Three wins for WHS boys soccer sets new school mark
The Winthrop High boys soccer earned three more wins this past week bringing the 2025 squad to a place where no Viking boys squad has gone before: An all-time record of 10 victories in a season, as well as guaranteeing them the all-time best winning percentage in the program’s history.
In addition to those two accomplishments, the trio of wins made it a trifecta by punching the Vikings’ ticket for a Journey to the Tourney in the MIAA Division 3 state tournament.
Viking goalkeeper Jackson Faber posted two more clean sheets, increasing his record total of shutouts in a season to eight.
Winthrop opened the week with a 4-2 win at Saugus last Tuesday. Kerim Kudu scored two goals and teammates Fabiano Alcala Rodrigues and captain Noah Bayersdorfer added a goal apiece.
The following day on a windy Wednesday, captain Bayersdorfer scored the lone goal on a windswept Miller Field for a 1-0 Viking victory over Gloucester.
This past Saturday head coach Phil Ronan and his crew traveled to Arlington Catholic and came home with 6-0 triumph. Seaghan Turner netted three goals for a hat trick and Lucas Rey, Bayersdorfer, and Alcala Rodriguez tallied goals.
The Vikings, who have won eight of their last nine games and stand at 10-4-3, will play their final regular-season contest next Monday, October 27, under the lights on Miller Field at Robert Defelice Stadium vs. Marblehead that will be highlighted by Senior Night festivities.
Cross country teams race at Marblehead
The Winthrop High boys and girls cross country teams came up short in their meat at Marblehead last Wednesday.
The Viking boys were led by freshman Owen Harty, who finished in sixth place with a time of 19:02. Owen was followed by senior captain Liam Natareno (9th in 20:03), senior Liam Kenney (10th, 20:04), freshman Matteo Agri (13th, 20:20), sophomore Sean Mgloin (14th,21:28), junior Evan Tallent (18th, 28:23), freshman Joseph Spinale (19th, 29:28), and senior Guilherme Sodre (20th, 33:59).
On the girls’ side, Era Marra finished in 13th place with a time of 28:36 and.senior captain Bailey Ferguson came across the line in the 14th spot in a clocking of 28:40.
Viking golfers reach 12 wins; play in tourney
The Winthrop High golf team compiled a sterling overall record of 12-7 and 9-4 in the Northeastern Conference.
“We’ve had back-to-back 12-win seasons,” said WHS head coach Jack Wallace. “This was the first Winthrop team to win matches at Ferncroft, Tedesco, and Bass Rocks in almost 20 years.”
The Vikings concluded their season with a flourish. In a 64-8 win over non-league rival Lynn Classical, the Winthrop linksmen had what Wallace termed “a great day at Gannon Golf Club.”
Every Viking won their match. Highlights were provided by junior Jojo Pumphret, who shot a 41 to top his Ram rival, 8-1. “This was a great score by Jojo on a tough course,” said Wallace.
The best performance of the day was turned in by freshman Max Dassau, who won his match, 9-0, and shot a 4-over 39 to earn the medalist of the day honors.
Fellow freshman Ethan Staff shot a superb round to win his match, 8-1. “Ethan will be a potential starter next season and I’m looking forward to his growth,” said Wallace.
The Vikings then came through with what Wallace labeled “our best match of the season” with a 37.5-34.5 victory at Gloucester. “Everyone played really well and smart. It was our first win at Bass Rocks since 2015.”
Junior Ryan Murphy led the way, winning 6-3 at the #1 spot. “This was a huge win at the top spot,” said Wallace.
Senior captain Tomas Babine, playing at #2, lost 5-4, “but that was a big help,” noted Wallace. Dassau came through with a huge 6-3 win at #5. “Max used the course to his advantage and dominated,” said Wallace.
Junior Tony Bordanaro contributed four points to the Viking cause and kept it close. Senior Louk Belghiti tied his match, which allowed Winthrop to stay in the lead. Junior Nikita Rossi fought back from down-3 to contribute four huge points.
Junior Paulie Ferrara won big, 6-3, at #7 and secured the match with a huge two- putt par. Pumphret added three points at #8.
“This was a complete match and everyone played the course correctly,” noted Wallace.
In a 44-28 loss to Masconomet, junior Ryan Murphy led the way with a great performance, beating the NEC MVP on his home course. The Vikings shot well and scored well, but fell to a very good Masco team. Babine and Dassau both shot a 39, but lost their matches. Bordanaro scored four points for the Vikings in a tough match, as did Belghiti.
The Vikings held their Senior Day at the Winthrop Golf Club in a match with Marblehead and came up short by a similar 44-28 final score.
Captain Tomas Babine, Louk Belghiti, Declan Howard, and Mohammed Lichir were the four members of the WHS Class of 2026 who were honored for their contributions to the WHS golf program.
“This was a tough match at home,” said Wallace. “Our only winning golfer was junior Paulie Ferrara, 5-4. Pumphret tied his match, 4.5-4.5. These two have come along in the end, especially Paulie.
“Jojo finished a great year playing at the 7-8 spots. He won nine of his matches and was a great back-end spot and kept us in every match,” Wallace added.
“The rest of the team was struggling against a tough opponent,” Wallace continued. “Marblehead is well-coached and very consistent. Our top players of Ryan, Nikita, Louk, and Tomas all lost their matches, it was bound to happen and this match was tough from the start. I am proud that we did not give up. I just wish we played better at home. Freshman Max Dassau and junior Tony Bordanaro both contributed 3.5 points.”
However, the Vikings bounced back to conclude their regular season with a 50-22 win at Salem in which every Viking won his match.
Highlights came from Declan Howard, winning his last match as a Viking; sophomore Danny Connolly, who won his match as well; and Ryan Murphy, Tomas Babine, Paulie Ferrara, Jojo Pumphret, and Tony Bordanaro, all of whom were victorious vs. their Salem counterparts.
“I was glad we could end the season with a win as a team,” said Wallace. “Tony finished the season posting an over-.500 individual record and I look forward to him continuing to keep improving for his senior season. Golfers also to watch for next season who can make an impact are rising junior Danny Connolly, sophomore Ethan Staff, and sophomore Johnny Poulos.”
The Vikings’ sterling record qualified them for the Division 3 North Sectional State Tournament that was held at the Far Corner Golf course in Boxford.Club.
There were 11 teams in the D-3 North and Winthrop finished in sixth place, with Wilmington winning the sectional.
Winthrop was led by seniors Tomas Babine and Louk Belghiti. Both shot a 9-over round of 81, a score that missed the individual cut-off by just one stroke.
“This was a tough pill to swallow, but the two of them played great,” said Wallace. “I was happy as their coach that they both played so well in their last events as Vikings. Louk has been a very consistent player for us for four years and this was his best finish at States. This was his second year in a row shooting the low round for the team. Tomas also played well, as this was the second year in a row he played well at States. He’s a smart player and keeps the ball in play well.”
Other scores for Winthrop included Ryan Murphy, who shot a 90. “This was a tough day for Ryan, as I know he wanted to do better for the team and himself,” Wallace said. “It’s golf and these days can happen, and as an athlete, you will be challenged. Ryan has been carrying us for 2-3 years now and it was unfortunate the team could not pick him up. He has the game to beat anyone in D-3 and this was a learning experience. Expect Ryan to be a favorite for NEC MVP next season and a potential sectional champ if he improves like he has each year.”
Junior Paulie Ferrara shot a 94. “This was a 14-stroke improvement from last year’s tournament,” said Wallace. “Paulie played well all day until the last stretch of holes really hurt his score overall. However, Paulie was one of our best players toward the end of the year and saw real improvement in the last two weeks of the season. I am proud of his determination and effort.”
Freshman Max Dassau shot a 94. “Max handled himself well,” noted Wallace. “He just tried to do too much, but this was another great learning experience for Max in his second year at States. Max played awesome this season and shows that he is not a normal freshman, competing all year from the 3-5 spots. Expect Max to continue to grow and be a top player in this conference very soon.”
Junior Nikita Rossi shot a 99 “and just struggled to get his game really going this day,” Wallace continued. “Nikita had a good season and battled all year long and won some huge matches throughout the year, even though his scoring was not as good as he wanted. He was a huge part of our success this year. Nikita will be a top-3 player next season for us.”
In the NEC Open that was played on a very windy day at Bass Rocks, two-man teams from each of the 10 NEC teams competed. Winthrop was represented by the duo of Murphy and Babine and both played well. Murphy finished in fourth place, shooting a 79, while Babine wrapped up his high school career with a 14-over 86.
Their efforts propelled Winthrop into a fourth-place finish, behind Masco, Marblehead, and Beverly.
“I was very proud of how we played,” said Wallace. “It was a long two days after the D-3 State tournament the day before. Ryan bounced back, which shows he has a great mindset for golf. You have to always be looking ahead and worrying about your next shot. Tomas capped off a great high school career. He has been the backbone of the last two years, being the captain and leading the team to two straight 12-win seasons.
“The Winthrop golf program is where it is today because of Tomas and Ryan and they showed why at Bass Rocks,” Wallace added. “I personally thank Tomas for all he has done and I know, being an alumnus of the program, the alumni thank him as well.”
Ryan Murphy was recognized as an NEC All Conference selection. Ryan finished 10-2-1 in conference play and this is his third year in a row All Conference.
Tomas Babine and Nikita Rossi were recognized as NEC All Stars. Babine was 8-3-2 in the conference, playing in the 2-4 spots all year, and Rossi likewise was 8-3-2, playing the 2-3 spots all year. “I would also like to thank coach Kevin Adamson on what he accomplished this year at the JV level and being my assistant,” concluded Wallace. “He means a lot to the program and the development at the younger level and we would not be successful without him and his dedication to the program. Many players were match ready when called upon and he had a lot to do with that