WHS sports roundup
WHS girls soccer
defeats Everett
The Winthrop High girls soccer team defeated Everett, 4-1. The Lady Vikings’ leading scorer, Maura Dorr, scored two goals and single tallies were added by senior captain Olivia Holmes and freshman Mia Martucci. Freshman Nore McCarey assisted on one of Dorr’s markers and Dorr provided the assist on Martucci’s.
The Lady Vikings also earned a 2-0 victory over Excel Academy last Thursday. After Winthrop moved out quickly to a 2-0 advantage, one of the Excel girls was forced to leave the game, leaving Excel with fewer than the required number of players, resulting in a  forfeit.
This past Saturday afternoon, the Lady Vikings battled Gloucester to a nil-nl standoff in a contest that was a benefit for breast cancer research.
“We pretty much dominated the game but couldn’t find the back of the net,†said WHS head coach Tracey Martucci.
Although Winthrop dropped a 1-0 decision to Salem earlier in the week, Martucci was pleased with her team’s effort.
“It was a hard-fought battle,†said Martucci. “We lost to them 6-2 the first time we played them, so we played much better this time.â€
The Lady Vikings appeared to have notched a goal that would have provided the equalizer, but the refs disallowed it.
Martucci and her crew, who now stand at 8-6-1 on the season were set to entertain Lynn Classical last night (Wednesday) in a contest to be highlighted by Senior night festivities.
The Lady Vikings will trek to Saugus tomorrow (Friday) and play at Lynn English Tuesday to close out their regular season.
They then will await word of their seeding and opening round opponent in the Division 4 North Sectional of the MIAA state tournament.
WHS volleyball team defeats Salem, 3-0
The Winthrop High volleyball team earned a 3-0 victory over Salem last Thursday.
“Our starting setter, sophomore Carolyn Kinsella, got hurt last week, so we had to make changes to our rotation for the Salem game,†said WHS coach Lauren Kostegan. “We played a 5:1 instead of a 6:2, but it worked out well for us with sophomore Tessa Ferrandi starting as setter.â€
Leading the way for the Lady Vikings in the victory were senior captain Adela Hoxha, who served four aces. Senior captain Fatma Tufa, sophomore Tessa Ferrandi, and junior Vita Begoli all contributed three service aces.
This past Monday night Winthrop came up just short against Pope John in a match that went to five sets.
Co-coaches Kostegan and Rachel Del Solio and their squad will host Saugus this evening (Thursday) in a contest that will be highlighted by Senior Night festivities.
From the Press Box
A Memorable Night
By: Jim Lederman
A crowd of 250 filled the middle school cafeteria and the Neil Shapiro Center for Arts on Saturday evening. The ‘Class of 2018’ was inducted in the Winthrop High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
The inductees included Michael Eruzione Jr., Paul Ferrara, Kristen Finn, Robert Flanagan (exceptional service), Paul Gallivan (exceptional service), Nicole Giaquinto, Patrick Gunn, Louis Hinckley, Joseph Murray, the 1984 State Championship Softball team and the undefeated 2006 Super Bowl championship team.
The crowd included many pat inductees, presenters Jim Gillis, Robert Noonan, Peg Bailey, Linda Flanagan, Coach Robert A. DeFelice, Warren MacPhail, Phil Ronan, Nick Tsiotos, Mark D’Ambrosio, Coach Ron Spinney and Coach Tony Fucillo.
A sumptuous meal provided by Nandees Catering of Winthrop. Presented by the Winthrop High Athletic Hall of Fame Committee. MC – Jim Lederman, Peg Bailey, Howard Conley, Robert DeGregorio, John Domenico, Dale Dunbar, Jim Lederman, Richard Milano, Bill Schmidt and Attorney Chris Tsiotos.
The night was filled with many achievements of the inductees and lots of laughter and tales of their years as WHS student-athletes.
The night was taped for video by WCAT and cameraman Michael Mahoney and will be played on WCAT.
The next class will be inducted in October 2020. If you want to nominate a candidate for induction. Sponsors included The Winthrop Book Depot, New Fed Mortgage (Al Petrilli and Al Petrilli Jr.), Robert M. DeGregorio Insurance and Real Estate Agency and MSA Mortgage – Robert Deeb.
WE Salute the Class of 2018
Let the Games Begin!
Vikings vs. Shawsheen Tech
The Winthrop Vikings travel to Billerica Friday night (6:30 p.m.) in the Division 6 North non-playoff contenders. Shawsheen finished the first seven games with (3-4) record. Shawsheen lost to Greater Lawrence (42-8) on Friday night, they play in the Commonwealth Conference.
The Vikings will shoot to win their remaining four games in the 2018 campaign. The ’Big Game on Thanksgiving is scheduled for (10 a.m.) at Harry Della Russo Stadium. Revere has won the last two ‘Battle of the Beach.’ The Beachcomber Trophy will be the conquest of a very young Viking squad.
Lynn English 41 –
Winthrop 13
The Lynn English Bulldogs captured the NEC Tier 3 title after a dominating effort at Miller Field. English improved their overall record to (6-1) and they are undefeated in the NEC play.
The Vikings dropped to (2-5) and await the first round of the MIAA non-playoff round at Shawsheen Tech.
English has the top quarterback in the conference – in Matt Severance (13 of 21-pass attempt for 207 yards and four touchdown passes. He is a Division 2 prospect.
Prince Brown (six receptions 90-yards – two touchdowns) is the most dynamic and talented receiver on the North Shore and in the NEC.
In one of the quicker first halves of the season, English held a (14-6) advantage at the half in the second half, the Bulldogs lit up the Miller Field-Viking Pride scoreboard with 27 points to show their offensive power.
Both teams scored in the fourth quarter, quarterback Bobby Hubert scored both Viking touchdowns for the Vikings. The ‘Super Soph’ has 68 points in the 2018 campaign.
Skimming the Sidelines
The play of the sophomores on the Vikings, continues to improve and this will lead to many victories and the prospect of a “Championship Team.’
The soph quarterback Bobby Hubert is once again a key to the offense. “Bobby makes three big plays each week and he is the top sophomore in the NEC,†lauded coach Jon Cadigan. Hubert was 4 for 10 passing – 30 yards. The ‘Super Soph’ rushed 14 times for 130 yards – awesome game for ‘Number 16!’
“He can turn a game around,†said coach Cadigan.
Co-captain Feedle Small rushed 8 for 30 yards soph ‘Austin D’Aigneault’ was 8 for 15 on the ground.
‘Big Number 44’ senior Brian Chalmers caught two passes for 16 yards.
Austin D ‘Number 33’ had 2 catches for 16 yards.
“We hope to turn the season around in our final 4 games,†said coach Cadigan.
The trip to Billerica on a Friday night for a 6:30 a.m. battle with Shawsheen leave early Viking fans!
Let’s Go Vikings!
Let the Games Begin!
The ‘Jet’ Returns
The ‘Jet’ – Joey the Jet Murray returned to Logan Airport and Miller Field on Saturday night.
Joe Murray was a Mass State ‘top 22’ player in 1997. The three-sport standout at WHS Class of 1998, another 100-point scorer’ for the Vikings list of all-scholastic players.
Joe was ‘NEC’ offensive player of the Year. He was leading scorer at Colby College and played with Mark D’Ambrosio on the greatest team in Colby College history (7-1).
Northeastern Conference Standings
South                                              League All
Lynn English                         4-0                  6-1
Swampscott                           3-1                  6-1
Saugus                                              2-2                  2-5
Salem                                               1-3                  3-4
Winthrop                                          0-4                  2-5
Central
Gloucester                             4-0                  6-1
Revere                                              3-1                  4-3
Lynn Classical                       2-2                  4-3
Medford                                           1-3                  1-6
Somerville                            0-4                  0-7
North
Marblehead                           4-0                  7-0
Beverly                                             3-1                  4-3
Danvers                                            2-2                  5-2
Peabody                                            1-3                  3-4
Malden                                             0-4                  0-7
Let the Games Begin!
MIAA Playoffs
How can Saugus with a (2-5) record qualify for the Division 5-North playoffs? The answer they defeated the Vikings (2-5) under the ‘mud’ at the old Stackpole Field for victory.
Revere (4-3) shooting for a winning season (only the second in Lou Cicatelli’s 16-year career for the Patriots!
The Patriots will play North Reading (5-2) at North Reading. Can Revere win their third consecutive victory over Winthrop on ‘Turkey Day?’
Winthrop must win a couple of games in the final three weeks! The ‘Big Blue’ of Swampscott with a (5-2) record will battle a Triton team (0-7) at Blocksidge Field. I predict a (32-8) pounding for Swampscott.
Danvers (5-2) will defeat Belmont (3-4) in Division 3 North.
The Tier 2 – Marblehead Magicians are seeded ‘Number One’ in Division 4 North. Marblehead will play Dracut in the first round. The Magicians will win.
Old friend (and successful coach Sean Driscoll) 7-4 vs. Revere will lead his St. Mary’s of Lynn Spartans with a game at Georgetown – Go Spartans!
The World Series
First y ear Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora is in the World Series with the exciting Boston Red Sox.
The Sox have won 5 straight playoff games on the road. The Sox have a 4=game potential playoff games at Fenway Park.
The Sox have Sale, Price, and Eovaldi as the big three on the mound. Rick Porcello is a past ‘Cy Young’ award winner.
The Sox have the ‘best’ outfield in the majors! Bradley, Benintendi and Betts – ‘The Three Bees,’ (JBJ) Jackie Bradley, Andrew Benintendi and league ‘MVP’ Marcus ‘Mookie’ Betts and the power of J.D. Martinez will lead the Sox to the title.
I like Boston in six games!
Go Sox!
Win the Series!
Let the Games Begin!
The Double Dees
The first pair of outstanding running backs for coach Robert A. DeFelice featured Mark DeGregorio and Michael DeMarco (1970-1972).
The ‘Ace’ Mike DeMarco was in town last week from Florida. Mark D. was a University of Maine all-time rushing leader up in Orono, Maine.
The 2018 Hall of Fame was inducted on Saturday night. Two 100-point scorers were on the undefeated super bowl champions (13-0) on the 2006 champions.
Matt Murray (two-time Boston herald all-scholastic) scored 120 points, leading the Vikings to the ‘number two’ ranking in the Boston Herald ‘top twenty’ standing.
Matt was a co-captain at Tufts University. Jason Griffin scored 110 points on the undefeated super bowl champions.
Matt joined 30 of his teammates at the H all of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday night at Winthrop high school.
Raise the Championship Banner!
Go Vikings!
Let the Games Begin!
Extra Points
The ‘Magical Ride’ continues – Marblehead defeated Danvers (10-7) on a last second field goal to win their fourth consecutive NEC title: The 1981-1983 Vikings won three).
I predicted a Magician victory, because Danvers high school football has won only one NEC football title in 67 years of playing in the Northeastern Conference.
Revere improved their record to (4-3) with a (28-8) victory over winless Somerville. Revere is in the MIAA playoffs in Division 4.
The Patriots have two outstanding halfbacks and a field goal kicker who can convert from 35-40 yards. Will the Vikings finish strong to prepare to battle the Patriots at Della Russo Stadium on the Thanksgiving Day rivalry?
The ‘Big Blue’ of Swampscott trounced the Saugus Sachems (42-2). The Swampscott starting backfield will return in 2019 and they will be an NEC title contender!
Lynn Classical behind the passing of Keith Ridley, shutout Salem (36-0) at Manning Field in Lynn.
The Gloucester Fishermen shutout Medford (36-0) at Newell Stadium in Gloucester.
Dan Ventura, legendary high school sports editor of the Boston Herald reported the proposed re-alignment of the NEC to include two divisions, one with 8 teams including the University of Everett (they recruit players).
Will the principals and athletic directors approve this new league? I will have a story to discuss this merger and re-alignment!
The Touchdown Twins
The 2006 Super Bowl champions featured two dynamic halfbacks, all-scholastic Matt Murray (a two year Boston Herald all-scholastic, played at Tufts University) scored 120-points.
The Vikings scored an incredible – 502 points and finished second to Everett in the EMass Herald and Globe ‘top twenty.’
The first two WHS – Touchdown Twins – Joe Duplin and Tommy Trainor in 1952 – that was a rare number back in the ‘old days.’ Tommy had 112-Joe Duplin had 110.
How about Jim Gillis and Chucky Sullivan (164 points)? On the super team – undefeated Vikings with 8 Division One players.
Other 100-point scorers – Steve Rubin, Chris Beranger – back-to-back Boston Herald all-scholastic (120 points) played at UNH.
Bobby Kneeland – 120 points
Steve Staffier – Globe and Herald All-Scholastic 144 points, Division One player, National Champions –University of Miami.
Faces in the Crowd
Hats Off! To school committee chairman Tino Capobianco at a recent Vikings home game, Tino won the ‘Split the Pot’ for $250. Tino donated the money back to the football boosters! Giving Back!
Winthrop Youth Program – a huge success of ex-Viking football players coaching the future Vikings. Mark D’Ambrosio, Derek Brugman, Rob Noonan, Mike Ferrara, Mike DeFelice and coach Kevin Adamson.
Former youth football coaches Phil Hamilton and Paul Smith were recognized at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony for building a championship team.
Swampscott, Marblehead, Gloucester have successful high school programs. Thanks to youth football programs.
Let the Games Begin!
Go Vikings!
Super Teams
Saturday night at the WHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony, another ‘super’ team was inducted into the prestigious WHS Athletic Hall of Fame.
We have inducted nine championship teams, three super bowl championship teams. I have had the honor to broadcast and write about the champions.
How ironic it was on Sunday when I was watching and writing about Winthrop Youth Football.
I was approached by a Lynnfield parent and former Revere High School player. He told me he played on the 1981 Revere High football team. He asked me if I knew Al Petrilli (my broadcast partner). He questioned me, “How may super bowl teams does Winthrop have? I go to the Revere-Winthrop Thanksgiving Day Classic. The 1981 team trounced my team – that was the best Winthrop team I have watched.
The 1981 team had 8 (eight) Division One players – Yes – eight played Division One. Super bowl champions the Vikings have three-the 1981 team is my choice for number one!