If the Newburyport girls lacrosse team wasn’t considered a serious contender in Division 3 prior to Friday’s game, then it certainly is now.
And, really, that would have been quite foolish if it wasn’t before.
The Clippers are of course the 2023 Division 3 State Champions, who made it back to the title game last year before surrendering their crown in a valiant defense. They came into Friday’s game just recently ranked No. 3 in Div. 3, but had to make the trip up to an Ipswich program that is back-to-back Division 4 state runner-up, and currently once again holds the No. 1 overall rank.
And the battle of No. 3 vs. No. 1 definitely lived up to the hype.
With 35 seconds left and trying to close out a one-goal game, Reese Bromby showed that she’s not just a scorer. The senior captain and UMass Amherst commit forced a turnover before picking up the ground ball, and Newburyport was able to run out the rest of the clock in a thrilling statement victory over Ipswich, 10-9.
The Clippers (8-2) needed a marquee win, and were able to get it.
After the game, goalie Cody Saboliauskas and the defense in front were lauded for their performance. Tied after the first quarter, Newburyport was able to take a 7-5 lead into halftime thanks to second-quarter goals from Bromby (2), Amanda Linteris and Amelia Price.
Ipswich (7-2) would score the first two goals of the third quarter to tie things up, but Bromby would net her hat-trick to put Newburyport up, 8-7, heading to the fourth. Avery Tahnk converted a free position, then would respond after a Tigers’ goal to make it 10-8 with just under eight minutes left. The Tigers would score on a free position to make it 10-9 with three minutes left, then would force a turnover with 90 seconds on the clock to get possession back.
Overtime looked to be imminent, but Bromby came up huge defensively.
Bromby would finish with four goals, while Linteris had three, Tahnk (2a) had two and Price (1a) had her one. Newburyport has now won two in a row, and will look to earn some revenge over Pentucket at James T. Stehlin Field on Monday.
White, Amesbury earn first win
The long wait is over for the Amesbury boys lacrosse team.
Under the lights on Friday night, the Redhawks earned their first victory of the season after traveling over and taking down Triton, 20-14. Leading the way was senior captain Max White, who scored five goals while also assisting on four others.
Elsewhere for the Redhawks (1-9), Ben Berg had 4 goals and 3 assists, and the trio of Nick Creps, Evan Murphy (1a) and Braden Delisle (3a) all had hat-tricks. Grady Hagan and Chase Linsey were the team’s final goal-scorers, and Ollie Peters added two assists.
Then for Triton (0-12), Cam McDonald led the way with five goals, and both Shawn Twomey and Paxton Laky each had two.
Newburyport boys tennis beats Lynnfield
The Newburyport boys tennis team has firmly joined the ranks at the top of the CAL.
For years, it’s been Manchester Essex and Lynnfield basically in a class of their own. But after battling the Hornets to a hard-fought 3-2 loss early last week, on Thursday the Clippers made a huge statement by taking down the Pioneers by the same 3-2 score.
Leading the way was Alex Lambert winning a pivotal match at No. 2 singles, 6-2, 4-6, 6-0. Newburyport then took both doubles matches, with the team of Brindley Fisher and Ronan Refour winning 6-4, 6-1, and the duo of Will Forrest and Sam Brickman bearing down for the 6-0, 5-7, 7-6 victory.
Newburyport (5-1) then validated that win by taking down Mystic Valley on Sunday, 3-2. Lucas Palen won at No. 3 singles (6-3, 6-7, 6-4), and the teams of Brickman/Forrest (7-6, 6-4) and Parker Iverson/Hunter McCormick (6-1, 7-5) took care of doubles.
Bradshaw, Newburyport bounce back
The Newburyport girls tennis team didn’t let a tough loss get it down for too long.
Following getting swept by state power Lynnfield on Thursday afternoon, the Clippers bounced back a day later with a 5-0 win over Triton. Harper Bradshaw played a flawless 6-0, 6-0 match at No. 1 singles, while teammates Leah Enes and Kate Mellet did the same at No. 1 doubles.
The Clippers also got wins from Elsie DeGrano at No. 2 singles (6-1, 6-1), Gretchen Boelke at No. 3 singles (6-1, 6-3) and the No. 2 doubles team of Sadie Reardon and Lily Su (6-1, 6-0).