McClelland Miscellanea

November 12, 2021 · 3:31 pm

Lynn English defeats Newburyport 28-7 to win fifth straight

Nolan Mulcahy (53) brings down Newburyport quarterback Finn Sullivan

(Newburyport MA) The Lynn English Bulldogs (5-6) are on a roll.

Yes, they have six losses but the last one was on October 1^st.

LE has now won five straight adding Newburyport to the list, 28-7, at Stehlin Stadium Thursday night.

It was the last home game for the Clippers (4-6).

Newburyport visits Amesbury on Thanksgiving Day.

The Clippers put three straight wins together early in the season but have struggled with five losses in their last six games.

In tonight’s game, Newburyport trailed only, 14-7, early in the fourth quarter after a Finn Sullivan 15-yard scramble and extra-point kick.

But the Bulldogs responded with points on each of their next two possessions to seal the win.

One of the keys to the Bulldogs’ win was their ability to contain quarterback Finn Sullivan. Finn’s running has been crucial to the NHS offense all season. Lynn English shut that part down except for the 15-yard touchdown scramble early in the final quarter.

Meanwhile, LE showed the ability to run and pass.

Midway through the opening quarter, Newburyport junior Aidan Blunt deflected a pass in the end zone to keep freshman Edwin Castro from putting Lynn English on the scoreboard.

Lynn English would not be denied. They started a drive at their own thirty-eight, late in the first quarter, that paid off at 9:02 in the second quarter.

Mixing passing, running, and a fumble recovery (Edwin Castro) the Bulldogs reached the Newburyport 18.

QB Jesse Maggs then found Edwin Castro yards behind his nearest defender for an 18-yard score. Clipper Angus Webster broke up the 2-point conversion attempt, but LE had a, 6-0, lead.

The Bulldogs put another threatening drive together in the second quarter aided by a major penalty on the Clippers. However, QB Jesse Maggs fumbled and Angus Webster recovered at the Newburyport 17 with less than two minutes left.

The rest of the second quarter the Clippers showed an excellent passing attack. There was protection and the sidelines routes were nicely executed. But the clock was the problem.

Newburyport reached the LE 22 with time for one last play. The Bulldogs’ defense responded as sophomore Mitchell Purter brought the pressure and sacked QB Finn Sullivan to end the half.

Lynn English padded their lead in the third quarter. The key to LE’s second scoring drive was catches by senior Shea Palmer. Shea’s second catch was a leaper along the right sidelines that reached the Newburyport 14.

Senior Wes Chandler (89 yards) broke left, cut back and scored untouched. Wes also ran in the two-point conversion. LE now led, 14-0, with four minutes remaining in the 3^rd quarter.

The Clippers needed a big break to get back in the game and the Lynn English coaching staff supplied it.

Located deep in their own territory (28-yard-line) on fourth down, the Bulldogs decided to go for it. (I’m thinking the two-touchdown lead and significant confidence in their running game may have been the motivation.) Anyhow, QG Jesse Maggs tried and failed to get the one yard needed, setting Newburyport up at the LE 28.

QB Finn Sullivan (155 yards passing) passed to sophomore Sean Miles to get NHS to the L15 and scrambled in from there.

Finn Sullivan off on his 15-yard touchdown run

The Clippers were now only behind, 14-7, with most of the final quarter ahead of them. Could they tighten up the defense and get closer?

Unfortunately, for the home team, the defense couldn’t get it done.

Ernie Panias runs away from the Clippers defense to score his 2nd touchdown of the half

The Bulldogs had size on their line and had already picked up quality yards running or passing.

Sophomore Ernie Panias started the third scoring drive with a 20-yard run and then the QB Jesse Maggs to Wes Chandler connection clicked twice to reach the Newburyport 2.

Ernie Panias covered the last two yards at 9:43. Wes Chandler rushed for the 2-point conversion. LE was now in front, 22-7.

The Clippers took a 4^th down gamble on their next possession, and like the Bulldogs, came up empty. Sophomore Kane Brennan was stopped in his tracks by the Bulldogs defense to set them up at the Newburyport 42.

Lynn English capitalized on the good field position two minutes later. Ernie Panias went in off the right side standing up. The two-point conversion (Lionel Rivera) was stopped. LE was in command, 28-7, with 6:40 left.

Credit the Clippers. The game was essentially over but that didn’t stop them from putting a solid drive together. A key play was a catch by junior Jack Hadden getting Newburyport to the one-yard-line.

However, a pass interference call against the Clippers in the end zone frustrated the golden scoring chance.

Lynn English 0 6 8 14 – 28

Newburyport 0 0 0 7 – 7

I noted a tremendous difference in the atmosphere at the stadium from Wednesday night (boys soccer tourney game) and Thursday night (football game). Weekday, non-tournament games can reduce the crowd to close friends and family.

The weather was cool but not cold.

Lynn English is in the Northeastern Conference and Division Three.

Newburyport is in the Cape Ann League and Division Five.

Bulldogs’ quarterback Jesse Maggs reminded me of Pentucket’s Chase Dwight. Both are big, strong, and faster than you suspect.

(I wasn’t intending to write this game up. I planned to cover it with a few pictures, which I did on my Twitter account (McClellandPeter). When I realized that there was no local coverage (at all) I decided to put this story together. I didn’t talk to coaches and players afterwards. Those interactions are important, and it would have helped me to have had them.)

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

Robert Merenda (67), Nolan Mulcahy (53), Finn Sullivan (10)

Logan Jones (3), Josh McDonald (4), Jack Hadden (6), and Ernie Panias (7) battle in the end zone

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Filed under Lynn English, Newburyport

Tagged as Edwin Castro, Finn Sullivan, Jack Hadden, Jesse Maggs, Shea Palmer, Wes Chandler

November 11, 2021 · 1:22 am

Newburyport gains D3 final eight with 1-0 win over North Reading

Newburyport celebrates 1-0 win over North Reading

The Clippers goal came early in the 2nd half

(Newburyport MA) The Newburyport Clippers had lost to North Reading on October 25^th.

It was their only loss (so far) this season.

That history played a part in Newburyport’s 1-0 win over North Reading tonight.

“We came out ready to play,” said Coach Shaw Bleau. “We carried the momentum, finally got a goal, and held them off.”

“The last time we played them we took our only loss,” recalled Max Gagnon. “We wanted revenge.”

Playing with more determination was one thing but the key to the Clippers’ win tonight was neutralizing Hornets’ standout junior Josh Stanieich.

NR goalie Kieran Gorgenyi had a busy night

“They (Newburyport) did a great job of taking away what we like to do,” said NR coach Mark Bisognano. “They took away our best player (Josh Stanieich). They man-marked him out of the game. It was good strategy. It’s what I would have tried to do against us.”

Coach Bleau identified that player doing the marking. It was junior Will Thoreson.

“Will stayed all over him,” said Coach Bleau. “He marked him as best he could right out of the game.”

Will told me that he had been assigned to mark other players before tonight.

“It’s kind of my trademark now,” Will said. “It’s pretty much a basketball defense. I have to see the ball and the man at the same time.”

Josh Stanieich warranted all the attention because his goal had beaten the Clippers on October 25^th. Also, Josh had the game winner in North Reading’s tournament win.

Will Acquaviva (8) about to set up the Newburyport goal

Liam Rodger (2) and James Forest-Hay (12)

Will’s defense helped limit Josh to just one shot.

“He had one clean shot early on and it went 15’ over the bar,” said Will. “That was the only one he had.”

The Clippers (18-1-1) applied plenty of pressure on the Hornets (10-5-3).

Every throw-in by senior Jack Fehlner landed in the box area and kept NR goalie Kieran Gorgenyi very busy.

The Clippers weren’t shy about substituting, either.

“We kept putting in subs to keep the pressure on,” said Coach Bleau. “We stayed after it.”

Newburyport got its only goal two minutes into the second half.

Will Acquaviva put a cross in front of the North Reading goal and it was deflected in off a Hornets’ defender.

“You let a guy get to the end line and you’re in a lot of trouble as a defender,” said Coach Bisognano recalling the goal. “He (Will Acquaviva) hit a good smart ball across the face of the goal, and it ended up in the back of our net.”

Will Acquaviva was quite certain that teammate Caelen Twitchell would have gotten the goal if the defender hadn’t deflected it.

“I was coming to the near post on the right side and the goalie was there,” said Will. “I cut it back past him and Caelan (Twitchell) was there. The defender didn’t have many options. If he didn’t touch it, Caelan would have.”

“You keep pressuring a team and hope you’ll get a break and I think that we got one on that goal,” said Coach Bleau.

Newburyport goalie Owen Tahnk up for a second-half save

Graham Smith (2) and Josh Stanieich (14)

The Hornets turned up the pressure after the Newburyport goal.

“We created a few chances late when it became desperate times,” said Coach Bisognano.

“North Reading gave us our only loss this season,” said Coach Bleau. “They defend really well. They’re very organized and dangerous at the same time. We knew that we couldn’t go to sleep on them.”

#6 Newburyport will travel Saturday to face #3 Norwell at 5PM.

“Coach (Bleau) saw Norwell play the other night,” said Max Gagnon.

The Clippers are 10-0-1 at home. The tie was with Pentucket.

Good crowd with active support for both teams.

Will Thoreson: “He (Josh Stanieich) tries to beat you one-on-one. I tried to keep him to his weak foot.”

Coach Bisognano: “I’m glad that we have a Cape Ann representative in the final eight. Of course, I hoped it would be us! We thought that we had another shot at an upset.”

Jack Fehlner: (He has committed to play baseball at Roanoke College.) “My sister goes to James Madison in Virginia. When we moved her in, I went to a prospect camp down there. I met the Roanoke coach. I toured the campus and liked it down there.”

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

Newburyport celebrates goal before it goes up on the scoreboard

Action in the box in front of the North Reading goal

Cody Cannalonga (24) and Jack Fehlner (20)

Jason Emerson (4) and Will Acquaviva (8)

Nate Miller (13) and Brady O’Donnell (9)

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Filed under Newburyport, North Reading

Tagged as Coach Mark Bisognano, Coach Shawn Bleau, Jack Fehlner, Max Gagnon, Will Acquaviva, Will Thoreson

November 7, 2021 · 11:19 pm

Bow takes NH DII title 2-1 in OT over Pembroke

(Exeter NH) “You take your eyes off them for just a couple of seconds, and you get punished,” said Pembroke Academy coach Jess Kaufman-Desrochers afterwards.

The Spartans coach was referencing the LaPerle twins of Bow.

In the New Hampshire Division II girls’ soccer final this afternoon, Bella and Lyndsey were the difference-makers in the Bow Falcons, 2-1 win in overtime.

Bella scored in the closing seconds of regulation to get the game into overtime. At 2:20 of overtime, her sister Lyndsey drove home the game winner.

“The LaPerles are feisty, fast, and aggressive players,” added the Pembroke coach, “and we knew we needed to watch them.”

Pembroke (18-1) scored eleven minutes into the second half (Cierra Hill) to give the Spartans a, 1-0, lead.

The play throughout the game was back-and-forth, and grueling. There were hardly any substitutions. There was plenty for both fan sections to cheer about………and be concerned about.

The Bow goalie (Cailyn Benson) and the Pembroke goalie (Brooke Davison) were tested and tried on numerous occasions and drew ooh’s and aah’s from the crowd.

That one Pembroke goal got larger and larger as the time ran down.

At the five-minute mark, the scoreboard clock in the stadium stopped ticking down. Thereafter, only the referee knew the exact time left.

“There was time added because one of their players was injured,” said Lyndsey LaPerle afterwards. “That’s why the time left was so confusing.”

“Is there time to score?” and “How much longer will the defense have to hold?” were the questions that ran through my head as the five minutes left started to feel like twenty minutes.

“We never gave up,” said Bow coach Jay Vogt afterwards. “We talked before the game about needing to believe all the time.”

In the closing minute of regulation, Bella LaPerle got the ball on the right. The BHS junior turned and shot through two Pembroke players and into the left side of the Spartans’ goal to tie the score.

Bella LaPerle (2) shoots through two Pembroke defenders

There was a five-minute break before sudden-death overtime. That rest may have benefitted the speedy Falcons.

At 2:20 of OT, Lyndsey LaPerle received a pass in front from Elena Jay and buried a shot just inside the near post to win the game.

Lyndsey LaPerle (white shirt) drives the game winner just inside the post

“I was probably at the eighteen,” explained Lyndsey post-game. “Elena Jay passed it to me. I turned on my defender, saw an opening, and shot it.”

“Crazy,” was Coach Vogt’s initial description of the Lyndsey game-winner.

Then he added, “She turned and put her left foot on it. She didn’t try to kill it. She just tried to place it into the corner. She’s been scoring all year for us.”

The loss was extremely tough for Pembroke to take. Why? They came within seconds of winning their first girls soccer title.

Bow (18-1) has now won girls’ soccer titles six times. The most recent being in 2017.

I was quite certain going in that today’s matchup would be a good one. Bow’s only loss was to undefeated Pembroke.

Pembroke goalie Brooke Davison ready for a header

In that October 15^th game, Pembroke’s Britney Hill scored in the last three seconds to give the Spartans a 3-2 victory.

“This will make up for our loss to them,” said Coach Vogt, “because we won a state championship.

The Pembroke goal in the second half was on a well-executed corner kick. Senior Adrienne Dorr’s CK went beyond the front of the Bow goal directly to senior Cierra Hill. Cierra headed the ball back perfectly into the top shelf on the right.

Coach Kaufman-Desrochers: “It’s tough when just a couple of seconds decides it for you. We tried to maintain possession. The last eighty-three days have been really special. It’s hard to end it like this.”

Coach Vogt: “Pembroke is a tremendous team. We knew they’d put pressure on us. We had to believe that we could figure it out.”

LaPerle twins: “It’s an incredible feeling to win this. We’re exhausted…..but it was fun.”

Beautiful weather this afternoon. Temperatures in the 50’s with non-stop sunshine.

Nice setup at Bill Ball Stadium at Exeter High School. Great turf field and plenty of seating.

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

Pembroke coach Jess Kaufman-Desrochers, Britney Hill, Cierra Hill with trophy

Katelyn Armstrong (10) and Kelly Harris (14)

Grace Simmons (Pembroke) and Lyndsey LaPerle (Bow)

Cierra Hill (2) header off Adrienne Dorr’s corner kick

Cierra Hill’s header goes into the Bow net

Pembroke free kick sails to Bow GK Cailyn Benson

Bailey Gatchell (6) sails over Bow GK Cailyn Benson

Sydney Roberge (16) and Hannah Picott (5)

Cierra Hill and Adrienne Dorr celebrate Pembroke goal

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Filed under Bow, Pembroke Academy

Tagged as Adrienne Dorr, Bella LaPerle, Brooke Davison, Cailyn Benson, Cierra Hill, Coach Jay Vogt, Coach Jess Kaufman-Desrochers, Elena Jay, Lindsey LaPerle

November 6, 2021 · 7:14 pm

Windham takes Class A title 3-1 over Brunswick

(Waterboro ME) The style of play wasn’t what the coach wanted.

“We like to play a passing game, a possession game on the ground,” said Windham coach Deb LeBel afterwards. “Today, we were just clearing it to give us a sense of relief.”

The shaky technique aside, Windham did defeat Brunswick, 3-1, and capture the Class A title today at Massabesic High School.

The undefeated Eagles (19-0) scored three times in the last seventeen minutes of the first half and that was enough to gain their first title in seven years.

Brunswick (15-3) got a goal midway through the second half and had some chances to get closer, but it didn’t happen on this sunny morning.

“I thought we played very well in the second half,” said Brunswick coach Martyn Davison post-game. “The first half killed us a little bit.”

Abbey Thornton (2) and Sarah Talon (1) had the goals for Windham while Logan Brown scored for Brunswick.

Abbey and Sarah worked together on the first Eagles’ goal. It came off a corner kick at 16:22.

“We’ve scored a lot on corner kicks this season,” recalled Coach LeBel. “We’ve scored a ton on headers. Sarah (Talon) is super-tall and can place it.”

“On the first goal I had a great ball from Sarah (Talon),” said Abbey Thornton. “We’ve been able to do that the whole season.”

Freshman Stella Jarvais didn’t get any credit on the goal, but she took the corner kick. Stella put the ball right where Sarah (Talon) could elevate and head the ball.

Sarah’s header kept the ball going toward the front of the net where Abbey Thornton was waiting to head the ball into the Brunswick net.

Here are a series of pictures to show what that goal looked like:

Just over five minutes later (11:07), the Eagles had a second goal.

And just like the first goal, a key participant doesn’t make it to the official scoring summary. But she’ll make it here!

Junior Ashley Clark brought the ball down the left sidelines quite a distance before passing ahead to teammate Emily Talbot.

Emily sent a hard shot toward the net and Sarah Talon was able to deflect it in.

“I wasn’t expecting it to go in,” admitted Sarah afterwards, “I just wanted to get a foot on it.”

But in it went and Windham led, 2-0.

Junior Abbey Thornton is a center midfielder who made All-Conference as a freshman.

“Abbey creates turnovers,” said Coach LeBel. “Sometimes she thinks that if she doesn’t score, she’s not contributing. What she does best is stopping the ball and getting our offense going the other way.”

In the last minute of the first half, Abbey intercepted a pass, but she wasn’t at midfield. She was over to the right and closer to the Brunswick goal. Abbey knew what to do with the interception.

“I had an open shot, and I took it,” said Abbey. The quick shot sailed into the upper left corner of the Brunswick goal and the Windham lead was now, 3-0.

Abbey’s second score was Windham’s 100^th goal of the season.

The Dragons (15-3) shut out Windham in the second half.

“Our second half was tremendous,” said Coach Davison. “We could have had a couple of goals. We knew that they would score. We needed to capitalize on our chances.”

The Dragons did capitalize once in the second half.

And again (third time) a contributor to a goal is left off the score sheet.

Logan Brown’s goal off a direct kick was listed as unassisted. Logan, however, ended up with the direct kick because freshman Lexi Morin drew a penalty on her defender.

“It was a great shot by Logan,” said Coach Davison. “She’s done that all year. It was tough for the keeper with the sun in her eyes.”

The Dragons celebrate Logan Brown’s goal off a direct kick

Logan’s goal was at 19:41. Plenty of time left for Brunswick to get closer.

Windham, however, had the next scoring chance…..a penalty kick. Junior Ashley Clark drew the penalty.

Abbey Thornton took the shot and sent it wide with 16:14 remaining.

Windham’s Logan Brown had a corner kick at the eight-minute mark and the Dragons nearly scored a minute later.

The ball, on the close call, was loose and the goalie Eliza Trafford was on the ground. At the last second, however, Windham senior captain Amelia Mortero came from the left to clear the ball away.

Amelia Mortero (17) clears the ball away from in front of Windham net

Sarah Talon: “We knew what we had to do, and we were really excited to be here. Our mindset on the first day of preseason was to get here….and we did. It feels good to get the Gold Ball back for Coach LeBel. Our coaches really care for us.”

Coach Davison: “Windham is a great team. I’m really proud of what our girls did.”

Abbey Thornton: “We’ve worked hard together. We connect passes and play for each other. It was fun this year. We’re a big family.”

Coach LeBel: “The kids have worked really hard all season. They are extremely unselfish. Brunswick is very talented. I liked that they continued playing right to the end.”

Brunswick lost to Camden Hills and Bangor during the regular season and then came back to beat both in the tournament.

The referee had to get after the Windham student section in the second half……and they deserved it. Credit to those kids thereafter, because they switched to their best behavior for the rest of the game.

The weather got better as the game went on. Arrived and it was 30 degrees. When I left it was in the low 50’s. The sun never left.

Nice turf field at Massabesic. Plenty of seating available on both sides.

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

Brunswick coach Martyn Davison and daughter Emily

Abbey Thornton and Sarah Talon celebrate 3rd goal

Kynli Van Leer (7) and Elizabeth Talbot (10)

Shannon Flanagan (13) chases Abbey Thornton (9)

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Filed under Brunswick, Windham

Tagged as Abbey Thornton, Ashley Clark, Coach Deb LeBel, Coach Martyn Davison, Eliza Trafford, Emily Talbot, Logan Brown, Sarah Talon, Stella Jarvais

November 4, 2021 · 10:38 pm

Triton VB advances after sweeping Norton

Triton volleyball wins its first playoff game in school history

(Byfield MA) The first volleyball playoff game ever for the Triton Vikings turned out to be a big success.

Mia Berardino (14 kills) hits into two Norton blockers

Triton defeated Norton in three straight sets.

The game scores were 25-20, 25-17, and 25-16.

“We had a lot of energy but there were nerves,” recalled Triton senior Molly Kimball, “but we settled down.”

The Vikings (11-8) went down 9-13 in Game One and needed a timeout to keep that game from getting away from them.

Triton came out of the timeout, ran eight unanswered points, and were on their way to a three-set sweep of the Norton Lancers.

Senior Mia Berardino connected the Vikings slow start to the schedule. “It’s hard to play three games a week and then go days without playing,” she said.

But the Vikings did get plenty of practice time and it showed tonight.

“We worked on a lot of different things in practice,” said Coach Bob Van Etten afterwards. “We worked on the right side especially and tonight Brianna (Welch) had her best game of the season.”

Brianna finished with six kills and two assists.

Junior Chloe Carter did her best to keep the Lancers in each of the sets with several kills.

Norton (8-10) was tied with Triton at 13-13 in Game Two and 8-8 in the final game but couldn’t keep pace thereafter in either of them.

“We were working with a new lineup,” said Norton coach Kelly Allen. “We had players coming back from injuries.”

The Lancers lost a key player (Lexi Fleming) during tonight’s match.

“Lexi was injured last season and was coming back from surgery,” added Coach Allen. “A block tonight irritated her shoulder.”

Lexi and her teammate Kate Andy were Tri-Valley League All-Stars last year.

Molly Kimball was a key to the Vikings win with twenty-two assists.

Her setups for Mia Berardino (Stonehill commit) always get the home crowd’s attention. Mia had fourteen kills.

The hard hits are impressive, but Mia has also learned that points can be had by just dropping the ball into an open space. On the very first play of Game One, Mia was nicely set up for a spike but instead pulled back and dropped a shot into the Norton middle for a point.

Triton has now won seven of their last eight games. They’re in the Round of 16 and will play Tuesday.

“I thought we played well today,” said junior Grace Romine afterwards. “Bri (Welch) did a nice job with her hitting.”

Mia Berardino made sure that there weren’t any letups after Triton had won the first two sets. “We’ve been in matches where we win the first two sets and then get relaxed,” she said. “I insisted that everyone stay focused and win that third game.”

Sophomore Kendall Liebert led Triton with five blocks.

I was impressed with the play of Norton’s Sophia Santangelo and Fiona LaCamera.

Mia Berardino: “Tonight was fun. My parents came and a lot of my friends were here too.”

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

Mia Berardino gets a hard hit from the second row

Sophia Santangelo (6) and Fiona LaCamera (7) at the net

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Filed under Norton, Triton

Tagged as Chloe Carter, Grace Romine, Mia Berardino, Molly Kimball, Sophia Santangelo

October 30, 2021 · 10:02 pm

Richmond rallies past UNH 35-21

Aaron Dykes outruns Pop Bush for Richmond’s go-ahead score

Kobie Turner (98) sends UNH quarterback Bret Edwards flying

(Durham NH) Richmond hadn’t won at UNH in twenty-one years.

Richmond was winless in the Colonial Athletic Association and had lost five straight.

Richmond had six turnovers in a loss to Stony Brook last week.

Right on cue, the Spiders fumbled the opening kickoff this afternoon setting up the Wildcats in wonderful field position.

But Richmond (3-5) was able to forget all the bad history and the rocky start and defeat UNH, 35-21, on a nonstop, rainy afternoon at Wildcat Stadium.

The Wildcats (3-5) have now lost five straight.

UNH had the lead, 21-17, after three periods but watched the visitors put up eighteen unanswered points in the final period.

Isaac Seide (42) had his first UNH touchdown

Richmond quarterback Joe Mancuso was the key to the Spiders victory. The redshirt senior had three passing TDs as well as a rushing touchdown and a two-point conversion.

Junior Aaron Dykes was on the payoff end of two of Joe’s passes in the last quarter. His first TD catch gave the Spiders the lead for good, 28-21, with 9:54 left.

Joe Mancuso now has ten passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns in 2021.

Aaron Dykes now has four receiving scores.

The UNH pass defense struggled all afternoon surrendering 291 yards and three touchdowns.

Joe Mancuso (9) adds a two-point conversion

But the Wildcats still weren’t out of this one until Aaron Dykes second touchdown gave Richmond a, 35-21, lead with only 3:44 left.

Before that game-sealing score, UNH found ways to put points on the board and you waited for Richmond’s previous futility at UNH to resurface.

The Spiders fumbled the first time they had the ball in the first half and escaped unscathed. They did the same thing in the second half, losing the ball at their own 27, and weren’t so lucky.

UNH quarterback Brody McAndew capped a five-play drive with a seven-yard score and UNH had their first lead of the game, 21-17, at 10:17 of the third quarter.

Seemed like a perfect time for the Spiders to revert to previous form, after all they had lost five straight to UNH. But they didn’t.

The Richmond offense cashed points on three of their first four possessions in the last quarter. The Wildcats, meanwhile, had trouble moving the ball during that same stretch.

Three of the Spiders most notable defenders stepped up to limit the Wildcats. Tyler Dressler (7 solo tackles/8 assists), Tristan Wheeler (5 solo tackles/6 assists), and Kobie Turner (3 solo tackles/5 assists) often ruined UNH’s attempts to consistently move the ball.

Tristan Wheeler is tied for first in the CAA with 9.7 tackles per game.

Freshman Isaac Seide led the UNH rushers with seventy-five yards on nine carries. He also scored his first UNH touchdown on a three-yard sweep to the right corner.

The Wildcats turned a high snap on a punt attempt into points with seconds left in the first half. Aidan Murray recovered the high snap on the Richmond 24. UNH quarterback Bred Edwards then connected with Brian Espanet with three seconds left and the Spiders halftime lead was reduced to, 17-14.

Brian Espanet (80) scored late in the first half

I have to credit the UNH band. They were on the field before the game, and it was raining. They were on the field at halftime, and it was raining. When they weren’t on the field, they were in their section until the very end, and it never stopped raining. Dedication?

The tents on the far end of the field were a life saver for me and my equipment. Hardly anyone in that normally busy area today so I was able to stay dry.

There was an announced crowd of 6,000+. My eyes, however, told me that probably 90% of those folks watched from the more pleasurable confines of home! Good choice.

Thanks to UNH Media Relations director Mike Murphy for arranging my visit.

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

Tristan Wheeler (30) and Tyler Dressler (41)

Randall Harris (4) deflects a pass and gets called for pass interference

Brody McAndrew (12) scores from seven yards in the third quarter

Brody McAndrew (12) finds a hole to the end zone

Brian Esplanet (80) takes in a sidelines pass

Carlos Washington tackled by Aidan Murray (99)

Joe Eichman (0) has a fumble recovery for UNH

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Filed under Richmond, UNH

Tagged as Aaron Dykes, Brian Espanet, Isaac Seide, Joe Mancuso, Kobie Turer, LeRoy Henley, Tristan Wheeler

October 28, 2021 · 10:07 pm

Triton shuts out Newburyport 1-0

(Byfield MA) The Triton field hockey defense has been very good and that held true this afternoon against Newburyport.

The Vikings (12-3-2) recorded their eighth shutout of the season, 1-0, against Newburyport (5-7-3).

“We know that our defense is pretty strong (eleven goals against in seventeen games),” said Triton coach Donna Andersen. “It’s the frontline we’re working on.”

The Vikings frontline didn’t score in this one, but they did set up junior Sammy Kelly (center midfielder) with the game winner in the third quarter.

On the Triton goal, junior Riley Bell broke loose down the left wing and moved in for a close shot. Newburyport GK Jane Mettling kicked the shot away to the top of the circle.

“The ball came out to me,” recalled Sammy, “and I hit it right back toward the goal.”

Sammy’s quick shot surprised the Clippers defense and went into the left corner.

“We just weren’t ready for the ball going to the top spot,” said Newburyport coach Jessica Philbrick afterwards.

Sammy’s goal at 13:37 of the third quarter was her first of the season.

“Sammy saw the shot coming out and came into the top of the circle and took it over,” said Coach Andersen. “It was a good follow-up to pressure.”

Riley Bell picked up the assist.

“Riley is a good hard worker on the left wing,” said Coach Andersen. “She’s done some really nice things for us. She’s also scored a few goals.”

Delaney Woekel (3) get close to the Triton net

The Clippers lost to Triton, 2-0, in the season opener in September.

“Compared to our first game with Triton, we were like two different teams,” said Coach Phillbrick. “Today we played with confidence and made some good passing connections throughout the whole game.”

Newburyport has won four of their last six games, scoring sixteen goals and only giving up two goals.

“We’ve improved as the season has gone along,” added Coach Phillbrick. “It is better to peak at the end of the season.”

Newburyport applied pressure early in the first quarter as junior Lilly Ragusa centered a pass across in front of Triton goalie Sophia Chapman. No one was there to collect for the Clippers.

There were six corners in the game and neither team did much with them. Newburyport had their first and only one at 8:24 of the first quarter.

Triton had the next five corners including two in the second quarter and two in the third quarter.

“We clearly struggled to put the ball in the net,” said Coach Anderson. “Scoring is a little tricky right now.”

Newburyport’s best chance may have been early in the second half. Sophomore Delaney Woekel was able to get very close to the Triton goal but couldn’t get a shot off.

Less than a minute later (13:37) Sammy Kelly tallied the game’s only score.

The Vikings had several other good scoring chances in the third quarter, but Newburyport GK Jane Mettling turned them away each time.

The Clippers had the better of the scoring opportunities in the closing quarter but the Vikings defense, led by Neila Jones and Devyn Karpenko, kept the shutout for Triton.

Triton is currently ranked fourth in Division 3 while Newburyport is ranked ninth.

“We’re 4^th in the standings,” said Coach Anderson. “Things could be worse.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing how we’ll do in the playoffs,” said Coach Phillbrick.

There are no sectionals in this year’s playoff setup. Previously, Cape Ann League teams would face each other in the North sectional. Now it is possible that the most successful of the CAL teams might not see each other until the state finals.

Triton recently played, and lost, to CAL division leaders Ipswich and Pentucket by a 1-0 score each time. “I thought that we were fairly even with Ipswich,” recalled Coach Anderson. “Pentucket outplayed us. They completely dominated us in the second half.”

Coach Phillbrick: “I keep reminding myself this year that a lot of my players may not be young to varsity but because of last year’s seven-versus-seven format didn’t get as much playing time as they would in a normal season.”

Triton senior Maddie Hillick had both goals in the Vikings, 2-0, win over Newburyport in their first meeting.

Triton won nine of their first ten games while Newburyport was 1-5-3 in their first nine games.

It was cold (high 40’s) at Triton but thankfully the normal wind there never showed up.

The brilliant foliage in the Triton area appears in several of this entry’s pictures.

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

Lilly Ragusa (15) and Devyn Karpenko (3)

Newburyport GK Jane Mettling kicks away the shot of Riley Bell (6)

Sammy Kelly with the ball after her goal

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Tagged as Coach Donna Andersen, Jane Mettling, Riley Bell, Sammy Kelly, Sophia Chapman

October 26, 2021 · 8:37 pm

Ipswich edges Lynnfield in VB thriller

Ella Gizmunt (6) was a dominating presence for the Pioneers

(Lynnfield MA) “Exciting,” won’t do this match justice.

It was more than that…..and there was no letup in the exhilaration on both sides.

Ipswich (15-1) had two crunch-time rallies and defeated Lynnfield, 3-2, on Tuesday night.

The scores were; 25-21, 17-25, 25-23, 18-25, and 15-17.

Even the fifth game was tight and tense!

The Pioneers (15-3) had been swept 3-0 by the Tigers at Ipswich on September 29^th.

But that was then. Lynnfield came into this game having won eight of nine and they were playing at home where they were 7-0.

The teams were tied at the top of the CAL Kinney Division with identical 11-1 records.

Grace Sorensen (14 kills, 16 digs) for Tigers

The Pioneers had won last year’s abbreviated Cape Ann League season and have a volleyball banner on the gymnasium wall indicating other CAL championships.

Both schools had fans in the house, and it was loud. It was so loud that at times you couldn’t even hear the loud music.

Both teams had big hitters and there were tons of hard-hit finishes.

Lynnfield’s junior Ella Gizmunt had a night of well setup power hits. The six-footer knows how to finish.

“We tried to avoid her,” said Ipswich coach Staci Sonke afterwards. “She’s their best player. She’s going to go somewhere and play D1. Our goal was to get the ball away from her as much as possible and make the rest of her team work for it.”

In Game One, Ipswich broke away from a 10-10 tie and led the rest of the way winning, 25-21.

I thought then of the early-season Ipswich sweep and thought maybe things were heading in that direction.

Wrong on that one. Lynnfield broke away from an 8-8 tie in Game Two and didn’t look back winning, 25-17.

Game Three held the first of the two crucial late-game Ipswich rallies. The Tigers were tied 1-1 and advanced to a seemingly comfortable, 22-17, advantage. But Lynnfield wouldn’t go away. They ran seven straight points with the Lynnfield side getting more and more involved as the Ipswich lead disappeared. Now down 23-22, the Tigers’ Ella Stein had a hard hit and a strong serve to restore the Ipswich lead, 24-23. A Claire O’Flynn spike finished the game in the Tigers favor.

Tired and demoralized? Ready to give up? Didn’t notice any of that from Lynnfield in Game Four. Led by Ella Gizmunt, the Pioneers left a 5-5 tie and went on to win, 25-18. Ella was everywhere on this one with serves, digs, and spikes. She also showed spike several times and then tapped to an open space.

Ella Stein (10 kills, 6 aces) for Ipswich

The deciding 15-point Game Five had several early ties before Lynnfield moved ahead 13-9, riding the play of Ella Gizmunt.

The Tigers looked to be in serious trouble but somehow were able to turn the momentum their way and even things at, 13-13.

Lynnfield had match point at 14-13 and couldn’t get it done.

Ipswich had match point at 15-14 and also couldn’t get it done.

(Hopefully, you’re getting a sense of how remarkable this match was!)

With the score tied at, 15-15, Ipswich put two straight points together for the victory. Meghan Wallace had an important hit in the first Tigers’ point and Grace Sorensen served the match winner.

“It came down to who had the ball at the right time,” said Lynnfield coach Brent Ashley afterwards, “and who had experience in the big moment before.”

“It was such a competitive match,” said Ipswich senior Claire O’Flynn. “Either team could have won. Lynnfield played so hard.”

The victory gives Ipswich at least a share of the Kinney Division title in the Cape Ann League. A win on Wednesday night (Triton) gives Ipswich the title outright.

Lynnfield setter Sarah Foley had plenty to do with many of Ella Gizmunt’s best hits.

“I don’t think we could have done any better, honestly,” said Sarah afterwards. “We played our hearts out. We put everything out there tonight. Ella (Gizmunt) had a great game.”

Sarah Foley (10) prepares to set up a teammate

“It was an intense match,” said Ipswich sophomore Tess O’Flynn. “Serving at the end was a bit scary.”

“What a battle this was,” added Coach Sonke. “It was between two really great teams. Ella (Gizmunt) was unreal.”

“It came down to who made fewer mistakes in the end,” Coach Sonke said. “and who could make the last serve and who could get the ball on the court.”

“Good for Ipswich,” said Coach Ashley. “They’re only 5-6 years old and they get to put a number on their banner if they win on Wednesday.”

The big change in the post-season is that there no longer are divisions. There are now power rankings which will determine the seedings.

What does that mean for Ipswich and Lynnfield? Both teams are in Division 4. Ipswich is ranked #1 and Lynnfield #2.

The chance of the two teams meeting in the North Division title match, as under the previous post-season setup, has been replaced by the enticing possibility of the two teams meeting in the state finals. Now wouldn’t that be something!

“I’m ready to see them in the state finals,” said Sarah Foley.

Who wouldn’t want to see that rematch?

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

Grace Davie (4) in position to block Grace Sorensen’s spike attempt

Meghan Wallace (27) at the net for Ipswich

Natalie Connell (8) and Meghan Wallace (27)

Grace Sorensen (2) spikes through two blockers

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Tagged as Claire O'Flynn, Ella Gizmunt, Grace Sorensen, Meghan Wallace, Tess O'Flynn

October 23, 2021 · 7:33 pm

Alyssa Pettet and Allie Waters are playing soccer at Holy Cross

(Worcester MA) The first adjective that came out of their mouths was, “awesome.”

I met with Alyssa Pettet (Amesbury) and Allie Waters (Newburyport) this afternoon after the Holy Cross/Navy women’s soccer match.

Both girls are freshmen on the team.

I had seen Alyssa and Allie play plenty of soccer in the Cape Ann League and wondered how they were doing at the college level.

That “awesome” in the first paragraph was in response to my, “How are things going?” question.

Instead of trying to summarize what they told me, I will let them speak for themselves.

“How are things going?”

Alyssa: “It’s awesome. I love it here. I’m having lots of fun.”

Allie: “The team and the community here are awesome. It’s definitely a huge transition from club to college. The level of play is a lot higher.”

“How did you get to come to Holy Cross?”

Alyssa: “I started talking to their coach in January of my freshman year. Then I committed in July. I have been in contact for a long time. I am excited to be here. I loved the community here and the beautiful campus. It’s a great academic school and they play high-level soccer.”

Allie: “I got here through communications between my club coaches and the coaches here. The prior coach saw me at a couple of showcase games. I committed here February of my junior year.”

“How are things going academically?”

Alyssa: “Academically, it is definitely a transition. It is a prestigious school. I haven’t gotten any grades yet. I’ve been balancing the academics with soccer. I think I’m figuring it out. We have academic chats with the assistant coaches every week. It’s a good thing.”

Allie: “It’s a lot fewer actual hours of school. In high school you sit eight hours in the classroom. For me, I have two classes a day at a top of 1 ½ hours each. In soccer season, they set you up with a strict schedule so that you know to get things done. Out-of-season will not be the time to procrastinate.”

“Have you been home at all?”

Allie: “We drove back together to watch our high school teams. We had fall break so there were no classes here, so we had the time. I watched Newburyport versus Rockport. It made me want to be out there. I have so many memories on the field.”

Alyssa: “I saw Amesbury against Triton. It was great to see the team at our game against Boston University. It is cool how supportive everyone has been.”

“How about the soccer facility here?”

Alyssa: “The facility is beautiful. They really maintain this place. It’s a little bit nicer than Cashman!”

Allie: “It’s weird playing on grass. I was used to playing on turf in club and high school. It has been an adjustment.”

Alyssa started for the Crusaders and played the first twenty minutes. Allie didn’t get into the game.

Holy Cross (1-14-1) has struggled in the very tough Patriot League.

“Every game is a battle,” said Alyssa, “and it’s awesome to be part of it.”

The Crusaders had a tough, 1-0, loss to Navy today. The Midshipmen are 10-5-3 and have been an impressive 5-0-1 in their last six matches.

Navy freshman Alexa Riddle scored her seventh goal of the season today in the 16^th minute of the first half. She took a long pass and broke in behind the Holy Cross defense. Alexa nearly had another goal in the final seven minutes of the game.

Navy celebrates the only goal of the game

The Crusaders had chances. In fact, Cerys Balmer had a penalty kick with thirteen minutes remaining in the game. The PK attempt went wide left.

Cerys Balmer’s penalty kick goes wide left

“Not winning as much as high school is a mental battle,” said Allie. “In the end it will make us stronger. There will be a huge time of development in the off-season.”

Holy Cross is blessed to have Alyssa Pettet and Allie Waters within their student body. Now if they can just start winning some games!

Thanks to Charles Bare and Delaney O’Brien for arranging my visit today.

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

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Tagged as Alexa Riddle, Allie Waters, Alyssa Pettet

October 22, 2021 · 11:12 pm

Pentucket shuts out Amesbury 2-0

Pentucket seniors with Coach Ruth Beaton

(Merrimac MA) The Pentucket seniors were honored before the game and the team was honored afterwards.

The Sachems (15-1) defeated Amesbury, 2-0, on Friday afternoon.

“We’re CAL field hockey champs for the first time in school history,” said Pentucket coach Ruth Beaton afterwards. Her team has won twelve straight games.

Junior Haley Dwight had a goal and an assist for Pentucket.

“Pentucket is an awesome team,” said Amesbury coach Kerri Doherty post-game. “They consistently come out fast and move the ball extremely well. They can play on both turf and grass.”

The Sachems put pressure on the Indians (2-8-4) most of the game.

“We had a ton of chances,” said senior Lana Mickelson. “I know because I missed a few.”

Lana had two goals against Amesbury in Pentucket’s 4-1 win at Amesbury.

Busy afternoon for Amesbury goalie Nuala Arsenault

The Sachems scored early in the second quarter (Reese Gallant) and early in the final quarter (Haley Dwight).

Pentucket had nine corners (by my unofficial count) and numerous opportunities.

Credit Amesbury goal-keeper Nuala Arsenault along with defenders Lizzy Deacon, Hannah Gale, and Ella DeLisle for finding ways to prevent more Pentucket goals.

“It was hard in there,” said GK Nuala Arsenault, “and I was really tired…..but it was fun.”

Pentucket goalie Charlene Basque didn’t see much action. However, after Haley Dwight’s goal four minutes into the final quarter, Amesbury did apply some pressure and rang a shot off the sidebar.

A goal there would have cut the Pentucket lead to 2-1 with six minutes left.

“All credit to Amesbury for the way they hung in there,” said senior Meg Freiermuth afterwards. “We stayed gritty.”

“Defensively, we held our own,” said Coach Doherty.

Reese Gallant gets her stick on Haley’s pass

But Pentucket had so many in-close chances in the first quarter that you assumed that a goal would come that way. But that wasn’t the way the first goal was scored.

Haley Dwight intercepted a pass at midfield and headed for the left endline.

“When I see the open net, I always shoot for it,” said Haley, “but I’m also looking for my teammates.”

When Haley got close to the endline, she sent a pass across the front of the net between the goalie and a defender.

“Reese was right there,” said Haley.

“Haley put it right in front,” said Reese Gallant. “It was nice to be there on the end of Haley’s pass.”

“That first goal was picture perfect,” recalled Coach Beaton. “Reese was where she had to be when Haley made the crossing pass.”

Ball in the air in front of Izzy Deacon (11)

There was not much that Amesbury GK Nuala Arsenault could do about the goal. “Their first one was rough to get to because the player shooting was on the opposite side,” said Nuala.

The Sachems were finally able to pad their lead with a goal in the final quarter.

Pentucket had crowded in near the Amesbury goal many times, but this time Haley Dwight produced a goal out of the congestion.

“I did a spin move on the goalie and shot it,” recalled Haley. “It didn’t bounce off anyone. It went right in. The sound of a goal is something my teammates and I love to hear.”

Coach Doherty: “Ruth (Beaton) is well respected in the league. There was no doubt in my mind that Pentucket was the Number One team this year.”

Coach Beaton: “Kerri’s kids play hard and don’t give up on the ball.”

Six seniors (Bailey Stock, Madi Kuchar, Sydney Matthews, Meg Freiermuth, Lana Mickelson, Gabrielle Cloutier, and Charlene Basque) were honored pre-game.

Meg Freiermuth was pleased to have her brother Pat (Pittsburgh Steelers) on hand for the celebration.

“It is awesome to have Pat around,” said Meg. “He has a bye week, so he was able to come.”

Amesbury is one of the best 2-8-4 teams you’ll ever see. They tied highly regarded Triton recently. The Vikings are the only team with a win over Pentucket.

The Sachems have games left with Lynnfield and North Reading. Pentucket defeated both 4-0 the first time around.

The seedings for the Division 3 state tournament come out on November 1^st. How far can Pentucket go post-season?

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