Strong start for WHS boys lacrosse
The Winthrop High boys lacrosse team opened its season with a pair of impressive victories over non-league rivals St. Mary’s of Lynn, 15-4, and Lynnfield, 17-4, last week.
The high-scoring duo of Seth Sacco and Ace Daigneault powered the Vikings in both triumphs. Sacco scored seven goals and added two assists in the St. Mary’s contest and struck for six goals to go with eight assists vs. Lynnfield.
Daigneault reached the back of the Lynnfield net for eight goals and picked up four assists and pumped in six goals and earned four assists vs. St. Mary’s.
“Both Seth and Ace find opportunities to score at all times, and they are able to create looks for each other and the rest of the offense,” said WHS head coach Brian Donnelly. “They are going to be a tough duo to handle for most teams. What is great about both is they are also excellent defenders when they need to be and can play both sides of the ball.
“Matt Maddalone and Tomas Babine have both been great for us off the face-off,” Donnelly continued. “Paul Ferrara continues to be a beast at our long pole midfielder position. He is a ground ball machine and can get some solid takeaways.
“Our defense is looking solid, led by captain Sean Dolen, who is great at facilitating communication with the rest of the defense,” said Donnelly. “Declan Howard and Chris Beshere are doing really well to round out our defense. Declan is a two-year starter, and his close defense has continued to improve. Chris got some solid minutes last year,and this year we are looking for him to step up in a big way.”
Donnelly also praised the goaltending of senior captain Nick Romano. “Nick remains a brick wall in the net for yet another year,” said the coach. “Having a goalie like Nick in net really gives everyone a massive confidence boost in any game. He has averaged 12-plus saves in both games.”
Babine, Maddalone, and Evan DeMayo also found the back of the net in the Lynnfield victory. “We got out to an early lead against Lynnfield, so it was great to be able to get some younger guys some looks,” Donnelly added. “Overall, the team is really coming together. We are happy to see young guns like Johnny Ferrara, Alex Correa, and Tyler Smith step into big roles this year. Our goal is to take a step forward every day and come ready to work and improve.”
Donnelly and his crew have a challenging week ahead. They were scheduled to take on Swampscott, their perennial Northeastern Conference South Division rival, yesterday (Wednesday) and will host NEC North foe Beverly tomorrow (Friday) at 4:30 at Miller Field.
They will trek to non-league opponent Bishop Fenwick on Saturday before returning home to entertain NEC South adversary Gloucester next Wednesday.
WHS softball team defeats Rockport, 17-3
The Winthrop High softball team recorded its first victory of the season with an 18-3 victory over non-league opponent Rockport last Friday that was called after five innings because of the mercy rule.
The Lady Vikings took control of the contest in the bottom of the first, scoring six runs on four hits to take a 6-1 lead. The biggest hit of the rally was a bases-clearing smash by Brianna Rizzotto, who battled through six-pitches in her at-bat to deliver three teammates.
Winthrop added six more runs in the second, five runs in the third, and their final marker in the fourth. In addition to Rizzotto’s big hit, Norah Zaffini drove in three runs and sped around the bases for an inside-the-park home run at the Little League A field (where the Winthrop girls had to play because their new home at Ingleside Park was not ready).
Sofia Gonzalez went 3-for-3 and Fran Indrisano and Makayla Herdt each collected multiple hits. Gonzalez was the Viking player of the game for her overall stellar performance.
Three days earlier the Lady Vikings unexpectedly (because their home field was not ready) trekked to Hamilton-Wenham and returned with a 9-6 loss despite outhitting the Lady Generals, 11-10.
Winthrop started slowly at the plate, but rallied for six runs in the final inning before falling short in their comeback bid. Kylie McFarland (one RBI) and Gonzalez both had three hits. Lucy Boncore (two RBI and a run scored) and Indrisano (one RBI) both struck for doubles and Molly Titemore hit a sacrifice fly.
Brianna McFarland, who pitched well in her first varsity effort, was named the player of the game.
This past Monday, the Lady Vikings dropped a 5-1 decision at Saugus. Starting pitcher Lucy Boncore struck out eight opponents. Makayla Herdt had Winthrop’s only RBI on the night, with two hits and one stolen base, a performance which earned Makayla the Viking of the Game award.
Coach Erin Vercruysse and her squad, who were scheduled to host Saugus this past Monday and to travel to Beverly yesterday (Wednesday), are hoping that they will be able to inaugurate their new field tomorrow (Friday) with a contest vs. Swampscott.
They will make the short trip to Revere next Thursday.
WHS girls lacrosse defeats Gloucester
The Winthrop High girls lacrosse team improved to 2-1 with an 8-5 victory at Gloucester last Friday. Tegan Pereira led the way with four goals. Reese Ferrara netted a hat trick and Angela Coscia added a big goal.
The Lady Viking defense was paced by Coscia, Ari Damelio, Holly Nimblett and freshman Evelyn Trafton. Goalie Annabelle Bettano played well in net.
Winthrop built a 5-1 lead at the half and remained in control for most of the contest. “Reese and Tegan are our two main scorers and when they are on, we will have some success,” said WHS head coach Anthony Hatzisavas.
Last Wednesday the Lady Vikings dropped an 11-5 decision to Saugus, a team that Winthrop had edged 4-3 two days earlier in the season-opener.
Ferrara netted the hat trick with three goals and Morgan Margardo and Avalina Coffee contributed a goal apiece.had 1 goal as well.
“It was a tight, back-and-forth contest, but Saugus pulled away in the fourth quarter,” said Hatzisavas. “We struggled gaining possession off ground balls and we worked on that specifically on Thursday before our next game.”
Hatzisavas and his crew were scheduled to host Swampscott yesterday (Wednesday) and will travel to Beverly tomorrow (Friday). They will entertain non-league foes Malden next Monday and Revere next Thursday.
WHS baseball at Swampscott tomorrow
The Winthrop High baseball team will make the short sojourn northward to Northeastern Conference (NEC) South Division rival Swampscott tomorrow (Friday). Coach Tom Capasso’s squad was scheduled to host NEC North adversary Beverly yesterday (Wednesday). The Vikings stand at 1-2 on the season after coming up short in two contests this past week vs. non-league opponent Essex Tech on Saturday and NEC South foe Saugus on Monday.