FIELD HOCKEY
Gloucester 5, Danvers 2: Fiona Black stayed hot offensively, scoring two more goals to bump her season total to 15 and lead the Fishermen to their eighth straight win to open the season. She also added an assist. Julia Palk, Samantha Tucker and Emme Sabia all found the back of the cage as well in the victory.
“I’m very proud of the girls and how they redirected the play after Danvers gave us a really solid fight,” said GHS coach Lauren Riley-Gove. “It was back and forth with those first couple of goals, but once they settled into their groove, we were able to capitalize on some solid playmaking.”
The Fishermen also got two assists from Tucker and two from Mia Rodolosi, who both shined throughout. In addition, midfielders Liv Madruga, Mackayla Allen and Sabia controlled the play with “their stops and then quick passes,” added Riley-Gove. Defensively, Liv Philbrook, Avery Benjamin, Angela Russo and Olivia Vargus held up extremely well against Danvers’ pressure.
“I’m really proud of how this team has come together,” added Riley-Gove, whose squad will look to make it nine straight wins on Tuesday at home against NEC rival Beverly (4:30). “Not only do they work as a solid unit but the chemistry is what it is because they really love each other.”
Gloucester was slotted at No. 9 in the latest MIAA Division 3 power rankings that were released on Friday. They are one of four teams that remains unbeaten in the division, and have a great chance to boost their ranking with another strong week ahead.
BOYS SOCCER
Manchester Essex 0, Newburyport 0: After scrimmaging the Clippers to a scoreless draw in the preseason, the two Cape Ann League foes battled for another 80 minutes on Thursday and came out with the result.
“Just an awesome game. Both sides played extremely well,” said Hornets coach Robbie Bilsbury, his team now 4-1-4 with three scoreless draws ont he year. “I think it was a good result; that Newburyport team is gonna do pretty well against the rest of the CAL teams, so I was happy.”
Goalkeeper Keegan Brooks was on his game in the tie, making a couple of huge saves, including a diving, point blank stop from a shot no more than six yards out late in action.
“It was an insane save,” added Bilsbury. “I don’t know how he even saved it.”
Nic Muchantaf, Ronan McGilligan and Nolan Crocker all had standout games, as did center backs Charlie Athanas and Morgan Nichols. Jeremy Cheever was another standout defensively at left back.
Manchester now moves on to next Tuesday’s battle at Rockport (6 p.m.).
GIRLS SOCCER
Newburyport 7, Manchester Essex 0: Hornets’ goalie Emerald Jakes made 14 saves, doing everything she could to help keep her team in it. But it ultimately wasn’t enough against a talented Clippers squad.
VOLLEYBALL
Swampscott 3, Gloucester 0: The Fishermen (now 4-6) dropped a 23-25, 22-25, 13-25 decision on the road Thursday evening. Sophomore middle Isabella Soundis had two aces, three kills and a dig in the setback, while senior captain and outside hitter Jocelyn Maddalena served up two aces, had one block and three digs. In addition, senior outside hitter Sara Fernandes mashed seven kills, served up a pair of aces and had seven digs. Gloucester travels to KIPP Academy in Lynn on Monday evening (5:30).
GOLF
Manchester Essex 135, Rockport 130: The Hornets (4-8) picked up a big CAL win and snapped a three-match losing streak in the process on Thursday afternoon at Essex County Club. Damian Etna shined with 28 points, as did captain Graham Lewis with 27. In addition, freshman Keegan Campbell came up huge with 21 points to help secure the win.
For Rockport, Nolan Bace eagled the fifth hole and birdied the ninth, finishing with 33 points at a 2-over par 38. Will Carlson added 27 points, Jack Rose had 24 and Landon Parco tallied 20 in the loss.
Gloucester 49, Salem 23: The Fishermen (now 8-4) rolled behind a balanced team effort at Bass Rocks Co captains Will Linn and Will Johnson and freshman Crofton Parsons all won handily. Brady Ciaramitaro shot a 42 in his win while Emma Richardson and Calvin Warde also played well. In addition, freshman Paul Genovese won in his varsity debut. Gloucester has another busy slate next week with matches against Danvers (Monday), Marblehead (Tuesday) and Swamposctt (Thursday).