Sports 10-18-2018

WHS sports roundup

WHS boys soccer

defeats Lynn English

The Winthrop High boys soccer team defeated Lynn English, 3-2, to post its first victory of the season this past Tuesday.

After spotting the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead 10 minutes into the contest, the duo of Swedish senior Elias Hallestrom and Brazilian junior John Menezes combined for a goal to bring the Vikings back to level. Hallestrom sent a nice through ball to Menezes, who made the most of his scoring opportunity.

Although English scored before the end of the half to take a 2-1 advantage, the Vikings came out firing on all cylinders after the intermission and took control of the contest.

Viking senior Jaylin Cordes reached the back of the Bulldog net after a great through ball from senior Tony Nargi to level matters at 2-2.

A few minutes later, freshman Juan Guauque was taken down in the box after a nice 1-2 with senior Pat Sennott. Codes converted the penalty kick to give the Vikings their first lead, 3-2.

Winthrop continued its offensive assault 10 minutes later when junior Kevin Dorr sent a through ball to Hallestrom on which Elias put home his own rebound after the English keeper had made the initial save.

The Vikings struck again when Dorr, taking a free kick from just outside the box, made a superb delivery to Nargi, who headed the ball into the back of the Bulldog net, raising the Winthrop lead to 5-2.

After English scored on a PK, Cordes netted his third goal of the game and 10th of the season, with an assist from Guauque, for some extra insurance. English added another marker for the 6-4 finale.

“We came out much stronger in the second half, with everyone winning 50/50 balls and possessing the ball well,” noted WHS head coach Kyle Gagin.

Last Friday evening under the lights at Miller Field, the Vikings turned in an effort that rates as one of the upsets of the year in the Northeastern Conference, battling Lynn Classical, which is in first place in the South Division of the NEC, to a nil-nil (0-0) deadlock.

“Everyone fought hard and played well,” said Gagin. “This game was particularly impressive because Classical was tied for first in the NEC.”

Gagnon and his crew host New Mission tomorrow (Friday) and will entertain Gloucester on Monday.

 

WHS volleyball team defeats Somerville, 3-1

The Winthrop High volleyball team earned a 3-1 victory at Somerville last Thursday.

“Somerville was evenly-matched with us, but the team did a great job on their passing and hitting game, along with our communication to each other on the court,” said WHS co-head coach Lauren Kostegan.

Senior captain Fatma Tufa led the Lady Viking offensive attack with seven kills. Fellow senior Ava Bertino added four kills.

Senior captain Adela Hoxha served five aces and sophomores Carolyn Kinsella and Tessa Ferrandi came though with three aces apiece.

The Lady Vikings dropped a 3-0 decision to Austin Prep the following day.

“Even with the loss, our team did a good job staying focused in the game and never giving up” said Kostegan.

Winthrop was set to play Medford this past Tuesday and will trek to Salem today (Thursday). Next week the Lady Vikings will host Pope John on Monday, Danvers on Tuesday, and Saugus on Thursday.

 

Miranda-Llovera sets new D.I. course record

Winthrop captain Camilla Miranda-Llovera set a new Deer Island course record for the Winthrop High girls cross country program, finishing in first place with a clocking of 17:06 to lead the Lady Vikings to a victory over Somerville last Wednesday.

“Camilla crushed the course and put herself in the record book,” said WHS head coach Warren MacPhail. “She amazingly continues to get better every week.”

Teammate Fiona MacPhail came through with a strong fifth place finish in 22:48, followed by Bea Holzbach in sixth in 23:17, eighth grade sensation Libby Carney in seventh in 23:17, and capt. Kat Thano, who continues to make huge contributions to the team, placing ninth to round out the scoring for Winthrop.

On the boys’ side, Cormac MacPhail placed second for the first time this year, but lowered his own school record on the Deer Island course by eight seconds to 14:08.

Patrick Haskell, who has been the most improved Viking runner this year, placed eighth in a time of 16:03. He was followed by teammates Ari Hain in a strong ninth place showing in 16:07, Mark Amatucci (who ran his best race of the season) in 13th in 17:55, and Michaelangelo Marcoccio in 15th place in 18:36.

Both the boys and girls’ squads were to host their final home meet yesterday (Wednesday) against Medford at Deer Island and will travel to Danvers on Monday for their last dual meet of the season.

The annual Northeastern Conference Meet is set for Saturday, Oct. 27, at Bradley Palmer State Park

From the Press Box

Giving Back

By: Jim Lederman

Giving Back

The Costonis family is legendary in Winthrop. Dr. Anthony Costonis returned to his alma mater to give back to his old high school (Anthony graduated in the Class of 1953). Last week, the Sylvia Costonis Charitable Trust (SCCT), whose ‘mission’ is to fund and support the town of Winthrop. Sylvia raised eight members of the Costonis family, they were all WHS graduates and very successful.

Dr. Anthony Costonis returned home to visit the new Winthrop High School and meet with the 2018 Winthrop High School golf team. Anthony joined with Michael Eruzione and Winthrop Charities, to purchase a state-of-the-art golf training and teaching simulation for the golf team.

The large donation was advocated by three members of the Costonis family. Arthur, Dr. Anthony and John, who played golf for Winthrop High School in the early 1950’s and grandson Michael Costonis, who later became a COO of a large corporation.

Michael was able to secure admission to prestigious Swarthmore College, when the school learned Michael was ‘Number 2’ seed on the WHS golf team.

Anthony and Mike Eruzione visited Winthrop high school on Friday afternoon, to meet with the golf team and coach John Cross (the WHS golf team is 11-3) in 2018 and visit the Winthrop golf club. Anthony was a former (WGC) president.

The Costonis family has donated in excess of $30,000 to ‘the trust’ of which $11,500 has contributed to many charities including Rich Honan with Winthrop Veterans Program in the town of Winthrop.

The Sylvia Costonis Charitable Trust will partner with the Eruzione family and Winthrop Charities to support Winthrop’s ‘Safety Net Support’ groups, individuals, causes, institutions, voluntary clubs and organizations. The family remembers where they attended school.

Dr. Costonis’s theme of “Little Things Mean A Lot,” is the way of the highly successful Costonis family of ‘giving back’ to Winthrop and Winthrop high where the Costonis family received their education.

I joined with Anthony and his wife Dottie at WHS with Principal Matt Crombie, Athletic Director Matt Serino and the 2018 WHS Vikings golf team for the presentation last week.

‘Little Things’ can make a big difference and it is in this spirit the ‘SCCT’ will continue to identify organizations and or causes that can make a difference to the citizens of Winthrop!

To the WHS golf team – swing hard!

Let the Games Begin!

Go Vikings!

 

 

Saugus 20 – Winthrop 14

When it rains, it pours! Saturday afternoon the rain and muddy field conditions were key factors in the Vikings loss to the Sachems of Saugus, another tough late game loss!

The Vikings ground game helped Winthrop to five trips to the ‘Red Zone,’ but the Vikings only capitalized for two touchdowns.

“We have lost three games in the fourth quarter,” said coach Jon Cadigan. The Vikings record fell to (2-4) and the first place Lynn English ‘Bulldogs’ invade Miller Field Friday night (7 p.m.).

“We can’t make big plays at crucial times in the game. We did not execute and Saugus had big plays when our tackling was poor,” said coach Cadigan.

“The 73-yard touchdown run by Marvens Jean (17-carries for 165-yards) was the turning point of the game,” said coach Cadigan.

Co-captain Feedle Smith had his ‘finest game’ in a Viking uniform. Feedle bulled his way for 167-yards on 17 carries – a big game for Feedle.

Sophomore standout quarterback Bobby Hubert, ran for 38-yards on 11 carries. Bobby was 6 for 9 passing – 38 yards. Sophomore Austin Daigneault caught 3 passes for 20 yards; sophomore Tyler ‘The Rock’ Rockefeller caught 2 passes for 16 yards.

The three defensive standouts for the Vikings were Rockefeller with 8 tackles, Brian Chalmers 3 tackles and a sack and co-captain Chris Castro with 3 tackles for a loss.

Bobby Hubert scored both Viking touchdowns and rushed fro a 1-point conversion. He is the most exciting sophomore in the NEC!

Austin Daigneault intercepted a Saugus pass with 8:18 to play in the third quarter.

Hubert cashed in on the short field, three minutes later when he scored from one yard out.

The Vikings led (14-12) but once again the Sachems scored in the fourth quarter for a (20-14) lead and their second victory of the season.

The biggest play of the game caught the Vikings in a prevent defense and Marvens Jean broke a 63-yard touchdown to give the Sachems a 12-6 halftime advantage. The Vikings drove down to the Saugus 16 yard line early in the fourth quarter, before Jean sacked Bobby Hubert on a 4th and goal.

Lynn English has clinched the NEC Tier 3 title. “We hope to show how we have improved playing before a big Miller Field crowd said coach Cadigan.

The Vikings have only one player on the injury list with five games left in the 2018 campaign. The sophomore class is playing key roles for the Vikings!

Stackpole Field was a mess and they have left the conditions at Stackpole Field to suffer in anticipation of a new stadium and new high school . The new building is presently under construction at the old site of Saugus high school.

The Vikings will wait for the non-playoff teams for the next three weeks, before the Vikings prepare for the Revere Patriots on Thanksgiving. Revere did not have a first down in the second half last week versus the Big Blue of Swampscott!

Let’s Go Vikings!

Let the Games Begin!

How many days to Thanksgiving?

 

 

Northeastern Conference – Tier 3

Conf.    All

Lynn English 3-1       5-1 (clinched title)

Swampscott    2-2       4-2

Salem            1-3       3-3

Winthrop       0-3       2-4

Saugus           2-1       2-4

Schedule October 19-20

Lynn English at Winthrop

Swampscott at Saugus

Lynn Classical at Salem

Revere at Somerville

Marblehead at Danvers

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

The Bulldogs

Lynn English visits Miller Field on Friday night. The Bulldogs lead the NEC Tier 3. The Lynn English team has a school enrollment of 1,750.

Why does the smallest school in the NEC (WHS-600 students) have to play the Bulldogs, who have an enrollment of 1,600 students.

Let’s take a look at the big schools in the NEC. Peabody enrollment (2,000), Revere (2,000), Lynn Classical (1,675), will the principals and athletic directors vote for change in the NEC – three divisions (Tier 1, 2,3).

Saugus, Swampscott and Salem and Winthrop have the smallest enrollment. Will the Cape Ann teams and NEC teams form a new division?

Winthrop vs. Classical and English compete in the old NEC with Beverly and Gloucester. There are 16,000 students in the City of Lynn.

 

The New Field House – Two Opinions

I have been working in the Miller Field ‘Press Box’ for 45 years as ‘The Voice of the Vikings’ during two recent Viking home games (Swampscott and Lynnfield) two sports editors form the Lynn Daily Item worked the game with me.

Steve Krause was Item ‘Sports Editor’ for 28 years.  Harold Rivera is the young and new ‘Sports Editor.’

They both asked me when they arrived, “Where are the bathrooms”? I pointed to the ‘portal toilets.’ Krause’s comments, “You build a beautiful new stadium without restrooms?”

The new stadiums in Danvers (Dr. Deering-Stadium), Harry Della Russo (Revere) Stadium and Lynnfield (Pioneer Stadium) opened the new stadiums – fields – with restrooms – field houses complete.

The Viking players and fans waited two years for this beautiful stadium after playing all the games on the road on Thanksgiving 2019 – The Miller Field Stadium was packed (3,500) with Winthrop and Revere fans. I have been told by two members of the Miller Field Committee – The Field House will be complete for the 2019 season – 50 Viking fans have asked me, “When will the Field House be ready?”

The blame for this two-year delay has to be placed on two men who are no longer employed by the Town of Winthrop.

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

The 2018 Vikings Golf Team

The 2018 Vikings golf team is off to a fantastic start. The young Vikings are (11-3) under the tutelage of coach John Cross.

Coach Cross is a special education teacher at Winthrop high school. The young Vikings play at the legendary Winthrop golf Club course.

“We hope to win a NEC golf championship and bring it home,” said coach Cross. “We have a very young team.” We have 5 seniors, juniors and soph, led by captain Colby Dassau, his young brother Charlie is also on the team.

Jack Wallace was a NEC golf champion in the NEC in 2017. Jack was a standout Viking (NEC al-star) pitcher, who is pitching at Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire – ‘Strike out by Wallace.”

Hit it Long and Straight!

Go Vikings

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

Extra Points

The undefeated Marblehead Magicians (6-0) took the long trip down Route 128 to battle the previously undefeated Gloucester Fishermen. I predicted a Marblehead victory. Final score – Marblehead   – Gloucester.

Marblehead can clinch their 4th straight NEC title with a victory Friday night at undefeated Danvers.

‘The Voice’ prediction

Marblehead 28

Danvers 13

Danvers has been in the NEC for over 60 years – they won one football title (2004) when they defeated the Vikings in a rainstorm on a Friday night in Danvers.

The previous three straight NEC titles – the (1981-1983) Vikings – a 34-game unbeaten streak. The coach Robert A. DeFelice.

 

 

Conference Champs

The Lynn English ‘Bulldogs’ have captured the NEC Tier 3 title with their convincing (41-14) defeat of the Salem Witches.

Marblehead captured the NEC-Tier 1 title with a dominating (37-12) victory over Gloucester in Gloucester. The Magicians should be in the Boston Globe top 20 teams. Danvers (5-1) is an overrated team and continues to seek a NEC title for another year.

Lynn Classical has a (3-3) record but the Rams have an all-star quarterback in Keith Ridley. The Rams should be contender in the MIAA playoffs.

Revere has a (3-3) record and without their ace place kicker (3 game wining field goals) will have a touch time in the MIAA playoffs. Can the Patriots have a winning season? The ‘Turkey Day’ battle with Winthrop could be the game they have to win to have a winning season!

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

The Lynn English Bulldogs defeated Salem (41-14) at Bertram Field in Salem. The victory clinched the NEC Tier 3 crown. Yes, Lynn English has an enrollment of (1,700) students.

Marblehead cruised to a (37-12) victory at legendary Newell Stadium. I think the Fishermen took a large boat from historic Marblehead Harbor for the trip. I would rate Marblehead a contender for the divisional North Title next month.

The Peabody Tanners trounced Malden (42-112). The records of the three old (GBL) schools Malden, Somerville and Medford is one victory in the NEC this season.

The NEC has three tiers. Will the league form a new two-tier league? The vote should be no!

 

 

Super Sunday

If you’re a ‘Bostonian’ it was a ‘Super Sunday’ for Patriots and Red Sox f ans. The undefeated Kansas City Chiefs (5-0) invaded the home of the New England Patriots, one of the most thrilling games in Patriots history. The magic of TB-12 Tom Brady was 24 for 35 (340 yards) leading the Pats to a (43-40) victory.

The greatest tight end in NFL history Rob Gronkowski made two huge plays in the fourth quarter. The Patriots have won 33 in a row in Foxborough (Gillette Stadium) with Brady and Numbers 11-Julius Edelman (relentless).

The second thriller was a Boston Red Sox (7-4) victory over the defending World Series Champions, the Houston Astros.

The Sox travel to Houston for three games (Ed. Note: Today is Monday morning) can the Sox come back to Boston?

Go Red Sox!

Go Patriots!

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

Vikings Great Sports Moments

I spoke with Viking ‘hoop legend’ Charles ‘Chuck’ Mullane, recently at my favorite restaurant – JAC’s in the Highlands. We discussed memorable sports memories at Winthrop High School.

Chuck hit the last second jump shot on the 1963 Tech Tourney Estate Championship team. The John Sheehan quintet defended Natick in the historic old Boston Garden. I was on the bench as a ‘Scout’ for coach Sheehan. Chuck was a star at Holy Cross College! (When will championship teams return to the beautiful Chris Tsiotos Court?

How about the last second Dennis Hayes jump shot in the Holland Gym in 1969, to capture another Winthrop hoop title! Pro football legend Dick Jauron of the Big Blue was the defender!

The 2007 last minute touchdown pass from quarterback Will Milano (31 career touchdown passes) to All-Scholastic Viking.

Chris Beranger on Thanksgiving Day to defeat Revere in a great ‘Turkey Day’ comeback.

How about Viking hockey memories? The triple overtime game (3 hours long) victory in the old Boston Garden in 1976.

The late Jackie W. Burke’s goal defeated Norwood. The state champs (Division One) won the State Title with a (26-0-1) record.

The legendary half court three point shot at St. John’s Prep by Kelley Mahoney in a victory over Ipswich in the MIAA playoffs.

Vikings Sports Memories!

Let’s Go Vikings!

Let the Games Begin!

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