Marblehead’s girls lacrosse team played host to Salem on Thursday, April 25, but it was so much more. The Magicians played in honor of Heather Walker, a town resident who was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer, glioblastoma, in 2021 and died in 2023.
When diagnosed, Walker thought of how she could help others and launched the Heather Walker Fund for Glioblastoma Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
In Thursday’s 13-1 win against the Witches, Heather’s daughter, Sammy, scored three goals and dished out an assist to lead the Magicians (4-4).
“Today, we played in honor of Heather and the Walker family,” said Marblehead coach Annie Madden. “Sammy had an outstanding game and truly would have made her mother proud.”
Riding its 10-1 halftime cushion, it was all uphill from there for the Red and Black, led by Maddie Forbes (goal, assist), Ramona Gillett (goal, assist), Rachel Delisle (assist), Cassidy Lubeck (3 goals), Gretchen Smith (goal), Caitlin Ryan (goal), and Kathryn Commoss (3 goals, 4 assists).
GIRLS LACROSSE
Beverly 15
Marblehead 6
It was a second half to forget for the Magicians on their home turf. Marblehead (4-5) trailed by two goals at halftime (3-5). In the second half, however, Beverly found its rhythm.
Freshman Kathryn Commoss registered two goals, one assist, and two ground balls, while Ramona Gillett scored a goal, provided two assists, and picked up five ground balls. Freshman goaltender Molly Bullard made 14 saves.
BOYS TENNIS
Marblehead 5
Latin Academy 0
Marblehead fans have had lots to cheer about this spring, and their Magicians improved to 6-2 (5-0 Northeastern Conference) with a clean win over visiting Latin Academy on Tuesday.
Mika Garber, Etan Farfel, and TJ Kelly got the job done in singles play, while the junior teamup of Jayden Janock and Leo Winocour did so in first singles. Anthony Vizy and Ty Cooper closed things out with a doubles victory.
“Excellent play with Ty’s topspin setting up Anthony at net,” said Marblehead coach Elisabeth Foukal. “Good doubles all around.”
Marblehead 5
Winthrop 0
The Winthrop Vikings couldn’t make use of home-court advantage against the Magicians. On their newly-renovated courts, the Magicians improved their record to 5-2.
First singles and second singles didn’t drop a game to their respective opponents. Etan Farfel and Jayden Janock beat their opponents 6-0, 6-0. First doubles Anthony Vizy and Ty Cooper showed they were a hard duo to stop as they won 6-0, 6-0.
St. John’s Prep 5
St. John’s 0
The Eagles remain undefeated after a sweep of St. John’s High School in Danvers. John DeAngelis, Jack Prokopis, and Luke Free all took care of business in singles.
In doubles action, Luke Prokopis and Boris Kouzminov beat Andrew D’Anelo and Lukas Pannenborg, 6-3, 6-2. Mark McDuffee and Alex Melville rounded things up for the Eagles at second doubles, winning 6-3, 6-0.
Marblehead 3
Masconomet 2
With the match originally scheduled for 4 p.m., it wasn’t until 5 p.m. when it got underway due to bus constraints. Despite the delay, Marblehead, on its home court, got the job done to improve to 4-2 overall and 4-0 in Northeastern Conference play.
In first singles, junior Captain Etan Farfel beat senior Jack Eaton 6-2, 6-0. Etan controlled the match with his strong forehand, serve, and drop shot, according to coach Elisabeth Foukal.
Junior Captain Jayden Janock was in trouble early, dropping the first set 4-6, but rallied back and won the final two sets 6-3, 6-0.
The third win came from the second doubles team of Anthony Vizy and Ty Cooper. The duo showed their chemistry, winning comfortably 6-1, 6-1.
Marblehead 5
Salem 0
Marblehead’s boys tennis team defended its home court with ease on Thursday, April 25, cruising to a 5-0 win against the Witches. The Magicians improved to 3-0 in the Northeastern Conference and 3-2 overall.
Leo Winocour, Austin Bacon, and Quinn Fletcher were all victorious in singles play, while the duos of Ben Zaltsman-Ty Cooper and Alex Boehning-Filip Wabno put on shows in doubles action.
St. John’s Prep 4
Wellesley 1
St. John’s Prep coach Mark Metropolis checked off his 500th career win at The Prep in his team’s 4-1 win against Wellesley. Luke Free, Jack Prokopis, and John DeAngelis went 1-2-3 in singles.
St. John’s Prep 4
Malden Catholic 0
The second doubles match was rained out in this one, but The Prep took care of business elsewhere. Jack Prokopis, Luke Free, and John DeAngelis won their singles matches with ease, while Luke Prokopis and Boris Kouzminov dominated first doubles. The Eagles flew to 5-0 with the win.
GIRLS TENNIS
Marblehead 5
Saugus 0
Marblehead swept Saugus in no time, moving to 3-3 on the season ahead of a grueling next four days featuring four matches. Maddie Conlon, Sami Dosch, and Emma Zurn (varsity debut) were perfect in singles, as were Aoife Bresnahan-Lucia Levin and Amelia Singer-Hannah Atkinson (debuts) in doubles.
Marblehead 5
Winthrop 0
The Magicians (2-3) took care of the Vikings at home. Plus, Marblehead had three varsity players making their debuts. Sarah Munroe made her debut at third singles (winning on straight sets), while Abbie Goodwin, and Reese Friedman made their debuts on first and second doubles.
SOFTBALL
Marblehead 6
Malden Catholic 1
It looked like the Magicians were going to lose a close one to Malden Catholic as they trailed 1-0 in the sixth inning. However, Marblehead showed why it’s one of the top teams in the Northeastern Conference, scoring six runs in the sixth.
With Isabel Mortensen and Hailey Schmitt on base, after they both hit singles, Tessa Francis brought them both in for a Marblehead lead.
The runs started to pour in after that, as the Magicians added four insurance runs to make it 6-1.
Francis got the win on the mound, going seven innings with 12 strikeouts and allowing one run on three hits.
Marblehead 13
Salem 0
The Magicians mercied Salem in five innings to improve to 7-1. Standout pitcher Tessa Francis registered a no-hitter, striking out 14 of 16 batters. As dominant as Francis was on the mound, she did damage at the plate, too, going 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI.
BASEBALL
St. John’s Prep 4
Malden Catholic 3
The Eagles got the job done on the road. Cam LaGrassa, Gavin Gold, and Will Shaheen each registered two hits and an RBI.
Walpole 1
St. John’s Prep 0
Extra innings were needed in Walpole, as St. John’s Prep visited the Timberwolves in a thriller. Unfortunately for the Eagles, an error in the bottom of the eighth proved costly as Walpole came out victorious, 1-0. It was a walk-off hit from Walpole’s Rickie Hayes – a single to center field.
Fans were treated to a pitchers’ duel. Walpole pitcher Andrew Burke pitched 6 1/3 innings with 10 strikeouts, three walks, and three hits, while St. John’s Prep’s Braeden Hurley started and pitched seven innings, striking out four and allowing just four hits.
BOYS LACROSSE
St. John’s Prep 14
Billerica 8
Make it eight games, eight wins for the defending Division 1 champs. The St. John’s Prep laxmen upped their record to 8-0 with a 14-8 road win against Billerica (5-4) Saturday night. Prep coach John Pynchon called it a “breakout” performance from Drew Bossi, who scored four goals and dished out five assists.
“Jack Doherty and Will Crawford were outstanding at the face of X, combining to win 21 of 24 draws,” Pynchon said. “Owen Williamson, Ryan DeLucia, and Nick Schibli played well on defense.”
Cam McCarthy ripped a hat trick, followed by Oliver Rosselli (goal, assist), Ben Merena (goal, assist), Jake Vana (goal), Crawford (goal), Josh Haarmann (goal), Luke Kelly (goal), Madden McGowan (goal), Brendan Powers (2 assists), and Jimmy Nardone (assist). Max Putney saved four of five shots, while Mattheus DuPlessis made four saves on nine shots.