WHS Sports

Vikings tie Gloucester, host Danvers next Wed.

The Winthrop High boys hockey team maintained its slim lead for first place in the North Division of the Northeastern Conference (NEC) with a 3-3 tie with Gloucester this past Saturday afternoon.

As expected, the contest featured a fast-paced and physical battle between the NEC North foes. After the visiting Fishermen seized a 1-0 lead early in the first period, senior captain Phil Boncore brought the Vikings back to level before the period ended, assisted by sophomore defenseman Paul Ferrara.

Winthrop came out on fire to start the middle stanza and soon took a 2-1 lead with a goal by sophomore Joe Pumphret, assisted by senior captain Mike Holgersen and senior Aidan Survilas. Although the Fisherman reeled the Vikings back in with their second goal of the day, Pumphret got Winthrop off the hook with his second marker when he deflected a shot by sophomore defenseman Nikita Rossi from the blue line late in the period to provide Winthrop with a 3-2 lead heading into the final frame.

Both teams came out aggressively in the period. The Vikings had numerous chances to notch an insurance goal, but could not capitalize oin their opportunities. With two minutes to go, Glocuester pulled its goalie in favor of a sixth skater and the move paid off, as the Fisherman notched the equalizer with less than 40 seconds to play after the Vikings were unable to clear the puck from their zone, sending the game into overtime.

The teams then played five minutes of the 4-on-4 OT session, which the Vikings dominated. Boncore and Holgersen both had chances for the game-winner, but their efforts to reach the back of the net were thwarted by some outstanding play by the Gloucester goalie.

WHS captain Mike Donahue turned in another strong effort in the net with 22 saves.

The tie left the Vikings with a 6-0-1 record in the NEC (9-4-1 overall) and set up a winner-take-all battle with second-place Marblehead last night (Wednesday) at Salem State. The Magicians have only one loss in the conference, that having come at the hands of the Vikings two weeks ago. Winthrop needed a win or a tie to stay atop the NEC North, while a loss would propel the Magicians into sole possession of first place.

The Vikings, who are ranked #5 in the MIAA Division 4 power ratings, will travel to NEC South foe Bevertly on Saturday for a 7:00 face-off at Endicott College and then will host NEC North rival Danvers next Wednesday evening at 6:10 at Larsen.

Boys hoop hosts Gloucester, Beverly

The Winthrop High boys basketball team will host a pair of Northeastern Conference rivals this week. The Vikings will entertain Gloucester tomorrow (Friday) evening and Beverly next Tuesday.

Both contests will tip-off on the Chris Tsiotos Court at Winthrop High at 7:00.

WHS girls hoop to hit the road; ranked #29 in D-4

The Winthrop High girls basketball team will be on the road for three contests in the coming week. The Lady Vikings will make the long treks to NEC foes Gloucester tomorrow (Friday) and to Beverly on Tuesday. They will travel into the South End of Boston next Thursday to take on non-league opponent Cathedral. Coach Anthony Hatzisavas’s crew, who stand at 4-11 on the season, still are in the chase for a berth in the post-season state tourney. The Lady Vikings were ranked #29 in Division 4 as of this past Tuesday, a rating that would qualify them automatically for the tourney. Teams either must finish in the top-32 in the MIAA power  rankings or achieve a .500 record to qualify for the tourney.