WHS boys soccer
falls just short vs. Bishop Fenwick
The Winthrop High boys soccer team fell just short by a score of 3-2 in their contest with non-league opponent Bishop Fenwick last Wednesday.
“Last year we fought out a tough 2-2 tie with Fenwick,” said WHS head coach Alex Brown, “so we knew it would be much of the same this year: a tough, physical, and all-out game where Bishop Fenwick would give us quite a matchup and would be a good opponent.
“We wanted to be as prepared as possible, so we made sure to go over some specific details regarding formation and cover to get our guys ready to go,” Brown added.
From the opening whistle, the contest was a physical match. “We were battling for every pass, for every header, for every scoring opportunity,” said Brown. “We were able to create chances throughout the first half, but were unable to find the back of the net. ”
With the play going back-and-forth, Bishop Fenwick broke the deadlock to take a 1-0 lead. However, Viking junior Seaghan Turner cut through the Crusader defense, followed a shot in, and was able to score to bring the game back to level at 1-1 before the intermission.
“Seaghan has been excellent in the middle of the field for us,” said Brown. “His awareness on the field is impressive and he always seems to be in the best position to set his teammates up for success.
“Our focus at halftime was finding the open space on the field and getting the ball into that open space so we could receive passes under less pressure,” said Brown. “If we were able to make more decisive movements off the ball, we would have success in the offensive third.”
The teams resumed the second half with the same style of physical play and a lot of scoring opportunities from both teams. Viking senior goalkeeper Jackson Faber did a great job in net the entire game, making a number of critical saves.
Fenwick struck first in the second half to take a 2-1 lead, but with continued pressure and a relentless effort from the Vikings, senior Leandro Mendonca caused the Bishop Fenwick defenders to make an error on the back line, leading to a penalty kick.
Senior captain Kai Faber buried the PK to bring the teams level once again at 2-2.
“We had some great momentum in the second half after Kai’s goal,” said Brown. “We never gave up and our boys continued to fight for that third goal.”
Unfortunately, Bishop Fenwick was able to score off a deflected shot, ending the contest in a 3-2 loss for the Vikings.
“Overall our boys played right there with them,” Brown said. “We never gave up and we were almost across the finish line with that game-winning goal. Our midfield, led by senior Artur Vereze Rezende, junior Seaghan Turner, and junior Matias Alvarez, worked the entirety of the game to help generate as much offense as possible.
” As a group we will continue to work on our overall movement up and down the field, and we will continue to come back stronger with each passing game,” Brown added. “The coaching staff is still extremely proud of this group and we know that it takes contributions from everyone to succeed.”
The Vikings, who now stand at 5-4 on the season, traveled to Northeastern Conference rival Beverly this past Monday and dropped a 3-0 decision.
They made the long trek to Gloucester yesterday (Wednesday). They will entertain non-league foe Lynn Classical tomorrow (Friday) and NEC adversary Salem next Tuesday before traveling to Lynn Classical next Wednesday.
A tie and a win
for WHS girls soccer
The Winthrop High girls soccer team made the long bus ride to Northeastern Conference Lynch Division rival Gloucester and returned home with a well-earned 1-1 tie. Senior Ana Freitas, assisted by Angela Coscia, provided the offense for the Lady Vikings.
“We played them pretty evenly, and even though we couldn’t pull out a win, we have fallen to them in the past few years, so the tie was definitely on the ‘up’ for us,” said WHS head coach Tracey Martucci.
Last Monday the Lady Vikings hosted NEC Lynch foe Swampscott and came up on the short end of a 7-0 decision.
“We were only down 2-0 at the half, but then we came out pretty flat and they scored a few back-to-back goals,” said Martucci. “But again, taking the positive out of it, going into the half at 2-0 was huge for us.”
The Lady Vikings concluded their week with a big 5-1 triumph over non-league rival Revere on the turf at Miller Field. Goals by Coscia (assisted by Freitas) and freshman Lola Ferrara (from Norah Zaffini) gave Winthrop a 2-0 lead at the intermission
In the second half, freshman Audra Currier (assisted by Freitas), a second goal by Ferrara for her brace (assisted by Aoife Turner), and an unassisted goal by Giuliana Grimaldi accounted for the 5-1 finale.
Martucci and her crew, who stand at 2-4-2 on the season, were scheduled to host NEC Dunn Division opponent Beverly this past Monday and Gloucetser yesterday (Wednesday), with the latter contest to be highlighted by Senior Night festivities.
They will trek to Lynch Division adversary Salem next Tuesday and return home to host non-league opponent Excfel next Thursday.
Golfers move
within one win
of state tourney
The Winthrop High golf team moved within one victory of qualifying for the post-season state tournament after a successful stretch of matches.
The Vikings defeated Gloucester, 43.5-28.5, at the Winthrop Golf Club. “This was a great match vs. a rival of ours,” said WHS head coach Jack Wallace. “We were sparked by senior captain Nikita Rossi, winning 7-2 and firing a 36 at the #1 spot. This was a huge start.”
Sophomore Max Dassau won 6-3 at the #2 spot. “When your 1-2 can win by that much, you have a shot at winning every time,” said Wallace. “I’m very proud of these two who have to play the best of the best every match. ”
Seniors Paulie Ferrara and Tony Bordonaro both won their matches and contributed 5+ points at the 3-4. “I would trust our top four vs. anybody,” Wallace said. “They mean a lot to the program.”
Sophomores Luca Braga and Johnny Poulos both won their matches, 5-4. “They gave us huge points with the top succeeding well,” noted Wallace. Senior Jojo Pumphret contributed four points in a back-and-forth match at the 7-spot. Junior Danny Connolly continued his tight matches at #8, winning 5-4 on the 9th hole.
“This was a great revenge match from last year and it should be a great one to watch when we play them later on their home course at Bass Rocks,” the coach added.
The Vikings then defeated both Peabody (55-17) and Salem (38.5.33.5) in a tri-match at Peabody Meadows. “This was a tough match on a difficult course with a lot of blind shots,” said Wallace. “This tested us as a team and we battled some bad shots and a lot of hazards.”
In the match vs. Peabody, every Viking won or tied their match. Eighth grader Landon Gunn contributed 4.5 points in his first career match. “It was a team dominating win and it’s never easy to win on an opponent’s home course,” Wallace noted.
In the part of the contest vs, the Witches, it was tight for most of the match, as both teams played well away from their courses. However, the Vikings prevailed. Soph Johnny Poulos won 6-3 to contribute six big points in the #6 spot. His partner, junior Danny Connolly, contributed 4.5 points. Senior captain Nikita Rossi won 5-4. Senior Jojo Pumphret contributed 3.5 points, which allowed Winthrop to stay on track. Seniors Paulie Ferrara and Tony Bordonaro were both winners.
“We took care of business on a day that could have easily gotten out of hand. I’ve asked a lot of them and they have handled it well,” Wallace said.
The Vikings next took on non-league rival Georgetown at Black Swan in Boxford and earned a 115-100 victory, winning the stableford points match on a windy day on a difficult course.
The main highlights came from seniors Nikita Rossis and Paulie Ferrara. Nikita led the way with 30 points and Paulie had 22 points. “They basically won us the match, overtaking some of Georgetown’s decent scores,” said Wallace. Sophomore Luca Braga had 16 points that capped off the win. Senior captain Tony Bordonaro added a big 17 points. “These were the days our senior leadership and experience won out,” noted Wallace.
The Vikings dropped a closely-contested match with Swampscott at Tedesco Country Club, 38-34, last Thursday “This was a very competitive match,” said Wallace. “I was extremely proud of how we fought and we were right there until the end, and in my opinion, we were the better team that day. But that’s golf — sometimes it happens.”
Highlights were at the 1 and 2 spots. Senior Nikita Rossi and Max Dassau both contributed 4.5 points. “Nikita shot an even par 34 which is a great score,” said Wallace. “Max also played very well, hitting some great match play shots in a back and forth match.”
The big winner for the Vikings was senior Captain Tony Bordonaro with a 6.5-2.5 triumph over his Big Blue counterpart. “This was a great win for Tony and his confidence,” Wallace said. “He needed this and has played great since.”
Another winner was junior Danny Connolly who defeated his Swampscott foe, 5.5-3.5. “Danny has been battling all year and every match is a grind. Congratulations to him on this win,” said Wallace. “Soph Luca Braga contributed 4.5 points and has been one of the best back-end players in the conference for us this year.
“This was a glimpse of what we are capable of if we get hot — and you never know, anyone can be beaten any day. This was a great step towards playing good golf come the states,” Wallace added.
The Vikings posted their ninth victory of the year with a 54-18 victory over Salem this past Monday in which Winthrop won seven of the eight matches. Highlights for the Vikings came from senior captain Tony Bordonaro , who won his match 9-0, and soph Max Dassau and senior Nikita Rossi, who tied for the low round of the day with 37. “They have become a dangerous duo in the NEC,” noted Wallace.
Senior Paulie Ferrara won his match, 6-3. Sophomores Johnny Poulos and Luca Braga both triumphed in their matches to contribute 6+ points. Sophomore Dan McNeil won 8-1 improving at the # 8 spot with a winning record.
The Vikings now sit at 9-5, needing one more victory to punch their ticket for the MIAA Division 3 North State Sectionals. They were scheduled to host Masconomet at the WGC this past Tuesday. They will entertain Lynn Classical next Monday and then will make the long trek to Gloucester next Tuesday.
Volleyball team
defeats Everett
The Winthrop High volleyball team shook off losses to Masconomet and Salem earlier in the week to earn a hard-fought victory over Everett in five sets last Friday.
“We started out the week playing Masco and Salem,” said WHS head coach Jermey Wein. “Neither of those matches went well — all phases of the game just didn’t go well. I told the girls that it is my fault because I didn’t prepare them enough. But we were able to end the week by beating Everett in five sets.
“Everyone came to play in their own capacities,” said Wein. “Helena Gajica continues to be a star with her setting, defense, and offense. She sets the tone for how it needs to be done.
“Makayla Herdt impresses me with every match and every practice. She has shown everyone how to battle,” Wein continued. “Bianca Crovari and Fran Indrisano learned how to jump recently and we are starting to see how important that is. Kylie McFarland, Sofia Gonzalez, and Gia Cerasani have made a lot of progress with hitting and defense.
“We may not win a lot of matches, but this is by far my most favorite team to coach in any sport. I have told them as much –.just completely selfless and hardworking individuals. They deserve the world and nothing less,” Wein added.
The Lady Vikings were scheduled to play host for a long stretch of matches: Saugus this past Monday, Danvers yesterday (Wednesday), Wilmington tomorrow (Friday), Gloucester next Tuesday, and Marblehead next Thursday.