There was a lot to celebrate in Marblehead Monday evening. Not only did the varsity volleyball team improve to 14-2 after defeating Notre Dame Hingham 3-0 (25-13, 25-19, 25-23), but setter Eva Burke recorded her 1,000th career assist, becoming Marblehead’s all-time leader. Burke finished with 33 assists against Notre Dame. Greta Sachs led the offense with 11 kills, four aces, and two blocks, while Sammy Walker added nine kills, four digs, and three blocks. Sydney Faris recorded 15 digs to help the cause.
VOLLEYBALL
Marblehead 3
Danvers 0
A dominant first set helped catapult the Magicians (15-2) to victory in scores of 25-6, 25-17, and 26-16. Sachs continued to lead Marblehead’s offense with 9 kills, while Lila Moniz and Mari Modrzynska added another four apiece. Burke dished out 22 assists to go with six aces. Faris led Marblehead from the service line with seven aces and 10 digs.
BOYS SOCCER
Marblehead 0
West Springfield 0
With Marblehead coach Elmer Magaña calling Saturday’s game “a playoff atmosphere,” his Magicians battled to a tough draw against West Springfield.
“Our strategy was pretty successful. We only allowed two shots in the first and two other shots in the second,” he said. “We are extremely proud of our boys for battling a state powerhouse until the last second. This was a playoff game against a highly-ranked opponent – the type of game and type of opponent we may face in the playoffs. Today, our boys sent a clear message throughout the state that Marblehead soccer can compete and battle with the best of the best.”
Goalkeeper Matias Watts-Cruz made some key stops, Ilan Druker had a “monster game,” according to Magaña, and freshman Mitchell Leighton also played well.
“He (Leighton) was brilliant in winning the air balls . . . but he also did a great job pressing and stealing the ball,” Magaña said.
St. John’s Prep 2
Saint John’s Shrewsbury 1
Garrison Murphy and Mike Hutchinson scored first-half goals as The Prep finished conference play in style. Gus Nugent and Joe DiCesare dished out assists, while ever-so-reliable Matt Droggitis made seven saves.
GIRLS SOCCER
Marblehead 4
Danvers 1
In a big showdown between two of the top teams in the Northeastern Conference, the Magicians walked out of Danvers victorious. Liv Carlson and Courtney Hitscherich each scored to give Marblehead a 2-1 halftime cushion. Danvers’ lone goal came from Rylee Sullivan.
In the second half, Callie Gilmore showed off her speed, getting to a ball and finishing to extend the Magicians’ lead to 3-1. Gilmore later doubled her tally to put the game to bed.
FIELD HOCKEY
Gloucester 3
Marblehead 0
Elizabeth Hayes made 11 saves for Marblehead (7-7-3), but its offense couldn’t convert in Gloucester Tuesday. That said, Marblehead coach Ali Carey credited her players for allowing no goals in the second half.
“Our defense managed to limit Gloucester’s scoring opportunities to the first half of the game, shutting down any potential goals in quarters three and four,” she said. “On the flip side, though, Gloucester’s defense was ready for us and while we had several solid chances, we just couldn’t find the net.”
Marblehead 3
Danvers 3
Despite leading 3-1 in the fourth quarter, Marblehead allowed two late goals to settle for a draw at Piper Field. Emma Ryan scored twice in the first quarter and Layla Dulac added another in the third quarter. Assists came from Paige Waldman, Keliane Salem, and Sadie Beane. Callie Traill, Libby Sher, and Mia Calabro scored for Danvers.
Masconomet 2
Marblehead 0
Hayes played well for the Magicians and made six key saves. Despite being shut out, a September matchup between Masconomet and Marblehead ended with a 9-1 win for the Chieftains.
“So, to say I am pleased with our performance would be an understatement. Masco is a powerhouse in the NEC (Northeastern Conference) and today, our job was to challenge when we could on offense, but to focus on our defensive game,” Carey said. “Nobody beats Emma Ryan’s hustle and Zoe Dwyer was absolutely everywhere we needed her to be, making smart passes and helping to keep the pressure on. Sadie Beane and Addie Rotigliano left it all on the field – those two are committed and play hard. Our midline was also key for us today; Keliane Salem, Julia Mann, Carolyn Black, and Shea Bickell are smart, sharp players.”
CROSS COUNTRY
The St. John’s Prep cross country team raced in Tuesday’s Catholic Conference Championship held at the Wrentham Developmental Center. The Prep won the varsity 5K race with 29 points, followed by BC High (37), Catholic Memorial (66), Xaverian Brothers (107), Saint John’s Shrewsbury (126), and Malden Catholic (169). Top finishers for the Eagles were Jack McIntosh (15:27), Liam Mahoney (15:47), Henry McDonnell (15:48), Leo Seltenrich (15:49), Liam Callahan (16:05), Sam Valentine (16:24), and Hunter Opal (16:28).
GOLF
Masconomet won Thursday’s Northeastern Conference Open at Bass Rocks Golf Club with Chieftains Cole Velardo (79) and Brendan Sheehen (72) leading the way. Beverly and Marblehead tied for second place with Tyler Forbes (78) shooting well for the Magicians. Winthrop took fourth, while Mike Collins and Tyler Ostroff (80) guided Swampscott to sixth place. Peabody placed seventh and Saugus tied for eighth.
FOOTBALL
St. John’s Prep 53
Saint John’s Shrewsbury 19
Maxwell Parent got things started with a 40-yard rushing touchdown and it was a breeze from there for St. John’s Prep, which scored all of its points through three quarters. Another highlight came through a trick play, with Parent tossing a touchdown pass to Anthony Sanderson to put the Eagles ahead, 16-0, in the opening quarter.
