Category Archives: Ipswich

April 15, 2013 · 7:28 pm

Ipswich clutch hitting sinks Triton 6-2 in softball

Catcher Molly Mello after tagging Cori Simons for the final out.

Jill Lombard (#13) hits a 2-run double over the glove of Rachel McCarthy in center in the third.

(Byfield) One team had runners in scoring position with two outs in three different innings and came away with six runs.

The other team had the bases loaded with one out in three different innings and came away with one run.

Therein lies the key data in the Ipswich Tigers, 6-2, win over the Triton Vikings on Monday morning/afternoon in non-league Cape Ann League softball action.

The Tigers (1-1) collected four of their runs in the last two innings to break away from a 2-2 tie after four innings.

If Ipswich coach Doug Woodworth was handing out a game ball to the top performer afterwards …….good luck! A number of players were deserving for sure.

My choice, after studying the stat sheet, goes to sophomore Molly Mello just for her heroics in the seventh inning.

At the bat in the seventh, it was Molly dropping a bloop single into left that brought home teammates Carolyn Lynch and Carly Coughlin with insurance runs five and six.

Maybe even better for Molly, and the Tigers, was what happened in Triton’s last at bats in the seventh. For the third time in the game the Vikings had the bases loaded with one out.

Molly Mello catches a foul pop in the seventh inning

In that game-on-the-line situation, Julia Hartman hit a foul popup up the first baseline that Molly reacted to from her catching position and caught with her back to home plate. Meanwhile, Triton’s Cori Simons (on third base) saw the plate unattended and tried to score. Molly raced back to home and tagged Cori out for the final out.

Senior Sami Brouillette got the win for the Tigers. Sami had control trouble early, giving up three straight walks and a wild pitch in the first inning. The Vikings came away with just one run (Cori Simons) as one runner (Mara Spears) was forced at the plate and shortstop Carolyn Lynch handled an infield grounder for the final out.

Ipswich picked up their first two runs in the third. A bunt single (Meredith Kercher) and a sharp single (Carolyn Lynch) between third and short set the Tigers up in their first 2-on, 2-out situation. Jill Lombard’s blast over Rachel McCarthy’s head in center then delivered the first two Ipswich runs.

Rylee Culverwell rounds third and heads in with the second Vikings run

Triton tied the score in the fourth inning. Freshman Rylee Culverwell singled, stole second, and scored Mara Spears RBI single to center.

The Tigers picked up a pair of unearned runs in the sixth inning. A one-out error (dropped fly ball by centerfielder Rachel McCarthy) was surrounded by a single (Carly Coughlin) on one side and two-out RBI singles (Jessie Spencer and Kaysee Lemonosky) on the other. Molly Mello and Sydney Law scored the runs for Ipswich.

Molly Mello’s two-out hit in the seventh gave the Tigers the 4-run cushion that stayed that way to the game’s end despite a scary (for Ipswich) bottom of the seventh.

Triton hurt themselves on the bases a couple of times. In the third, base-runner Kelsey Trudel interfered with shortstop Carolyn Lynch with the bases loaded for the final out. In the sixth, pinch-runner Ashley Shute was picked off third by Carolyn Lynch with one out.

Pitcher Mara Spears and first baseman Lily Anderson each had two hits for Triton.

Ashley Shute picked off third by Kaycee Lemorosky as Triton coach Jim Hounam looks on

Carolyn Lynch, Jill Lombard, and Molly Mello did the same for Ipswich.

A couple of veteran coaches in action in this one: Doug Woodworth (28th season) and Jim Hounam (27th season.)

Shortstop Carolyn Lynch (2012 CAL All-Star) made a nice final-out, running catch toward the foul line in the sixth inning.

Rightfielder Sydney Law made a tough catch in the Triton sixth.

Next game for Ipswich is at Georgetown at 10AM on Wednesday.

Next game for Triton is at Masconomet on Wednesday at 3:45PM.

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

Triton boxscore

Ipswich boxscore

Alexa Reilly reaches for a grounder

Sydney Law makes a tough catch in right

IHS coach Doug Woodworth

Tigers pitcher Sami Brouillette

Jill Lombard and Christine Ciccone

Carolyn Lynch

Rylee Culverwell charges a bunt

Cori Simons

Triton pitcher Mara Spears

Meredith Kercher scores the first Ipswich run

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Filed under Ipswich, Triton

Tagged as Carolyn Lynch, Coach Doug Woodworth, Coach Jim Hounam, Cori Simons, Jill Lombard, Kelsey Trudel, Mara Spears, Meredith Kercher, Molly Mello, Sami Brouillette

April 9, 2013 · 8:55 pm

Georgetown defeats Ipswich 5-2 to run winning streak to seven

Alex Amoroso out at third

Winning pitcher Patrick Slack

(Ipswich) Georgetown won its seventh straight game (including the five that earned them the Division 4 title) as they defeated Ipswich, 5-2, on a pleasant Tuesday afternoon in Ipswich.

The Royals (2-0) collected two unearned runs in the 4th inning and survived a bases loaded, no-one-out situation in the 6th inning to gain the win in their Cape Ann League opener.

Ben Noelk and Tom Pingree each had two RBI for Georgetown. CJ Ingraham had three of the Royals’ nine hits and also drove in a run.

Junior Patrick Slack was the winning pitcher. He scattered three hits and K’d seven Tigers during six innings of work. Dave Ingraham pitched the seventh and recorded a 1-2-3 final inning.

Patrick Slack (1-0) put himself into some serious trouble in the sixth but managed to escape with minimal damage. Four batters into the sixth inning Patrick had given up a single (Ryan Law), made a bad throw to second on a grounder (Josh Guertin), walked a batter (Henry Sacco), and hit another batter (Kyle Barber).

Shortstop Colby Ingraham prepares to throw home to get a key out in the fifth inning

With one run in (score now 4-2) and more a distinct possibility, the drawn in G’town infield forced a run at the plate. Then Patrick K’d pinch-hitter Jordan Thibault and got Eric Gongas to end the threat grounding out to third.

The Royals broke open a 1-1 game in the 4th inning with two unearned runs both scored with two outs. A Dave Ingraham single and a walk to Mike Goddu put runners on base. An error by Tiger shortstop Mike Savoie on sophomore Kyle Nelson’s sharp grounder extended the inning with the bases loaded. Ben Noelk made Ipswich pay as he sliced a single in front of centerfielder Ryan Law delivering Dave Ingraham and Mike Goddu.

Ipswich starter Alex Amoroso

Alex Amoroso went the first four innings for Ipswich (0-1) and Sean Whooley the final three.

Georgetown touched Alex for a run in the first. A single and steal by leadoff batter Patrick Slack was followed by a run-scoring double by CJ Ingraham (3 hits).

Ipswich answered right back in the bottom of the first. Alex Amoroso reached on an infield hit and took second on a wild pitch. The Tiger senior reached third thanks to Ryan Law’s sacrifice bunt and scored on Kyle Barber’s rip off third baseman Tom Pingree’s glove.

The Royals picked up the two unearned runs in the fourth to lead 3-1 before adding another score in the fifth off of Sean Whooley. Colby Ingraham reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second, and was sent home by Tom Pingree’s single to right center.

Up 4-1, the Royals survived the Tiger threat in the sixth allowing just one run. Georgetown pushed across its 5th run in the seventh. CJ Ingraham singled, stole second, and was delivered with two outs by Tom Pingree.

CJ Ingraham (3 hits) takes a big cut

The two teams will meet again in two weeks at Georgetown. The Royals next game will be hosting Manchester-Essex on Thursday. The Tigers will entertain Amesbury next Tuesday at 10AM.

Division 3 Ipswich was 6-13 last season but lost eight of those game by one run.

GHS coach Justin Spurr has thirteen players back from last season’s championship team. Star Ryan Browner is now at Southern Maine but there is still plenty of talent on the roster. It is not hard to imagine Georgetown still playing games in June.

Kyle Barber drove in both Ipswich runs

Kyle Barber was hit by pitches twice and drove in both Ipswich runs.

Sophomore catcher Kyle Nelson made his Georgetown varsity debut today.

Three times Georgetown put themselves into scoring position with steals that led to runs.

Georgetown box

Ipswich box

(The pictures above and below enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Colby Ingraham rounds third in the 5th inning

Royals reliever Dave Ingraham

Tiger reliever Sean Whooley

Ben Noelk (two RBI)

Tom Pingree (two RBI)

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Filed under Georgetown, Ipswich

Tagged as Alex Amoroso, Ben Noelk, CJ Ingraham, Coach Justin Spurr, Colby Ingraham, Kyle Barber, Patrick Slack, Tom Pingree

March 7, 2013 · 12:53 am

Strong finish gets Pentucket past Ipswich 46-26 in Division 3 North semifinals

Alex Moore lines up a free throw. The Sachems made sixteen in the second half.

Coley Viselli (13 points) defends against Julia Davis

(Beverly) Pentucket never seems to run out of ways to defeat other teams. Credit defense and foul shooting as keys to the win over Ipswich.

The Sachems (23-1) broke away from a tight three-point game (27-24) in the last minute of the third quarter and won their Division 3 North semifinal match with Ipswich, 46-26, on Wednesday night at Beverly High School.

Pentucket will face Watertown in the D3 North finals at the Tsongas Center on Saturday.

If you did the math, you now know that Pentucket, over the last nine minutes of this contest, put a 19-2 collection of points on the Tigers.

In fact, the last Ipswich points were registered by Julia Davis (jump shot in the lane) with 7:13 left in the game.

Kelsi McNamara crowds Jenna Gagnon

This was a terribly frustrating outing for a very good Ipswich (19-4) team. They were victimized by turnovers (sixteen by my count) in the first half, put some points together in the third quarter to get to within one possession, and then couldn’t make a shot over the final nine minutes.

The Pentucket pressure defense had plenty to do with the turnovers and the poor shooting. Masey Zegarowski (15 PPG) and Caroline Soucy (10 PPG) saw plenty of defense, especially Masey from Alex Moore. Masey was held to five points and Caroline six points.

The Sachems’ shooting was scary bad in the first half. They had plenty of looks but were missing shots they usually make. They also had Tess Nogueira get into foul trouble and have to sit through much of the second period.

Pentucket led 7-5 after one quarter and 15-12 at the half.

Julia Davis, Caroline Soucy, and Masey Zegarowski

The Tigers took the lead (17-15) early in the third quarter on a three by Caroline Soucy and a jump shot by Julia Davis.

Now the defending state champs were behind and to add to their trouble had Kelsi McNamara (13 points) on the bench with a sore knee. You started to think that this might be the night that the Tigers would take down Pentucket.

But it didn’t happen. Coley Viselli (13 points) took over Kelsi’s point guard spot and Pentucket started taking the ball to the basket. There were some layups but more important to the final outcome, there were eighteen, second-half free throws.

The Sachems were 16-of-18 from the charity stripe in the second half and that may well have been the difference maker. The Tigers were forced outside by outstanding defense and shot poorly and had only four free throws all game.

Kelsi McNamara went out early in the third quarter but came back later to start Pentucket on the 19-2 closing surge.

Kelsi McNamara (13 points) dribbles and Brigid OFlynn chases

Kelsi had both of Pentucket’s three’s.

During the game, Ipswich struck from long range five times – Jenna Gagnon (2), Caroline Soucy (2), and Masey Zegarowski (1).

Alex Moore totaled nine points and McKenna Kilian eight points for Pentucket.

Sophomore Caroline Soucy paced Ipswich with eight points including two long ones.

This was the second time that Ipswich has faced Pentucket in tournament action. Last year it was in the North finals at the Tsongas Center. In that one, the Sachems ran twenty unanswered points in the second half and a 14-10 game turned into a 34-10 rout as Pentucket won, 49-30.

Ipswich student section

The play of both teams was unusually bad in the first half. Why? May have been that both teams had to function on offense in front of the other team’s very active student section.

Pentucket played Saturday’s opponent (Watertown) at Pentucket in the First Round two years ago. The Sachems overwhelmed the young Red Raiders, 52-22, on that occasion.

Watertown was able to eliminate St. Mary’s (62-61) last night. St. Mary’s won the D3 state title two years ago. They eliminated Pentucket that year on the way to the championship. I am sure that no tears were shed in West Newbury when word came of St. Mary’s exit from this year’s tournament.

Pentucket Boxscore

Ipswich Boxscore

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

Alex Moore lines up a three

loose ball

Mine!

Brigid OFlynn and Tess Nogueira

Kelsi McNamara with the trainer afterwards

Masey Zegarowski guarded by Alex Moore

Julia Davis

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Filed under Ipswich, Pentucket

Tagged as Alex Moore, Brigid O'Flynn, Caroline Soucy, Coley Viselli, Julia Davis, Kelsi McNamara, Masey Zegarowski, Tess Nogueira

January 21, 2013 · 8:28 pm

Newburyport holds off Ipswich 50-39 for eighth win in boys basketball

Sophomore Mike Shay had two layups off Ipswich turnovers

Colby Morris (15 points) had four 3-pointers

(Newburyport) The Newburyport withstood a late Ipswich rally and defeated the Tigers, 50-39, on Monday afternoon in a nonleague game.

The Clippers lead, which had been as high as fifteen points (37-22), was only six (41-35) with four minutes left in the fourth quarter.

At that point, the home team answered with a game-deciding seven straight points on layups by Colton Fontaine (14 points) and a 3-pointer by Colby Morris (15 points). A tenuous six-point lead quickly became a much more comfortable thirteen-point lead with two minutes left.

Newburyport (8-3) needs two more wins in their six remaining games to qualify for the MIAA tournament. The Clippers will be at Georgetown on Friday night.

Newburyport stung Ipswich (2-10) with six 3-pointers. Colby Morris had four of them including three in the first 5 ½ minutes of the game.

Adam Traxler and Matt Jaeger

While Colby had nine first-period points, Ipswich’s Matt Jaeger also had a three as well as two jumpers. The Tigers trailed only 15-13 after a quarter.

If Ipswich coach Alan Laroche could erase one of the four quarters in this game it would surely be the second quarter. Why? The Tigers tallied just five points, had seven turnovers, watched Newburyport score eleven straight, and trailed by ten (28-18) when that quarter was over.

Sophomore Mike Shay came off the bench to be the finisher twice in that quarter after Ipswich miscues. In the eleven-straight segment Ian Michaels (8 points) nailed a three and Colton Fontaine added a layup and a free throw.

The Clippers had another run of unanswered offense (eight straight) in the third period. A second Ian Michaels three combined with a layup, a converted rebound, and a free throw, all by Colton Fontaine, did the damage for Newburyport. This surge gave the Clippers a commanding 37-22 advantage with three minutes left in the third quarter.

Colton Fontaine (14 points) looks for an opening against Ipswich shot-blocker Erik Fyrer (11 points)

Ipswich was down but not entirely out as Erik Fyrer (11 points) led the Tigers back into a challenging position during the next six minutes of playing time. The 6-4 junior, despite heavy coverage by Colton Fontaine, posted eight points during the Ipswich rally and helped cut the Newburyport margin down to 41-35.

However, Newburyport was able to regain control and come away with their eighth victory of the season.

The Clippers have won four of their last five. The Tigers have lost seven of their last eight.

Ipswich will host Hamilton-Wenham on Friday.

Both Doug Hoak (Hamilton-Wenham) and Dave Clay (Triton) were interested spectators.

Colby Morris drives past Kyle Blomster

A team with multiple 3-point shooters will always be difficult to defend. With Colby Morris back, after missing five games, the Clippers can hurt opponents long range with Colby and Ian Michaels.

Colby Morris didn’t play in the regular season game with Ipswich that the Clippers won, 38-26. That was the game in which the halftime score was an uninspiring, 13-7.

Erik Fyrer ended up with eight rebounds and four blocks according to my statistician.

Dillon Guthro slid painfully into the stands.

Newburyport boxscore

Ipswich boxscore

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

Matt Canning defended by Aleks Kuljic (12) and Kyle Blomster (15)

Erik Fyrer goes for the block against Ian Michaels

Erik Fyrer puts a block on Drew Bourdeau

Dillon Guthro and Quinn OConnor

young Tiger fan

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Filed under Ipswich, Newburyport

Tagged as Colby Morris, Colton Fontaine, Erik Fyrer, Ian Michaels

December 21, 2012 · 11:26 pm

Undefeated Ipswich dominates Georgetown 74-20 in girls basketball

The Ipswich defense surrounds Georgetown senior Kylie Troy

Freshman Jenna Gagnon (17 points) puts up a long one

(Ipswich) That’s two straight routs by Ipswich to start season.

The Tigers (2-0) buried Georgetown, 74-20, in a Cape Ann League game on Friday night in their home opener.

A week ago the Ipswich girls opened their season on the road with a lopsided, 66-21, win over Amesbury.

I thought that Georgetown (2-2) might offer a challenge to the Tigers since they have 1000-point scorer Kristin Hogan as well as defender/shooter Marissa Agganis. But it didn’t matter.

It was clear right off that the Royals would struggle against the aggressive Tiger defense. Before the first quarter was half over the visitors already had seven turnovers and trailed, 6-0.

Kristin Hogan (11) chased by Brigid OFlynn (33) and Julia Davis (32)

Ali Newbury’s layup from Kristin Hogan broke the ice for GTown with 4:15 left in the first quarter.

The Tigers followed with a productive run that ended any outcome suspense that may have existed. Over the next 5 ½ minutes of playing time, extending into the second quarter, Ipswich dominated Georgetown to the tune of, 22-2, including one stretch of sixteen unanswered points.

The result of this terrific offense/defense was a, 28-4, Tiger lead with 6:48 left in only the second quarter. The rest of the game was played but at no time was there any doubt at the Ipswich Tiger Den about the final outcome.

Keys to the Ipswich success during that special 5 ½ minutes were that they; had no turnovers, made three 3’s, and forced six Royal turnovers.

The Tigers put together another stretch of unanswered points (nine) in the second quarter. Their halftime lead was, 42-9.

This was not a run-up-the-score kind of game. Every player on both rosters played plenty. Substituting five at a time was the norm in the second half.

My scoresheet had freshman Jenna Gagnon with 17 points and sophomore Caroline Soucy with 16 points to lead Ipswich. Jenna had four 3’s. Julia Davis (10), Jordan Morrissey (9), and Masey Zegarowski (8) also contributed points for Ipswich.

Marissa Agganis (7 points) sails in for a layup

Marissa Agganis (7 points) paced the Royals getting two 3’s in the second quarter. Kristin Hogan only played in the first half and was limited to two points by defender Brigid O’Flynn.

Next for Ipswich will be Manchester-Essex at home on December 27th. The Royals next opponent is Winthrop at home on December 28th.

Ipswich was 18-5 last year and have made the post-season tournament eight straight years. Anyone attending the game I’m written about would feel quite certain that another Tiger tournament team is in the making.

Two of the teams that have had the Tigers’ number over the last few seasons are Masconomet and Pentucket. This season Pentucket has already defeated Masco.

The Tigers will host Masco on January 3rd. A win there by Ipswich will make the circle-the-date (January 15th) encounter with Pentucket at Pentucket a huge one in the Cape Ann League.

Former Tiger Shannon McFayden was in the house.

You knew that the outcome was decided early when both coaches sat during the entire second half.

Unofficially, Georgetown made only two of nineteen free throws.

Caroline Soucy (16 points) goes down the lane with Graceann Conte (4)

Most impressive player? Caroline Soucy. The sophomore caused Georgetown trouble on both ends of the court.

Biggest surprise? Jenna Gagnon. The lefty put in four long ones and certainly wasn’t freshman shy about shooting. Adding an outside shooting threat to the Ipswich lineup will open things up for the numerous Tiger drivers.

There was a Pentucket scout in the house.

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

Julia Davis defended by Ali Newbury

Ipswich coach Mandy Zegarowski

Jordan Morrissey looks for a pass

Caroline Soucy saves

Bridget Curran set to block

Shannon McFayden

Masey Zegarowski drives

Jackie Gagnon (10) breaks on Mollie Swanton (14)

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Filed under Georgetown, Ipswich

Tagged as Caroline Soucy, Coach Mandy Zegarowski, Jenna Gagnon, Julia Davis, Kristin Hogan, Marissa Agganis, Masey Zegarowski

November 12, 2012 · 6:54 pm

Weston ousts Ipswich in Division 3 North finals, 2-0, in girls soccer

Weston – Division 3 North girls soccer champs

(Lynn) Same teams. Same field. Same weather. Same tournament. Same results.

What can you say? There was Weston defeating Ipswich in girls soccer, 2-0, at Manning Field to capture the Division 3 North finals in beautiful weather. Two years ago (November 14th) exactly the same thing happened.

Juicy rebound early led to first Weston goal by Katie Marlow-Benedick

In this Monday morning event, the Wildcats stunned the Tigers with a goal in the first thirty seconds (Katie Marlow-Benedick) of the game. The insurance for Weston kicked in during the second half on a goal by Maddie Linde.

Weston (11-7-4) moves on to the D3 state semifinals against South champs Norwell at 5:30PM at Veterans Stadium in Quincy on Wednesday. The D3 state finals are at Worcester State College on Saturday (10AM) morning.

Ipswich (11-5-7) had enough defense, led by Courtney Long, to keep the Wildcats from adding more goals in the first half after the depressing start.

The Weston defense, led by Sarah Peters, gave the Tigers few instances of control deep in their territory. Ipswich had several corner kicks but was unable to turn up threats on WHS goalie Alissa Duffey.

The Tigers best chance was on direct kick from straight away by Courtney Long late in the first half. Katie Monahan was bearing down on Alissa as she made the catch. Any sort of bobble there could have been a Tiger goal.

Weston’s first goal happened so fast!

The Wildcats started with the ball. Freshman Emma Marlow-Benedick broke past the Tiger defense in front of the Weston sidelines and dribbled in on the right. Instead of taking a long shot at GK Molly Markos, Emma sent a pass into the middle to senior Maddie Linde. Maddie had time to drill a shot that Molly got a piece of but couldn’t control. The result was a juicy rebound for Emma’s twin sister Katie to tap into the open net.

Down 1-0 in a game not even thirty seconds old was not what the Tigers needed. However, the Wildcats were kept from threatening the rest of the half. Ipswich had several corner kicks but didn’t endanger the Weston shutout.

The Wildcats turned up the pressure in the first fifteen minutes of the second half. They had four dangerous corner kicks before capitalizing.

Maddie Linde (20) about to head home the second Weston goal.

The goal came when senior Hannah Graves sent a corner kick over the reach of goalie Molly Markos. Teammate Maddie Linde was perfectly positioned and headed home Weston’s second goal, fifteen minutes into the second half. Maddie’s height gave her an advantage and Hannah’s kick was right where Maddie could convert.

The Wildcats had several dangerous shots the rest of the way, a couple by Lane Cronin, and one by Jackie Foody.

******************
Ipswich knocked Weston out of the tournament (1-0) last year at Ipswich on a Hannah Weagle score.

Maddie Linde had both goals in the Wildcat win two years ago at Manning Field.

Kudos to Weston’s Jackie Foody. Her collision with Tiger Lia Ziegler sent the Ipswich senior to the turf but after the Tiger medical staff took care of Lia, Jackie came over to make sure her opponent was okay. Classy move!

Lane Cronin (17) gets a yellow card.

I also congratulate WHS coach Rich Daestrela. When one of his players (Lane Cronin) drew a yellow card for angrily kicking a ball out of play, she had to leave the game. I have seen other coaches immediately put the carded player back in the game. Not Coach Daestrela. He kept the offending party off the field for the last nineteen minutes of the first half. A teachable moment?

Weston can certainly be thankful for the Sullivan Rule. That unique Massachusetts rule allowed the Wildcats to qualify for the MIAA tourney despite a 6-7-4 record. Winning 50% of games against same-division opponents qualifies a team for the tournament……and that’s how Weston got in.

Weston competes in the very tough Dual County League. The beatings they absorbed from D1 powerhouses like Acton-Boxborough, Concord-Carlisle, and Lincoln-Sudbury obviously toughened them up for the Division 3 tournament. The only disadvantage was that Weston got a low seed (#17) and had to win early-round games on the road to get to the finals.

Coach Daestrela commended the Cape Ann League afterwards. He faced Georgetown first and needed penalty kicks to win. He said that the games in between Georgetown and Ipswich were not very competitive and allowed him to use substitutes for most of the second halves.

Maria Balzer (5) and Katie Marlow-Benedick (7)

Coach Daestrela on the undersized freshmen Marlow-Benedick twins: “I don’t care what size they are, they can play, and will play.”

This was Courtney Long’s last soccer game for Ipswich. What a defender she was with a strong leg. She took care of all the goal kicks and direct kicks. I wonder what she would have done on corner kicks?

Some doctors do house calls. Dr. Hugh O’Flynn does field calls! The Ipswich surgeon helped tend to several injured Tigers in the first half.

Good Ipswich sports trivia question: Name the first Ipswich girls soccer coach – Doug Woodworth.

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

Ipswich captains with D3 North finalist trophy

celebrating begins

Weston coach Rich Daestrela

Lia Ziegler chases loose ball

Tally Shea (22) and Julia Davis (23)

Maddie Linde shoots as Emily Brengle (11) defends

Emma Marlow-Benedick (67) lines up a shot

Courtney Long (24) protects GK Molly Markos

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Filed under Ipswich, Weston

Tagged as Alissa Duffey, Coach Rich Daestrela, Courtney Long, Emma Marlow-Benedick, Katie Marlow-Benedick, Maddie Linde

November 2, 2012 · 7:02 pm

Ipswich boys soccer advances in Division 3 North defeating Whittier 4-1

Ipswich (in white) put plenty of pressure on Whittier netminder Jon Hewey.

Ryan Law (two goals)

(Ipswich) The Ipswich Tigers (#14 seed) boys soccer team dominated Whittier (#19 seed) from beginning to end and defeated the visitors, 4-1, on a cloudy Friday afternoon in Division 3 North MIAA tournament play.

The Tigers (8-6-4) now advance to a First Round game with #3 seed Lowell Catholic on Sunday afternoon (1PM) at Rivier College in Nashua, New Hampshire.

Whittier (7-10-2) qualified for the tournament by winning the small division of the Commonwealth Conference while Ipswich needed to win its last two regular season games to qualify.

Ipswich, playing its final home game of 2012, put shots on Wildcat goalie Jon Hewey early and often. The senior net minder was the reason the final deficit was only three.

The Tigers had goals from Ryan Law and David Dick in the first half. Slater Sullivan and Ryan Law tallied in the second half.

Sean Whooley (14) chases Jacob Fudge (23)

Even though the final margin was three goals, this was a 2-1 game at halftime because late in the first half Jacob Fudge scored for Whittier. Jacob broke free down the right side and beat Tiger goalie Erik Fyrer to the far corner.

In a one-goal game anything can happen. Right away in the second half Jacob had a good look at the equalizer, but this time the Tiger goalie made the save.

Thereafter it was the Tigers back to pressuring the Wildcat end. Ipswich had three corners and two direct kicks in the next seven minutes. Slater Sullivan cashed in the second direct kick (by Sam Benford) at 29:48 to give the Tigers a two-goal edge.

Eleven minutes later (18:49) senior Ryan Law put in a rebound of a shot by David Dick to make it 4-1.

In the first half, Ryan Law opened the scoring for Ipswich (11:44) benefiting from a beautiful setup by sophomore Sam Benford.

David Dick fires a shot.

Two minutes later (9:39) David Dick struck a shot on net low that GK Jon Hewey went down for. The shot bounced over the Wildcat goalie’s hands to give Ipswich a 2-0 lead.

The Tigers were very much in control of the center of the field most of the game thanks to the tireless, aggressive play of Slater Sullivan, David Dick, and Sean Whooley.

Busy day at the site of the game – boys tournament soccer game (2:30), girls tournament soccer game (4:15), and football game (7).

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

Matt Jaeger

first half Ipswich goal

Slater Sullivan (goal scorer)

Dan DAgostino (5) and John Manning (22)

Zach Eliopoulos (7) and Jake Greene (20)

Wildcat goalie Jon Hewey

incoming shot

Chris DiNocco breaks in

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Filed under Ipswich, Whittier Tech

Tagged as David Dick, Erik Fyrer, Jacob Fudge, Jon Hewey, Matt Jaeger, Sean Whooley, Slater Sullivan

September 15, 2012 · 8:47 pm

Whittier rallies to defeat Ipswich, 20-18, in overtime football

Wildcat Jesus Sanchez (4) sweeps to the corner for the game-winning, two-point conversion

Henry Sacco scores a nine-yard touchdown for Ipswich in the second quarter.

(Haverhill) If you’re looking for a game with plusses and minuses for both teams, this was the one.

However, in the end it was Whittier coming away with the biggest plus defeating Ipswich in overtime, 20-18, on a lovely Saturday morning/afternoon in Haverhill.

Both teams had been trounced in their openers (Ipswich lost to Pingree 34-7.…Whittier was belted by Stoneham 34-6) and have never played each other before.

Ipswich (0-2) came in with experience (fifteen seniors) while Whittier (1-1) had a roster loaded with underclass athletes.

Ipswich was excellent in the first half getting a 12-0 halftime advantage. Whittier had those two touchdowns back midway through the final quarter and nearly won the game in the last second. A blocked field goal attempt on the final play of regulation sent this one to OT.

In overtime a team gets four downs from the 10 yard line. New this year is that if a team scores, they must go for a two-point conversion.

In their overtime series, Ipswich ran Derek Chamberlain off right tackle three straight times. He reached the two yard line on the first, scored on the second, and was stopped short by Jake McCartney on the two-point conversion try. This put Ipswich up 18-12.

Justin Reyes catches a TD pass from Connor Bradley in overtime

In OT, Whittier fumbled the first snap and fortunately (for them) senior Sam King made the recovery. Next play QB Connor Bradley lofted a “jump ball” pass to leaper Justin Reyes over two defenders to tie the score.

On the game-deciding extra point, sophomore Jesus Sanchez swept right into the corner to win the game for Whittier. (Whittier had tried that same play after their first score in the third quarter and it had been stopped cold.)

Ipswich tallied on two straight possessions in the second quarter. Wingback Henry Sacco finished a 71-yard drive with a score from fifteen yards out for the first touchdown. Derek Chamberlain (eighty-six yards in fourteen carries) ended a 55-yard drive from nine yards rushing over right tackle to give Ipswich a 12-0 advantage.

Watching the two Tiger extra-point attempts I recalled a quote from Ipswich Coach Ted Flaherty in the Ipswich Chronicle – “We do some unusual things on special teams.” No sign of a center anywhere in either attempt. On one try the ball went back to reserve QB Eddie Flaherty and the other to QB Kyle Blomster. Both wanted to pass but a block and a sack ruined the attempts at trickery.

In that first half Whittier spent most of the time on defense. On offense they had a couple of first downs and never seriously threatened to score. They did try a couple of “jump ball” passes to Justin Reyes and Jaylin Deveau but couldn’t connect.

Ipswich failed to capitalize on their first possession in the third quarter and in my opinion this was the turning point in the game.

During that possession the Tigers had a long run (40+ yards) by Derek Chamberlain called back on a hold (Chris McCormack). The Tigers recovered from that setback when Kyle Barber broke loose for 23 yards and Wildcat Brandon Lyons added fifteen yards for a hit out of bounds.

Ipswich was now first and ten from the Whittier 17. They would reach the ten before getting a delay of game penalty and seeing Kyle Blomster’s 4th down pass sail over the head of Nate Glaster.

Jaylin Deveau (behind 83) finishes an 85-yard TD run in the third quarter

Turning point? You bet as Whittier took over and on the first play Jaylin Deveau cut through the line on the right and headed down the sidelines for an electrifying 85-yard score with 2:59 left in the third quarter. The extra point rush attempt by Jesus Sanchez failed but the momentum had swung to the Wildcats.

Next possession, early in the final quarter, Ipswich had Whittier pinned back at midfield with a 4th-and-16. However, defensive back Nate Glaster got caught watching the quarterback (Connor Bradley) as Brandon Lyons raced ten yards behind him. Connor’s pass was on target and Brandon scored easily to tie the score with 6:28 left.

Nate Glaster (hands raised) block extra point attempt

Ralph Francesconi’s kick attempt was blocked by Nate Glaster to keep the score tied at 12.

On their next possession, Tiger Kyle Barber tried (unsuccessfully) to pass instead of punt on fourth down and Whittier was able to take over on their own 46 with four minutes left.

They would get down to the Tiger five before a big defensive play by Andy Connor pushed the Wildcats back to the ten. Ralph Francesconi’s game-winning field goal attempt from there was blocked as time ran out.

Ipswich hosts Triton on Friday night (7PM) while Whittier will travel to Georgetown on Saturday afternoon (1PM).

Connor Bradley (eight of fourteen passes -142 yards) and Brandon Lyons connected on a touchdown pass in the Stoneham loss in the Whittier opener.

The acoustics at Whittier were excellent and the booming voice of Wildcat coach Kevin Bradley was hard to miss. His best material was directed at the officials – “Every time we have you it’s flag city.” He did seem to talk the officials out of a pass interference call in the final quarter.

My GPS is good but when the bridge across from West Newbury to Haverhill is closed things got interesting. I ended up taking a side trip almost to Building 19 to get across the Merrimac River.

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

Kyle Blomster hands off to Kyle Barber as Ben ONeil (63) leads the blocking

Jake McCartney (3) stops Derek Chamberlain (40) in two-point overtime try

Nate Glaster nearly scores over Doug Angus

Doug Angus tackles Nate Glaster

Derek Chamberlain (14 carries – 86 yards) breaks loose

Brandon Lyons beats Nate Glaster for a Wildcat TD

Derek Chamberlain scores in overtime

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Filed under Ipswich, Whittier Tech

Tagged as Brandon Lyons, Connor Bradley, Derek Chamberlain, Henry Sacco, Ipswich, Jake McCartney, Jesus Sanchez, Justin Reyes, Nate Glaster, Whittier Tech

May 3, 2012 · 6:36 am

Pictures from the North Andover Ipswich Amesbury outdoor track meet at Amesbury (May 2)

Julia Mehlman of North Andover sinks in after high jump

Dan McCuish – 100

Hannah Steele and Julia Mehlman discuss high jump

Max Almono – 800

Axel Loughbo – long jump

mile winners

Sam Brown and Emily Martin – 400 hurdles

Sarah Keiran mile

Katie McManus – shot put

Sydney Hardie – pole vault

Tina Keiran 2 mile

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Tagged as 2012 Amesbury outdoor track, 2012 Ipswich outdoor track, 2012 North Andover outdoor track, Axel Lougbo, Dan McCuish, Hannah Steele, Julia Mehlman, Katie McManus, Max Almono, Sam Brown, Sarah Keiran, Sydney Hardie, Tina Keiran

April 10, 2012 · 9:24 pm

Strong pitching gets Amesbury past Ipswich (7-2) in baseball

Andy Reidy – one run in five innings with six Ks

Ben Cullen – Amesbury starter struck out three in two innings

(Amesbury) Sophomores Ben Cullen and Andy Reidy combined to limit Ipswich to three hits as Amesbury defeated the Tigers, 7-2, in a nonleague game on Tuesday afternoon.

The Indians (1-1) jumped on Ipswich starter John Fierro for six runs in the first two innings on seven hits and rode excellent pitching home from there.

Ben Cullen started for Amesbury and went two innings giving up an unearned run while striking out three. He faced a bases loaded jam in the second with one out but got Louis Galanis to pop out and then finished his outing by striking out Josh Guertin.

Lefty Andy Reidy took care of the last five innings. He K’d six and scattered three hits. He gave up a run in the 5th after he followed an Alex Amoroso double with two wild pitches.

Ben Cullen scores first Indian run on wild pitch

John Fierro had pitched well in the Tigers opening win over Mystic Valley. The Indians on this afternoon were all over him early. Two singles (Ben Cullen and Tommy Connors) and a walk loaded the bases for Amesbury with one out. A wild pitch brought in the first run. An RBI single (Shawn Bannon) delivered the second. Shortstop Louis Galanis’ bobble scored the third run and Zack Fitgerald’s double sent home run number four.

Two straight errors by Indian shortstop Troy Eaton enabled Pat Curran to score a gift run for Ipswich in the second.

Amesbury responded with two of their own. Tommy Connors collected his second single and later was driven home by Troy Eaton from second. After stealing second, Troy came home on Shawn Bannon’s second RBI.

That made it 6-1 after two innings.

Henry Sacco awaits the arrival of Mac Short in the 5th inning

In the 4th, the Indians reached relief pitcher Shawn Whooley for a run. Ben Cullen was hit by a pitch, stole second, and was brought in by Troy Eaton’s long double to right center.

Tommy Connors, Troy Eaton, and Shawn Bannon each had two hits for Amesbury in the game.

Second baseman Alex Amoroso had two hits for the 1-1 Tigers.

Junior Josh Guertin will have to ask the Ipswich coaching staff what a Golden Sombrero is.

Tiger leftfielder Pat Curran made a nice running catch in deep left in the sixth. Louis Galanis took the relay back in and doubled Noah Kligerman off first with a strong throw.

Ipswich stranded nine runners. Amesbury had five infield errors but the miscues only cost them one run. The Indian pitching was the difference maker in this one.

Next for Amesbury will be Hamilton-Wenham away on Thursday. Ipswich hosts Lynnfield on the same day.

Amesbury boxscore

Ipswich boxscore

(The pictures above and below enlarge considerably if you click on them.)