MAYOR WALSH HONORS JILLIAN DEMPSEY AND BOSTON PRIDE HOCKEY TEAM
Winthrop’s Jillian Dempsey and her Boston Pride teammates were honored by Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the City of Boston for winning the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) championship during an April 22 ceremony at Faneuil Hall.
Dempsey is a graduate of The Rivers School in Weston and Harvard University where she starred for the Crimson hockey team and was nominated for the Patty Kazmaier Award as the nation’s best collegiate hockey player.ÂÂ
WHS sports roundup
WHS boys tennis team improves to 5-1
The Winthrop High boys tennis team won two matches and narrowly lost a third this past week to raise its record to 5-1.
The Vikings made quick work of Peabody and Malden in an unusual doubleheader last Wednesday in which they trekked to Peabody in the morning and then traveled to Malden Catholic in the afternoon.
Winthrop warmed up for its afternoon contest with a total shutout of Peabody in the AM. Winthrop did not lose a set to the Tanners in four matches and won the second doubles match by forfeit to claim a 5-0 win. Noah Hodgkins (first singles), Mike Norris (second singles), Jake LaFratta (third singles), and Robbie Miles/Matt Sennott (first doubles) all won their matches by scores of 6-0, 6-0. The tandem of Corey Cherico and Kyle Dalton were the entrants at second doubles.
A few hours later, the Vikings claimed a 5-0 shutout victory over Malden Catholic. Hodgkins once again dominated his foe at first singles, 6-0, 6-0. Norris was a 6-3, 6-0 winner at second singles and LaFratta cruised 6-1, 6-0 at third singles.
The combo of Miles/Sennott triumphed 6-0, 6-2 at first doubles and the tandem of Cherico/James Forster claimed a 6-0, 6-2 win at second doubles.
The Vikings suffered their first loss of the season at Lynn Classical Thursday, 3-2. The doubles teams of Miles/Sennott (6-2, 6-0) and Cherico/Dalton (7-6 [7-5], 6-2) captured their matches, but the three singles players all came out on the short end of their contests.
WHS head coach Marie Finn and her crew have a busy stretch ahead as they pass the halfway mark of their season. Winthrop will play five home matches in the next eight days, including four contests in four days next week: Malden Catholic today (Thursday), Lynn English (Monday), Revere (Tuesday), Beverly (Wednesday), and Marblehead (next Thursday).
Wallace spins four-hitter in 9-2 win over Gloucester
Jack Wallace spun a masterful four-hitter and his teammates provided plenty of support to power the WHS baseball team to a 9-2 victory over Gloucester this past week.
Jack went all seven innings, fanning eight opponents, in a dominating performance against the Fishermen. At the plate, the Vikings were led by Matt Feeley, who went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI, and Jaiden Brown, who was 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored.
The Vikings did not enjoy such good fortune in their next encounter, dropping a 9-6 decision at Peabody.
The Vikings jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, the key hits coming on a triple by Wallace and singles by Feeley and Luigi Spinazzola.
However, one bad inning — in which six Tanners trotted across the plate on six hits, including a home run — proved fatal for Winthrop. The Vikings also had several defensive lapses that aided in the Peabody scoring binge.
Winthrop refused to quit and mounted a comeback, scoring three runs in the sixth, thanks to doubles by Jake Adamson and Wallace and a base hit by Brown that brought in two runs. However, the Viking surge proved to be too little, too late.
“We can’t make the mental mistakes we made against a team like Peabody and hope to be successful,†said WHS head coach Frank DeMarco. “That and runners left on base made the difference in the game.”
DeMarco and his crew were scheduled to play at Lynn Classical yesterday (Wednesday) and to host Beverly tomorrow. They journey to Danvers Monday and entertain Lynn English Wednesday.
WHS girls lacrosse team wins two games
The Winthrop High girls lacrosse team claimed a pair of victories this past week.
Abby Carleton scored four goals to pace the Lady Vikings to a 7-5 win over Malden. Julia Duplin aded a pair of goals and Alyssa Ferrara potted a solo tally.
Coach Bridget Dullea’s crew then rolled past Saugus, 16-4, this past Friday. Carleton accounted for half of the Winthrop scoring output, reaching the back of the Saugus net for eight goals. Duplin pumped in five goals and had five assists.
Alyssa Ferrara scored two goals and earned an assist.
Dullea praised the outstanding defensive play of Danielle Bocchio and the solid goaltending of Polet Castro, who made six saves.
The Lady Vikings were scheduled to play at Essex Tech this past Monday and at Marblehead Tuesday. They trek to Beverly Friday and host Swampscott Wednesday.
Slow start for WHS softball
The Winthrop High softball team is off to a slow start, but WHS head coach Dave Guffey and his crew are hopeful of turning their season around in the days ahead.
The Lady Vikings’ lone victory came in a wild 17-15 shootout at Nantucket during the vacation week. The Lady Vikings were cruising with a 16-2 lead when starting pitcher Taylor Thomas, who had allowed just six hits in five innings, was stuck by a line drive and had to leave the game.
Nantucket rallied for 13 runs in the next two innings before Maddie Finga’a struck out the last Nantucket batter to end the game.
Gabbie Kenniston led the WHS offensive output — in which every Lady Viking in the lineup had a base hit — with a prodigious day at the plate, going 4-for-5 with two homers, three runs scored, and four RBI.
Nina Bartlett went 2-for-5 with a roundtripper, an RBI, and two runs scored.
However, the Lady Vikings’ fortunes have not gone so well in their other early-season contests that also have been closely-fought affairs.
In an 11-7 loss to Marblehead, Winthrop trailed 7-0 before mounting a comeback to draw even in the fifth. However, Marblehead regained the lead with a three-run homer in the sixth. Kenniston blasted a two-run homer over the fence in centerfield for the offensive highlight for the Lady Vikings.
In a 7-4 loss to Saugus, the teams were deadlocked at 1-1 entering the sixth when Saugus erupted for six runs. The Lady Vikings came back with three runs in the seventh, but left runners at second and third to end the game.
Nicole Pucillo went 2-for-3 with a single, a double, and a walk.
In Monday’s 4-1 loss to a strong Peabody team, which had knocked off previously-undefeated Revere last week, the teams were knotted at 1-1 into the sixth. However, home runs by Peabody in the sixth and seventh frames proved the difference.
“We left 13 runners on base, but could not get the big hit,†noted Guffey.
Finga’a and Olivia Grillo both played what Guffey termed as “outstanding defense,†with Maddie making five assists and three putouts, including having a hand in two double plays, and Olivia contributing three assists and a putout.
The Lady Vikings have a busy week ahead. They were set to host Lynn Classical yesterday (Wednesday), trek to Triton today, and journey to Beverly tomorrow. They return home to host Danvers Monday and play at Lynn English Wednesday.
From the Press Box
The Merger
By: Jim Lederman
The Viking Lacrosse team played host to the Revere Patriots and the Crimson Tide of Everett last week. Yes, the ‘merger’ of the old greater Boston League and the Northeastern Conference could become official this week.
The principals of a dozen schools of the Northeastern Conference (NEC) voted on a proposal by the four remaining schools in greater Boston.
The four present (GBL) schools; Everett, Medford, Somerville and Malden, would join the present (NEC) schools to form a (16) sixteen school large and small NEC.
The schedule in football for the Winthrop Vikings would mean there will be no more trips to schools like Medfield, Amesbury, Newburyport and schools from the Cape Ann league.
Peabody and Revere are two former (GBL) league schools. Peabody and Revere have enrollments of over 1,900 students.
The Tanners (Peabody) and Vikings had a huge game in 2014. The largest school in the NEC and the smallest school (Winthrop) with a 535 student population, filled Lee Field with 3,550 fans. The game between two undefeated (5-0) teams ended with the Vikings winning (21-7) and capturing the NEC title.
The Tanners all-scholastic back Doug Santos was held to 45 yards rushing. Last week a story broke in Peabody – Santos was not an American citizen. He lived with a Peabody coach. His parents are still in another country. The colleges that recruit him took the scholarship offers away from the all-scholastic back!
Peabody lost three games in a row after coach Sean Driscoll’s team dominated the ‘big game.’
The new proposal on the table would b e ‘two tiers’ in the league. Don’t worry the Vikings will not travel to Everett Memorial Stadium. When you drive by the stadium on route 16, you see the large billboard claiming, Everett Home of ‘Super Bowl Champions’. Coach John DiBiaso recruits good players (apology to my good friend Steve an ex-Crimson Tide player).
The addition of four teams that lie on the Southern end of the (NEC) would benefit many teams in the league in terms of travel and facilities. The present (NEC) is spread among four divisions in football and two in hockey.
Let’s hope the vote yesterday (Wednesday) put a new stronger and larger (NEC) would bring many new rivalries like Peabody vs. Everett, Winthrop vs. Malden and Medford and Somerville vs. Lynn English.
Let the Games Begin!
Two Aces
The Viking baseball team won two games last week over Salem and Gloucester. The Vikings received two stellar pitching performances from their ‘two aces.’
Are two ‘ aces’ better than two kings? Certainly in baseball lingo, two pitching ‘aces’ will give you a winning team.
Senior Nick Disciscio tossed a shutout (7-0) over the Salem Witches. Wednesday at home on the Veteran Field diamond, junior Jack Wallace turned in a Roger Clemens like performance. Jack scattered four hits, struck out seven (7) and only walked three ‘Fishermen.’ The (9-2) victory improved coach Frank DeMarco’s squad to a (2-4) record.
Soph Jaidon Brown had a solid (3-4) game. Big junior first baseman, Luigi Spinazzola and Jack Wallace, blasted triples.
The Vikings will be super competitive if they ‘two aces’ continue to pitch well. Danvers, Marblehead, Lynn English will travel to play the Vikings in M ay.
Swampscott is a league (NEC) favorite behind the pitching of Gavin Sullivan. The Revere Patriots invade Veterans Field on Monday, M ay9th.
May should bring warm weather to Winthrop. Hope to see Vikings fans at Veterans Field this month!
Let the Games Begin!
The Captain
I will take a high stick penalty for leaving the title ‘Captain’ for Matt Tarantino. Captain Tarantino will lead the (2016-2017) Viking hockey sextet.
Matt will be a key to the fortunes of coach Dale Dunbar’s team, next winter from his defense position.
Matt will be a veteran returning to lead coach Sean Driscoll’s Viking football squad. ‘Number 33’ was a stellar performer in the Vikings (15-12) upset victory over Revere on Thanksgiving – a two-way standout!
Will the Vikings have two champions team?
Let the Games Begin!
The Little Man
Playoff basketball is exciting! Would you rather watch David Price (he gets paid one million per start) or watch the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2016 NBA playoffs?
The ‘Hoops Revival’ took place Friday and Sunday at the TD Garden. The Celtics trailed the Atlanta Hawks (0-2) and they were going to write a funeral dirge for the green. The ‘Little Man’ Isaiah Thomas had a career-high 42 points on Friday night on the ‘parquet’ floor, leading the Celtics to a (111-103 victory.
Sunday night the Celtics tied up the series (2-2) with a (104-95) overtime thriller.
The 53-minutes was a pulse-pounding challenging playoff battle. The teams played like it was a New England Patriots playoff game. The Gronk, Malcolm Butler, ‘LG’ – Lagarette Blount and coach Bill Belichick were courtside to cheer the Celtics to victory.
“I just want to be compared to some of the great Celtics of the past†said, “The ‘Little Man’ – all –Star guard (5’9) Isaiah Thomas.
Coach Brad Stevens proved why he is one of the best coaches in the NBA. Brad inserted Evan Turner (17 points) and Jonas Jerebko (15 points) in the starting lineup Friday and Sunday nights.
The Boston fans will return to the Garden Thursday night for game number six. Will you watch the Boston Red Sox (A.500 team) or watch the Boston Celtics play like the old championship teams?
Let the Games Begin!
The Matriarch
Condolences to the Petersen Family on the loss of their mother Joan (Treanor), she was the loving mother of seven: Janine, John, Janice, Jeff, James, Joe and Jay.
The five boys were outstanding athletes. Jay played end on the 1981 Viking super bowl champions and played hoop at New England College.
John never missed a Winthrop high athletic game.
She will be missed. May she rest in peace.
The Place Kicker
Condolence to the Lagioia Family on the loss of Francesco Lagioia. The family emigrated from Triggiano, Italy. Francesco was the devoted father of Olga, Nuccio and Gabriella.
Nuccio was the standout place kicker on the 1981 Viking super bowl championship team. When he first arrived in the U.S., he was befriended by John Tiano and Gus Martucci. Angelo Vigliotta is the son of law of Francesco; Angelo is the ‘sound man’ at Miller Field.
May Francesco rest in peace. He will be missed by his extended family.
The Pioneers
The Petersen and the McKinnon families grew up in Lynnfield and played sports for the Lynnfield ‘Pioneers.â€
The McKinnon family has left a legacy in Winthrop sports. Uncle Kevin is on the sidelines recovering from an operation and we wish his a speedy recovery.
The Winthrop McKinnons; Jake, Ryan and Caroline have been outstanding athletes for the Vikings. Coach Kevin McKinnon is assistant on Butch Martucci’s Lady Vikings hockey team. His legacy in Lynnfield – he used to skate with Bruins legend John ‘Pie’ McKenzie.
Get Well Soon Coach!
NFL Draft Party
Are you a New England Patriots fan? Join five members of the 2015 super bowl championship team tonight (Thursday) at the Kowloon in Saugus.
Sean Stellato is the player agent for Rob Ninkovich, Ryan Allen, Patrick Chung, Joe Vellano and Nate Ebner. The Draft Night Party will benefit No Backing Down, a story about the Salem High School super bowl team.
The Part is 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. tickets are available at the door at the Kowloon Restaurant.
Let’s Go Patriots!
WHS sports Years
10 years ago
April 20, 2006
The WHS baseball team improved to 2-3 with a 9-7 victory over Matignon Tuesday at Veteran’s Field. Chris Carew had two hits, including a 350-foot triple to center. Shortstop Vin Eruzione, who is hitting a sizzling .444, had a base hit and a sacrifice fly. Jarrett Herdt struck out nine and allowed just three hits over five innings to pick up the win.
Junior left-hander Sarah Carroll struck out eight No. Quincy batters in three innings of relief to preserve a 10-4 victory for the WHS softball team, which now is 3-1 on the season. Suzanne Martucci led the 13-hit Lady Viking attack with four hits, scoring three runs and adding an RBI from her lead-off spot. Kristen Finn was 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored.
20 years ago
April 25, 2006
The WHS baseball team reeled off three straight wins this week, 5-3 over Danvers, 10-5 over Gloucester, and 17-0 over Marblehead, to improve to 4-2 on the season. Stephen Chicos, John Dowd, and Tommy Reilly, all southpaw hurlers, were credited with the wins.
The WHS boys track team is 2-0 after wins of 84-42 over Beverly and 89-33 over Danvers. WHS head coach Pat McGee’s outdoor track teams are an amazing 125-12-1 since McGee took over the boys’ program in 1981.
30 years ago
April 30, 1986
The WHS boys track team captured the Class D State Relay championship with four first-place finishes. Coach Pat McGee’s squad, presently undefeated in dual-meet competition, scored 83 points to easily outdistance the competition and claim the Class D title, the first for the Vikings after many close calls in recent years. Jimmy Ezekiel anchored the winning 4 x one mile relay; the quartet of Steve Holgersen, Rolf Beutel, Dave Westcott, and Chris Sirianni captured the 4 x 110; and record-setting hurdler Andy Turransky paced Winthrop teams to victories in both the hurdles and the high jump.
Southpaw Larry Thomas tossed a mesmerizing two-hitter, but the WHS baseball team fell to 1-7 on the season with a 2-0 defeat to Salem.
40 years ago
April 28, 1976
The WHS boys track team captured second place in the Class C State Relay Meet in a 32-team field. The long jump trio of Fred Tape, Tim Kelly, and Paul Murphy took home second place ribbons, as did the high jump threesome of Kevin McGee, Frank Hinckley and Eugene Flaherty. The triple jump team of Flaherty, Tape, and Murphy set a new state record with a combined distance of 124’-4â€.
The WHS baseball team’s frustration continued with a 10-4 loss to Danvers. Rick Lessard went 3-for-4 to highlight the Viking offense.
50 years ago
April 28, 1966
The WHS baseball team won two games this week to improve to 3-0 in the NEC. Billy Kneeland tossed a two-hitter in a 2-1 win over Newburyport in which Billy Dooley knocked in both runs. In a 9-6 triumph over Swampscott, Capt. Charlie McDermott, Billy McGillicuddy, and Paul LoConte all had two base hits and two RBI.
60 years ago
April 26, 1956
Ted Conley is set to take the mound for the WHS baseball team in its season-opener this week against Woburn.
70 years ago
April 25, 1946
The WHS baseball team is set to open its season tomorrow. The tennis, golf, and track teams, all of which were inactive during the war years from 1942-45, will swing into action this week.
90 years ago
April 24, 1926
The WHS baseball team ended up with a 2-2 tie against Lynn English in a game halted after 11 innings because of darkness. Carnicelli tied the game for Winthrop when he walked, stole second, reached third on a ground out, and came home on a wild pitch. Trainor scored the other Winthrop run. McLaughlin pitched for Winthrop.