After a blazing start, the Manchester-Essex boys soccer team went into the week with four starters out with injury, but scrapped and battled their way to three draws to remain undefeated at the top of the CAL Baker Division. On Monday, the boys went to Newburyport and found themselves down 0–2 against the very physical Clippers late in the match. The Hornets refused to give in and found a late goal with 10 minutes to play of a long service into the box which Kellen Furse got to and jostled into the back of the net. Moments later, Naderson Curtis would drive a corner kick hard on goal which the Newburyport keeper was unable to handle while under pressure, which tied the match at two with just moments to play. Wednesday evening featured more of the same grit and determination. After Rockport asserted its direct and dangerous attacking style on the Hornets in front of their home crowd, the Hornets again found themselves down 0–2. This time, it was Kai Carroll who made an attacking run into the offensive third and rocketed a goal past the keeper with fifteen to play. Carroll figured in the second goal as well lofting a high ball on net, which Kellen Furse redirected past the goalie to even the match at two apiece. Georgetown was another test for the Hornets, who controlled the possession of the match stringing many passing combinations together, which produced some great attacking chances and several solid saves from the Georgetown keeper. With the Royals playing defensively, they seemed to be happy with a 0–0 draw until the Hornets would get another goal with five minutes to play. At that point, Manchester Essex shifted their tactics to be more defensive minded and a Georgetown attack led to a hand ball and a Georgetown equalizer. The Hornet’s record now stands at 4–0–3 in the Cape Ann League, which ties them with Rockport atop the CAL Baker Division. No time for rest this week with CAL Large opponent Triton on Tuesday and a home match with Rockport which may well determine the Baker Division leader.
This week, the Lady Hornets improved their record to 5–0–1 with wins over Newburyport and Rockport. In a 2–1 win against Newburyport, freshman Paige Garlitz made several key saves for the Hornets to keep them in the game with goals by freshman Amy Vytopilova and senior Cagney Pallazola . In a 7–0 win against Rockport, senior captain Bridget Twombly netted three goals and freshman Grace Gerhardt added two to that. Key defensive play by Annika Smith and Bridget Miller ensured the shut-out for the Hornets. This week, they will face Georgetown, Triton and Rockport.
The Manchester-Essex golf team has had a strong start to the season, with a 5–1 record at the halfway point. After an opening loss to Triton, the team has gone on a five-match winning streak. Earlier this month, the Hornets had solid road victories against Pentucket and North Reading, followed by a home victory on September 12 against previously unbeaten Newburyport. Senior co-captain Ian Taliaferro led the team and posted the high score for both teams in the victory. Last Tuesday, the team won at Amesbury, with Taliaferro and sophomore Theo Parianos sharing medalist honors for the day. And on Thursday, the Hornets hosted Rockport and secured its latest victory. Junior Charlie Gendron led all players in the match and senior co-captain Mason Paccone also posted a strong score for the home team. This week the team faces strong competition with an away match versus powerhouse Masco, and a home match versus Lynnfield.
Manchester-Essex cross country boys beat Hamilton-Wenham 25 to 32. Will Kenney won the race in 16:54. Marco Bussone, Eli Heanue and Colin Harrison came in 3, 4 and 5. Logan Cooper rounded out the scoring for the Hornets with 12 points. The boys are now 2–0 for the season.
The girls lost 46 to 17. Senior Captain Olivia Ford was able to avoid the sweep by breaking up the General’s top five runners with a fourth place finish. Also scoring for the Hornets were Vanessa Gregory, Althea Hurd, Jane Whitten and Emily Fossa. The girls are now 1–1 for the season. This was the only home meet of the year. The team celebrated Olivia Ford’s final home meet as the only senior on the team. Next up for the Hornets is the Frank Kelley Invitational at Wrentham on September 28.
This week, the girls varsity soccer team was undefeated in the three games played. The first was a 3–1 win at Pentucket with goals from Mia Cromwell (two) and Dasa Hase, followed by a home game which resulted in a tie versus Newburyport on a goal from Maya Baker. Finally, a 6–1 home win versus Rockport with goals from Maya Baker (three), Dasa Hase, Isabella Hadaegh, and Cece Mastendino with Rachel Albertazzi pitching in with three assists in the game. The team will face another Cape Ann League team on Friday at home versus Georgetown High.
