Viking icemen top two NEC foes
The Winthrop High boys hockey team earned a pair of close, hard-fought victories over Northeastern Conference (NEC) opponents by identical scores of 3-2 this past week at Larsen Rink.
Last Wednesday the Vikings hosted NEC North foe Masconomet, a team that has emerged as a major rival in the past few years, and the fierce foes once again engaged in a physical and fast-paced battle.
Winthrop opened the scoring right away, with sophomore Dom Spinale reaching the back of the Chieftains’ net with an unassisted goal. Masco tied matters before the end of the period, but the Vikings came out flying to start the middle frame. Senior captain Mike Holgersen gave Winthrop a 2-1 lead thanks to a great pass from senior Aidan Survilas and extended their advantage to 3-1 when freshman Breadon Lounsbury scored his first goal of the year on a power play. Holgersen and sophomore Paul Ferrara earned assists.
Masconomet cut the margin to 3-2 before the end of the period, setting the stage for a wild third period that saw the Vikings kill a five-minute major penalty.
However, the Winthrop defense held firm in front of senior captain goaltender Mike Donahue, who made a number of key saves both throughout the game and in the crucial final period, to preserve the win.
This past Saturday Winthrop hosted NEC South opponent Peabody/Saugus/Swampscott and once again came away with a 3-2 win.
Despite a one-sided opening period in which the Vikings outshot the visiting Tanners and dominated play, the teams were deadlocked at 0-0 after the first 15 minutes.
Winthrop broke through in the second period with sophomore Joe Pumphret netting his first goal, assisted by captain Mike Holgersen. Holgersen then extended the Vikings’ advantage on a power play goal with an assist from sophomore Paul Ferrara
However, Peabody got on the board late in the period to leave matters at 2-1, setting the stage for a hectic third period.
Pumphret gave Winthrop some breathing room with his second goal, assisted by Holgersen, to make it 3-1, although the visiting Tanners made it interesting with a late goal.
Senior captain Mike Donahue turned in another solid effort in goal with some key saves down the stretch.
Coach Dale Dunbar and his crew, who now stand at 5-3 overall and 3-0 in the NEC and who are ranked #8 in the MIAA’s Division 4 power ratings, took on non-league opponent Lynnfield last night (Wednesday). They will meet Masconomet in a big rematch this Saturday at Kasabuski Rink in Saugus with a 5:00 opening face-off.
The Vikings will stay on the road at non-league opponent Lexington on Monday at 5:00 and then will trek to Ray Bourque Arena at Endicott College next Thursday to meet NEC North rival Danvers st 6:30.
WHS girls hoop wins two close ones
The Winthrop High girls basketball team turned in a pair of outstanding efforts to earn two key victories this past week against Northeastern Conference (NEC) North rival Peabody, 49-45, and non-league foe Revere, 33-31.
“We defeated a strong NEC opponent in Peabody,” said WHS head coach Anthony Hatzisavas. “All we talked about is how we need to start stringing together four great quarters in these games because in our losses, there was always a quarter that hurt us.
“We came out and played great defense which led to good offense and we set the tone early,” Hatzisavas continued. “We were able to go up 12-6 after the first, which was probably our best opening quarter of the season.
“Peabody made a little bit of a run to cut the lead to one at the half,” said Hatzisavas. “At the half we talked about how we needed the same amount of energy that we had in the first half. We came out a little flat to go down 24-19 quick.
“Out of a timeout, Zoey Bogusz made a beautiful, over-the-top pass to Angela Tshowa for an ‘and-1’ layup which got us right back into the swing of things. We were able to open up the lead again to nine, but then did not end the quarter strong as it was back to three. We hurt ourselves more, it seems like, than the other team hurts us. That’s kind of been our issue, but we are working towards being better at that,” Hatzisavas added.
The fourth quarter turned into a back-and-forth, cat-and-mouse affair, with the teams trading the lead throughout the final period. The Lady Vikings held a three-point advantage with 40 seconds left when Bogusz sank a Clutch trey as the shot clock was expiring to give Winthrop a six-point lead to secure the win.
The final stat line showed Bogusz with a solid effort with seven points, six rebounds, and five assists. Sophomore Angela Tshowa had her best game of the season with a nice double-double with 13 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists. Bailey Ferguson hit for seven points and grabbed five boards. Sophia Lindinger and Amina Barry contributed eight rebounds each. Poli Tsiotos reached double figures, contributing 10 points and providing a huge spark coming off the bench.
This past Monday the Lady Vikings made the short trip to non-league opponent — and traditional archrival — Revere and came home with another hard-fought, down-to-the-write victory.
The contest started well for the Lady Vikings, who built a 20-120 lead at the intermission thanks to a stifling defensive effort.
“I told the girls you throw records out the window for this one,” said Hatzisavas. “It just means more. We came out moving the ball and executing great. We went into a press and caused a lot of issues for them and we were able to build a nice lead at the half.”
When Ferguson drained a triple to start the second half, it appeared that Winthrop was en route to a comfortable victory. However, the Lady Patriots refused to quit and started to turn the tide.
“We came out in the second half and Bailey hit a three to start, but then the energy shifted a little bit,” Hatzisavas continued. “Revere started to gain momentum and hit some key shots.”
With the teams deadlocked at 31-31 with 20 seconds to go, it was the sophomore Showa who donned the heroine’s cape for the Lady Vikings when she made a strong move to the rim for the game-winning bucket.
“It was a very difficult move that Angela made look easy,” said Hatzisavas. “It’s always nice beating Revere and we are happy we were able to get this one. Winning is never easy, so you have to take it any way you can get it sometimes.”
The Lady Vikings, who now are 4-6 at the midpoint of the season and are ranked 26th in the MIAA’s Division 4 power rankings, travel to non-league foe Hamilton-Wenham Friday and to NEC North rival Marblehead next Tuesday.
WHS boys hoop hosts Marblehead next Tuesday
The Winthrop High boys basketball team will host Northeastern Conference North foe Marblehead next Tuesday evening. The opening tip on the Holland Gymnasium’s Chris Tsiotos Floor is set for 7:00.