WHS Sports Roundup

WHS boys soccer edges Gloucester; ranked 28th in D-4

The Winthrop High boys soccer team turned in one of its best efforts of the season to claim a 2-1 victory over Gloucester last Wednesday at Miller Field.

WHS head coach  Phil Ronan had termed the contest a “must win” for his squad and the Vikings delivered.

“The team followed the game plan to a ‘T’ against Gloucester,” said Ronan. “They came to play.” Fabiano Alcala Rodrigues scored the first Winthrop goal on a corner and Camilo Balacazar Ceron scored on a header to provide the Winthrop offense.

Two days later the Vikings took on a strong (8-2-4) Marblehead team and came up on the short end of a 5-1 decision. “Marblehead moved the ball, and moved without the ball, brilliantly,” said Ronan. “We fell asleep on two corners early which resulted in two goals and we chased the game thereafter. We weren’t ready and that’s on me.”

WHS captain Noah Bayersdorfer scored the Viking goal on an outstanding header off a great free kick that was delivered by Cleison “Junior” Sarnaglia to spoil Marblehead’s clean sheet.

The Vikings, who now stand at 6-9-1 on the season, are ranked 28th in the MIAA’s Division 4 Power Ratings. If the Vikings maintain that ranking, they will qualify for the post-season state tournament.

Ronan and his crew have two games left on their schedule as of press time. They were scheduled to host Arlington Catholic yesterday (Wednesday) for Senior Night in what Ronan termed “another must-win game.” They will entertain Manchester-Essex, the 5th-ranked team in D-4, in the season finale next Monday under the lights at 6:00 at Miller.

WHS cross country teams to compete in NEC Meet Sunday

The Winthrop High boys and girls cross country teams will compete in the annual Northeastern Conference (NEC) Meet this Sunday morning at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester.

Coach Eric Ferguson’s squads traveled to NEC rival Danvers this past week for their final dual meet of the season.

On the boys’ side, Gabriel Perez finished second overall with a time of 18:17 and Brody Burrill finished third overall in a clocking of 18:32. Owen Nargi, Liam Natareno, and Sean Mcgloin rounded out the top five runners for the Vikings.

The top five girls were Vienna Cardoza, Haley DeMarco, Bailey Ferguson, Aitana Bartolome and Emma Holgersen.

Volleyball team holds Senior Night

The Winthrop High girls volleyball team held its annual Senior Night festivities this past Monday in which the team’s members from the Class of 2025 were honored for their contributions to the WHS volleyball program.

Although the Vikings came up on the short end of a 3-0 decision to Revere, WHS head coach Jeremy Wein lauded the efforts of many of his players.

“We had energy to start and then it went away towards the middle of the second set,” said Wein. “It came back midway into the third set, but it was too late. Zoey Bogusz and Sofia Gonzalez ran everywhere on the court chasing down tips and errant passes. Tina Fabiano and Sebastian Yeoes had some great passes off of great serves. Helena Gajica and Ana Gajica were everywhere in the front row. Ana even dove for a ball. Sam Correa Betancur’s serving helped us stay alive.

“We talk all the time about making mistakes being fine so long as you battle to improve,” Wein continued. “Lily Conway made two mistakes in a row and then smashed the ball on the next two hits. She was a star for that reason alone. I love how hard she works and has worked during the year.”

Wein and his crew are scheduled to wrap up their 2024 campaign with matches at Peabody today (Thursday) and at Salem tomorrow (Friday).