Monthly Archives: October 2018

October 30, 2018 · 9:29 pm

Newburyport finishes regular season with 2-0 win over Lynnfield

Thomas Buston (12) pressures goalie Aiden Guthro

Eamon McElhinney (4) and Nate Bass (8) battle near the goal

(Newburyport MA) A win would have given Lynnfield the most wins they’ve ever had in a season.

But there was a bigger picture, and that changed the tone of today’s matchup with Newburyport.

The seedings for the post-season tournament are in and Lynnfield is #1.  That position would not be affected by this afternoon’s game.

“The kids wanted to win it,” said Lynnfield coach Brent Munroe, “but it wasn’t a meaningful game for us.”

Dangerous play

The Clippers also had a position in the tournament sewn up too.  So you had two teams in their own versions of “spring training” mode.

Newburyport won the game 2-0 getting second-half goals from Andrew Moreland and Ronan Harrington.

The Clippers (9-4-5) had lost 3-0 to the Pioneers (14-2-2) in September.

“That loss fueled us to come back here and play better,” Newburyport goalie Aiden Guthro told me afterwards.

Despite playing everyone who was dressed to play, the Pioneers put plenty of pressure on the Clippers.  “They have some great players,” said Aiden.  “I can’t say enough about everyone in the back.”

The most dangerous of the Lynnfield forwards was senior Nate Bass.  He was a master at winning 50/50 balls and dribbling past players.  His best chance was a break-in from the right in the second half.  Aiden came out to challenge, and may have deflected the shot, as it rolled just wide left late in the game.

While the Clippers may have had fewer chances, they did cash in two of them.

Andrew Moreland (17) celebrates with teammates

Senior Andrew Moreland collected his fourth goal of the season less than minute into the second half.  “The ball bounced back to me after a throw-in,” explained Andrew.  “I was at the corner of the box when I got the ball.  I deliberately drove it into the upper right corner.”

Harry Bovee (9) and Andrew Moreland (17) eye an incoming ball

“That first goal surprised us,” said Coach Munroe.  “It was a long shot to a good spot.  Our goalie had no chance.  I’m not sure that he knew that the shot had been taken.”

Lynnfield carried the play after Newburyport’s first goal but couldn’t find the equalizer.

In the last two minutes the Clippers were awarded a free kick from straightaway.  Senior Ronan Harrington took the kick.

“Ronan is probably the best free-kick taker in the Cape Ann League,” said Aiden.  “Anywhere inside of twenty yards he’ll put it in the top corner.  I felt confident with him taking the shot.”

Ronan sent his shot into the same upper corner that Andrew Moreland had earlier.

The Clippers came away with a satisfying 2-0 win.

Brent Munroe: “We’ll be the #1 seed in the tournament and hopefully we’ll play our best soccer during the next two weeks starting Sunday.”

Jon Luders

Jon Luders: “It was good to get guys minutes.  I still don’t like losing.  You want to win no matter what.  Now we’re on to the tournament.”

The Pioneers had gone nine straight games without a loss prior to today’s game.

The Clippers haven’t lost in six of their previous seven games.

Newburyport’s stadium is a terrific place to watch a soccer game with its elevated viewing on both sides.  I was on the turf surface which is also very good.

I wanted to talk to Newburyport coach Shawn Bleau after the game, but he “opted” to go to the parent/teacher open house being held indoors.  As a former teacher, I know that there are some things you don’t miss!

Over the past five years against each other, both teams have won three times and lost three times and there have been four ties.

The shutout was GK Aiden Guthro’s ninth of the season.  He holds the Newburyport career shutout record with twenty-three of them.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Joe Cibelli

Jack Healy (11), Eamon McElhinney (4), Ronan Harrington (6), Harry Bovee (9)

Jack Healy (11) and Thomas Buston (12) vie for a corner kick

Trying to contain Nate Bass

Ronan Harrington

Nate Bass (8) gets into a kick with Ronan Harrington (6) nearby

Jack Healy

George Coryell

Nate Bass threatens

Chris Connor

Aiden Guthro leaps to save

Aiden Guthro and Jack Healy celebrate the win

 

 

 

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October 29, 2018 · 10:01 pm

North Reading and Triton finish with a 1-1 tie in girls soccer

Madison DiNapoli (22) and Bella Lesinksi (29) battle in the closing minutes

Anna Behringer (left) and Gabbie Barker (right)

(Byfield MA) North Reading (4-9-4) and Triton (5-11-1) ended in a 1-1 tie this afternoon in Cape Ann League girls soccer.

Not a win, but in a season with few of them for both teams, the ending was better than it might have been.

The Vikings entered the game having lost seven straight.

The Hornets nearly pulled this one out in the final three minutes. “We had some good chances at the end,” said North Reading coach Sean Killeen afterwards.

In that high-opportunity final minutes a brilliant rush by Hornets freshman Madison DiNapoli was only thwarted because of an even better defensive effort by Vikings senior Bella Lesinski.  Bella was able to stay with Madison as she raced down the middle and force a shot that was barely wide right.

Bella Lesinski (29) heads away a corner kick

That dangerous play was followed immediately by another scoring chance on a corner kick.  Alyssa Prusik took it and sent it in the middle where Triton’s Bella Lesinski stepped up and drove the ball back with a header.

Triton cleared the ball toward the other end, but it was only there momentarily.  Back came the Hornets and this time they were awarded a direct kick from straightaway in the closing seconds.  Junior Joanna Kellogg took the kick but sent it wide left as the final whistle sounded.

Not surprisingly, Triton was happy at the end (they survived) and North Reading a bit frustrated (they had serious late-game chances).

But in the bigger scheme of things, neither team lost.

The Hornets started the game with the sun in their eyes and the wind at Triton’s back.  The home team cashed in three minutes into the game.

“We’ve been working on getting our crosses better,” explained Triton first-year coach Dave Ducharme after the game.  Sophomore Kyla Prussman served a textbook cross from the right.

“Elisabeth (Lindholm) collected it and got a good angle to score,” added Coach Ducharme.

Elizabeth Lindholm (24) shoots past several Hornets

Elisabeth Lindholm’s shot rolls into the net with Julia Boyle (21) there to make sure

Twenty minutes later in was North Reading’s turn to execute a well-placed crossing pass.

Madison DiNapoli was the passer, after a strong run down the right side.  Madison’s pass was far enough out from the goal that Triton keeper Darcie McDonough couldn’t intercept it.  NR sophomore Katelyn Gorgenyi was where the ball was headed but before it got to her it was deflected accidentally by Triton defender Haley Morland into the net.

Madison DiNapoli wth room to execute a crossing pass

Ball deflects in off Haley Morland (14)

“We had a little bit of a breakdown on their goal,” said Coach Ducharme.  “It’s called an own goal.”

The final fifty-seven minutes of play largely avoided the goal-scoring areas until that exciting final three minutes in the Triton end.

Joanna Kellogg (10) finishes the game with a direct kick

Senior Bella Lesinski (CAL All-Star last year) saved the day for the Vikes in the final minutes.

Morgan Hall between Mia DeNofrio (23) and Julia Boyle (21)

I was impressed with Triton freshman Morgan Hall.  Not tall, but a very skillful dribbler and passer.  “Morgan has rarely been out of any games we’ve had this season,” said Coach Ducharme.

In the first meeting of the two teams (September 21st) Triton was the winner 1-0.  Morgan had the goal in that one assisted by Emily Colby.

North Reading had qualified for the post-season five straight seasons before this year.

Triton won as many games this year (5) as they totaled over the past two seasons.  Their last winning season was the 14-7-2 one they had in 2014.

Very impressed with Triton’s turf field.  Their lights are excellent too.

I’m guessing that a lot of attendees were a bit groggy after witnessing yet another World Series title become a reality late last night.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

NR goalie Alyssa Crugnale

Darcie McDonough

Elizabeth Lindholm (24) and Kyla Prussman (13) after goal

Elisabeth Lindholm looks for a rebound

Julia Beauvais (left) and Joanna Kellogg (right)

Kaitlyn Shevlin (6) pressed by Vikings

Katelyn Gorgenyi

Madison DiNapoli

Shot on net – Kyla Prussman (13), Abby Martin (2), Abby Griffin (4)

 

 

 

 

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October 26, 2018 · 10:04 pm

Newmarket stays undefeated with 4-0 win over Epping in DIV quarterfinals

Newmarket is on to the D4 semifinals after win over Epping

The Mules celebrated four goals including this one by Nick Berthiaume in the second half

(Newmarket NH) You’ve got to like their chances to win a title.

The #1 seed Newmarket Mules continued their magical season of undefeated soccer defeating Epping, 4-0, in the Division IV boys soccer quarterfinals on Friday night.

That’s eighteen straight for NHS and they continue to make it look easy.

This was their third win this season over #9 seed Epping (10-8).

“They’re tremendously athletic,” said Epping coach Jeff McDermott describing Newmarket.  “They’re tall, fast and very aggressive.  They don’t do a lot of backing up.”

The Mules are certainly all those things, but in this game, they were also the masters of set pieces.  The first goal was off a direct kick.  The second off a corner kick and the fourth goal off a throw in.

Lucas Russell (3) assisted on a goal

“Our successes in our set pieces was a key to this win,” explained Newmarket coach Nate Dowst.

Who could argue.

Every throw-in by senior Lucas Russell was potential trouble for the Blue Devils.  Into the box they would go with plenty of Mules in the area.

“Lucas’ throw-ins have been a big asset all season,” said Coach Dowst.  “It’s almost the same as a corner.”

The Mules had two goals in each half and kept Peyton Rivers (Epping goalie) busy most of the night.

Junior Felix Hoehner tallied the first Newmarket score ten minutes into the first half.

Senior Simon Cote lined up a direct kick after freshman Tyler Witmer was called for a handball.  GK Peyton Rivers had the near side covered but Simon’s kick went toward the far side. Peyton deflected it but right to uncovered Felix Hoehner.

“There was a little bobble,” recalled Felix, “and I was there to clean it up, just like hockey.”

Felix Hoehner scores

The Mules netted a second goal with 3:34 left in the half.  This one was off a corner kick.  Felix Hoehner took the kick and put it into the middle where senior Fred Holmes was.

“It was a beautiful ball,” recalled Fred.  “There was some loose markage by Epping.  I got a head on it and in it went.”

Fred Holmes (17) lines up a header

Fred Holmes heads toward the net

Junior Simon Chan was part of both second-half Newmarket goals.

On the first one (at 25:08), Simon broke in and got off a hard shot. Peyton Rivers deflected it onto the doorstep where teammate Nick Berthiaume had an easy tap-in.

Nick Berthiaume finds an open net

On the second one (at 7:24) Simon, in heavy traffic, headed in a Lucas Russell throw-in.

Simon Chan (9) ready to head the ball

Simon Chan (9) heads the ball toward the net

Hunter Bullock

The Mules (18-0) now move to the semi-finals to face Concord Christian on Monday night in Laconia.  CC has three losses and didn’t face Newmarket during the regular season.

Jeff McDermott: “They’re a rival of ours but I wish them luck.  We were much better this time against them. (The Blue Devils lost to NHS 7-0, and 7-1 during the regular season.)  We changed things defensively this time playing a 5-4-1.  Our goalie had a busy day.  You can only hold off so many opportunities before one goes in.”

Nate Dowst: “It’s hard when you see a team for the third time.  We came out with intensity from the beginning.  We controlled the game and took advantage of our chances.”

Fred Holmes: “We played great and once we got one and two we started rolling.  We really had fun with it.  Our chemistry was great out there.”

Senior Hunter Bullock finished a terrific career with Epping.  “Their back four are solid and made it tough when I got the ball.  It was difficult to make good cuts on this field.”  Future plans?  “I might join the air force and then later go to UNH to pick up an engineering degree.”

Fred Holmes

Epping was 3-13 last year after winning the DIV title the year before.

Newmarket was 8-9 in 2017.

I saw Pride defeat Littleton in the title game last year.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see Littleton in that game again but this time versus Newmarket.  The Mules defeated Littleton 5-1 in the season opener this year.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Jacob Loving (15) and Josh Mastin (4)

Keenan Mills (6) sets up in front

Nick Berthiaume (16) and Mickey Toth (13)

Luke Barker (12) and Felix Hoehner

GK Peyton Rivers over Keenan Mills

GK Peyton Rivers above the crowd

Action in front of the Newmarket goal

Action in front of the Epping goal

Simon Cote

 

 

 

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October 24, 2018 · 9:17 pm

Triton volleyball falls in 5th set to Wilmington

Gabby Bond (20) and Gianna Brunetto (7) up to block for Wilmington

Colleen McCarthy, Caitie Rooney, Savannah Nolan, and Molly McInning

Gabby Bond (20) hits

(Byfield MA) I tell you, it’s that senior night thing!

Once again, the celebrating team (Triton in this case) falls short and the visitor (Wilmington) is celebrating when the match ends.

In a rematch, Wilmington escaped with a 3-2 win on Wednesday night in non-league play.

The Vikings (4-14) had been shut down 3-0 in the previous meeting with the Wildcats (7-12).

Hands on the ball

This time around Triton was more of a challenge to Wilmington, although it didn’t start out that way.

The team from the Middlesex League rallied late to sweep the first two sets, 25-22 and 25-20.  Looked like a short night for the Cape Ann League entry.

But not this time. The Vikings pulled away from an 18-18 tie to take the third set and then dominated the 4th set 25-16.

That momentum continued into the last set for Triton.  They started out 9-6 and looked to be heading for a very happy ending.

But the Wildcats had other plans.  “We were playing not to lose,” recalled Wilmington coach Bruce Shainwald.  “We needed to attack and that’s what we did.”

Led by server Anna Rideout, the Wildcats rolled off seven unanswered points to go up 13-9.  Triton put a stop to the run briefly, but the Wildcats finished strong to win 15-11.

Colleen McCarthy sets

“It was a good match,” said Triton coach Bob Van Etten afterwards. “We showed good fight coming back after being down two games and we had the lead in the final set.”

“We were determined not to lose that last game,” Wildcats Gabby Bond told me after the match.  The Wilmington senior is hoping to go to UConn next year and train to be a physician’s assistant.

Triton honored four seniors before the game; Colleen McCarthy, Caitie Rooney, Savannah Nolan, and Molly McInnis.

Savannah had a strong game for the Vikings on the front line.

“I am looking forward to next year,” said Coach Van Etten. “We had a very successful JV team, so we’ll be adding some good girls to the varsity next year.”

Caitie Rooney keeps the ball in play

The hardest replacement?  “Caitie Rooney, she’s an awesome setter.”  Caitie was a Cape Ann League All-Star last year.

I was impressed with Wilmington’s setter, Britt Cimaglia.  “She is very good but she was getting tired at the end,” said Coach Shainwald, “and she was having trouble setting the ball up high enough.”

Both Britt and teammate Maeve Cadogan were excellent at serving.

This is only Triton’s fifth season having volleyball.  Their best season so far was 2015 when they went 5-11.

Server Anna Rideout

Neither team tonight had devastating hitters.  That forced longer volleys and more excitement in my opinion.

The Wildcats were 9-11 last season.  2004 was the most recent season that they qualified for the post season.

I will not attempt to dazzle you with any stats since I didn’t pick any up after the game.

Congratulations to the Red Sox for the Game 2 win.  I will never learn that watching a game on TV and writing up a game at the same time, limits both activities!

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Setter Britt Cimaglia

Savannah Andersen (5)

Savannah Nolan and Gianna Brunetto (7)

Wilmington back row

Gabby Bond (20) returns

Julia Willson (10) hits

Linda Freeman (26) and Maeve Cadogan (3)

Maeve Cadogan hits while Savannah Nolan (7) waits to block

Maeve Cadogan serves

Freshman Mia Berardino (13) elevates

Nicole Trotta hits

Paige Volpone ready to help

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October 22, 2018 · 10:08 pm

Triton volleyball sweeps Newburyport 3-0 in rematch

Colleen McCarthy (5), Mia Berardino (13), and Caitie Rooney (15) had big games for Triton

Newburyport seniors honored before the match

(Newburyport MA) Call it the curse of Senior Night if you will.

The Clippers celebrated their seniors and then lost three straight sets to rival Triton on Monday night in Cape Ann League volleyball.

“It was extremely disappointing,” said NHS coach Lori Solazzo afterwards.  “We didn’t come out the way we usually do.”

Evelyn Pearson

The Vikings (4-12) took advantage of Newburyport subpar play in game one as they broke an 8-8 tie with ten straight points.  Evelyn Pearson was the server for Triton during the run.  Caitie Rooney tipped in several winners for the Vikings. The Clippers (4-13) lost the first set, 25-12.

The second set was much more competitive after Triton raced off 22-14.  Paige Volpone and Colleen McCarthy paced the Vikings to what looked like a comfortable spread.  But sophomore Abby Gillingham served the home team into contention and forced a Triton timeout.  The Clippers would get to within a point (24-23) on big plays by Melaina Lucci and Sydney Yim.  The visitors nailed down the final point after a lengthy, exciting volley to grab the second set 25-23.

Sophomore server Sydney Yim carried the Clippers to leads of 10-4 and 21-13 in the third set.

Abby Gillingham up to block

“We didn’t give up even though down 21-13 in the third set,” recalled Triton coach Bob Van Etten.  “We just picked away and came back and took it.”

The Vikings put nine unanswered points together and after a Colleen McCarthy winner led, 22-21.  An Abby Gillingham block gave Newburyport the serve with a 24-23 deficit but again after a long volley the Vikings gained the point they needed to win the set and the match.

Viking captain Caitie Rooney was excited about the win.  “A win over Port is always a big win.  Everyone stepped up especially Mia (Berardino), Evelyn (Pearson), and Colleen (McCarthy).  Those were our hitters and they played like out of the park tonight.”

Coach Van Etten: “It was very much a team effort but Caitie Rooney had an outstanding match.”

Coach Solazzo: “We let them in several times, point by point.  Volleyball is such a team sport that you have to trust that your teammate will be where they’re supposed to be.  Once that trust gets lost it gets into your head and you fall apart a little.”

Caitie Rooney serves

The Vikings and the Clippers met previously on October 1st.  Triton took that one 3-1.  “It was a close match that could have gone either way,” recalled Coach Van Etten.

Newburyport is in its second season of volleyball.  Last year the brand-new Clippers finished 1-15.  Their win?  The last game of the season against Triton.  Excited?  “It was a five-set match and it was like winning the World Series for us,” said Coach Solazzo.

Full disclosure.  This was the first volleyball game I have ever covered.  If you’re looking for digs, reception errors etc., you’ve come to the wrong place.  Even taking pictures was a challenge because the game is very fast, and the players closest had their backs to me.  It was an adventure for sure, but I enjoyed it.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Triton wins the match

Triton wins a set

Abby Gillingham blocks

Caitie Rooney

Clippers coach Lori Solazzo

Colleen McCarthy

Colleen McCarthy serves

Jess Rosseau (8)

Julianne Heath

Julia Vachon (9) blocks Linda Freeman (26)

Julia Vachon

Kalli Doyle and Grace Shelley

Maggie Bowen

Paige Volpone

Senior Skylar Sneider

Sydney Yim (15), Melaina Lucci (5), and Abby Gillingham (15)

 

 

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October 19, 2018 · 9:44 pm

Lynnfield stuns Masco with 2-2 tie in Cape Ann League boys soccer

Devin Ralph, David Gentile (22) and Pioneers keeper Jack Campbell

David Gentile (22) above the crowd

(Boxford MA) Those who saw this coming are part of the same (very) small group that expected David Price to pitch so well against Houston.

Lynnfield gained a 2-2 tie with Masco this afternoon at Masco.

Surprising?  You bet!

When it comes to Cape Ann League opponents, Masco doesn’t lose.  Happened only once in the last 102 matches against CAL teams.  That’s no typo!

Tom Buston gets high fives from teammate Jon Luders after tying the game in the second half

There had been six ties.  Make that seven after today.

Back to the improbability of these teams tying.  The Chieftains earlier this season had defeated the Pioneers, on their field, 5-1.

“The difference today was that in the first half we managed to get out, 1-1,” explained Lynnfield coach Brent Munroe afterwards.

Understand that the Masco soccer field clearly has its good end and its bad end.  Defending the “bad” end involves looking directly into the sun, facing the wind, and being noticeably downhill.

Connor Fitzgerald lines up a free kick late in the game

“They had those advantages in the first half and we came out with a tie,” added Coach Munroe.  “We had the advantages in the second half and although we didn’t outplay them we were closer to even.”

Masco broke the 1-1 tie thirteen minutes into the second half after a lot of good chances.  In the first meeting, the Chieftains (13-2-1) went from there to score three unanswered.  Not this time.

The Pioneers (12-1-2) hung tough today and with sixteen minutes left turned a corner kick into the tying goal.

Alejandro Lynch (13) and Josh Rubin (44)

I expected the home team to turn up the pressure but instead it was the visitors with the better chances in the closing minutes.

“I felt like we wanted to go for the tie,” said Coach Munroe, but our assistant coach said that we can win this one.  I’m so happy not to lose to Masco.  The last time we beat them was 2010.  The fact that I know that will tell you how meaningful it is.”

Masco coach Jared Scarpaci came away concerned about conditioning and scoring chances: “Near the end I think that fatigue kicked in for some of our guys.  We left some good chances on the table.”

Coach Scarpaci added that his team needed to work on dead ball plays.  “Both their scores were dead ball plays, one was off a free kick and the other after a corner kick.”

Nathan Bass tallied the first LHS goal.  Nathan was at the heading end of a straightaway free kick.  “It was a long ball into the box,” recalled Coach Munroe.  “Nathan Bass, who wins tons of head balls for us even though he is 5-6, went up, won it and put it in.”  That was scored fifteen minutes into the game.

Masco celebrates their first goal

Masco senior Darren Cryan tied things sixteen minutes later.  “Devin Ralph got the ball in from the outside to Darren Cryan in the middle,” said Coach Scapaci.  “Darren shot through traffic and it went in to the side.”

The Chieftains pulled ahead in the second half after misfiring on several glittering chances.  The goal came off a direct kick from Connor Fitzgerald.  The kick was from straightaway and was high. Both Lynnfield GK Jack Campbell and defender David Gentile went for it.  The result was that neither of them dealt with the ball cleanly leaving a juicy rebound for Masco’s Harry Kessel.

“Harry came off the opposite side,” said Coach Scapaci.  “He followed the shot and headed it in.”

Jon Luders (4) and Harry Warshafsky (10)

The Pioneers had an answer to the Masco goal eleven minutes later.  Jon Luders took a corner kick and the LHS senior sent the ball to the far post where teammate David Gentile got a head on it.

“David Gentile hit the ball back across the goal,” remembered Tom Buston. “I was on the near post and it came right to my feet and I placed it in.  I had taken a wide run in on the corner kick and they (Masco) weren’t ready for me to be on the front post.”

Masco certainly had the upper hand in scoring chances, but Jack Campbell, in the Lynnfield net, made wise decisions.  “Their goalie had great positional play,” said Coach Scarpaci.

“Both of the kids that scored (Nathan Bass and Tom Buston) have about ten goals each,” said Coach Munroe.

Senior Jon Luders was excited about the Pioneers good showing. “We gave it 100%.  It was awesome.  We have so many great athletes on this team.  Every guy on the field is a special, special player.  I love the way we’re playing right now.”

Haolan Zhan (22) gets between GK Jack Campbell and defender David Gentile (22)

Jon told me that he has committed to going to Seton Hall next year to play baseball.  “Soccer too?” I asked.  “I’ll be sticking with baseball,” he said.

The D2 Chieftains have non-league losses to D1 St. John’s Prep and D2 North Andover.

The last time I saw the Masco boys play was in the 2016 D2 title game versus unscored on Nauset.  The Chieftains did get a score but lost 2-1 at Manning Field in Lynn.

Lynnfield is unbeaten in their last seven games.  The tie today ended an eleven-game win streak for Masco.

Josh Rubin (44) and Aedan Salvador (11)

Masco’s only loss in the last 102 matches against Cape Ann League opponents was in 2015 against Pentucket.

A key to the tie today for Lynnfield?  Keeping high-scoring Josh Rubin in check.  Josh has had several hat tricks this season including one against Lynnfield in their earlier meeting.

Nice weather for the last part of October.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Mine!

Nathan Bass (8) had the first Lynnfield goal

Tom Buston

Aedan Salvadore (11) and Luke Martinho (9)

Aedan Salvadore (11) and Tom Hauser (2)

Connor Fitzgerald

Darren Cryan

Devin Ralph (6) and Jack Cleary (10)

Devin Ralph (6) dribbles and Matthew Juliano (3) defends

Chasing a lose ball

Jack Campbell saves

 

 

 

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October 17, 2018 · 9:37 pm

Anna Maria Ferrante (goal/assist) lifts Lynnfield over Pentucket 2-0

Lynnfield celebrates their first goal

Anna Maria Ferrante (6) had a goal and an assist.

(West Newbury MA) Pentucket needed a win to qualify for a berth in the post-season.

And the Sachems are still looking for that important W after falling to Lynnfield, 2-0, on cloudy, rainy Wednesday afternoon of Cape Ann League action.

The Pioneers (11-2-2) scored twice during a 12-minute segment in the first half.  Junior Anna Maria Ferrante tallied one goal for the visitors and assisted on the other.

“We lost it in the first half,” lamented Pentucket coach Dan Millard.  “The second half was pretty even.”

Three weeks ago, the two teams played to a 2-2 tie at Lynnfield.  The Sachems (7-5-3) came back to get the tie in that one and hit the crossbar on their last shot of the game.

Incoming corner kick

But that was then and this time around the home team was missing key players and there was also the excitement of it being Senior Night.

“Senior Night is awesome and it’s great for the girls but it’s easy to start flat after the celebration and that’s what happened,” said Coach Millard.  “The injuries are what they are.”

Pentucket’s three injured players include two of their top three scorers (Jacey Jennings and Annabelle Sylvanowicz) as well as senior goalie Vanessa Franco.

Anna Maria Ferrante fires the free kick that turned into a first-half goal

In the first half, Lynnfield’s Anna Maria Ferrante kicked a rebound over the net at the 23-minute mark.  A minute later she lined up a free kick from the right because of a foul on Pentucket’s Riley Roche.

Anna Maria’s free kick was high on keeper Sophia Heusser (JV call-up) and sailed in off her finger tips.

“Anna practices that shot a lot,” said Lynnfield coach Mark Vermont afterwards.  “She got a good strike on it.  It was no floater.”

“This was Sophia’s first varsity game,” explained Coach Millard.  “She hadn’t practiced with us.  That first goal was hit with speed and drive.”

Senior Emma Montanile breaks in

The Pioneers gained further separation from Pentucket with a second goal twelve minutes later. Emma Montanile dribbled in and cashed a wide-open look.

“It was set up by a nice give-and-go and a good finish by our senior,” explained Coach Vermont.

“Anna Maria (Ferrante) had the ball and she turned and got the ball to me,” recalled senior Emma Montanile.  “I tapped it in with the right side of my foot.”

Syiera Campbell (20) and Emma Nardone (8)

Pentucket’s Syiera Campbell impressed me with her speed and persistence.

Seven seniors were honored before the game…….actually eight, including Emma Montanile of Lynnfield.

I was unaware of a rain forecast.  Fortunately I had an umbrella in my car that I used to protect my camera.

The Sachems have three games left.

The Pioneers are 9-0-2 against Pentucket since 2011.

Lynnfield is unbeaten in their last six games.

Senior Tia Zanardi and sophomore Jacey Jennings were Cape Ann League All-Stars last season.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Sophia Heusser jumps for a high shot

Sarah Riter (14) and Emma Ricciardi (2)

Tia Zanardi (19) and Anna Maria Ferrante (6)

Adriana Parisi (1) and Syiera Campbell (20)

Ashley Mitchell (3) and Kinneal Dickens (12)

Emily Riter (10) about to shoot

Helen Olson (15) and Lauren Braconnier (12)

Kinneal Dickens

Looking to control

Loose ball in midfield

Mackenzie Currie set to corner kick

 

 

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October 15, 2018 · 8:51 pm

Ipswich edges Triton 1-0 on second-half Justin Foye goal

Very busy afternoon for Triton goalie Mark Anthony Glickman against Ipswich

John Werner (15) lines up a shot

(Byfield MA) You knew it wasn’t Triton’s day when the best chance they had all game never happened.

The Vikings were awarded a direct kick from close to the right sidelines in the closing minute.  Everyone moved in close to the goal, including the entire Ipswich team.  The kick was about to be taken when the whistle sounded ending the game.

“They had that great opportunity at the end,” said a relieved Ipswich coach Greg Scruton afterwards.

The Tigers were winners 1-0 in Cape Ann League boys soccer on an overcast Monday afternoon.  Rain was predicted but never happened.

Ipswich (3-8-2) had chances galore throughout this one but the combination of misfires and the goalkeeping of Mark Anthony Glickman frustrated the visitors.

The Tigers broke the scoreless tie eighteen minutes into the second half.

Chase Gagnon sets up the only Ipswich goal.

Justin Foye kicks the game winner

Tigers celebrate their only goal

The goal scorer (Justin Foye) drove home a shot that he never thought would go in.  “I wasn’t expecting it to go in,” he told me afterwards.  “I saw a kid in front of me and the goalie was behind him.  I shot it anyway and it went through the defender’s legs and past the goalie.”

Senior Chase Gagnon set Justin up.  Chase broke down the right side and put the ball back into the middle where Justin was wide open to receive the pass.

“We practice getting the ball to the winger and then cutting it back,” said Coach Scruton.  “It was a great set up and a good finish.  That was the first assist for Chase this season.”

Mark Anthony Glickman goes down for a shot by Justin Foye

The loss was a tough one for the Vikings (1-11-1) especially the way it ended with them missing out on the best chance they had all day.

“I thought we worked hard,” said Triton coach Dave Mitchell.  “They had more of the advantage of play, but we hung in there well.”

Both coaches marveled at a second-half sequence in which sophomore defender Brendan Dennis refused to allow Ipswich a second goal.  Justin Foye put a shot over junior goalie Mark Anthony Glickman that was heading for the net.  Brendan kept that out and then blocked two other shots to deny the Tigers.

Defender Brendan Dennis (5) saves a goal

“He (Brendan) made three stops in a row,” said Coach Mitchell.  “We practice situations like that.”

“We had plenty of opportunities to score,” added Coach Scruton.  “Their goalie made some amazing saves and #5 (Brendan Dennis) kept the ball out of the net as well.”

Coach Dave Mitchell

Coach Mitchell is trying to bring back a soccer program that has won only four times in the last 2+ seasons.  “We need to work on our first touches and our technical skills.  Most of this group will be back next year and so we’re optimistic.”

The Vikings hustled and encouraged each other throughout the game.

Coach Scruton was pleased with his team’s defense: “We were disciplined today.  Jacob (Eliopoulos) did well at center back and our two outside backs cut down any through balls for us.”

One thing there were plenty of in this game were corner kicks.  All of them were by Ipswich and they were all taken by Jake Scruton.  The Ipswich sophomore had the skill to put the ball right where teammates were in the middle of the box.  GK Mark Anthony Glickman somehow managed to keep those Ipswich chances out of the net.

I like the turf field at Triton.  It is fast with true bounces.

I asked senior goal scorer Justin Foye about his college plans: “My top two right now are Merrimack and Endicott.  I am interested in engineering.”

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Mark Anthony Glickman up for a corner kick

Tangled

Brendan Atherton (21), Jacob Eliopoulos (2), Alphonso Lopez (8)

Brendan Dennis takes one in the face

Cam Mallette heads

Chase Gagnon (12) and Ayden Jacobs (17)

Efrem Johanson

A shot gets past Ipswich goalie Nico Roesler…..in practice

Jake Scruton gets set for a corner kick

Jason Finkst

Justin Foye elevates for a header

Loose ball in close

Mark Anthony Glickman

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October 13, 2018 · 10:25 pm

Emma Curtis leads Newtown by Cheshire 3-0 in girls soccer

Emma Curtis had a goal and an assist for Newtown

Emma Curtis shoots past GK Seymone Rosenberg

(Newtown CT) It was all that Cheshire coach James Luis would talk about afterwards: Emma Curtis.

“We played against a very special player. She (Emma Curtis) dominated the game and beat us.  That’s it.  End of story.”

Emma Curtis had a goal and an assist in Newtown’s 3-0 win over Cheshire under the lights on Saturday night.

The Nighthawks (8-1-2) have now won five straight and are unbeaten in their last seven games.

Julia Hendrick in on GK Julianna Stavola

The shutout went to sophomore goalkeeper Julianna Stavola.

“Our ability to defend has been a staple of the program over the last 10-12 years,” said Newtown coach Marc Kenney.  “I don’t think as much about the defensive part of the game because I have confidence in what we can do.”

The Rams (5-3-3) did put some pressure on Julianna Stavola after the 3-goal cushion was in place and NHS had shifted in reserves.

Senior Emma Curtis had everyone’s attention from the get-go.  Two minutes into the game she broke loose down the right side for a clean, low shot that gave the home team the quick lead.

Kayla Agostinelli (16) and Katie Sailer (10)

“She took advantage of us from beginning to end,” said Coach Luis.  “We were aware of her coming into the game (Emma was all-state last year) but despite our efforts she was able to turn on us and get good shots on goal.”

It was a perfect start as far as Emma Curtis was concerned. “Cheshire is a team we’re not as familiar with.  We wanted to set the tone right away.”  Mission accomplished.

The Rams didn’t go away despite the one-goal deficit.

Ten minutes into the second half, however, the Rams were put away by two Nighthawks’ scores in little over a minute.

Both second-half goals were off set pieces.  “We’ve been really, really good on set pieces this season,” explained Coach Kenney.  “We’ve scored a bunch of goals off corner kicks and we’re not afraid to head the ball.”

Sydney Howard heads for the right corner

Junior Sydney Howard unleashed a textbook cross from the right corner.  The cross was far enough out that Cheshire GK Seymone Rosenberg couldn’t reach it.  Past her it went and onto the wide-open, waiting foot of freshman Ally McCarthy.  This was at 31:31 of the 2nd half.

More textbook offense in the third Newtown tally.  This time it was a corner kick.

“We work a lot in practice on corner kicks,” explained Emma Curtis.  “We always look for certain players in the center to get a head on it.”  Emma failed to mention the actual corner kick which was her doing and which landed in the middle of a cluster of her onrushing teammates.

One of the teammates was junior Karsen Pirone who drove a header into the net.

Karsen Pirone (6) gets her head on a perfect corner kick

Karsen Pirone (6) after heading the ball in

The third score was at 30:21.

Pressure on Newtown GK Julianna Stavola

Newtown GK Julianna Stavola was tested point-blank late in the game but stood her ground to keep the shutout.  NHS has allowed only five goal in eleven games.

Can Newtown stay on the good roll they’re on?  Check back next Friday.  Why?  The Nighthawks have games Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.  “Next week is rough,” said Coach Kenney.  “We just have to roll up our socks and play hard.”

When I interview seniors I usually ask them about their college plans.  This is what Emma told me: “I was looking at schools for soccer, but I may just not play.  I’ll have to see what’s out there.  If I go to a smaller school I would probably play but at a big school I would do club soccer.”

Keeley Kortze (5), Paige Perez (7), and Katie Sailer (10)

Coach Kenney: “Emma is super talented.  Her ability to create separation and get in on breakaways for goals has been a key to our success this season.”

Newtown was 13-2-1 last year while Cheshire had a 10-6-3 record.

Both teams are in the LL Division.  Newtown is in the South-West Conference.  Cheshire is in the Southern Connecticut Conference.

Cheshire had won four straight before tonight’s loss.

It was a fast-moving game with few whistles on a crisp night.

The surface at the Blue-and-Gold Stadium is fast.

Cassidy Keaney (3) blocks an attacker as Seymone Rosenberg saves

One of the adventures of covering high school games is identifying players.  Those of us taking pictures WANT to get the names right.  Sometimes the help we get is minimal.

Rosters online often say one thing while the rosters at the game say another.  Cheshire’s roster online tells me that #5 is Julia Hendrick.  The roster I got at last night’s game doesn’t have a #5.  #5 of Cheshire had a direct shot on GK Julianna Stavola and I had a picture of that action. I’m going with the shooter being Julia Hendrick.

Newtown has a roster online that has Hannah Daly listed as #10.  The roster at the game has her as #2.  That roster online has duplicate numbers.

Cheshire has uniforms without numbers on the front.  Imagine the difficulty that creates for a photographer trying to identify a picture.

Despite all that, a game was covered, and pictures were taken.  I hope with a degree of accuracy.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Shot wide

Newtown celebrates a goal two minutes into the game

Loose ball

GK Julianna Stavola dives for a ball in close

Izzy Dziura (4), Emma Curtis, GK Seymone Rosenberg

Hannah Daly

Emma Curtis shoots at Seymone Rosenberg

Emma Curtis in the middle of two Cheshire defenders

Battle for control

Ally McCarthy after scoring the second goal nicely set up by Sydney Howard

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October 10, 2018 · 10:35 pm

Newburyport boys and Triton girls stay undefeated in CAL cross country

(Newbury MA) And then there were two.

Three teams came into this afternoon’s boys/girls cross country meet undefeated.

Now only the Triton girls (7-0) and the Newburyport boys (8-0) are unbeaten.

Both squads dominated the top finishers at Old Town Hill in Newbury on a very hot/sunny Wednesday afternoon.

Ellie Gay-Killeen won by almost a minute

Sam Acquaviva wins another race

Ellie Gay-Killeen and Sarah Harrington were 1-2 for Triton while Sam Acquaviva, John Lucey, and Dreese Fadil were 1-2-3 for Newburyport.

The Triton girls won 25-30 while the Newburyport boys won 22-33.

“Our girls were tough in the heat,” said Vikings coach Joe Colbert.  “The conditions were brutal.  We run this course well.  It was a great win for us because Newburyport (7-1) is a very good team.”

The 3.1 mile course gave the Clippers problems.  “It was super hilly,” said 4th place finisher Ellie Schulson afterwards.  “The sun was in your eyes when you were going up the hill and you couldn’t see your footing.  I fell down.”

Ellie Schulson

“They had those two girls up front that are tough to beat,” added NHS coach Don Hennigar.  “If you go 1-2 it doesn’t seal it but it’s awfully tough to come back.  On another day, at another place, it could all be different since the teams are that close.”

The race winner (Ellie Gay-Killeen) agreed with the consensus about the conditions: “It was a tough, tough race but I have always gained ground on the hills here.  I was not on my best pace at all but we’re still undefeated.” Ellie finished nearly a minute ahead of teammate Sarah Harrington.

Coach Colbert said he wasn’t surprised by the 1-2 finish although he said that Newburyport runners (Lindsey Roberts and Ellie Schulson) pushed Sarah Harrington.

Coach Colbert gave credit to Kylie Lorenzo (5th) and Kerry Powers (7th): “Kylie and Kerry had huge days for us.  They passed some girls in the end and it really made a difference.”

Senior Sam Acquaviva hasn’t lost a race in Massachusetts in a while and that run of top finishes continued today.  “I wanted to get the lead early and keep it,” Sam told me afterwards.  “The course was tough.  As a team we wanted to win this one badly and we did.”

Sam told me that he had just taken a visit to MIT.  “I like the cross country team there,” he said, “but to get into MIT is a task unto itself.  I am interested in engineering, so it would be a good fit for me.”

Dreese Fatil finished 3rd

Getting the top three places was key for the Clippers.  “They all stepped up,” said Coach Hennigar.  “Dreese Fatil getting third was huge for us.  To beat Triton on their course was special.”

Keegan Ritchie, Diego Fernandez, and Tyler Stranc finished 4-5-6 for Triton (6-2) but to win this meet they needed someone to break into the top three and that didn’t happen on this afternoon.

All sorts of side things went on during today’s meet.  The heat caught up to several participants and several ambulances were put to use.  There also was a vehicle accident on Newman Street during the meet.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Triton girls team picture

Triton boys team picture

Kylie Lorenzo 5th

Sarah Harrington 2nd

Lindsey Roberts (3rd) and Ellie Schulson (4th) finish together

Keegan Ritchie 4th, Diego Fernandez 5th, and Tyler Stranc 6th

Caroline Walsh 6th and Kerry Powers 7th

Cam Lasson 7th

Ellie Gay-Killeen leads early with Sarah Harrington close behind

 

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