Boys lacrosse ranked #7 in D-4
The Winthrop High boys lacrosse team, which was ranked seventh in the MIAA Division 4 power ratings as of last Friday, was scheduled to wrap up its regular season yesterday (Wednesday) with a contest against Marblehead that was to be highlighted by Senior Night festivities.
Coach Brian Donnelly’s Vikings, the champions of the Lynch Division of the Northeastern Conference, stand at 14-3 overall after winning two contests this past week, a 14-1 victory over Salem last Wednesday and a 17-6 triumph over Wilmington this past Monday.
“We had two solid team wins over the last couple of days,” said Donnelly. “It is nice to finish our last three games at home after being on the road for a while. The guys came out fast against Salem and never looked back. We had some young guys step up in some huge ways which is going to be key for us as we make a playoff run.”
Seth Sacco led the charge for the Winthrop offense with four goals and two assists in the match with Salem. “I really can’t speak on how good Seth is as a player and an even better leader,” said Donnelly. “He just has a great knack for the game and encourages everyone around them to be better and dig deeper.
Ace Daigneault also made a major contribution to the winning effort with a hat trick and four assists. “Ace is an unbelievable goal scorer,” Donnelly said, “but his ability to draw the double and find an open guy is impressive, and if our young guys can continue to capitalize, it will be huge for us in the playoffs.”
Senior Tomas Babine was able to find the net twice, along with the freshman duo of Alex Correa and Johnny Ferrara. “Babine continues to just be a workhorse at the X position and has become a formidable feeder,” said Donnelly. “Alex has come in huge this year too. He is a fabulous goalie, but with Nick Romano in net, he has come out to play in the middle and has been super helpful on both sides of the ball. Johnny is coming into his own as a great offensive threat at attack. His brother Mike Ferrara also found the back of the net.”
Winthrop hosted its last non-league game against Division 3 Wilmington on Monday and cruised to the big win, building a 17-1 lead after three periods. The Vikings came out fast with an excellent goal from eighth grader Tyler Smith, who found the enemy net early in the first quarter.
“Tyler has been great for us playing all of the field, so it was nice to see him find the back of the net in a huge moment,” said Donnelly. “From there we didn’t look back. Seth put together another dominant performance, netting seven goals. Ace found the back of the net with six goals. The two of them just push each other to get to the next level and the friendly competition is just exciting to watch.
“Matt Maddalone went nearly unbeaten in the face-off circle with long pole middle Paul Ferrara getting ground balls all over the field,” Donnelly continued. “Those two have been a huge key to our game and a big reason why we feel confident in every game we are in. We were able to spread our scoring around this game too, with junior Tony Bordonaro finding the back of the net. He came back from an injury a bit ago and we have been waiting for him to find his corner.
“I cannot speak more about our defensive trio of Sean Dolen, Declan Howard, and Chris Beshere,” Donnelly said. “They have been communicating way more as the season goes on and if they keep talking, I know our core will be good. They are excellent on the clears and have been even getting a lot of our assists. Nick Romano remains a stalwart in net and when he is on, Nick gives our team the confidence to play with anyone in the league and division.
“Overall, the boys are having a great season,” Donnelly added. “When they play loose on offense and tight on defense and everyone is having a good time out there, that is just what you want to see as a coach.”
After last night’s match with Marblehead, the Vikings will await word of their final seeding and first-round opponent in the upcoming MIAA Division 4 state tournament.
Girls lacrosse clinches state tourney berth
The Winthrop High girls lacrosse team punched their ticket for a Journey to the Tourney with a 6-4 victory over Salem this past Saturday.
The win was the Lady Vikings’ ninth of the season, ensuring them of the .500 record that is necessary to clinch a spot in the MIAA Division 4 State Tournament.
Coach Anthony Hatzisavas and his crew, who stand at 9-8 overall after an 8-3 loss to Georgetown this past Monday, were ranked 28th in the MIAA’s Division 4 power ratings as of last Friday.
They were scheduled to conclude their regular season at Marblehead this past Tuesday and then will await word of their final seeding and first-round opponent in the D-4 tourney.
Three wins for WHS softball
The Winthrop High softball team enjoyed a successful week, posting three victories in its three contests.
Last Monday, the Vikings defeated non-league opponent Northeast Metro Regional, 15-9.
Sophomore hurler Lucy Boncore, who earned the Viking of the Game honors, struck out eight to pick up the win. Freshmen Molly Titemore and Norah Zaffini each drove in three runs, and Boncore had two hits. Coach Erin Vercruysse’s crew ran wild on the basepaths, stealing a season-high 21 bases.
Last Tuesday, Winthrop took on Northeastern Conference Lynch Division rival Swampscott and cruised to a 13-4 triumph.
The Vikings jumped ahead from the outset thanks to an out-of-the-park, solo home run by Titemore. Another big bat on the day was wielded by senior Jenna Whitehead, who slammed an RBI triple in the third inning.
Among Winthrop’s 11 hits on the day, Whitehead, Norah Zaffini, Giuliana Marenghi, and Boncore each collected two hits. Whitehead and Rizzotto, who hit back-to-back in the Viking lineup, proved tough to handle for Swampscott, as each drove in two runs.
Winthrop once again was aggressive on the basepaths with 11 stolen bases. Viking of the Game honors went to senior Jenna Whitehead.
This past Saturday morning the Vikings celebrated Senior Day in appropriate fashion with a 13-1 triumph over non-league opponent Everett.
Winthrop’s lone senior, Jenna Whitehead, was recognized before the contest for her contributions to the WHS softball program. The day started with a ceremony for Jenna, complete with her throwing out a ceremonial first pitch to her father, Michael Whitehead, a huge supporter of WHS softball.
The Vikings wasted little time in taking control, scoring nine runs in the bottom of the first en route to the five-inning mercy rule victory. The Winthrop offense collected 12 hits on the day, led by junior captain Sofia Gonzalez, who doubled in the first inning, scoring two runs, and doubled again in the third inning to bring in a teammate.
Whitehead contributed two RBI to the big win. Sophomore pitcher Boncore, who once again received the Viking of the Day accolade, allowed one hit and zero runs over four innings, striking out eight and walking none. Freshman Briella McFarland came in for the save. The Lady Viking played error-free defense behind their pitchers.
Winthrop was scheduled to play at Marblehead this past Monday and will wrap up its season today (Thursday) with a contest with Gloucester.
WHS baseball to wrap up season today
The Winthrop High baseball team will wrap up its 2026 today (Thursday) with a contest at Greater Lawrence. First-year head coach Tom Capasso’s Vikings stand at 6-13 after a tough stretch of three contests this past week against the top three teams in the Northeastern Conference, Swampscott, Gloucester, and Marblehead.