrosse. He is a big-time player who, when the game is on the line, delivers. We were happy to have Ace back this year where he has netted 83 goals and 43 assists. That gives Ace a total of an impressive 95 assists and 195 goals as a Viking with 290 points total. Ace is attending IMG academy and then joining the UMass-Amherst lacrosse team where he is hoping to study business.
#5 — Sean Dolen
Sean is a two-year captain, a vocal leader and one of the best close defensemen in the league. Sean is an absolute force on defense and is tasked with covering the best attack man every game. Sean is our team leader and elevates the play of everyone around him. He gets his team into position and gives the players around him the confidence to be better. Sean is able to turn the ball over in big situations and has an excellent ability to find people in tight clears. His stick skills are incredible,, and his clearing ability has gotten him 8 assists on the season and a goal. Sean is the epitome of a student athlete and is respected by his peers, teachers and school community. Sean is as excellent a human as he is a lacrosse player.
#9- Seth Sacco
Seth Sacco is a two-year captain who is an amazing leader, incredible person, excellent dodger, and one of the top players in the state. Seth creates opportunities for himself and everyone else on the field with his amazing dodging skills and excellent finishing. Seth can and will score from anywhere on the field. He has an excellent mind for lacrosse and pushes his teammates to improve every day. Seth is an amazing team leader who develops young talent through his vocal leadership and constant effort. He believes in himself and encourages those around him to believe in themselves too. He is the all-time Winthrop High School leading goal and points leader who has 87 goals and 41 assists on the year. That brings him a total of 90 assists, 237 goals and 317 total points for his career. That is an impressive record. Seth has given it all to the program. Seth will bring his talents to Lynn University to play lacrosse and study business.
The Vikings, who finished with a 15-3 record and were ranked #5 in the MIAA’s Division 4 power ratings as of Friday, were awaiting word of their first-round opponent in the upcoming D-4 state tournament as the Sun-Transcript was going to press. Winthrop will host a home game in the opening Round of 32 and will host a Sweet 16 contest if they advance.
WHS girls lacrosse plays at Nipmuc in state tournament
The Winthrop High girls lacrosse team was scheduled to travel to Nipmuc Regional High School in Upton yesterday (Wednesday) for a Round of 32 contest in the MIAA Division 4 state tournament.
Coach Anthony Hatzisavas’s Lady Vikings entered the tourney as the #29 seed in D-4 with a 9-9 record. Nipmuc is the #4 seed with a 13-3 mark.
WHS softball wraps up season
The Winthrop High softball team wrapped up its 2026 season with contests against Marblehead and Gloucester last week.
In a 12-0 loss to Marblehead last Monday, the Vikings just couldn’t get their bats going against Marblehead pitcher Tessa Francis. Kylie McFarland had the only stolen base on the day after reaching on an error.
“Sophomore pitcher Lucy Boncore threw a good game, but Marblehead just had our number,” said WHS head coach Erin Vercruysse.
Brianna Rizzotto was named the Viking of the Game for a diving catch that Brianna made in left field.
In their season finale on Thursday against a Gloucester squad that was the NEC champion with a 13-0 record, the Vikings fell short by a score of 11-2. The Winthrop runs were delivered thanks to an out-of-the-park home run blast — the first at the Vikings’ new field at Ingleside — by Boncore in the second inning.
“Every varsity player saw the field and we played hard down to the last out,” said Vercrusse. “Our outfield put on a show with three catches by Jenna Whitehead in right, and two each by Molly Titemore in center and Brianna Rizzotto in left.
“Norah Zaffini stole a base and Jenna Whitehead ended her Viking softball career with our ‘Big Glove’ award at the end of the game,” Vercruysse said.
“Lucy Boncore threw a great game on the mound and with her home run earned Viking of the Game honors,” Vercruysse added.
Vercruysse”s crew finished with an overall record of 7-13 and 3-10 in the Northeastern Conference (NEC), which placed the Vikings in third place in the NEC’s Lynch Division.
D’Amico wins two medals at NEC Meet; sets new WHS record
Winthrop’ standout junior captain Thomas D’Amico earned two medals at last Friday’s Northeastern Conference Championship Meet that was held at Danvers High.
Thomas brought home a fourth-place medal in the 400 meter dash with a time of 52.86 that was a personal record (PR) and that qualified him for the Division 5 State Meet that was held yesterday (Wednesday).
D’Amico also earned a sixth-place medal in the 400m hurdles in a clocking of 61.07 that broke his own school record that he had set earlier this season. On the girls’ side, Hailey DeMarco ran a PR of 115.5 in the 400m hurdles. Freshman Aria Zizzo earned a PR in the 200m dash in 32.04.