The Winthrop High boys soccer team, under the direction of new head coach Alex Brown, opened its 2026 season in impressive fashion with a trio of victories this past week in which the Vikings outscored their opponents by a combined total of 19-3.
The Vikings hosted Northeastern Conference (NEC) rival Gloucester last Thursday and delighted the hometown fans at Miller Field with a 5-2 victory. Winthrop seized control early against the Fishermen and maintained the pressure throughout the contest.
Senior captain Kai Faber earned the honor of scoring the first goal of the ‘26 season, heading home a well-placed corner kick from junior Seaghan Turner just five minutes into the contest.
The duo of senior Artur Vereza Renzende and senior Leandro Mendonca combined for two more Viking goals before the end of the half. Artur’s first goal was a left foot strike from just inside the penalty box, and then added his second just before the intermission.
Gloucester broke through to cut the Winthrop advantage to 3-1 early in the second half, but the Vikings responded quickly with a goal by Mendonca, who made a nice move to beat the Gloucester defender. Turner then put the game away midway through the half with a great, far-side finish inside the penalty box, assisted by Samuel Narvaez.
“The team, led by captains Kai Faber and David Restrepo, as well as a strong senior class, were excited to start their season,” said Brown. “We came out focused and ready-to-go. Our game plan was to put pressure on Gloucester from the opening whistle. The boys kept the energy up and kept pressuring the Gloucester back line, creating multiple chances all throughout the first half.
“Shortly after the first goal, after some great ball movement through the middle of the field, Gloucester’s goalie made some great saves throughout the first half, but our consistent pressure in the offensive third of the field was helping to keep the Gloucester offense at bay,” Brown noted.
“The halftime discussion was all about keeping the pressure up and not getting comfortable,” Brown said. “Ball movement across the field is key, and guys need to continue to hustle to keep the energy up. The boys did a great job keeping the energy up for the second half. It was a great showing on our home turf. Overall, the boys looked great out on the field. I am very proud of all the preparations that took place this offseason and during our preseason training to get us to this point.
“The midfield has been working great together, and with the help of our senior leadership, anchored by our back line consisting of both our captains, Kai Faber and David Restrepo, the team chemistry is most certainly there,” Brown added.
The following day Brown and his crew trekked to non-league opponent Arlington Catholic and came home with a 7-1 victory.
Mendonca jump-started the Viking offensive machine with an early goal on a perfectly-delivered strike on a free kick, from where Winthrop kept up the pressure and never looked back. Two goals by Vereza Rezende and one by Turner gave the Vikings a commanding 4-0 advantage by the intermission.
Mendonca made it 5-0 shortly into the second half and sophomore Samuel Jiminez upped the count to 6-0 with a great shot that just cleared the AC goalkeeper’s reach.
After Arlington Catholic scored their lone goal amidst a scramble for a loose ball that got past the Viking back line, freshman Pedro Estevam was awarded a penalty kick after attempting to make a move on the Gloucester defense. Pedro placed it perfectly out of the reach of the goalkeeper to cap off the night.
“Back-to-back games to start the season might have some teams worried with potential injuries or lack of conditioning, but the team was excited to get back on the field and hit the road against Arlington Catholic,” said Brown.
“The midfield commanded the game right from the start and created multiple scoring opportunities,” Brown said. “Senior Artur Vereza Rezende, junior Seaghan Turner, sophomore Samuel Narvaez, freshman Simon Cardona, and sophomore Samuel Jiminez were the core group that kept possession of the ball throughout the midfield and did a great job communicating and using the space.
“Going into the second half, I reiterated with the team that their composure, movement off the ball, and communication would be critical to continue good possession in the middle of the field,” Brown added. “Overall, we need to approach each game individually and stick to the game plan. The work ethic of the boys is great, and I am excited for them to step up to their next challenge.”
Brown’s crew capped their week with a 7-0 shutout of NEC foe Danvers this past Monday at Miller. The Vikings were scheduled to make the long trek to NEC foe Salem yesterday (Wednesday). They will travel to NEC opponent Saugus next Monday and entertain NEC adversary Masconomet next Wednesday.
The Winthrop High volleyball team opened its 2026 season with a 3-0 shutout victory at Northeastern Conference (NEC) rival Saugus last Tuesday.
“We won behind some solid teamwork,” said WHS head coach Jeremy Wein. “Captains Makayla Herdt, Kylie McFarland, and Sofia Gonzalez led the way with some scrappy defense to offense. Junior setter Helena Gajica had a lot of hustle plays to keep our offense intact. Sal Dianez Poquet and Gia Cerasani kept the ship steady. Volleyball newcomers Fran Indrisano and Bianca Crovari got some valuable time in the middle. They made the most of the time they had. It was a nice showing.”
The Lady Vikings came up short in their next contest at non-league opponent Chelsea last Friday. “It was a disappointing night to say the least,” said Wein. “We held leads in the last two sets, but couldn’t hold on. That’s my fault, so I will do better in helping us be more prepared. One huge bright spot was junior setter Isabella DePaula getting her first varsity start and assists. She is such a hardworking, intelligent young woman and I’m thrilled she stepped up.
“I am excited for this season,” Wein continued. “We have a solid group of kids from eighth grade to seniors. Everyone understands the assignment for the most part, and that is to make progress. We are lucky to have coach Kyara, as well as former Winthrop Viking volleyball player Elle English joining us.
“This season will have ups and downs and we have to be able to learn from all of these awesome experiences because they are all opportunities to improve on,” Wein added. “We are dedicating this season to Stefanie Weyandt, a friend of ours from Pittsburgh who is currently fighting breast cancer alongside her husband and two young children. We are also fighting in the memory of former AEW wrestler and guitarist for the band Every Time I Die, Andy ‘The Butcher’ Williams. Both of them actively worked to live their lives to the fullest and bring along as many people as possible.”
The Lady Vikings were scheduled to stay on the road with matches at NEC foes Gloucester this past Monday and Peabody yesterday (Wednesday). Their first home encounters of 2026 are set for next Tuesday vs. non-league opponent Georgetown and next Wednesday vs. NEC rival Swampscott.
With a turnout of 40 girls for the Lady Viking soccer program, veteran WHS coach Tracey Martucci is enthusiastic about the coming season.
“We have about 40 girls this season, 12 being eighth graders, and we have a full varsity roster,” said Martucci.
The 2026 edition of the Lady Viking team will be led a trio of senior captains, Sara Yepes , Sophia Sarnaglia, and Angela Coscia, who will be joined by fellow members of the Class of 2027 Grace Scorzella, Ana Freitas, Ellie Farnsworth, Amira Mousaiff, Chloe Bernal, and Emily Raddi.
“Our preseason went well,” Martucci said. “We had three scrimmages vs Medford, Malden, and Everett (which was a 5-1 victory).”
The Lady Vikings opened their season this past Monday, falling to perennial Northeastern Conference powerhouse Danvers. Angela Coscia, assisted by Emma Previte, scored the lone goal for Winthrop.
Martucci and her crew have a busy stretch ahead with five games in nine days. They were scheduled to take on NEC rival Salem yesterday (Wednesday) and will entertain non-league opponent Lynn Tech this Saturday on the Miller Field turf at 11:00.
They will host NEC rival Saugus next Monday and then will journey to Masconomet next Wednesday and make the long trek to Gloucester next Thursday.
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