WHS Boys Soccer Wins Two, Now at .500
The Winthrop High boys soccer team won two out of three games this past week, bringing their season record to 4-4-1.
Last Wednesday coach Phil Ronan and his crew made their long trek to Salem a worthwhile endeavor, bringing home a 2-0 victory to make for an enjoyable bus ride home. Julian Alvarez and Ian Camilo reached the back of the Witches’ net to provide the offense and Mateo Martinez played a steady game in the net to post a clean sheet.
“Our defense has been solid all year, led by Sebastian Yepes, Jack Osborne, and Kai Faber,” said Ronan.
Last Thursday the Vikings made the shorter journey up Route 1 to Saugus, but fell short by a 1-0 margin. “This was a hard-fought game,” said Ronan. “We had chances and were horribly unlucky. I thought we deserved better.”
This past Monday Winthrop hosted Division 5 Boston Collegiate and earned a 6-0 victory.
“We dominated from start to finish, as we should against a lower-division foe,” noted Ronan. Five different Vikings reached the back of the Collegiate net (the sixth goal was an own goal): Lucas Coehlo, Matthew DeCarney, Ian Camilo (“who has been playing great
this year,” said Ronan), Juan Mendoza (“the goal of the year from a free kick,” said Ronan), and Fabianio .Alcala Rodrigues.
“Fabiano may be the best all-around player on the team,” noted Ronan.
The Vikings were scheduled to host Peabody yesterday (Wednesday) and Salem today (Thursday) at 4:00. They will entertain Swampscott on the holiday on Monday at 10:00 AM and Maimonides next Tuesday under the lights at Miller starting at 7:00.
WHS Girls Soccer Edges Salem, 1-0
The Winthrop High girls soccer team turned in a stellar defensive effort and supplied just enough offense to defeat Northeastern Conference (NEC) rival Salem, 1-0, last Wednesday evening at Miller Field.
“They were a good match-up with us,” said WHS head coach Tracey Martucci. “We had some great defense by sweeper Daniela Gomez, Carolina Gonzalez, Sara Yepes, Hailey Forsyth, and Emily Hoxhaj.
“I also have to give a shout-out to senior forward Reese Brodin for still holding it down in net while our starting keeper is out with an injury,” said Martucci of Brodin’s clean-sheet performance.
Junior Talia Martucci notched the lone goal of the contest in the second half to provide the margin of victory.
Two days later the Lady Vikings came out on the short end of a 7-0 decision to perennially strong NEC foe Saugus. “Midfielder and captain Hannah Parker once again was solid for us in the middle of the field,” noted Martucci.
This past Monday Winthrop came up just short in a 5-4 contest with non-league opponent Mystic Valley.
‘It went back-and-forth,” said Martucci, “and again we had a few people playing out of their positions. The injuries this season haven’t been helpful. But they never gave up and kept working hard.
“After trailing 2-0, Winthrop fought back with goals from Marwa Mimouni, assisted by Talia Martucci, and Martucci herself, off a corner kick from Hannah Parker. However, Mystic came right back and scored two more quick ones before the half ended to leave matters at 4-2 at the intermission.
The Lady Vikings drew within a goal to start the second half with another goal by Talia Martucci off a corner kick from Hannah Parker. However, MV responded with a goal to maintain a two-goal advantage at 5-3. Winthrop junior Gabby Buonopane, assisted by senior Kaylee Farrell, reached the back of the enemy net to make it 5-4, but the Lady Vikings ran out of time in their bid to bring the contest back to level.
Martucci and her crew were slated to travel to Peabody yesterday (Wednesday) and will head north up the coast to Swampscott on Monday morning at 10:00. They will travel to Noyes Field in East Boston to meet Excel Academy next Thursday.
Cross-Country Runners Showing Improvement
Although the Winthrop High boys and girls cross country teams have been short on numbers, coach Nik Beshere’s dedicated group of Viking runners have been long on enthusiasm throughout the season.
Last Wednesday Winthrop trekked to Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield to compete in a tri-meet with Masconomet and Salem.
“Both the boys and the girls put up some great times,” said Beshere.
Leading the way for the Viking boys over the three-mile course was Thomas D’Amico, who crossed the line in a clocking of 20:40. He was followed by teammates Liam Kenney in 21:56, Liam Natareno in 22:38, and Evan Tallent in 29:43.
For the girls’ side, Bailey Ferguson led the quartet of Lady Viking competitors with a clocking of 22:51. April Ferguson was next for Winthrop in 23:57, followed by Annabelle Giardino in 26:54 and Aitana Bartolome in 30:16.
This past Tuesday the Winthrop squad hosted Marblehead on their 2.6 mile home course at Deer Island.
“Unfortunately, both the boys and the girls did not win, as we didn’t have enough to make a team, but they all put up personal bests, so that’s a win in my book,” said Beshere.
D’Amico once again set the pace for the Viking contingent, crossing the line with a time of 17:00 followed by teammates Kenney (17:33), Natareno (17:54), and Tallent (25:34)
Bailey Ferguson topped the Lady Viking list with a clocking of 18:57, followed by April Ferguson (19:32), Annabelle Giardino (21:27), and Aitana Bartolome (25:06).
Beshere and his crew will make the short trek up the coast to Swampscott next Wednesday afternoon.