WHS golf team off to fine 3-1 start
The Winthrop High golf team has opened its 2024 season in fine fashion, recording three victories in its first four matches.
Coach Jack Wallace’s squad recorded a commanding 60-12 victory in the season-opener with Saugus at the Winthrop Golf Club (WGC) two weeks ago. Every Viking player won his match, highlighted by Ryan Murphy winning at the #1 spot, shooting a 37. Teammates Jojo Pumphret, Paulie Ferrara, Max Dassau, and Tony Bordonaro won their first career matches.
“These four new golfers will make a huge impact this year and the next 2-4 years on the team,” said Wallace. “This was a complete team win as everyone shot below 45 and got off to a great start to the season.”
Though the Vikings’ came up short to Beverly at the Beverly Golf and Tennis Club by a score of 50-22 in their next contest, Wallace saw a lot of positives in his team’s effort.
“There were a lot of great shots around the green and off the tee,” said Wallace. “Sophomore Ryan Murphy led the way with four points. The team battled hard and everyone played well. Junior captain Tomas Babine came in with 3.5 points at the #4 spot. He has been a great captain so far and makes the team better every day.”
The Vikings then returned home to host Northeast Regional and earned a close victory, 39-33.
“This was a tight match that came down to the #7 spot,” said Wallace, “with freshman Danny Connolly winning his match to secure the victory.”
Other highlights included eighth-grader Max Dassau, playing at #4, sinking a 15-foot birdie putt to win 5-4. Louk Belghiti fired a 37, continuing his hot streak of playing. The best round of the day was turned in by sophomore Nikitia Rossi who shot a personal-best, even-par 35 to win his match, 7.5-1.5. Ryan Murphy also improved to 2-1 at #1 with a victory. Junior Captain Tomas Babine won his match, 5.5-3.5, to secure big points.
Next up for Wallace’s crew was a home match with traditional Northeastern Conference power Swampscott in which the Vikings claimed another tightly-contested victory by a score of 39-33.
Highlights for the Vikings included a Medalist-winning performance by junior Louk Belghiti, who shot a 37 to defeat his Big Blue opponent. Eighth-grader Max Dassau improved to 3-1 in his first varsity season, winning 5-4 at the # 7 spot. Sophomores Jojo Pumphret and Paulie Ferrara both contributed in tough matches, earning 3.5 points each. Nikita Rossi made a clutch up-and-down to win the ninth hole to win his match by a point at the #2 slot. Sophomore Tony Bordonaro won his match at #8, 6-3, and captain Tomas Babine won his match at #4, 5.5-3.5.
“Both Tony and Tomas have been as consistent as they come,” noted Wallace.
The Vikings have a busy stretch in the coming days with seven matches in 11 days. They were scheduled to host Rockport this past Monday, Danvers yesterday (Wednesday), Salem today (Thursday), and Wakefield next Monday. They will trek to Gloucester next Tuesday, to Salem next Wednesday, and to Peabody next Thursday.
WHS volleyball team wins opener
The Winthrop High volleyball team gave new head coach Jereny Wein a perfect debut performance, defeating Excel Academy, 3-0, this past Friday afternoon.
“We earned the win with some great serving and defense,” said Wein. “Everyone on the team played a major part. Tina Fabiano had some great digs, while Helena Gajica and Ana Gajica did some great blocking up front.
“Our stay-ready group was loud and supportive. They definitely earned the opportunity to add a song to the practice playlist,” Wein added.
“We have a really difficult week coming up with Swampscott (this past Tuesday), Marblehead today (Thursday), and Revere tomorrow (Friday). However, we operate under the idea that, ‘Fear is the mind-killer.’ We are afraid of no one and will play as hard as we can no matter the opponent to the very end of each match.”
The Lady Vikings will continue a busy stretch of six matches in 10 days with contests next week vs. Northeast Regional at home on Monday, at Saugus next Wednesday, and at home vs. Excel next Thursday.
WHS girls soccer defeats Excel, 7-0
The Winthrop High girls soccer team earned a 7-0 victory at Excel Academy this past Saturday.
Leading the way for the Lady Vikings was senior captain Marwa Mimouni, who scored two goals in the first half, assisted by fellow senior captain Gabby Buonopane and junior Tegan Pereira. A goal by Angela Coscia from senior Hannah Barrett made it 3-0 at the end of the first half.
Winthrop kept the momentum going after the intermission, dominating play on the field with goals from sophomore Sophia Sarnaglia (assisted by senior captain Talia Martucci), Poli Tsiotos (assisted by Sophia Sarnaglia), Talia Martucci (unassisted), and Stella Osborn (unassisted).
“I have to give a shout out to my senior sweeper, Emily Hoxhaj, who is new to that position. Emily has stepped into that spot and excelled at it,” said WHS head coach Tracey Martucci. “Our goalkeeper, senior Tori Bates, made some big saves for us.”
The Lady Vikings came up short in their season-opener with Salem last Wednesday, 4-1. Coscia (unassisted) scored the Winthrop goal.
“Salem has come a long way and has a lot of talent this year,” noted Martucci.
Winthrop also fell in matches with perennially-strong Saugus, 7-1, in which Talia Martucci accounted for the Winthrop goal, and Beverly, 8-0.
“The Northeastern Conference always is a very strong conference and I am proud of my team for never giving up in these games,” said Martucci. “They have worked hard all pre-season and I am super proud of them for always putting in the effort until the end of each game, no matter what the score.”
Martucci and her crew were scheduled to travel to NEC foes Swampscott and Danvers to close out this week. They will return home to host Peabody Monday afternoon on the turf at Miller Field at 4:30.
WHS boys soccer tops Salem, 4-2
The Winthrop High boys soccer team opened its 2024 season last Wednesday with a 4-2 victory over Northeastern Conference rival Salem on the turf at Miller Field. Fabi and Junior scored two goals apiece to pace the Viking offense and sophomore goalkeeper Jackson Faber turned in a solid performance.
“It took us 16 games two years ago and six games last year before we won our first game,” said WHS head coach Phil Ronan.
Last Friday the Vikings came up short in a 2-0 decision to Saugus. “We just got physically taken out of the game,” noted Ronan, whose squad then dropped an 8-1 contest to Beverly this past Monday. “Beverly was just a superior team; big, skilled, quick, and too much for us. We have a young team and it’s going to take us some time.”
The Vikings took on Swampscott yesterday (Wednesday) and will trek to Peabody next Monday before returning to Miller Field next Wednesday to entertain Danvers.