WHS Sports Roundup

WHS Boys Qualify for State Tournament

The Winthrop High boys soccer team battled Danvers to a nil-nil standoff Monday evening under the lights at Miller Field. The tie clinched a spot in the post-season state tournament for the Vikings.

“It was a pretty even first half,” said WHS head coach Kyle Gagin. “In the second half, we controlled the majority, but couldn‚Äôt finish any chances, including a missed penalty kick. Senior captain JD Parker had an outstanding game, winning a lot of 50/50s.”

With the tie, the Vikings guaranteed themselves at least a .500 record and a spot in the play-in games for the state tournament.

Winthrop currently is ranked 13th in the power rankings, which right now would qualify the Vikings outright for  the tournament. If Winthrop finishes in the top 16, the Vikings will host a tournament game.

Last Thursday the Vikings came out on the short end of a 6-0 decision with Gloucester.

“We started off well vs. Gloucester and even had the majority of possession in the early parts of the first half,”  said Gagin. “However, Gloucester was able to score two goals midway through the first half and then added three more in the last 10 minutes of the half.”

The Fisherman added their sixth tally after the intermission for the 6-0 finale.

“We started to play well soon after, but couldn‚Äôt finish any of our chances,” Gagin added. “Overall it was not our best game, but credit to the team for still fighting even when down 6-0.”

Gagin and his crew were scheduled to wrap up their regular season with a match this afternoon (Thursday) against Swampscott at Miller Field.

WHS Girls Top Gloucester, 5-1

The Winthrop High girls soccer team celebrated Senior Night in appropriate fashion with a 5-1 victory over Gloucester last Wednesday evening at Miller Field.

The contest was.a complete reversal of the first meeting between the teams when the Lady Fishermen grabbed a 4-1 victory.

“That score definitely didn‚Äôt reflect how we played and we were ready to battle in the rematch,” said WHS head coach Tracey Martucci.

The Lady Vikings took a 1-0 lead on a set piece when Mia Martucci delivered a corner kick and Emma Forsyth headed the ball into the back of the Gloucester net.

Martucci made it a 2-0 contest, assisted by Ava Martello, before the end of the first half.

Winthrop added three more markers after the intermission. Lily Tallent scored after receiving a through-ball from Julia Holmes and Isabella Piccinato scored the fourth goal on a nice pass from Emma Holmes.

The Lady Vikings applied the coup de grace when Mia Martucci made a great run down the field and delivered a low cross along the goal line, where Kendall Brant was there to tap it in to put the game away.

“I want to congratulate all my seniors on a successful senior night,” said Martucci. “Goalie Manuela Mejia, Miya Grein, Grace Arena, Nora McCarey, Emma Forsyth, Brianna Marley , Stefania Spinazzola, Samantha Galuris, Ava Martello, Isabella Piccinato, Kendall Brant, Capt. Julia Marcoccio, Capt. Summer Tallent, and Capt. Mia Martucci.”

Martucci and her squad will finish up their season today (Thursday) when they make the long trek to Salem.

Top 20 finish for Murphy at NEC

Winthrop High’s top golfer this season, Connor Murphy, competed in the Northeastern Conference Open at the Renaissance golf course last week and shot a 91, a score that was good for 19th place among the 76 top golfers in the conference.

Both Murphy and teammate Nico Babine are scheduled to compete in the state tournament today (Thursday).

Close Matches for WHS Volleyball Team

The Winthrop High volleyball team battled fiercely in its matches this past week, but came out on the short end of close decisions.

In a 3-1 loss to Salem, the Vikings dropped the first two sets, 25-23 and 25-18, but rebounded to take the third set, 25-21.

“We pushed through in the third set to secure a win,” said WHS head coach Lauren Kelly. “We played competitively and brought the energy back up.”

However, Winthrop’s comeback bid fell short, falling by a score of 29-27 in the extended fourth set.

“That fourth set was perhaps the most competitive for us all season,” said Kelly. “We continuously tied up the score, going past 25. Sadly, we did not emerge from the set victorious.

“In the first set, sophomore Grace Fleuriel had a great set,” Kelly added. “Grace had two kills and a block. In the third set, junior Hanna Essaoubi had a serving streak of five points.”

Kelly and her crew are scheduled to conclude their season today (Thursday) with a match at Swampscott.