Category Archives: Newburyport

November 6, 2011 · 11:11 pm

Newburyport Gets By Pentucket 2-1 in Girls Soccer to Reach Quarter Finals

Carly Brand (11) heads the ball into the net past Pentucket goalie Sam Bomba.

Leigh McNamara had the Pentucket goal.

(Newburyport) The Newburyport Clippers defeated Pentucket, 2-1, in the First Round of the Division 2 North girls soccer tournament on Sunday afternoon at sunny Cherry Hill Field.

Carly Brand’s head-in on Hannah Martin’s direct kick, three minutes into the second half, proved to be the game winner.

The Clippers (14-2-3) face Belmont (9th seed – 10-4-3) in the Quarter Finals on Tuesday at 2PM back again at Cherry Hill. Belmont played at home last year as the #1 seed and took out the Clippers.

The Sachems (7-7-5) figured to be tired (they had beaten North Reading on the road the day before) and overmatched by Newburyport (the Clippers had defeated them 3-0 in October).  Someone forgot to tell Pentucket about this.

Down 2-0 early in the second half, the Sachems finally got a goal 32:20 into the half as Leigh McNamara was on the scoring end of a pass from Maddy Torissi in close to NHS goalie Lilly McNamara.

Unfortunately, for Pentucket they weren’t able to muster a serious threat thereafter.  They will probably wonder for some time about the disallowed goal (offsides) that was headed in at the twenty-minute mark.  Put that goal on the board with the Leigh McNamara goal and who knows what would have happened down the stretch.

Julia Kipp (2) and Jaycie Triandafilou (19) watch the shot of Liza Twomey go into the net past the PHS goalie.

Liza Twomey notched the Clippers’ first goal thirty-five minutes into the first.  Two things about the Newburyport forwards are that they are fast and persistent.  In this case it was “fast” that did the trick as Liza started about midfield with the ball and raced by the Sachem defenders for an open shot from the right on PHS goalie Sam Bomba.

Newburyport’s second goal featured probably the most dangerous player in the Cape Ann League taking direct kicks – Hannah Martin.  She can hit the ball hard and she’s usually going to have the ball be close to the net.  This time the direct kick came from just up from the corner kick flag to the right of the goal.  Carly broke for the far corner just as the ball was kicked and was in perfect position to head Hannah’s kick past Sam Bomba.

Once Pentucket fell behind they attempted to press the attack.  The Clippers ended up with some excellent scoring opportunities (Kerry Johnson & Jaycie Triandafilou) but defender Sarah Higgins and goalie Sam Bomba denied a third goal.

The weather was in the mid-50s with some wind.  The crowd was sizable although it was hard to tell when the crowd is relegated to one side.

This was only the second time I have been kept away from the goal line.  I probably would have missed Carly’s head-in if I had been located where I wanted to be.

Haley DesRosiers gets a yellow card.

Haley DesRosiers surprised me in the second half by giving Meghan Corbett a two-hander that dropped the Clipper captain to the ground.  Less surprising was the yellow card Haley got and the escort by the official to the sideline.

PHS coach Greg Scruton got in the way of a ball going out of bounds and put on a bit of a juggling show.  I’m told he was quite a player at Gordon College.

(I take my own pictures and collect my own information.  The mistakes are mine.)  Click on any of the pictures to enlarge them to normal size.

Sam Bomba robs Jaycie Triandafilou

Kerry Johnson shot

Sarah Higgins & Liza Twomey

Alex Moore

Carly Brand

NHS cross over

Hannah Martin

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November 5, 2011 · 8:13 pm

Newburyport Advances in Division 3 North MIAA Boys Soccer by Defeating Winthrop 1-0

Adam Traxler (5) scores the only goal of the Newburyport/Winthrop tourney game.

(Newburyport) The Newburyport Clippers escaped the Preliminary Round of  Division 3 North boys soccer by defeating Winthrop, 1-0, on Saturday afternoon at World War Memorial Stadium.

Harrison Corbett (11) heads near the goal.

The Clippers (9-7-3), from the Cape Ann League, now advance to the First Round of the MIAA tournament and play #2 seed Lynnfield (15-3) at Jordan Park in Lynnfield at noon tomorrow (Sunday).  The Pioneers defeated Newburyport, 5-2, on October 5th.

Adam Traxler’s 19th goal of the season was all that the Clippers needed to get by the Vikings.

The sophomore’s goal came sixteen minutes into the second half at the end of one of his every-game, speedy rushes down the right side.  On the scoring rush, he passed the Winthrop defender and maneuvered in toward the net, firing a shot that went off Viking goalie Bryan Alzate’s hands into the upper part of the goal.

Winthrop, from the Northeastern Conference, had a glowing opportunity five minutes earlier in the second half when they were awarded a direct kick close to the end line just beyond the penalty area to Clipper goalie Matt Canning’s left.  The shot taken tore across the crease and out the other side untouched as far as I could tell.

NHS goalie Matt Canning clears away a Viking threat in the first half.

The Vikings other shots were long range and NHS goalie Matt Canning was positioned well for each of them when they reached him.

Almost all the other good chances belonged to Newburyport.  In the second half, Spencer Traxler had a good look from the middle and later Jordan Steelman reached the goalie’s doorstep.  Adam Traxler had dangerous shots on net in both halves.

The referee had to straighten out the Newburyport student cheering section in the first half.  Several of them persisted with derogatory remarks about the Winthrop players until he stepped in.  Some of them may have been the same individuals drawing attention to themselves, rather than the American flag, during the playing of the National Anthem.

Spencer Traxler (6) has good look from in close.

Winthrop arrived late and the paper given out with their roster on it had numerous inaccuracies.   Try identifying players in pictures when their numbers aren’t on the roster.

Newburyport had to get three points (2 for a win, 1 for a tie) in their last two games to even make the tournament.

Winthrop took a different route to the tournament.  They played a division 3 opponent (North Shore Tech) in their season opener and defeated the visitors, 3-0, on September 10th.  The Vikings (1-16-2) didn’t win another game in 2011 yet made the tournament because of the Sullivan Rule.  According to that rule, if your record doesn’t get you in then you can get in by at least splitting against the teams you faced that are in the same division you are in during the tournament.  That North Shore Tech game was their only one with a D3 opponent.

(I take my own pictures and collect my own information.  I own any mistakes.)  Click on any of the pictures to enlarge them to normal size.

Jordan Steelman (9) on doorstep.

Winthrop goalie Bryan Alzate after Adam Traxler goal.

Adam Traxler (5), Sam Brenner (20), Petrit Kraja (47)

Michael Lessard (3) & Allan Eagan (8)

Adam Traxler (5) & Jordan Steelman (9)

Chris Day (11) & Harrison Corbett (11)

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November 1, 2011 · 11:12 pm

Ipswich Girls Soccer Team Ties Newburyport 0-0 to Gain Advantage in CAL Division 2

Ipswich clinches at least a tie in CAL Division 2 at Newburyport.

Hannah Martin (15) sends one of many potentially dangerous direct kicks toward the Ipswich goal.

(Newburyport)  The Ipswich girls soccer team was the one celebrating after their evening (0-0) match with Newburyport on Tuesday night at World War Stadium……….and they didn’t even score a goal or win the game.  But what they did was at least assure themselves of a tie for the Cape Ann League Division 2 championship.

Ipswich (8-0-3) now has 19 league points (2 points for a win – 1 point for a tie) with one game left  –  Georgetown away at 3:45PM on Wednesday.  Newburyport (8-1-3) also has 19 league points but their regular season is over.

Therefore, a Tiger win or tie versus the Royals and they have the CAL D2 title to themselves. An Ipswich loss and they end up sharing the top spot with Newburyport.

The Clippers only league loss was to Georgetown (3-2) so Ipswich will certainly not have an easy afternoon of soccer versus the Royals.

Courtney Long launches a testing direct kick for Ipswich.

The two most dangerous players on the field were Hannah Martin and Courtney Long.  These players took all of their team’s direct kicks.  Both could put up the distance to send shots into scoring areas.  That none were finished off for goals by either team was a surprise to me.

Clipper Carly Brand shadowed 14-goal scorer Hannah Weagle and that was effective defensively.  However, that strategy left Carly out of the flow around the goal when the long direct kicks came that way.  Carly had a goal last game versus Amesbury on a header off of a Hannah Martin direct kick.

The best Tiger chance was on a corner kick fifteen minutes into the second half.  Shannon McFayden took the kick and delivered it right on Clipper goalie Lilly Donovan just as Tiger Katie Glaubitz got there.  A pretty good collision resulted but Lilly held her ground and the goal was prevented.

Katie Glaubitz collides with Clipper goalie Lilly Donovan in the second half.

Newburyport’s chances weren’t so much shots but near-shots.  Their normal short passing game seemed to vanish when they got into the offensive end so there were few, if any, set ups for clean looks and shots.

This game was more physical than most.  Several Ipswich girls went down after contact but returned to play later.

Ipswich (12-1-4 including non-league games) has now gone fourteen straight games without a loss.  Newburyport (13-2-3 overall) is undefeated in thirteen of their last fourteen games.

The tournament pairings are ahead.  Ipswich will be competing in Division 3 while Newburyport is in Division 2.  Both teams fell to the eventual North divisional winners in 2010.  I was at the Ipswich loss to Weston at Fraser Field in Lynn.

Ipswich coach Nancy Waddell explained to me before the game that the seedings for the tournament can be tough.  Her reasoning was that D3 teams in strong conferences get losses against higher division opponents and get seeded low.  They turn out to be tough early opponents for top seeds in D3.

I still think that World War Stadium is a terrific site for a soccer game for spectators.  I’m told, however, that the Clipper team would prefer Cherry Hill so the tourney games could well be over there.  Apparently that field is wider.

(I take my own pictures and collect my own information.  I own any mistakes.)  Click on the pictures and they become normal size.

Julia Kipp (2) Lizzy Barbarisi (14)

second half action in front of Ipswich net

Aly Leahy (1) Hannah Martin (15)

NHS goalie Lilly Donovan

Carly Brand (11) Maddie Howe (10) Masey Zegarowski (1)

Sarah Casey (18) heads

Tiger goalie Molly Markos chases shot.

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October 28, 2011 · 10:50 pm

Sophomores Lead Newburyport Past Amesbury 2-0 in Girls Soccer on Senior Night

Carly Brand (11) and Maryam Moshrefi (21) gang up on Erin Leary (13). Both Clipper sophomores scored goals.

(Newburyport) Newburyport defeated Amesbury, 2-0, in girls soccer on Friday afternoon at chilly World War Stadium.

Clipper seniors with families.

It was Senior Night and seven Clippers were honored before the game started.

Newburyport (13-2-2) has excellent seniors but in this one it was the sophomores who came up big.

In goal, sophomore Lilly Donovan collected her ninth shutout of the season.  She wasn’t tested nearly as severely as Amesbury goalie Sarah Abraham was but she made the saves when she had to.

Carly Brand (11) has just redirected a Hannah Martin direct kick past Amesbury goalie Sarah Abraham.

Sophomore Carly Brand scored Newburyport’s first goal (24:55) when from in front she slightly altered the direction of teammate Hannah Martin’s direct kick past Sarah Abraham.

Later, Carly broke down the middle and spotted, another sophomore, teammate Maryam Moshrefi, open on the right wing.  A quick pass gave Maryam space and time to line up and fire a blast from the right that sailed over the AHS goalie’s head.

Both those scores came in the first half.  The one that really did in the Indians was the Maryam’s goal (39:10) which went in with less than a minute until halftime.  A one-goal game and anything can happen.  Two goals and a team has to sustain some offense.  On this day, Amesbury (8-5-4) was content to try for the home-run play and just couldn’t get a long pass to connect.  Amesbury’s best scoring chances were in the first half.  Janine Fatal drilled a shot from the middle over the top of the net and 5 ½ minutes later Hannah Zannini picked up a Lilly Donovan drop but couldn’t finish with a shot on net.

Hannah Martin (15) threatens with header.

The Clippers had good chances in both halves.  Two of the better ones were Hannah Martin’s header that went just wide in the first half and Jaycie Triandafilou nearly getting off a shot when she was in close in the second half.

The Newburyport win avenges a loss to Amesbury (1-0) at Amesbury on September 21st.

Since that loss thirteen games ago, Newburyport has been 10-1-2.  Amesbury since then has been 6-5-3.

Both teams are tourney bound.  They will each finish their regular season on Monday (October 31st).  Newburyport hosts Ipswich while Amesbury travels to Tewksbury for 3:45PM games.

Amesbury had plenty of speed while Newburyport had plenty of size.

Erin Leary

Erin Leary may well have been Amesbury’s best player in this game. The junior turned back numerous Clipper threats.

Whitney Whitlow was introduced but wasn’t at the game.  She is a captain and a returning CAL All-Star.

With Game Seven of the World Series tonight and a significant snowstorm scheduled for tomorrow night there was plenty of additional excitement in the air.

(I take my own pictures and collect my own stats.  I own the mistakes.)  Pictures enlarge to normal size if you click on them.

Amanda Martin & Nicki Galer

Jaycie Triandafilou looks to head as goalie approaches.

Meghan Corbett

Nicki Galer

Sarah Abraham

senior signs

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October 22, 2011 · 10:45 pm

Newburyport Dominates Tewksbury 2-0 in Girls Soccer

Jaycie Triandafilou (19) fires shot that resulted in the second Clipper goal.

(Newburyport)  The Tewksbury girls soccer team has already qualified for post-season play in 2011 but they didn’t get any of the 18 points they needed (2 for a win – 1 for a tie) from Newburyport.  On Saturday night, the Redman were defeated by the Clippers for the second time this season.

First half action in front of Tewksbury net.

This was non-league play (Tewksbury is from the Merrimack Valley Conference) but against a worthy 9-4 opponent (now 9-5),  the home team looked awfully good under the lights at World War Stadium on Saturday night.

The final score was 2-0 but, as is the case in many low scoring soccer games, that final score was not indicative of how the game went.  To nutshell it: Newburyport dominated the first half with no scoring to show for it.  In the second half, Tewksbury was more competitive early on but when the Clippers tallied twice in 3+ minutes, between 15:15 and 18:30, the win/loss part was settled.

Newburyport (11-2-2) short-passed the visitors to death.  The Clippers were willing to pass laterally to keep control rather than forcing “home-run” long passes where opponents were set up.  Tewksbury, on the other hand,  had little success putting passes together especially in the first half but they did have elusive Alyson Spencer and Nicole Chaet (both MVC 2010 All-Stars) to impress with one-on-one maneuvers.

Hannah Martin (15) and Nicole Chaet (17)

Nicole unleashed the Redmen’s best shot, 6 ½ minutes into the second half in a tie game.  Her well-struck bullet from the middle cleared the crossbar above NHS goalie Lilly Donavan’s head by about a foot.  The Redmen had other chances but none as dangerous as that one.

As I wrote earlier, the Clippers were not lacking in scoring chances whether from in close or long range during both halves. Their scoreboard changers came in the second half.

The first Newburyport goal (15:15) was on a header by senior Meghan Corbett.  The scoring play started with sophomore Carly Brand taking a corner kick from the Tewksbury goalie’s right.  The Clippers who had gathered back away from the goalie broke to a variety of places as Carly’s kick was in the air.  The kick sailed into the middle above the penalty kick spot.  Meghan was there uncovered and directed a header past the goalie’s left.

Carly Brand – her corner kick set up first goal.

3+ minutes later the Clippers added their second goal.  It won’t be one that Tewksbury goalie (Rebecca Davies – MVC All-Star in 2010 – six shutouts in 2011) remembers fondly.  Newburyport had dangerous Hannah Martin taking a direct kick. Her kick produced a juicy rebound for Jaycie Triandafilou beyond the penalty shot area.  Jaycie left her feet and blasted a left-footed, one-hopper that went through Rebecca’s legs.

Those two goals were enough in this one.

With the win Newburyport bounces back from a 3-2 loss to Georgetown in their previous game.  The Clippers next game is versus Masco (3:45PM) on October 25th (Tuesday) at Cherry Hill.

Watching a soccer game at World War Stadium has plenty of advantages.  First, the elevated sight line is better than looking over or around folks standing next to you along the sidelines.  Second, there is an active scoreboard to keep everyone aware of time and score.  Third, on this evening, the announcer gave goal scorers – that sure helped me on the Clippers’ two goals!

NHS senior Hannah Martin continues to impress.  She controls the ball so much in the midfield area.  Any direct kicks she takes are dangerous.  I have also noticed that anytime she dribbles left in goal-scoring areas she has the strong left foot to fire a shot back to the goalie’s far side.

A junior varsity game preceded the varsity game.  It was refreshing to see/hear the Tewksbury varsity players in the stands actively cheering on their less-experienced teammates.

Tewksbury’s next game is October 25th (Tuesday) hosting Dracut at 3:30PM.

(I take my own pictures and collect my own information.  I own the results.)  Clicking on pictures enlarges them.

pressure on Tewksbury goalie

blurry view of first Clipper goal

pregame stadium sky

Caitlin OConnor (16)

Shannon Tinkham (27) & Meaghan Bouthot (7)

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October 15, 2011 · 8:26 pm

Newburyport Recovers to Defeat Ipswich 34-14 in Football

Peyton Primack (62) takes a recovered fumble into the end zone for a first play score for Ipswich.

QB Connor Wile was sacked on the first play but recovered to throw three TD passes and a 2 point conversion.

(Newburyport)  One play in the Newburyport Clippers didn’t know what hit them…………especially quarterback Connor Wile.  The Clipper QB ended up on all fours as the visiting Ipswich Tigers celebrated in the end zone.

That was the start but thereafter the Clippers straightened out their pass protection and scored at will to defeat Ipswich, 34-14, at War Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

But if you want to lose a quarterback, allow a full-speed defender a clean shot from the QB’s blindside as he‘s back to pass.  But that’s what happened and the hit caused Connor to fumble. Tiger Peyton Primack found the loose ball and took it 25 yards into the end zone.  Brenden Gallagher’s extra point kick (Nick Andreas hold) put Ipswich (1-4) in front 7-0.

This all turned out to be very misleading.  The thoughts that Newburyport might be less inclined to pass or that their offense would be limited, vanished by halftime.  For by then the Clippers (4-2) had put up four touchdowns – two on the ground and two in the air – and were in command, 27-14.

Tyler Martin (32) goes 47 yards for first quarter touchdown.

Connor’s protection was superb after that first disastrous play and the only times he went down were when he decided to scramble.

Newburyport operated out of the shotgun most of the time and spread the field with receivers (Brett & Colton Fontaine, Ian Michaels, and Jimmy Conway) that every scout (I saw Triton in the stands) is well aware of.  When Ipswich over-concentrated on pass defense the Clippers ran speedy Tyler Martin up the inside.  On this day, Ipswich was seriously burned by both forms of attack.

Tyler Martin got them first.  On a 3rd-and-21 from the Ipswich 47, NHS sent Tyler up the middle on a draw play.  Tyler stayed in the middle briefly and then cut right and sped to the end zone.  Brandon Trego’s kick was good (Tyler held).  So 3 ½ minutes into the first quarter, the Clippers were even.

Clear sailing for Brett Fontaine (3 TD catches) as Tiger defenders Louis Galanis (10) and Pat Curran collide.

Next possession, Newburyport struck through the air.  A harmless looking pass in the flat to Brett Fontaine did the trick.  The Tigers’ first defender (John Elnagger) missed the tackle and the next two defenders (Pat Curran and Louis Galanis) took each other out – Louis slipped into Pat.  Brett ended up with a clear 65-yard route to the end zone.

Brandon Trego’s kick was wide but Newburyport was ahead, 13-7, with 4:19 left in the first quarter.

Next possession, Newburyport moved deep into Ipswich territory early in the second quarter.  They reached the Tiger 7 before a Connor Wile pass intended for Brett Fontaine ended up in defender Nate Glaster’s hands.  Off the fast sophomore went down the left sideline on a 93-yard TD run.  Brenden Gallagher’s kick gave Ipswich a shocking, 14-13, lead with 9:10 left until halftime.

Nate Glaster (80) finishes a 93 yard interception return touchdown.

The thought at the time that Newburyport was just overly pass happy and needed to shelf that attack never seemed to be a consideration for the NHS staff.

The Clippers moved back down the field with a collection of passes and rushes.  A pass interference call helped greatly.  Tyler Martin provided the finishing touch with a 6-yard burst up the middle.  The kick was missed but Newburyport was ahead, 19-14, with 5:43 until the half.

A bit of trickery by Ipswich (fake punt by Louis Galanis) got them into Newburyport territory but the defense refused to give up any big plays from the line of scrimmage and the Clippers took over late in the half.

Again it was passes that quickly moved the Clippers close.  Connor Wile connected with Brett Fontaine for the score on the right side in the last minute from 8 yards away.   The pattern looked a lot similar to the one that had resulted in an Ipswich interception (TD) at the start of the quarter.

The Clippers went for two points.  They faked Tyler Martin up the middle (I was fooled by it!) and then Connor hit a very wide open Jimmy Conway in the right corner of the end zone.  This gave NHS a 27-14 lead at the half.

The second half started with turnover, turnover, and turnover.  Connor Wile was intercepted (Nate Glaster) while Ipswich fumbled twice.  The second Tiger fumble was recovered by Tyler Souther at the Ipswich 12.  Way too delectable field position for the Clipper offense on this day.

Brett Fontaine catches TD pass despite face mask infraction in third quarter.

NHS struck quickly as Connor hit Brett in the end zone.  Brett hung on despite suffering one of the more blatant face mask penalties you’ll ever see.  Brandon Trego kicked the extra point to put the Clippers further ahead, 34-14, with 7:34 left in the third quarter.  And that turned out to be the final score as a lot of clean jerseys were seen the rest of the way.

Credit Newburyport for sticking with a passing attack throughout the game.  Credit center Kyle Monahan for enabling the Clippers to function out of shotgun formation with a game of clean snaps.

Connor Wile might be a little tougher than your average high school quarterback.  In the winter he’ll be seen playing hockey and in the spring catching for the NHS baseball team.  Point?  He’s no stranger to contact!

The weather was full of surprises.  A half hour before game time it was pouring.  Thereafter we saw clouds and even some sun………only in New England.

The Clippers face Saugus at NHS next on Friday night (7PM).  Ipswich gets Lynnfield at home on the same night.  The rest of the way the games are league games.

Quarterback Nick Andreas sits on sideline with trainer Nicole Tougas and IHS coach Ted Flaherty.

Tiger freshman quarterback Nick Andreas was hit hard in the third quarter and didn’t return.  Sophomore Kyle Blomster took over the rest of the way.

Clipper junior Tyler Cusack was hit hard during kickoff coverage in the second half and didn’t return.

(I collect my own information and take my own pictures.  I own the mistakes but I try hard to avoid them.)

The pictures will enlarge to normal size if you click on them.  Enjoy.

Newburyport sky

Brenden Gallagher (13)

Brett Fontaine (10) and Chris Desmond (50)

Louis Galanis (10 and Trevor Pituck (55)

Jimmy Conway flies after hit.

Peter Moutevelis (20)

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September 30, 2011 · 10:11 pm

North Andover Led by Brandon Walsh Overwhelms Newburyport 34-7 in Football

Brandon Walsh (16) passed for two TDs and ran for two. Here blockers Bobby Trickett (55) and Nate Hitchcock (56) give him protection.

John Iannone scores first NA touchdown.

(Newburyport) In non-league Cape Ann League action, North Andover did many things right and easily defeated Newburyport, 34-7, on a beautiful Friday night at World War Stadium.

This was D1 North Andover versus D3 Newburyport.  This was also a rematch of teams that had been part of a 40-0 Knight blowout last year.  And this was also another year for senior quarterback Brandon Walsh to show why he is one of the best in the state.

This didn’t figure to be a close game but on the scoreboard it still was at halftime (13-7) but in the second half the visiting Knights produced scores on their first three possessions while the Clippers came up empty on theirs.

Brandon Walsh was good as advertised. NA operated with no huddle and received the plays via hand signals.  In Tom Brady fashion, Brandon made changes at the line of scrimmage on many plays.

Brandon Walsh (only the six visible in the distance) runs 72 yards to Newburyport 1.

One big improvising play in the second half stood out.  Brandon saw the Clipper defense shift to his left and so he carried right, cut back into the middle, then down the left sideline for 72 yards to the Newburyport one yard line.  Other teammates tried to rush in from there unsuccessfully before Brendon finished the job himself to put NA ahead, 26-7 in the third period.

The Knights (3-1) had plenty of weapons beside Brandon.  He threw eighteen times and great protection kept him from being hurried on any of them.  He completed twelve throws including touchdowns in each half.

Clipper QB Connor Wile saw plenty of pressure but still connected on 14 of 18 attempts including a 34-yard TD pass to Brett Fontaine with 2:57 left until halftime.

Connor rolled right on that play to buy time and lofted a pass, over the top of turned-around defender Tom Moody, that Brett had to leap to get.

Brett Fontaine hit hard by Dan Laorenza (7), Nate Hitchcock (56), Glen Hartford (44) and Tom Moody (30).

Speaking of Brett, he was rocked after a couple of receptions.  One picture shows him being hit by four NA players and his helmet pushed back.  He came out of that play holding his left arm and I suspect that sight had the NHS basketball and baseball coaches holding their collective breaths.

Newburyport won the toss and deferred.  They tried an onside kick that didn’t work and gave NA great early field position.

NHS head coach Ed Gaudiano took a severe chiding from the referee after complaining loud and early about, what he saw to be, NA holding.

Newburyport started the second half with the ball (their own 27) trailing just, 13-7.  They could gain just four yards in three plays.  The punt attempt turned disastrous as a low snap forced punter Trevor Pituck to kneel to get it and the play was ruled dead at the N17.

Clipper QB Connor Wile stands in the pocket with good protection.

NA was quick to capitalize.  After a six-yard run by John Iannone, Brandon started to scramble and then at the last second threw left to Dan Laorenza who finished off the final eleven yards to score.  There was a delay as officials discussed whether Brandon was over the line of scrimmage when he threw to Dan.  It was ruled he wasn’t.  Glen Hartford’s extra point kick put the Knights in front, 20-7 with 8:10 left in the third quarter.

NA’s first touchdown was on a John Iannone seven-yard sweep around the right end.

The final Knight score was at the end of a long drive that started on the NA 23.  Glen Hartford got the TD.  He lined up in the backfield and went out into the flat after a fake handoff and was wide open on the right side for an easy connection with Brandon.

Jared Bradbury (11) stuffs John Iannone (23) near the Clipper end zone.

Brandon was also the punter and holder.  I don’t recall seeing him much on defense.  One NA partisan told me that Brandon is getting recruited by D1 schools as a safety.  I read a recent article on Brandon that suggested that his best sport may be baseball where he is a catcher.

Jared Bradbury had the defensive hit of the night on a Knight receiver.

Newburyport (2-2) plays next Thursday night (7PM) at Marblehead.

North Andover (3-1) is at Medford next Friday night.

(I take my own pictures and create my own captions.  I try to be as accurate as possible.)

The pictures will enlarge to normal size if you click on them.

Brett Fontaine (10) after touchdown catch.

Trevor Pituck punts

Glen Hartford kicked four extra points. Brandon Walsh holds.

Brandon Walsh punts

Brandon Walsh

NHS coach Bob Clarke hears from the referee.

Tyler Martin follows Tyler Cusack (21) and Trevor Pituck (55)

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September 29, 2011 · 8:45 pm

Newburyport Easily Defeats North Reading 5-0 in Girls Soccer

Sarah Casey (18) lines up a shot as Kristen Landry (17) and Emily Schille (15) defend. Sarah scored the third Newburyport goal in the first half.

(Newburyport) The Clipper soccer girls easily defeated North Reading, 5-0, on Thursday afternoon at Cherry Hill Field in a Cape Ann League game.

Hannah Martin (15) scored the first Clipper goal.

Watching what I saw of the game (first half), it was hard to imagine that the Hornets (3-3) had only lost 1-0 to Newburyport (6-1) on September 13th at North Reading.

There was very little time spent in the Newburyport end.  Clipper goalie Lily Donovan was not tested, in fact she never touched the ball.  Hornet advances into the other end were long range or down the sidelines.  Good scoring chances never happened.

I saw only half of the game because it started raining near the end of the half.  I got under the trees hoping the rain would end.  I heard the rumbling of thunder at halftime and headed home.  NHS led, 3-0, at the time and I was quite confident that I would read in the Newburyport Daily News that they had won…..and they did.

The Clipper threats started early in this one and never stopped while I was there.

A Hornet hand ball set Hannah Martin up for a direct kick in the first minute.  The CAL All-Leaguer’s shot hit the top crossbar.

Carly Brand (11) dribbles toward the net with teammate Maryam Moshrefi (21) nearby. Both girls scored goals in the 5-0 victory.

Hannah finally scored at the 16-minute mark as she took a pass from Jaycie Triandafilou on the left side and fired a left foot shot over the head of NR goalie Miss Patalano.

Fourteen minutes later Hannah used another direct kick to set up teammate Carly Brand for goal #2.

With less than two minutes left, the ball got into the box from the side and Sarah Casey came down the middle and kneed the ball into the net for Newburyport‘s third goal.

North Reading’s returning CAL All-Leaguer, Jessie Valenti, was at the game but I don’t think she played…..at least in the first half.

There was only one ball girl available.  That had NHS coach Robb Gonnam retrieving shots off the bench side that went into the woods.  I am sure this wasn’t part of his game strategy!

This was my first look at the Clippers and they looked awfully good at least in this half.  Hannah Martin controls the center of the field and was very dangerous on direct kicks.  Alyssa Leahy controlled the deep third of the field.  Nicole Galer was elusive with the ball – several times defenders ran at her and she just pulled the ball away and moved on.  These girls were all Cape Ann League award winners in 2010.

(I take my own pictures and collect my own stat……..with the help of the Newburyport Daily News.  I strive to be fair and accurate.)

Clicking on the pictures enlarges them to normal size.

Jessie Valenti

Jaycie Trianafilou (19) looks for a rebound from NR goalie Missy Patalano.

Amy Sullivan dribbles toward the North Reading net.

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September 19, 2011 · 10:49 pm

Traxler Brothers Send Clipper Boys Soccer Past Ipswich 4-2

Adam Traxler (#5) chased by Sam Benford (#10) and Peter Eliopoulos (#7).

Clippers celebrate Spencer Traxler’s go-ahead goal.

(Newburyport) Too much of the Traxlers for Ipswich.

The Tigers (2-3) were defeated by Newburyport, 4-2, in boys soccer on Monday night at Newburyport Stadium in Cape Ann League play in the Clippers‘ home opener.

The Traxlers (sophomore Adam & senior Spencer) scored all of the Clipper (1-1-2) goals, including three in the second half.

Ipswich goalie Erik Fyrer watched the action unfold in the first half, and yelled variations of the following to his defense, “Five is their best player.  Contain him.”

Adam Traxler (#5) was indeed a threat in this one every time he was near the ball.  He endangered the Tiger defense numerous times dribbling into open space and let shots fly on net with either foot.  He finally got a shot past Ipswich goalie Erik Fyrer with a spin to the left at 10:48 to give NBPT a 1-0 lead.

The Tigers didn’t have a shot on net for the first twenty-six minutes but responded to Adam’s first goal with one of their own just 1 ½ minutes later.  2010 CAL All-Star Ryan Law dribbled into the middle and then beat NHS goalie Matt Canning to tie the score.

Cole Lewis (#3) about to pull down Matt Jaeger for penalty kick.

Ipswich pulled ahead, 2-1, early in the second half as a Matt Jaeger break in forced defender Cole Lewis to pull him down in the box.  Senior Joe Baraiolo grounded the resulting penalty kick past Matt Canning’s left at 36:40.

Adam’s 2nd goal tied the score (2-2) sixteen minutes later.

Both teams seemed to sense the importance of the next goal and both had glittering chances.  Finally Spencer Traxler put his left foot on a ball that crossed in front and NHS led, 3-2, with seven minutes to go.

That goal seemed to do in Ipswich.  Adam pounced on a bad Ipswich clearout and quickly made it, 4-2, just a minute later to give the Clippers Win #1.

Joe Baraiolo strikes successful penalty kick for Ipswich.

Nice to see the scoreboard used to keep track of the time and the score.  That’s the beauty of playing in a stadium.

(I collect my own information and pictures.  Accuracy is important to me.  Mistakes are unintentional.)

Adam Traxler and Sam Benford

IHS goalie Erik Fyrer

Harrison Corbett (#11) and Kyle Cantrell (#9)

NHS goalie Matt Canning

Ryan Law

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September 12, 2011 · 9:11 am

Triton Boys Tie Newburyport 2-2 In Cape Ann League Soccer

Triton threatens late in the first half.

Sophomore Adam Traxler scored Newburyport’s first goal and had several other scoring chances.

(Byfield)  They’ve done this before – played to a tie.

The Triton Vikings and Newburyport Clippers played to a 2-2 tie in boys soccer on warm Monday afternoon at Triton in Cape Ann League action.

The teams played twice last year and finished one game scoreless and the other one, 3-3.

This was a rescheduled, weather-impaired game from last week.  It was the actual opener for Triton (0-0-1) and the second for Newburyport (0-0-2).  The Clippers began the season with a 2-2 tie with Methuen.

The conditions were great for spectators but not so for participants – too hot.  The conditioning of both teams appeared suspect and there was plenty of needed substituting on both sides.

The Clippers dominated play early.  They had already played a game and performed like that.  Triton was cautious, more interested in preventing a goal than scoring one.

The officials had the Triton goalie (Dalton Tzitzon – sophomore) change his shirt because he could have been mistaken for a Newburyport player.

Jake Stelline (#10) scored the tying goal for Triton late in the first half.

Newburyport had its chances without results for twenty minutes.  Senior AJ MacDougall hit a shot wide and came close with a header.  Junior Jordy Steelman had the ball close to the Triton goal.  A short while later AJ MacDougall contacted the Triton goalie’s best friend (crossbar).

Persistent sophomore Adam Traxler finally cashed in for the Clippers twenty minutes in.  He broke in alone and finished high to give Newburyport a 1-0 lead.

The Clippers kept after Triton.  Adam came close to a second goal and senior Matt Eagan had a good opening.  Neither cashed in.

Triton finally brought some serious pressure very late in the half, led by senior Jake Stelline.  The Viking senior hit the post on a break in and came back again with a shot off goalie junior Matt Canning’s hands into the upper corner to tie the score.

The halftime rest revitalized the Clippers.  Immediately they were into Viking territory and putting on pressure.  In the first minute there was a sequence with shots and rebounds before senior Harrison Corbett scored.  Newburyport led 2-1.

Jake Papanicolaou, shown here dribbling right, later would dribble left into the same area and beat Clipper goalie Matt Canning to the short side to tie the score in the second half.

As in the first half, Newburyport pressed again for more.  Again the dangerous chances came from Adam Traxler.

Triton was a lot earlier to start answering back than in the first half.  Both senior Mark Schwarz and Jake Papanicolaou had threatening shots during the middle twenty minutes of the forty minute half.

It was sophomore Jake Papanicolaou who produced the game-tier with eight minutes left.  The skilled dribbler took control of the ball on the left and maneuvered into the middle before unleashing a left-footed kick that beat Matt Canning on the short side.  That made it 2-2.

I didn’t see any particularly dangerous shots thereafter.  Both teams were clearly gassed.

Newburyport plays at Pentucket on Thursday while Triton gets to visit Amesbury on the same day.

(I collect my own information and take my own pictures.  Any mistakes are unintentional.)

Click on any of the posted photos to enlarge them.

Spencer Traxler (#6) and Jordy Steelman (#9)

Mike Mulkern (#23) and Adam Traxler (#5)

Goalie Matt Canning looks behind him in the first half.

Jordy Steelman (#9) and Matt Kelly (#24)

Action in front of the Newburyport end in the second half.

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